Retreat

I'm in California for a nice long stay with my family and it's lovely. My flights weren't too bad. The first one I sat next to the window and as the girl sitting next to me approached, she gave me this really mean/disgusted expression and made me feel icky inside. I know the look. Every fat girl knows the look. She didn't want to be squished up against the gross fat girl. With my eyes burny and my heart sad, I tucked myself as closely as I could to the window, pressing my knees together and crossing my ankles. I hugged my elbows and tried to make myself as compact as possible, and not cry. She gave a long, "life is so terrible" sigh and pulled out a gossip magazine. Then it got weird.

After takeoff she threw a blanket over her head and another over the rest of her body. She was draped head to toe and I, as I sneaked a few glances, wondered if she could see me. She could. Her one right eye was uncovered and staring at me. Woops. So I went back to my book. A few minutes later I feel her leg touching my own and, thinking I must have accidentally relaxed my rigid posture, pulled my leg in even further. A few minutes go by and there's her leg again, I've realized, clearly on my side. She was pressed flush to me and even had her foot tucked under my calf. Soon it was her arm, her shoulder, basically her entire right side, and every time I tried to give her more room I found her against me. I had the wild thought that maybe she was hitting on me in a really strange way. I had found myself a girl who wanted to cuddle. I wondered if we'd spoon later.

After landing, she pulled the blankets off her head and body, grabbed her gossip mag and stood. Again, I got that irritated look from her. She leaned over and patted my shoulder which made my face try to smile and form a question mark at the same time. Why was she patting me like a good dog? But we never said anything to each other. She left and I unfolded my body from the window, waiting for blood to return to my limbs and the impressions of the arm rest to leave my side. She hated me but wanted to cuddle? The answer is yes. She was cold and I was this chicks teddy bear. She hated what I represented to her put liked my pillow softness. Marty says I am pretty hug-able so I guess I can't blame her. The 2nd flight was uneventful compared. I was in an emergency row and was totally prepared to help save my fellow passengers if we went down. What I wasn't prepared for was the lack of food tray. It's considered a hazard in emergency rows. Total deal breaker if you ask me. Next time they ask if I'm able to handle the responsibilities of emergency rows I'm going to say "No, I will push people out to break my fall. For real." I'm sure I'll get a tray.

Being around my family has me so comforted. The banter, the laughter, all of it is just precious. My grandmother's 73rd birthday was yesterday and I got to be here with her. Times like that are so special. Plus you can't beat California summers and a pool. I have plans to go swimming as soon as I finish this. Yeah...kay bye!

My Grandmother asked for carrot cake. Yum!

Happy birthday Grandma. You're beautiful.