She turned and walked toward the security line, suitcase rolling behind her. Stella watched her join the queue, watched her load her bag onto the belt, watched her step through the scanner.
At the other side, Fiona paused. Turned back. Raised her hand in a small wave.
Stella waved back.
And then her mother was gone, disappearing into the terminal, heading toward a gate, a plane, a life on the other side of the world.
Tyler’s hand landed on Stella’s shoulder.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” She was surprised to find it was true. “Yeah, I think I am.”
They stood in the terminal for another minute, watching the security line shuffle forward, watching other families say their own goodbyes.
“Hungry?” Tyler asked.
“Starving.”
“There’s a diner on the way back. Best pancakes in Orange County, allegedly.”
“Allegedly?”
“I’ve only been twice. Need more data points.”
“That sounds like science.”
“Breakfast science for dinner. The best kind.”
They walked back to the truck together, the sun warming Stella’s face. The parking lot was busy, cars circling for spots, travelers rushing with their luggage.
“Hey,” she said as they reached the truck. “Thanks for coming. You didn’t have to.”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Why?”
Tyler unlocked the doors, paused with his hand on the handle.
“Because that’s what family does,” he said. “Even when it’s awkward. Especially when it’s awkward.”
Stella climbed into the truck, pulling her seatbelt across. Tyler started the engine, backed out of the spot, navigated toward the exit.
They merged onto the freeway, heading south,heading home. The ocean appeared on their right, blue and endless, catching the light.
Stella pulled out her phone. Typed a message.
Landed safe?
Three dots. Then:
Very funny. Just took off. But I’ll tell you when I land. It’s a seventeen hour flight. Promise.
Okay. Love you.
Love you too, little darling.
Stella put her phone away. Looked out the window at the water, the sky, the road stretching ahead.
