At this time, I was so thankful I had friends like Melanie to turn to.
They've helped me through all those hard times, including now. We watched the movie and had a great time, I almost forgot about all of the other things that had happened and tried just to have fun.
The next morning we came downstairs at about 9:00 to eat breakfast. Melanie's mom made the best food I ever tasted and I always loved coming over to eat!
"Happy Birthday Jessie! Girls, are you hungry for some pancakes?" she asked.
"Sure!" we said.
We sat down to eat and started talking about what I should do. "When do you want to leave for Orlando?" Mel asked.
"Well, as soon as I can! Wait! Sarah lives in Orlando! I could stay with her!" I said.
Sarah was my best friend who moved away 2 years ago. Melanie had also known Sarah and it had been about 9 months since we've seen each other, even though we talk on the phone at least once a week.
"Ok, let's go call her," Melanie said as we stood up from the table.
"Thanks Mrs. Walker," I said as we walked out of the kitchen.
"No problem Jess," she said.
We walked upstairs and grabbed the phone. I dialed the familiar number and heard a tired voice say, "Hello?"
"Sarah!" I said.
"Jess, why are you calling me this early in the morning?" she asked.
"Um...Sarah..it's 12:30 your time," I said, smiling, I knew she wasn't a morning person.
"And your point is...? Hey Jess, it's your birthday!! Happy birthday girl! You're finally and adult!" she asked.
"Thanks! Well, um....would it be ok if I came to visit you?" I asked, even though I knew the answer would be yes.
"Are you kidding? OF COURSE!" she said.
"Great!" I said.
Mel grabbed the phone and asked, "Do you have room for 2?"
I looked at her curiously as Sarah said "Yes!"
"But why are you guys coming?" Sarah asked.
"Well, I'm going to find my dad," I told her.
We worked out all the details and told Sarah we'd call her after we got our flights.
"So, you're gonna come?" I asked Melanie.
"Do you really think I would let you go alone?" she asked.
"Knowing you, no! Well, let's call the airline!" I said.
We called and decided we'd take a flight out tonight at about 4:30, and arrive in Florida at about 9:00.
We called Sarah back and she said she'd meet us at the airport.
I helped Melanie pack and she decided to take me shopping and out to lunch. "It's your birthday, we're going wherever you wanna go, and, since your so picky, I'm gonna buy you an outfit you want!" she said.
Meanwhile at Jessie's house:
Tara knocked on the front door as Jessie's mom answered.
"Oh, hello Tara," she said.
"Hi, is Jessie here? I just brought her present over," she asked.
"No, she isn't."
"Well, do you know where she is?" Tara asked.
"No, I don't, good-bye," she said and was about to shut the door when she opened it up again and handed a small present to Tara. "If you find her, please give her this," she said and then shut the door.
Jessie's mom is usually friendly, but not today, knowing it was her only daughter's 18th birthday and she wasn't with her.
As the door shut in front of Tara she wondered what was wrong. She put Jessie's mom's present on top of her own and got in her car and drove to Melanie's house, thinking Jessie might be there. She got out and rang the doorbell as Melanie ran down the stairs to answer it.
"Hey!" Mel said.
"Is Jessie here?" Tara asked, very worried about where her friend was.
"Yeah, her and her mom got in a fight about her dad," she said.
"Oh my gosh, is she ok?" Tara asked, concerned.
"Yeah, come with me, she's upstairs," Melanie said.
I heard two people walking up the stairs and wondered who was here. I saw Melanie and Tara walking in as Tara walked up to me and gave me a hug. "Happy birthday!!" she said.
"Thank you!" I said.
"Now, open your present!" she said and I reached for the present on the bed.
"No, don't, you're getting your presents at lunch. Tara, do you wanna come? We're going out to lunch," Melanie said.
"Of course! Let's go and then you can explain to me why there is 2 big suitcases on your bed," Tara said.
