“I know.” I reach up to kiss his cheek, pat it, and head back to my friends. “Have a nice summer, Lex.”
“See you around, AJ.”
I slow down, wondering if he’ll come to me again, try to bridge the weird gap we always have between us, but when I look over my shoulder he’s gone. When I get to the door, Harper is already backing into the driveway.
“Sorry, AJ! We didn’t realize you hadn’t left yet. Good thing we saw your car at the last second.”
I laugh it off, but part of me—the part that’s itching to get home to Florida—wishes they hadn’t.
Can my summer in Michigan be over? I’m ready for my time in Florida to begin.
3
Airport Transformations
Detroit, Michigan (DTW) to Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) to Key West, Florida (EYW)
8:55 a.m. to 3:42 p.m., 6 hours 47 minutes
MICHIGAN
AJ’s Travel Ensemble:
dark-wash, skinny travel jeans
cute leather travel loafers
sleeveless cream silk blouse
stylish navy blazer, sleeves cuffed crisply to show off the seersucker lining
tasteful gold bangle set (gift from Mom and Peter for my induction into the National Honor Society)
hair in a neat bun
Della’s Travel Ensemble:
buttery soft leggings, “lunar explosion” print
sparkly flip-flops
two neon tank tops (layered)
neon sports bra (straps exposed)
ornate, rose-gold cross necklace (gift from Grandma Beloise for my First Holy Communion)hair in a crazy cascade down my back
I started doing an entire fashion/hair change in the airport bathroom before my flight from Michigan to Florida when I was right around eight. I can still remember the outfit Mom picked for me to travel in: a pair of crisp khaki capris and a pale peony polo with white Keds and a big bow in my French-braided hair. I peered in the mirror before we left and thought about how babyish I’d look next to Dani (who was already practically a teenager), but I didn’t want to risk an argument with my mother. So I rolled a pair of rainbow short shorts, a white tank with my name airbrushed on it, and a pair of flip-flops (all relics of my Florida life that I’d kept in a suitcase under my bed) into my carry-on. I arrived in Florida looking—in my mind, anyway—so cool. Ten years later the tradition continues; I leave Michigan as prim and proper AJ and arrive in Florida as free and wild Della.
I’m just topping my AJ Jepsen outfit off with two swipes of MAC lipstick in demure Melbourne that will be wiped away in a few hours, when I hear more noise than usual downstairs. I grab my Kate Spade clutch and head to the sunny dining room to see—
“Wow...everyone is here.” I check my tone so I don’t sound as frustrated as I feel. “Um, what’s up, guys?”
“Surprise!” Lilli practically vibrates in her chair. “We thought you might want company on your ride to the airport, so we’re driving you!”
“Driving me? To the airport?” I look from my baby sister’s beaming face to Peter’s peaceful smile and then Mom’s annoyed pucker—it’s like Mom senses my annoyance, so she automatically sets her annoyance dial three times higher on principle.
“It’s your lucky day, kiddo.” Peter points to the center of the gigantic farm table, which is piled high with crispy bacon and golden-brown waffles—gluten-free but delicious, because Mom is an amazing cook. “A big, hot breakfast and your favorite household chauffeur to take you to the airport.”
I sit down and pile my plate under Mom’s watchful eye, smiling automatically for the picture she snaps, which might very well end up on her blog. Since we never know what Mom will use, we always have to be photo-ready, and now it’s practically a reflex to pose for a minute or two for documentation before we dive into real life. Even though I’m not remotely hungry, turning down Mom’s big surprise breakfast would hurt her feelings and put her in a shitty mood. I’d like to avoid that at all costs, so I will force down the waffles and manage to look appreciative while I do it.
“So, you’re telling me that instead of getting privately chauffeured to Detroit Metro by your company, I have to sit through Lilli’s enforced sing-alongs?” I try to make it a joke, but it definitely comes out more like a gripe.
Lilli’s face falls, just for a split second. “It’s totally okay if you’d rather not!” She’s good at pretending to be cheerful even when her feelings have been eviscerated; she’s had years of practice from bitterly venomous small-town talent-show judges. “I know I can be annoying with my singing sometimes.”
A twinge of self-loathing stabs me through the heart, and I’m about to apologize for being such a jerk when our mother jumps in.
“AJ, you don’t have to take your crappy mood out on Lilli. She thought it would be nice to go together—”
“I just, like, thought we could talk and stuff. Because we never really got to hang out after the last day of school like we said we would.” She shrugs her bony shoulders like it’s no big deal that I dropped the ball and left her hanging, and I officially crown myself the world’s Assholest Big Sister.
“Hey, it’s a great idea, seriously.” I rub her arm gently like I used to when she was a baby nodding off in her car seat next to me on a long drive. Her whole face lights up—having kid sisters is like constantly walking by a box of stray puppies that are begging you to adopt them. “I’m always nervous about flying, so I was feeling snappy. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I’m sorry, Lil.”
It’s a lie. I love flying, but I need an out, and Lilli actually does hate to fly, so it’s an angle that hits her right in her empathetic heart.
“No problem at all!” My little sister’s energy level instantly charges back to full force, and I remind myself how much power what I say and do has over her. I want to use that for good, not to tear her down. She blithely swipes a piece of bacon through a pool of maple syrup and chirps, “And, like, seriously, no singing, I promise. I’m going to have to sing every single day this whole entire summer, and even though I love it...I need a break sometimes!” She eats the sticky bacon and gulps down some orange juice while Peter clears his throat and turns his attention to me.
“I know you’ve got a lot on your plate today, but have you given the internship any thought?” He leans forward on his elbows, trying not to look too eager. I know for sure he’s attempting to play it cool when he takes off his glasses and cleans them with the corner of his polo—it’s his tell. “I know how important your time in Florida is, but no one will begrudge you taking a stab at something that could open so many doors. These opportunities don’t come around every day.”