Hello from the Windy City

2:00 AM, I awoke with a gasp, and I was perspiring. I knew something was wrong, Sean wasn't home. I called him, got voicemail. In fact, I called him several times. I left him messages stating, "Can you please call me and let me know if I need to find other transportation to the airport? Can you just do that, please?" My stomach began to quiver. My nerves shot. I ran to the bathroom, I had diarrhea [I know, TMI]. My stomach was hurting so badly. I went back to bed. I decided to try and get more rest. "He wouldn't do this to me, right? He wouldn't do this to me?" I ran to the bathroom, again. This went on 'till about 3AM when I decided to call the bus company and ask them what early bird rides they had..."One at 4, and one at 5." I decided to go for the 5AM. I then called a cab company.

"How quickly can you get a cab to me, I need to get to the bus station for 5?"

"Bout ten minutes, ma'am."

"Well, I will have to call you back, I'm not sure if my actual ride will be here so I'll call back."

I showered, got ready, hoping that he would walk through the door.

Nothing.

4AM
4:10AM
4:15AM
4:20AM

"He'll be here. I know he will."

4:30AM

"Hello, I'd like to order that cab, please."

I began taking my baggage downstairs, setting them on the porch. To my surprise, Sean's vehicle was in the driveway, but there was no sign of him. I took a deep breath, went back upstairs to grab my other bags. I left the hallway light on for him, locked the door, and stood in the driveway.

I was afraid of riding in a cab alone so early in the morning. I had called the company to make sure the driver would be on time. They CB'd him and I could hear his gruff voice, "I'm almost there." I pictured some fat greasy man with a five o'clock shadow. He was a nice 'ole man. Called me Miss everytime he answered me. Cost me $15, the cab ride. He got me to the bus on time where I had an argument with the clerk who told me the next early bird was 5:30. We argued back and forth till I realized he was WRONG, the bus left at 5. I arrived at Logan at 5:30, stood in line with my bad stomach. At this point, I wasn't sure if I'd even get on the plane. You see, my uncle pulled some strings and got me a standby ticket. The clerk tells me to head to my gate, basically, I had a seat. I had three seats in fact. I slept with my body elongated. Didn't even have drink or have a snack.

Before I got on the plane, I called Sean several times and felt scared. The call would connect and I could hear movement, and breathing. "Sean, I hope you're okay, I love you." My eyes teared up and I wiped them away before anyone could see. The more I wiped, the more the tears flowed.

I awoke to the captain informing us that we were landing in 20 minutes. I looked out my window to cake of clouds. I couldn't even see ground. We landed, I headed over to baggage claim, called home to make sure my brother was on his way. My mom answered.

"Did Gerald leave yet?"

"Yeah, he left a while ago."

'Cept I knew something was odd when I called his cell phone and he wouldn't answer, and he didn't call me to tell me he was outside waiting. He's usually on time. Then I definitely knew something was out of synch when I called home again and no one picked up. My mom is known for telling little white lies. Apparently my brother hadn't left yet, he was a little to sick to drive so he asked my mom to come with him so she could drive and he could navigate, she was too scared to tell me they hadn't left yet and I'd have to wait a half hour for them to arrive. They finally did pick me up and I slept in the car. We got home, I said my hello's to everyone, then Catherine picked me up, and we went over to her house for her famous Chicken and Dumplings. So yummy.

It feels weird to be typing to you from Illinois. My dad is sitting right next to me as I type this. I kinda wish I was curled up in my own bed right now, but, it's nice being near my family, too.

You know, I feel bad about Sean. I wish I would have been able to say good bye to him, I would've not cared if he told me he couldn't take me to the airport.

Anyhow, I'm going to try and sleep. I've traveled too much today, and too early, at that.