Page 88 of Passing Notes
I barely made it in time to grab the last banana cake of the day and a couple of pies. Returning to my apartment, I had my arms loaded with groceries and various goodies for the visit. I’d put everything away and sprinted around my apartment, cleaning as fast as I could. I blasted music as I went and sang along to a good vibes playlist. When a song from The Burnouts came up, I skipped it and pushed away thoughts of Janice and her request. I’d almost forgotten that my phone had been ringing until I went to call the Lodge. In the past few hours, I’d missed several calls from my parents and brothers.
I stared at the notifications, and it felt like someone made me swallow a bunch of rocks.
“Don’t assume the worst,” I chastised myself.
I was about to call my mom back when my phone vibrated again. It was Noah, my eldest brother.
“Hey, Noah. I was just about to call you back.”
“Hi, Mariam. Yeah, it’s Noah.”
“I know. I just said?—”
“Listen, I’m here at LaGuardia.” He sighed with gusto. “It’s been a shit show today. I don’t know where you’ve been, but we’ve all been trying to reach you.”
“I’m sorry. I was just?—”
“Here’s the deal. Mom and Dad’s flight was canceled, so I booked them tickets here instead. Got them a straight shot, first class.” The anxiety in my chest plummeted to my stomach.
“What? But I—” Heat burned my cheeks as he interrupted me again.
“Don’t worry, Asim and I will cover it. Maybe you can do the Christmas gifts this year? Anyway, when Jonas heard, they just decided to stay in North Carolina. I guess Alice didn’t want to drive all day with the kids. She’s not feeling good.”
I felt an anger burn up inside me. It was the same feeling of being at the dinner table and having everybody talk over me. I wanted to scream out just to be heard. I took a steadying breath.
“But I’ve made all these plans,” I said, impressed by how calm I sounded.
“I know, kid, sorry. But it’s not a great time at our firm anyway. Just a lot going on. We’ll try to make Christmas work this year.”
I fell back against the counter. I felt so stupid. I had been so excited and made so many plans. All this food. All the people in town I told. Oh God, I got my students to volunteer to perform for them. I rubbed at my burning eyes.
“Mariam? Hang on, Mom wants to say something.”
“They’re already there?” I almost yelled. I gripped the phone.
“No need to yell,” he chastised. “Like I said, direct flights. We just picked them up. Hang on.”
I scrubbed at my chest. Those swallowed rocks now felt like burning coals.
“Mariam, it’s your mother.”
“Yeah, I know?—”
“I’m sorry things worked out this way, but don’t take it out on Noah. The boys and their families are just so busy. You’ll understand when you have a family of your own. It’s not easy for everyone to pick up their whole lives to travel to the middle of nowhere.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “I know. I just?—”
“Calm down. I don’t know how many times I’ve told you that temper of yours isn’t very ladylike.”
I ground my jaw.
“I was going to suggest you fly out,” she said.
Straightening up, I’m hopeful. “Yeah? They’d fly me out too?”
I pause at shuffling and Noah’s muffled voice in the background. “They just bought our flights, honey. They can’t foot your bills too.” More talking. “Also, they only have the one spare room, but he said there are a bunch of Arby’s nearby?”
“What?” I winced.