Come From Away Novels & Stories

At the very least, not now. Two days after I was discharged, Aiden finally came home. Chloe was sent to her grandmother's house. I was sitting alone at the dining table, eating a bowl of plain noodles. He walked in, took off his coat, changed his shoes, and glanced at me. His voice was indifferent as he said he was out of town for a conference the past two days. I kept my head down, focusing on my noodles, and didn't bother responding.

“I am family. You are the outsider who crossed the line. Watch your back.” The call ended abruptly. Ava set the phone down with shaking hands. New complications kept piling up. She finished cooking and ate alone at her table. The silence pressed in. After dinner she went for a run to clear her head. The city streets provided rhythm for her racing thoughts. Emma’s pain. Sarah’s threats. Richard’s ongoing war. And Damon. Always Damon at the center.

*********************************** LIAM We just landed back in our quiet home town of South Carolina. Except the airport is anything but quiet right now. Reporters line the baggage claim and taxi area, snapping photos and asking personal questions. "No comment." I reply for the hundredth time, as I grab my duffle bag and sling it over my shoulder.

Maybe that was why she was so happy. Antonio came from the Brazil Compound. He stuck out because he was the tallest one in the room and had a thick accent that I seemed to be drawn to. Alzeya was the cutest country bumpkin, who I wanted to pick up and put in my pocket. She represented Georgia. Noah came from New Mexico. He looked too young to be in charge of a whole compound, but who was I to say anything. He knew more about this life and what the people deserved better than I did.

He mentally scolded himself as he got into the taxi that would take him home, he had a great time in Arizona but he couldn't rule out the fact that he missed New York, this was his city, he might not have been born here but he was raised here, he had been in New York since he was a baby and thus was the first time he left for so long, looking around, he tried to refamiliarize himself with the best city in the world to him. "I miss NY so much," He let out, the taxi driver laughed. "I see you just got back from a trip?" The driver asked. "Yeah, I went to go witness my goddaughter's birth and have been away for more than a month," He revealed proudly. "Wow, that's a long vacation, where did you

I didn't know where he got the impression from that white kids didn't greet their parents because they did. Eva and Lari were whites. Eva from LA, and Lari from Ireland. There wasn't a time I heard them not greet their parents or anybody when they spoke on the phone, or when I visited Eva's. Also, the Martins were white and they always greeted their parents as they do everyone... not that Uncle Jamison would ever see that. But enough of toxic air. "Good day, baby," he said, smiling. "I guess the reason you called for me is what I think it is. Or would you rather talk about something else?"

" Ah... Mom.... He is from..." She looked at the him signalling him about which country she should say. As she saw a country name written on his jacket , she quickly blurted out." Mom... He is from canada." " Really...." Her mom's eyes lighted up from hearing canada. He nodded his head in agreement. "In that case I won't make you stand here for long." " So please come in , mr kalham." She said. Layan left a sigh of relief as her mother asked him to enter their home.

There was no way I could ever forgive my family. Their betrayal was a pain that pierced me to the core. I brought nothing along, purchasing only a ticket to the south. I spent two days and one night on the journey, and when I finally arrived, my back and waist ached from the long ride. I bought a small place in the south and settled in there. I also got a new phone number using my own money so that my family would have no way to track me down.

The scent of cinnamon, butter, and basil danced through the crisp autumn air of Bellwood Falls. After nearly four years in Tuscany, Amara and Luca had returned not permanently, but for something big. The town square was strung with lanterns. Booths lined the cobbled streets. Kids chased each other with paper chef hats. And in the middle of it all, a hand-painted sign hung between two oak trees: “The Whisked Away Festival, Love, Food, Family.”

Hugh was standing there, along with Rylee and several co-workers from the company—the same ones who had claimed they were going on a trip. They were all carrying bags of groceries consisting of fresh vegetables from the supermarket, snacks, and even fruits. I stared at the pile, completely confused. “Why are you guys here?” I asked. “Aren’t you supposed to be traveling?” Before Hugh could answer, Rylee smiled and spoke up first, “We got halfway there and decided traveling was boring. Then, we remembered you’d just moved, so we thought we’d come over and mooch a meal instead.” The others chimed in, laughing as they teased.