I watched her until I could no longer see her, hoping she would turn around one more time. Hoping for one final wave. She never looked back.
I took the escalator upstairs to the food court. I could not help but cry. It wasn't a nasty snot bubble cry, but a silent falling of tears. I made eye contact with no one as I rushed to a table sitting in a back corner, in the dark. I was happy, proud, excited, nervous, scared and tired. It's 1030pm, my flight to Chicago wouldn't leave for nearly 12 more hours. It was going to be a long night. I hated that I was there alone. I wished someone was there with me to say all would be fine.
The time limited the people I could call. I slowly collected myself and did 3 things.
Called my mom.
Posted a status on the ever therapeutic Facebook.
Found something to eat.
The love and encouragement from my momma stretched across the miles.
FB comments were like hugs from afar.
And the late night avocado with dinner was soothing.
After an hour of sulking I thought it would be best to find a spot to camp out for the night. Knowing I'd be there for hours I was well prepared, with journals, novels, and puzzle books in hand to keep me entertained.
Earlier I had scoped out some comfy red chairs. I would spend my night there. I wasn't the only one with the same idea. As I rounded the corner, I see all the seats had been taken. People were sleeping on them-not one chair available.
What am I going to do now?
In the same vicinity there was a darkened corner with several weary travelers laying on the carpet. They were covered by sweaters, with their heads propped up by luggage. I created a makeshift pallet and lay down. Fifteen minutes later I jumped up. I couldn't lay there all night. My nerves had gotten the best of me, I was uncomfortable and cold. I took the escalator down stairs and to my delight there was Yuna.
She was enveloped in a conversation, made eye contact, we waved but I kept it moving. I slowed down my pace, hoping she would yell out after me, but she didn't.
I walked towards the elevator Naysia and I took to get upstairs, and noticed a few more-empty-comfy seats. And I sat, prepared to stay here for the night. To my right was a young man, to my left an older woman. There were about 3 seats between them on either side. It was fairly quiet here, and dim.
I was feeling better until the woman began cussin'. "Sh*t"....."Muthafuc*as"....."Fuc* you"! Whoa!!!! I looked over at her, thinking perhaps she was on the phone. She wasn't. These words were being belted out to strangers walking by. She then turned to me and began telling the story of a family that had left just before I came~it was then apparent that she was drunk.
The young man then begin to talk about how he had been on 6 flights over the last 24 hours and was trying to get home to Hawaii. "Do you have change for a $20?" "Can I use your cell phone?"
They talked to me, to each other, to themselves. All I could think was, Lord have mercy!!!
I looked up and Yuna was walking by. I wanted to yell out her name, but didn't. At that point I just wanted to talk to someone I knew, especially her because she knows the ins and outs of the program and would certainly put my thoughts at ease. She walked briskly and eventually turned her head, saw me and came over.
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