It was 1978. I was on an enormous, especially for an 8-year-old, Boeing 747, flying from San Francisco to Guam after visiting my dad, my stepmom, and my little half-sister in California for a few weeks. My 9-year-old sister, Kristen, was not with me. We usually went together to visit our dad, but, for some reason, I went by myself this time. It was December, which was also unusual. We ordinarily would go in the summer for our annual visit.
I was very sad leaving my dad’s. I knew that life with my dad was better. At home on Guam with my mom, stepdad, and my sister, Kristen, it didn’t feel good. It wasn’t right at all.
On the drive to the airport for departure back to Guam, I’m sure I was asking him why I had to leave. I don’t remember what he said or what I said. I just know I was so very sad.
On the plane, I cried. I cried so hard that the lady in my row moved over to the empty seat between us and put her arm around me. She comforted me.
I cried on her shoulder for a large portion of the flight. We talked a lot, too. It’s a 14-hour flight.
We landed on Guam and I got off the plane where my mom and stepdad were waiting. The lady on the plane with me let us reunite and didn’t introduce herself to them or say anything right then.
My mom and stepdad and I went to the baggage claim. In those days, it took longer. The lady from the plane approached us after we retrieved my suitcase. We were just about to start walking away. I didn’t hear everything the lady from the plane said to them, but for sure she told them I was very, very sad and that she was concerned. My mom brushed her off. My mother was not warm or thankful to her at all. The lady from the plane looked me deep in the eyes and waved goodbye. She looked worried. I distinctly remember that.
Whatever I described from a scapegoated 8-year-old little girl’s perspective and understanding, who, to top it off, was dressed like a boy with a boy’s, or at the very least, gender-neutral, haircut, probably gave the impression to the lady on the plane that I was suffering. And I’m sure she knew, especially after her short conversation with my mom and stepdad, that things weren’t going to get better for me.
For a few nights after getting home from every visit with my dad and his new family, I would squeeze my eyes shut and hope with all my might, as I lay in my bed before sleep, that I would wake up at my dad’s house. Above my head at my house on Guam were reed blinds. I hoped that when I opened my eyes upon waking, I would open my eyes to plantation shutters. I also remember wondering that if I dug through the earth, if I could get there.
I wish there was a way I could find her, the lady on the plane. I wonder if she ever thinks about me.