Love and Truth (3 page)

“What do you mean, Mom?”

“Nicole, your father and I are getting a divorce. We were trying to wait until after your big dance competition to tell you, because we didn’t want you to be distracted.”

I stared into my lap. I couldn’t look at her anymore. It wasn’t her fault, but that was the day my idea of true love changed. It was the day my family cracked in half. In the end, my dad relented. But I think he felt like he had no choice, because my mom had already agreed to it. All the wheels were already set in motion and he was powerless to stop it.

Chapter Two

“Nicole, I can’t believe you’re flying off to fucking China,” Annie said. “Just like that, to live with strangers, meditate, drink gallons of shitty green tea, and eat rice, noodles and raw fish every day.”

I laughed. “Annie, I’m going to Japan, not China. And they don’t just eat sushi and ramen noodles there, you know. How stereotypical can you be?”

I rolled my eyes and continued packing for my trip. The school year had flown by and it was already time to leave. Annie sat in my wicker chair with her legs crossed, watching me pack.

“Well, it’s just weird. I mean, what if you don’t like these people? Then you’re stuck living with them for a freaking year. I mean, you’ve got to have some reservations about this. Not to sound like a shitty friend or a bitch, but you’re not the most experienced person. You’ve lived a pretty damn sheltered existence. Now you’re getting on a plane and flying off to China or Japan or whatever…to another country that doesn’t speak English and writes in symbols! I’m just worried about you, that’s all.”

I looked at her and smiled. Annie was the best friend I ever had, but she could really get on my nerves. Still, I appreciated her concern.

“I’ve researched my host family well and video chatted with them several times. I started studying Japanese and I feel good about my decision. I feel comfortable with the host family, and their 17-year-old daughter is so excited to have an American come and live with them. She wants

to learn more about American culture and she said she always wanted a sister. To tell you the truth, I always wished I had siblings too. Her parents are both fluent in English; the mother is an English teacher at a local high school so I know communication won’t be a problem.”

“Annie, I’m tired of being predictable, tired of being good girl Nicole. You’re always telling me how I’m not a normal teenager and how you wish I’d loosen up and be more outgoing. So here I am, being loose and outgoing.” I folded a shirt and shoved it into my suitcase hastily. Annie was always telling me to loosen up. Now that I was trying something new she was hyper-critical. She got up from the chair and grabbed my arm.

“Nicole, I love you. You know that. You’re my best friend. I guess I was just hoping you’d change your mind. I want to support you in this. I really do. I’m just going to miss the shit out of you, that’s all. How am I going to survive without seeing your face every day?”

She sniffled and wiped her eyes and I stared at her.

“Okay, none of this,” I said. “You cannot cry. Because if you cry, then I’m required to cry, too. So dry it up and help me pack because I’m trying to fit an entire wardrobe into three mid-sized suitcases.” We laughed and she picked up a shirt and started folding it. I was grateful for the help. The only thing I loved as much as dance and music was clothes. Even though I did most of my shopping online, I had tons of clothes and shoes. I had no idea how to fit everything in my suitcases, but I was sure going to try.

“Nicole Harrison.” Annie gasped and held up a pair of my panties. “Why in the name of God do you wear these ugly ass granny panties? I swear, it looks like you could parachute from the Dallas Lincoln Plaza with these. Why don’t you get online and purchase some panties that don’t look like they came from your Gran’s drawer?”

I shook my head again. She could be so stubborn. “Annie, I’m sorry if the idea of walking around with a tiny strip of dental floss up my ass is not appealing to me. They’re comfortable. Why does it matter? No one but me sees them anyway. Seems like a waste of money.”

She didn’t say anything and I was thankful. We finished packing and I checked my phone. Dad knew I was leaving today but he wasn’t riding with us. I realized I had to text him.

Me:
Dad I am all packed up and we are heading out soon to the airport. Make sure you get there in time for me to say bye to u. K luv u!
:)

He texted me back a minute later.

Dad:
Yes, honey I will be there. Make sure you packed that mace and keychain alarm that I got you!

Me:
Dad I did not forget to pack them. Please stop worrying so much. I am going to be fine
:)

We pulled into the DFW airport parking garage after the hour and a half drive. Mom and Annie were silent as they got out.

“Listen, you two,” I said. “You’re not going to get all emotional on me. You know my cry rule. I don’t want to show up to my host family’s house looking like some washed-up raccoon.” I laughed, trying to keep the mood light but I was really nervous. I took a deep breath

and put on my brave face. I looked at Mom and Annie cheerfully. “Let’s get going. You know they say you have to be really early for these international flights.”

We headed inside and I immediately scanned the terminal for my dad. He promised he would be here to see me off, even though I knew it would be weird for him and Mom to be together.

“Nic!” I turned my head, hearing his voice. He was sitting on a bench in from of the ticket counter. He rose, shoved his hands into his pockets, and rocked back and forth on his feet, looking anxious.

“Daddy! You made it.” He hugged me tight. “Are you all set for your big adventure around the world?” he asked.

“Dad, I’m not sailing the seven seas. I’m just going to Japan.” He laughed and I heard my mom clear her throat.

“Lara,” my dad said.

“Bradley,” she replied. The situation was awkward. They were married forever and now they couldn’t muster more than each other’s name.

“Okay, Mom, Dad. Let’s not make this awkward. Right now, I would like for us to just be family.” Annie gave me an uncertain look and I smiled, putting my brave face on.

“Mr. Harrison, how are you?” Annie asked. “I haven’t seen you for a while.”

“I’m good, Annie Banannie. How are you, kiddo?” Dad pulled her in for a hug.

“Oh my gosh, Mr. Harrison. You cannot still be calling me that.”

“Annie, I’ve called you that since you were two years old, when Lara used to babysit you on the weekends. Why stop now?”

We all laughed, and it felt nice to just be normal again with them.

The small talk faded and it was time to go through the security checkpoint. I hugged Mom and told her I’d text her when I got on the plane and call from my first layover in Taiwan. Dad gave me a tight squeeze and started in with his lecture about safety, human trafficking, and all the dangers of traveling abroad.

“God, Dad. Are you trying to scare the crap out of me at the last minute?”

He frowned. “Nicole, I just want you to be careful and know what to look out for.” He hugged me again and I assured him I would be careful.

“Okay, I guess this is it,” I said confidently. I grabbed my carry-on and smiled. Annie ran over and practically tackled me.

“Geez, Annie, I know we’re in Dallas, but you’re not a Cowboy linebacker and I’m not Tony Romo.” Mom and Dad burst into laughter and she smacked me on the shoulder.

“Don’t make fun of Romo. You know it’s all Jessica Simpson’s fault that he started sucking in the first place.”

My Dad laughed some more and I knew I had to get through security before the football talk started.

“You call me as soon as you can, Nic,” Annie said. “I hear there are a lot of hot military guys over there on Okinawa. I can’t wait to see your Facebook blow up with pics.” I shook my head and looked at Dad. I wasn’t into hot guys or Facebook. Going to Okinawa was not going to change that either.

No one warned me about how tiring and uncomfortable a flight that spanned 7,422 miles was going to be. My ass hurt from sitting for so long and my iPod had played through my lengthy music library multiple times. I read a book from front to back and I now was growing antsy. I was also fairly certain that small children should never be allowed to fly internationally. The kids sitting behind me had cried, screamed, thrown food, and kicked my seat relentlessly across the Pacific Ocean. I decided I was never having kids. The movie on the video screens stopped and an exercise program resumed. The videos gave me a good excuse to get up and stretch.

I fell back asleep and awoke to the sound of Japanese coming through the speakers. I waited for the English translation and learned that we were about to land in Naha City on Okinawa. My layover was a blip. The descent felt like it took forever, but I had a window seat and the view was breathtaking. The water surrounding the island was an amazing sea-green. I saw pictures online, but this was completely different. My heart raced and I got goose bumps. This was it! I was really here, really doing it. I wasn’t nervous at all; just extremely excited. Jeff Buckley was singing
Calling You
into my ears and I was transfixed by the incredible view below me. No turning back, no regrets, and no second guessing. I knew at that moment, gazing into the sea-green ocean that my life was about to begin.