Home for the Summer

The plane touched down in Raleigh, North Carolina. Noiz shivered. The airport looked so grey and monotone. Just standing here with the people getting off the plane made her feel depressed. When was the last time she was here? Six years ago? Back when she was kidnapped to New Orleans for the summer? How long ago was that?

The kitty girl shook her head. Already, it felt weird not wearing her trademark kimono. She still wasn’t used to wearing shorts and t-shirts. Plus, she would be alone with the family this summer too. Mosh was taking summer classes this year and couldn’t get away. Plus, everyone else was doing their own thing for the summer. Yep, Noiz was going to be alone this summer.

She shook her head again and tried to think about something else. Right, time to get this over with. Noiz gathered up her luggage and walked over to the customs. This became second nature to her. Fill out the paperwork, answer the questions, and move it along. It would suck to be alone this summer.

Noiz was greeted by her mother and grandmother at the airport.

“Noiz!” her mom said. “We missed you so much!” She pulled her daughter into a hug. Noiz forced herself to smile.

“I missed you too,” she said. Her mother didn’t let go until about five seconds later. Then grandma had to move in for a hug.

“Thank you,” Noiz said. “I missed you too.” The women didn’t let go until seconds later.

“How have you been?” Noiz’s mom asked.

“Good,” the kitty girl replied. “And you?”

“Good,” her mother said.

“Tired but I am blessed,” Grandma said. Noiz looked over their shoulders. She frowned when she noticed what or who was missing.

“Hey, where’s grandpa?” she asked.

“He’s resting at home,” Grandma said. “He didn’t feel well this morning.” She noticed the growing worry on her granddaughter’s face.

“Oh don’t worry,” the old lady said. “It’s nothing serious. He’s just tired.” Noiz dropped her shoulders and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Oh, okay,” she said. The kitty girl stretched her arms above her head. “Can we get going now? I just want to go to sleep.” Her mother rolled her eyes.

“You are always sleeping,” she said. Noiz gave her a goofy shrug.

“It’s not my fault,” she said. “Sometimes, I fall asleep in moving cars.”

“Whatever,” her mother muttered. She led the way out of the airport.

--------

Noiz sat in the back seat of the car. She doubted that her Japanese license would be valid here. Her American license expired years ago. The kitty girl looked out the window and sighed.

Should I even bother to get it renewed?

“Are you okay back there?” Noiz’s mom asked. Her daughter looked up.

“Hm?” she asked. “Oh, yeah, yeah. Just thinking about whether I want to get my license renewed here or not.”

“Why do you need to do that?” Mom asked.

“It’s expired,” the kitty girl said.

“Do you plan to do any driving here?” her mother asked. Noiz shrugged and shook her head.

“I don’t know,” she said. “It’s been so long since I was in America. It’s a miracle that I can still speak some English.” Her grandma turned to her.

“We’ll help you if you need it,” she said.

“Thanks,” her granddaughter muttered. She pulled out her phone and looked at the screen. No new messages or missed calls. They would be doing fine without her all over the world. Noiz sighed and shook her head.

“Are you sure you are okay?” her mother asked. The kitty girl leaned back in her seat.

“I’m just tired,” she lied. Noiz closed her eyes and started dozing off. This would be a long summer break, but she would have to try and make the most of it for the sake of her family.

Back in the USA