The week came and went quickly, but not quickly enough for Peter, though. He missed his mother and siblings terribly. He imagined that his little Annie was turning into quite the young lady, and that Chris and Nick were driving mom crazy with all of their pranks that brothers will pull on each other. Peter smiled as he fondly remembered the days where it had been him and Nick teasing each other.
"Hey Pete, snap out of it. We got to get to the airport before your mom's flight gets in," Mike said, gently shaking his friend.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I guess I was just daydreaming about my childhood," Peter said.
"Now remember, Davy, you're in charge while we're gone," Mike said.
"Hey! How come Sir Shrimp-a-lot gets to be in charge?" Micky whined.
"Because I can't trust you to get everything done without goofing off halfway through the job," Mike told him.
"Yeah, and I will make sure you stay in line," Davy threatened as he held up a fist.
"Pshaw, you don't scare me," Micky told him with a million dollar grin.
"Just the same, make sure our rooms are ready for the guests," Mike warned as he and Peter walked out the door.
The airport was at least twenty minutes away, and the freeway traffic wasn't helping matters. Peter was getting pretty nervous. He knew his mom's flight would be arriving any minute.
"Come on traffic, let's move," Peter mumbled under his breath.
"Cool it, Pete. We'll get there. The airport is at the next exit. I wish I could pass this semi, but I can't see around it," Mike said.
Peter looked out his window to see a plane coming in for a landing; his mother's plane no doubt. Finally, traffic began to move. Mike cautiously eased over into the next lane and made his way to the ramp that would take them to the airport.
Once Peter and Mike arrived at the airport, Peter went up to one of the information booths to inquire about his mom's flight.
"Yes sir, that flight came in a few minutes ago. Your family is probably somewhere here in the airport," the clerk told him.
"Thank you," Peter said, and then went over to Mike.
"Well?" Mike asked.
"They're in here somewhere. Let's look for them. I'll go this way, and you go that way," Peter said and then ran in the other direction.
"Hey wait! I don't even know who I'm looking for!" Mike yelled after him. Peter couldn't hear him because he was too far away.
"Oh well, I guess I'll just go walking around," Mike said to himself. Now Mike, who had never been in an airport before, began to look around everywhere as he slowly walked. He saw the shops, the bar, the restaurant, and the arcade. He watched people going from the revolving luggage rack to the terminals, and other people coming from the planes and into the arms of loved ones. He wondered if Peter’s mom was anywhere in that crowd. Well, he would never know since Peter forgot to give him a description of his mom. Mike rolled his eyes at that thought, and looked out one of the windows to watch one of the jets taking off. Mike watched in amazement until he suddenly felt someone bump into him.
"Oh, I'm sorry young man. I guess I wasn't watching where I was going," a woman said. Mike turned around to see the prettiest red head he had ever laid eyes on. Sure, she looked a little older than Mike, but by maybe five years, ten at the most. Her hair was curly and down around her shoulders. She had on black go-go boots and a purple mini dress. She noticed Mike's glassy stare and became concerned.
"Sir, are you ok?" She asked, waving a hand in front of him. After Mike's "Davy stars" had subsided, he was able to speak again.
"Huh? Oh I'm sorry. I'm never usually so rude. I think you took me off guard. My name is Mike, by the way," Mike said, sticking out his hand.
"Mine's Ginny," the woman said, returning the handshake. "I'm sorry I bumped into you. I was looking for someone and wasn't paying attention."
"Yeah, I'm looking for someone too, only I don't know who I'm looking for," Mike replied.
"Are you a cab driver?" Ginny asked.
"No, I'm looking for my friend's mom, but he didn't give me a description of her," Mike said.
"I'm looking for my son," Ginny said.
"Is your little boy lost? How old is he? He must be scared. I'll help you find him," Mike began, talking a mile a minute.
"No, you don't understand. My son is a grown man," Ginny said, laughing at Mike's mistake.
"A grown man? Pardon me, but you don't look old enough to have a grown child," Mike said.
"How old do you think I am?" Ginny asked.
"Um, thirty?" Mike guessed
"Try forty, but thank you," Ginny replied.
"Well, since it seems your son is a big boy, how would you like to get some coffee? It will be my treat," Mike offered.
"Sure, sounds great," Ginny agreed. Mike then picked up her bags and led her to the coffee shop. Once there, Mike pulled a chair out for Ginny and then seated himself across the table. He ordered two decafs with cream and a plate of biscotti. Their order soon came and Mike tried to think of something to talk about.
"So, where are ya from?" Mike asked.
"Back east. I've never been to L.A. before," Ginny said.
"You know, I know we just met, but I could show you around," Mike offered.
"That's very nice, but I'm sure my son will want to show me around," Ginny said with a smile.
"Well, let me give you my phone number just in case," Mike said. He wrote down his phone number, folded the napkin, and handed it to Ginny.
"Thank you, I'll be sure to…" Ginny stopped as she noticed a familiar face entering the coffee shop, "Peter! Oh son!"
"Mom! There you are," Peter said as he tightly hugged his mother, "Mike, how did you find her? Wait, mom must've recognized you from my description."
"You mean you two know each other?" Ginny asked in amazement.
"Yes mom, this is my best friend, Michael Nesmith. Mike, this is my mom, Virginia Tork."
"Oh boy," Mike thought,"you sure know how to pick 'em."