Fear/Love

Another writing class exercise...

It's that time of year. The holidays are upon us. Typically, I'll visit Texas in June for my mom's birthday and then in December so they can spoil me for my birthday. My dad was a pilot for Braniff International Airways in the 1970s, so I don't mind flying ( he used to take with with him to New York, where he and some other pilots had an apartment). For some reason, about three years ago, turbulence started to bother me. Not sure why, but with a little trial and error, there is something to be said about taking a Xanax and drinking a vodka and tonic on a flight. I get so happy on flights now, and relaxed, I'm ready to help the flight attendants serve cocktails to everyone on the plane.

Once home, my mom and I will have a good-humored argument about her trying to get into my suitcase to get my dirty laundry, which I can do myself thank you very much. My stepfather Paul let's me know they've checked the bed for spiders and cobwebs, too. Not that I used to care, until I was reading in the guest bedroom one autumn afternoon, when I looked over to see a large wolf spider crawling up onto the pillow next to me. Not exactly what I like to see lounging next to me.