Anxiously Awaiting

Author's Note: I wrote this very, very short story for my cousins who are visiting. They've been away from their father for a month and although they're enjoying their vacation, they are missing him very much and can't wait to see him.

It had been almost a month since Jane and Ellen had seen their father, James. It wasn’t the most unusual thing considering his job required him to travel often and for days at a time. But that didn’t mean it meant saying goodbye any easier.

This time, however, Jane, Ellen and their mother Susan went on vacation to California to visit Susan’s sister and children. They were heading back home today and there was anxiousness in the air. Jane couldn’t keep still and would take turns from chewing on her already bitten fingernails to sliding up and down the hard, black airport chairs. Ellen kept switching from seat to seat and asking Susan when they’d be seeing their dad.

They waited in the departure section for their flight to be called. Jane did her best to distract herself and put her walkman on and turned the music up high. Ellen finally settled in the chair on the other side of their mom and leaned her head against her Susan’s shoulder. Jane must have dosed off because the next thing she knew was that Susan was nudging her saying that the flights were all boarding. She quickly got up and stuffed her walkman in her handbag, and helped Ellen grab her Dora the Explorer carry on and dragged it behind her.

As soon as they boarded the plane, Ellen ran past Jane and quickly took the window seat. Susan sat in the middle, and Jane sat in the aisle seat. They settled in and waited for the other passengers to board as well before the captain’s voice came on letting them know they’d be taking off soon.

Ellen quickly unzipped her carry on by her feet and took out an activity book to busy herself, while Jane once again took out her walkman and turned it to full volume.

* * *

Ellen awoke to the sound of the captain’s voice, saying they’d be landing in a short time and if all passengers could return to their seats and fasten their seatbelts. Susan helped her put her markers and activity book away while Jane zipped up her bag and fastened her seatbelt.

Jane could feel her heart rate speed up. She’d be seeing her father any minute now and she couldn’t hide her excitement. Ellen, once again bombarded Susan with questions about when they’d be seeing James.

* * *

They finally made their way out of the airplane and into the airport. Susan, Jane and Ellen criss-crossed through the crowd. Jane desperately searched throughout the crowd for the familiar face. Ellen jumped around, trying to see over people’s head for her father’s face.

Jane looked around, and finally, spotted the face she’d so desperately wanted to see. She let go of Susan’s hand and practically shouted to Ellen “I see him. Let’s go.” She grabbed onto Ellen’s little hand, and they both ran through the crowd to the man standing with a smile on his face and his arms open wide.