An Alaskan Wedding

by Nance Sparks

  “I’m at the Madison airport. I don’t know how to get to Chicago. Can you help me get to your house?” Sydney’s voice was hoarse like she’d been crying. She sniffled into the phone.

  “Syd, I’m in Madison too. We just landed. Are you inside or outside?”

  “Inside.”

  “What stores are around you?”

  “There’s a gift shop and some stairs.”

  “Perfect. You stay right there and stay on the phone with me. I’m getting off the plane right now.” Riley ran up the gangway into the terminal dragging the camera tote behind her, toward a staircase leading down to the main level. This had to be it. “Syd, look up the stairs, do you see me?” Riley lifted the rolling tote out in front of her and hurried down the steps. She searched for Syd and finally spotted her on the far side of the hall. “I see you. Stay right there.” Riley hung up the phone and tried desperately not to fall down the stairs.

  “Wow, you’re really dressed up.” Sydney stood there shuffling her feet.

  “I left from work and went directly to the airport. Are you okay?”

  Sydney nodded. “I’m okay.” Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Tears welled up and her chin quivered.

  “We need to call your mom and let her know you’re safe. Come on, let’s go sit over here, out of the way. You can tell me what’s going on.” Riley led Sydney to a seating area.

  “I’m not going back to my dad’s house. Not tonight. I swear I’ll bolt.” Sydney’s jaw was clenched tight.

  “Understood, but you gotta let me call your mom. She’s worried sick. She’s out there looking for you.”

  “Okay, but just Mom.” Sydney crossed her arms.

  “You can sit right here with me and listen to every word. Then we’ll talk, okay?” She had a feeling that to gain Syd’s trust, she’d have to prove it. Adults weren’t always the good guys in a teenager’s story.

  “Yeah, okay.” Sydney relaxed a bit.

  Riley hit recent calls and then touched the phone icon next to Andi’s name. She answered before the first ring finished.

  “I haven’t found Syd yet. I’m still looking.” She sounded panicked and distracted. “Shit, this is all my fault. How could I be so selfish?”

  “Andi, stop, she’s here. Syd’s with me. She’s safe. We’re at the Madison airport.”

  “What? Seriously? She’s there with you? Will you put her on the phone?”

  Riley looked at Sydney. “Your mom needs to hear your voice. She’s freaked.”

  Sydney nodded and took the phone from Riley. “Hi, Mom. I’m okay.” She looked over at Riley. “Mom, I couldn’t stay there. Dad was being a total dick, even Cathy said so. You two were screaming and screaming and I couldn’t take it.” She exhaled loudly. “No, I know I didn’t answer. I silenced my phone. I came here because I overheard you talking to Riley and knew she was flying back tonight. I thought she could help me get to Chicago for a few days.” Sydney shuffled her feet on the floor while listening. “No, I didn’t know she was coming here.” She flopped back in the chair. “No, none of my friends helped me. It was too late, and I got yelled at for even calling. I took a bus to the airport.” Sydney held the phone out to Riley. “She wants to talk to you.”

  “Andi?”

  “Yeah, I’m here. What an unbelievable mess. Scott’s gone off the deep end. Let me give him a call and let him know Syd’s safe and then I’ll head that way and pick you two up. It’ll be a half an hour or so. Thank you, I know you didn’t sign up for any of this. I’m so glad you were there for her.” Andrea still sounded frantic.

  Riley wasn’t sure what to say. What did she mean by that? Even if they were just friends, she’d be there for her and the girls without question. She was becoming invested in all of them, and it felt…right.

  “We’re good until you get here. Please be safe,” Riley said.

  “I will. Sweetheart, I’m sorry about our weekend. Will you accept a rain check?” Andi sounded completely exhausted.

  “Absolutely.” She hadn’t considered that this would derail their entire weekend. “Drive safe.”

  Riley ended the call. Did that mean she was supposed to go to a hotel? She didn’t want to go to a hotel. She wanted to be with Andi, no matter what she was going through. She wanted to be a part of things, not standing on the outside looking in. She looked over at the teenager in the next seat. Her eyes full of concern. Her focus needed to be on Syd at this moment and nothing else. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay, so your mom will be here in a half an hour or so. How about a cup of hot chocolate while we wait?”

  “I hope she doesn’t think I’m going back to my dad’s house.” Sydney flopped back in the chair and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  Riley ran her fingers through her hair. “Come on, let’s go get a drink.” What she wouldn’t give for something stronger than hot chocolate. She put her hand on Syd’s shoulder, not so she wouldn’t run, but just for a connection. Grounding, maybe, for them both. After ordering, they slid into seats at the sterile café, and Syd poked at her whipped cream with her fingertip.

  “I’m sorry, Riley. It’s all my fault. All of this is all my fault.”

  “How about you tell me what happened?”

  “The shit really hit the fan tonight. Can I say that with you?” Sydney looked up hopefully.

  There was no answer to that Syd would like. “You can be unedited with me, and whatever you say stays between us. So, what happened?”

  “It’s our weekend at Dad’s house, first one since Mom got home from her trip. We went over today after school. While we were eating dinner Cathy asked us about our week, like she always does, and Olivia just couldn’t keep her big mouth shut. She starts spouting off about the arcade and the orange pop everywhere and going to your house and how mom has a new girlfriend and how I have a girlfriend, but not her, she has a boyfriend.”

  “Holy shit.” Riley wondered how it felt to be a parent and hear all that secondhand.

  “Holy shit is right.” Sydney drew her knees up to her chest. “Dad seriously blew a gasket. He wanted to know about you and about mom and about me. He was asking so many questions, so fast, that I didn’t know which ones to answer first. Olivia started crying and then she had a total, full on panic attack and just kept gasping for air and screaming that she wanted to go home. Then, Dad and Cathy started fighting. Cathy’s cool. She defended Mom. She told Dad that he had no control over what Mom does with her life or who she dates, that it’s none of his business. Dad didn’t take that too well and said he had a right to know who his kids were spending time with.” She flicked at the whipped cream, her hot chocolate still untouched, and it plopped onto the table. She glanced at Riley, who just gave her a quick smile.

  “Then he started in on me, asking how I could know I’m a lesbian, that I’m too young. Cathy yelled at him again and that’s when Dad got in his car and took off. He squealed the tires and everything. Cathy told us that we could go pack up our stuff and she’d take us home if that’s what we really wanted. Liv was still crying, and I had to help calm her down. When we got home, Dad’s car was in our driveway, sideways. We went inside and he was screaming at Mom and Mom was screaming right back at him. I took Olivia’s hand and pulled her into my room. I had to get her inhaler, she couldn’t even breathe. They yelled at each other for a long time, and Cathy was totally on Mom’s side, but she couldn’t get a word in.” She sighed and looked defeated.

  “Olivia finally cried herself to sleep. I kept trying to tell her that it wasn’t her fault, even though it was totally her fault. Why couldn’t she keep her stupid big mouth shut? When she fell asleep, I climbed out the window and took off. They were all still screaming, and I couldn’t handle it. There’s a bus stop a few blocks away that I take to the library sometimes. The route schedule showed that it came here, to the airport, so I stayed on un
til it stopped here. Then, I texted you to see how I could get to your place. Riley, I don’t want to go home. Not yet. Can’t I come to Chicago with you for just a little bit? Jodie can have the couch. I’ll sleep on the floor.” Sydney was hugging her knees, her heels propped on the edge of the wooden chair.

  Jesus. What could she say? What did she have the right to say? “I get it, Syd, but what you have to see, based on everything you shared, is that everyone is in your corner. Your mom, Cathy, me, Olivia, and with some time, I’m sure your dad will come around too. It was probably a lot to hear out of the blue like that. Coming to Chicago won’t fix anything. It will probably make it worse. Running away always does.” She tapped on Syd’s finger until she looked up and met Riley’s gaze. “You have to face it here with everyone who loves you, okay?”

  Syd was silent as she processed before she gave a big sigh. “I guess so, but I feel bad. I know I said it was Olivia’s fault, but I know it’s really not Olivia’s fault. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t said all that stuff at the pizza place, then Mom wouldn’t have sprayed orange pop everywhere and Olivia wouldn’t have thought it was all so funny that she had to tell Dad and Cathy. Dad wouldn’t be so mad at me and mad at you and Mom.”

  “Syd, please look at me.” Riley’s heart broke at the guilt in Syd’s voice. Sydney slowly looked up and met Riley’s gaze. “None of this is anyone’s fault, certainly not yours or Olivia’s. The truth is always best, even when it’s hard to deal with. Was anything you said at the pizza place untrue?”

  “I don’t know. I thought it was all true. Was I right? Do you want to be my mom’s girlfriend?”

  Wow, so there it was. The black-and-white vision of a child. No beating around the bush. Riley had no idea how Andrea wanted her to answer this, so she decided to shoot from the hip. The truth was the best place to start. She knew she wanted more than just friendship.

  “Yes. I’d love to be your mom’s girlfriend. I’d love to have the chance to get to know you and your sister better, maybe someday be a part of your lives.” Riley took a deep breath. That was all she could say without straying into territory that wasn’t hers to traverse. “Okay, now, your turn. Would you rather have a girlfriend or a boyfriend?”

  “Dad says I’m confused. That I don’t know what I’m talking about, that I’m too young to know who I like.”

  “Dads say lots of stuff, especially when they’re mad, but I’m wondering how you feel, not what your dad says. Would you, Sydney, rather have a girlfriend or a boyfriend?”

  “I already have a girlfriend. Her name is Amelia. Olivia must have heard me telling Mom about her after you went home.” Sydney looked up.

  “You’re what, eighth or ninth grade? Is Amelia in your class at school? How did you meet her?” Riley asked.

  The sadness in Syd’s eyes lifted a little. “I’m in ninth grade. She’s in a few of my classes and we’re both part of the LGBTQ club at school.”

  “You have an LGBTQ club at your school? How cool is that! We didn’t have anything like that when your mom and I were in school.”

  “Well, you and Mom went to school way back in ancient times,” Sydney said with a smile. She grew quiet again before asking, “Were your parents mad when you told them about you? How did you tell them that you liked girls and not boys?”

  “I wouldn’t say they were happy about it, but they were supportive and listened to what I had to say. And we’re really close now. Your mom always said that I got the cool parents. I’d have to agree. I don’t think there are too many parents who want their kids to be different. Parents are too worried about their kids being picked on or bullied, that life will be harder because of it. My folks admitted much later that they kind of always knew that I was a lesbian.”

  “How did they kind of always know you were a lesbian. What do you mean?” Sydney asked.

  “Well, I was a lot like you. I was a bit of a tomboy. I’d sneak to school on picture day in my football jersey so my Mom wouldn’t dress me up in stupid frilly clothes. I traded a brand new pink bike for a nasty beat-up motocross bike. I couldn’t stand that stupid pink bike! I got in a lot of trouble for that one. I was never a girly girl. I also never wanted to date boys. They could be my buddies, my friends, but no dates! Even as I got older, I was never interested in boys the way my parents expected me to be. I only ever wanted to be with your mom. I think that’s what tipped my parents off, even more than me being a tomboy, since there are plenty of straight women who are tomboys too. But everyone’s story is different. My work has taught me that people love who they love. There really are no rules.”

  “We talk about that in the LGBTQ club too. I’m with you, I won’t wear the pink frilly clothes either. No pink anything in my world! Amelia is a girly girl. I like that about her. She’s really pretty.” Sydney smiled. Her giggle was back. “You wanted to be with my mom when you were my age? How long have you known my mom? You didn’t really answer on football day.”

  “We’ve known each other since kindergarten. We went to grade school, middle school, and high school together.”

  “Did you take her to any dances? Oh, did you take her to prom? I want to ask Amelia to the homecoming dance.”

  Again, this was territory with uneven ground. She changed the subject. “Do Amelia’s parents know that the two of you are a couple?”

  “Yeah, they’re pretty cool about it. They don’t care if we hold hands on the couch or anything. I like going over there after school.” Sydney smiled.

  “You should totally ask Amelia to homecoming. Well, if your mom says it’s okay. I couldn’t take your mom to any dances back then.” Riley would have loved to have asked Andi to a dance.

  “Did you date my mom when you two were in school?”

  There was no way to keep putting her off, and one thing she believed was that if someone asked direct questions, they deserved direct answers. “Kind of. Things weren’t as open or as accepted back then. We kept us a secret, so no one knew. Kids were mean to other kids who were different.” Motion caught her eye and she saw Andrea sitting at the table behind them, listening. Olivia was sitting on her lap. Her little eyes were puffy and red. Seeing the two of them tugged at her heart. She tried very hard not to react so Syd wouldn’t shut down.

  “So, how did my dad date my mom if you were dating my mom?” Sydney asked.

  She flicked her gaze over Syd’s shoulder and saw Andi wince slightly. “Syd, when you’re ready, I’d like you to ask your mom that one, okay? It’s really her story to tell.”

  “Is that why you’re around now but not before now? Is that why you’ve known my mom like, forever, but we’re just meeting you now?” Sydney asked.

  “Your mom and I lost each other for a long, long time. There wasn’t the technology when we were in school that there is now. I had to go to college. Your mom was getting ready to bring you into the world. We didn’t know how to find each other and then, after a while, we kinda stopped looking. I was hired by Sara and Kay to photograph the wedding in Alaska. That’s how we found each other again. It was completely by chance. Sometimes people just lose touch and then get a second chance to be in each other’s lives again. I really want that second chance.” She gave that last sentence a little extra emphasis and knew full well Andrea understood. But would she listen?

  “I’m glad you were the photographer. Mom’s been super happy since she’s been home. I’m glad that you and Mom got a second chance to know each other again. I’m happy you’re here. You totally get me and you’re pretty cool.” Sydney finally took a sip of her hot chocolate and made a face when she found it was cold.

  The sentiment made Riley’s heart ache. Was this what she’d been missing by not wanting a relationship, not wanting kids? “I think we get each other pretty well. Do you feel any better? I know tonight was a little crazy, but you really are loved by so many people. It might just take your dad a little bit of time to come aroun
d.”

  “Yeah, I feel better. Thanks, Riley, I knew I could talk to you. I knew you’d understand.”

  “I do understand. I’m always here if you want to talk. Well, except when I’m on an airplane.” Riley winked at her.

  “I didn’t know that phones had to be turned off on the airplane. You might have, like, five million missed calls from me.”

  “No worries. Hey, look who’s here.” Riley nodded in Andrea’s direction. “I’ll let you two talk. I have to go see if my suitcases are still here or if they tossed them into the lost and found. I’ll see you around, kiddo.” Riley gave Sydney a hug before grabbing the handle of her camera tote. She looked over and waited a second. Andrea pulled her arm free from Olivia’s grasp and reached out for Riley’s hand. She held on, her eyes closed and her lips pursed, blowing out a held breath. She squeezed Riley’s hand a little tighter and then let go.

  “When you come back with your luggage, we’ll go, okay? I’d like to wait here and talk with Syd.” Andrea tilted her head back and looked up into Riley’s eyes.

  She offered a slight nod and walked up the corridor toward baggage claim. It was after two in the morning, and she was shot. The airport was empty. What a fucking day. She found her suitcase and the main equipment tote on carrousel two. They were the only two items that remained. She lifted them off and locked her camera tote onto the larger tote and then hooked her briefcase onto the handle of the suitcase. She’d done this a million times at almost as many airports. It was at that moment that she realized she’d had enough. She was burned out, lonely, and just wanted a normal, quiet life. She wanted a family. She wanted to be a part of one specific family. She sat on the edge of the carrousel and buried her face in her hands.

  Chapter Thirty

  There were tears in Syd’s eyes, and Andrea could tell that she’d been crying. The pain in her daughter’s expression broke her heart. Andrea wanted to set Olivia off to the side to hug her, but Olivia clung to her like an octopus and Andrea didn’t want to risk another meltdown. Olivia was still way too upset to cope. She hoped Riley understood how insane the evening had been and that right now she needed to be there for the girls.