Young Writers Society

I was choosing between the souvenir that said I LOVE CHICAGO, or the one that had the world and the word CHICAGO in bold in the middle. They were both keychains. Avery loved having collections of them. He had Face Timed me once and showed me all the ones he had. He basically had half the world’s souvenirs. I laughed at the thought and tossed both of them in the little cart I was dragging along with me in the market on that sunny Tuesday morning.

I went to the kids’ section and saw something that Isabella would adore. I lunged for the slime kit and tossed it into the cart. It costs fifteen dollars. I flinched. I bit too expensive, but it should be fine. Then, I rolled down towards the front and suddenly realized I had nothing for Timothy. I quickly dashed towards the clothes section. I saw a hat that said CHICAGO BULLS on it. I decided that would be good enough, hopefully, and ran back to the cashiers. I saw a gift bag and took that too.

The elderly man behind the counter smiled at me and noticing how much of a rush I was in, quickly checked out everything for me, “Your total is twenty four forty plus tax.” he said. I gave him the cash and told him to keep the change. I thanked him and rushed off with the shopper. Grams was there waiting for me in the taxi with both our baggage. My bag and the purse that I was hanging around my shoulder. And Grams’ bag and her purse.

I hopped in and tossed everything in the gift bag. “To the airport, sir!” Grams said.

He nodded and zoomed off, “We should reach in about half an hour. By ten thirty, we should, hopefully, be there.”

Before I realized it, I had fallen asleep.

+++

“Honey,” a voice said. “Wake up!”

“Where…? Airport…” I mumbled. The person chuckled then poked me.

“We’re here.” the voice said. I snapped my eyes open. We were here! Then I realized that the voice was Grams. I smiled at her and jumped out of the taxi. I thanked the driver and then Grams paid. We took out our bags from the trunk and walked into the airport.

We checked in our bags and went off to gate number 29.

I asked Grams if she wanted anything from Starbucks. “A blueberry scone and a Cinnamon Dolce Latte.” I nodded. Then, I walked into the café and the man behind the cash register asked for my order.

“A blueberry scone, a Cinnamon Dolce Latte, Caramel Frappuccinoand a chocolate chip cookie.” I said, ticking off the items on my fingers one by one.

The man – Doug – nodded, “Anything else?” I shook my head. “The total will be twelve ninety.” he went off to get everything ready while I paid with the credit card.

A few minutes later, I was walking back to my seat where Grams was and held out her order so she could start eating.

We waited there for some time and then the woman over the speaker told us that our flight had arrived. People were coming out of the plane, so we had to wait first.

As soon as everyone came out of the plane, everyone waiting at Gate 29 went in. Our seat number was three and I got the window seat! I grinned at Grams who was sitting beside me. Or so I thought. I looked beside me and almost jumped out of my seat. The lady sitting there had a smug look on her face and while she was talking to me, her breath smelled very funny.

“Um, excuse me. Just need to go to the bathroom.” I got out of my seat and squeezed past her. The person sitting beside her was Grams. She looked at me apologetically. I squeezed her hand and smiled. It’s fine. I mouthed. I walked to the front of the plane where two of the flight attendants were talking.

“Eh-ehem.” I cleared my throat and the flight attendant guy looked at me.

“Yes?” he said kindly.

“I think there’s a drunk lady on board.” I whispered. His face turned grave and he asked me where she was sitting. He followed me past the other few passengers that were in front of us. Just nine other people.

“Here.” I said.

“Excuse me, miss.” he said sternly but not rudely. “May I get you to hop out of that seat for a second? I need to talk to you at the front on the plane.” The lady giggled and then suddenly, out of the blue, she burped really loud.

She got out of the seat, “Wooo!!” she stuck out her arms and half staggered, half zoomed towards the front and waited there for the flight attendant. He looked back at me and mouthed a thank you. I nodded slightly at him and went back to my window seat.

Grams gave me a questioning look and I filled her in. “They’ll probably take her off-board.” she said to me. “Don’t worry.” She patted my hand and her green eyes flickered towards my neck.

She saw the necklace.

I had tucked it under my shirt! I remember! But I guess not…

I gulped, “I-I’m sorry Grams. I c-can explain.”

She patted my hand again and leaned back.

“Grams, I found it a long time ago!” I said then plastered a smile on my face as the same flight attendant came back and told us that the drunk lady was taken off the plane.

“That seat is free for your use now.” he nodded towards the empty seat between Grams and me. I thanked him and he walked off.

The two other flight attendants started explaining all the emergency exits and everything. I closed my eyes and sighed. I was hoping Grams would move to the middle seat. She was probably upset with me.

When I moved to the middle seat, “Don’t you like the window seat?” she asked me. I sighed again and moved back to my window seat and stared out of the window. I buckled up and dozed off into sleep as the plane started flying.

+++

We had gotten off our three hour flight to Quebec (yes, our cousins live in Canada) and it was currently four o’clock. It took us some time for us to retrieve our bags. Someone almost stole them.

And now we were in a mini-van, driving on the highway. Uncle Simon was driving, and we were having the time of our lives! Music was blasting from the radio and we all decided that we loved this song. Avery had come along too. We had instantly clicked when I showed him the souvenirs.

Grams was glad to be with her son right now. When the song ended abruptly, we all cracked up.

“And we’re here!” Uncle Simon exclaimed cheerily. Their house was huge. By huge, I mean seriously huge. It had three floors and it looked as if it took up a quarter of the neighborhood. It looked as if. There were trees surrounding the neighborhood too. It was a nice and peaceful sight. Uncle Simon turned off the engine and unlocked all the doors. We all hopped out and as Uncle Simon was walking down the pathway. His face suddenly turned red.

“You raccoon!” he started talking in a different language – which I guessed was French, since this was the national language. There indeed was a raccoon in their front yard nibbling on an apple core. It scampered away, scared. Avery shook his head.

“Raccoon has been annoying us for quite a long time now.” he sighed. Me and Grams followed Uncle Simon and Avery into the house, I gaped when I stepped in.

This house… Oh my god… This is nuts! I have to tell Maryam and Ella this! My cousins are so rich, and I didn’t even know. Aunt Martha had run out of some place – probably the kitchen, because she was wearing an apron – and hugged us all.

“It’s so good to finally see you, Jules!” she exclaimed, grabbing me into a warm hug. I hugged her back. She smelled like fresh muffins. Timothy and Isabella had come out of their places, too. Timothy and I shook hands and Isabella and I hugged.

Uncle Simon and Timothy took mine and Grams’ bags and purses and took them upstairs. Probably to the guest room. We were still standing at the front chit chatting. I told Isabella I have a gift for her, but I’d show her later. I still have my gift bag with me.

“It’s almost time for supper.” Aunt Martha announced, “Oh! You should both get comfy in the living room.” she smiled at us and ushered us into a huge room with beautiful furniture. Me and Grams sat down. I was careful not to ruin anything. It all looked so precious!

“Ave and Izzy, listen.” Aunt Martha said, “You will help your grandmother and cousin. If they need anything, give it. Just be good, okay?” The two kids nodded. “Also, go get your father and brother from upstairs. They probably continued with video gaming again.” she rolled her eyes and jogged off towards the kitchen – I think.

I giggled slightly. I had learned from all the times we chatted on the phone that Timothy and Uncle Simon loved playing video games! One of their favorites is Fortnite. I’m not very into video games so I have zero clue what that is.

“So how was your trip here?” Avery said. He sat opposite from me. Grams was beside me on the leather couch.

“It was good. We had some troubles along the way, but thankfully, we were safe.” Grams smiled. I continued for her as the rest of the Ashtons filed in. Aunt Martha had brought muffins too.

“We had encountered a drunk lady on board. She smelled very strongly of liquor.”

Everyone gasped.

“She was taken off the plane, don’t worry.” I continued.

Everyone laughed. “We had also had our baggage stolen!” I exclaimed.

“Almost!” Isabella said, “They’re upstairs now.”

“That’s right!” I said and smiled at her. “I like your dress by the way.” I said, pointing at it. It was lace and poufy. I liked it. It was a royal purple and it went right below her knees. She smiled at me.

My clothes were nothing compared to hers. I had a black sweatshirt on and denim jeans. Boring.

“Mum made it.” she said shyly, looking down.

Grams gasped, “You did!?” she shrieked. She got up and dragged Aunt Martha with her. I heard her mumble about teaching her sewing. We all laughed, and Uncle Simon got up. “I better go watch this. Mother needs to stay sane for the rest of this vacation, especially to go back home!” he shook his head, chuckling. “Or else, she’ll be told to get off-board.”

“I guess it’s just us then.” Avery said. He smiled at me.

I nodded.

“Just saying, call us by our nicknames. I’m Ave, Isabella is Izzy, Timothy is Tim, and Dad is Sim. Mum doesn’t like nicknames, so nothing for her.” He laughed.

I chuckled, “Alright.”

Is Uncle Simo – or I mean, Uncle Sim – okay with his son calling him by his name? I bit my lip then shrugged slightly.

I had a lot of getting used to!