A million moths fluttered through my stomach as the plane glided back on to pavement. It has been a long five months since I have been home. Brazil was one excavation I would never forget. It was long, it was hard, and it was lonely. With each artifact unearthed from the ancient peoples, an artifact from my life diminished also. I got a letter from my mother, Journee, the other day. It was my first letter in weeks, and also, my last letter in weeks. She sent me pictures of my kids. My three beautiful babies. They’ve grown so much and looked so happy… without their mother.
I folded my children away and tucked them into my carry on the same way I’ve been doing for the past five months and rummaged around for my phone. Thankfully, the thing still worked. Many messages from many random people fluttered through. Ignoring them all, I shot a text to my sister, Mila. Only she if I would have a hard time adjusting to life after being gone for so long.
“Hey sexy! I’m home? How r my kids? All my shit still good?”, my fingers were cautiously stumbling over the cracked screen. I waited for her to respond before I got a notification I could not ignore. It was a text from my big sister.
“Sissy pooh! Did you land? Not sure why you’re not responding….” said the first message.
“Take your phone off airplane mode already cuz I know you landed.” said the second. I responded with a few emojis before I stumbled off the tight plane.
Thankfully the airport was rather peaceful. There was no crowd. There were hardly any people. You would think that I would spot my mothers, my sisters, and my babies with ease. The longer I sat around and waited at baggage claim, the more I accepted that maybe they forgot about me. Or, perhaps, they did not get my letter about the grant money that ran so project was cut from eight months to five.
I suddenly heard my voice pull me from the innards of my mind, no not my voice, but a happier version of it. “Mika! Mika!” I shouted. I guess the locals gave me something laced to roll up before I boarded the plane, because I swear it was like an out of body experience.
That’s when I saw her face running towards me. She jumped on me as if she had never seen this face before. “Omg, Michi! I missed you sissy! Now we can be triplets again!” I blurted matching her excitement as I grabbed her firmly.
“You look good girl!” She said as her eyes trailed over me
“And you… are glowing.” I noted as she emitted every ounce of happiness through a wide smile
“Girl, I am just so happy to see you.”
“Where is everyone?”
“Oh… well, Mama Journee took all the kids to universal studios for two weeks, something about pop’s label having a concert out there. Anyway, Mila went with them too. Now, Mama Mariah…” She trailed on. This conversation would last an entire car ride. It had been five months after all.
Michi stayed for all of two minutes to help me get my luggage out of the trunk. She had to get home to her family, something she failed to go into detail on, but promised we would catch up in the morning. I slowly unlocked my door, afraid of what might be behind it. With the exception of a few dust bunnies, my house seemed to be the only thing that did not change while I was away.
I looked down to my right where my little garden once was. “Oh shit, she really did come through”, I shouted noticing Mila’s handiwork.
After a few bowls, it was home sweet home
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