Late February

Seung

 

We landed in Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at five am on the dot.

There was so many people walking around my head began to swim.

“I thought LAX was a crazy busy airport this place is ridiculous.”

“It’s five in the morning for goodness sakes!” I say looking around at the people running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

“It’s Mardi gras season though it’s to be expected.”

Desiree said matter of fact.

“Oh?”

“You do know what Mardi Gras is right?”

She asks grabbing her suitcase off the conveyer.

“Of course, I just never followed it or knew what time of year it was, heck this is the first time I have ever even been to New Orleans.”

“Oh, I see, well under normal circumstances I’d say you’re in for the time of your life, but I do not know if Indy will be up to any celebrating this year.”

She sighs.

“Have you ever been?” I ask.

“Oh yeah Indy and I have gone every year since we became friends 9 years ago and I love it!"

“We’d stay with her maw maw and she'd treat us like royalty.”

“I am going to miss her so much.” She says sounding like she is about to cry again.

I put my arms around her shoulders and pull her into my side.

“Are you alright sweetheart?”

“This is about to be so hard.” She says sniffling.

“If I am feeling sick to my stomach, I can’t begin to imagine how India and Dylan are feeling this is a huge loss for her family.”

“Her grandmother was the glue that held them all together.”

“She and her father had been estranged for about six years and her grandmother got them talking again.”

“Why was she and her dad estranged?” I ask shocked.

I cannot even imagine.

“He was angry with her for getting pregnant so young and instead him being there for her he made it hard.”

“Oh, wow that’s harsh.”

“You have no idea.”

“He wasn’t the most affectionate father before that so when she told him about Dylan, he was livid.”

“He and her mother had long split up and when her mother passed away, she had to move back in with him.”

“Wait her mother is dead too?” Dang can this woman catch a break? I think to myself.

“Yeah she died when Indy was 11 and if it wasn’t for her grandmother, she wouldn’t have had any kind of loving familial relationships.”

“Wait a minute I thought you said she had a younger brother.”

“Yes, by her mother, she died giving birth to him, so he was raised by his father and his family.

“But they were not any better so that is why Indy.”

“That is why she takes care of him.” I say finishing her sentence.

I am coming to realize how incredible India really is.

“Exactly.”

“So yeah it’s crazy situation to be in she has had to grow up way faster than any of us had to.”

“While we were playing video games, she was working a full-time job, going to school and being a new parent to her own child and caring for her younger brother it's alot."

“Wow.”

“Wow is right, hey isn’t that your suitcase she says pointing as a red-haired woman grabs my bag.”

“Yeah it is.”

I walk up quickly and tap her on the shoulder as she begins to walk away with my bag.

“Ma’am I believe that is my suitcase.”

She scoffs with an attitude, “I should know what my suitcase looks like.”

She says turning around prepared to battle.

He faces softens as she sees me, and her eyes widen in shock.

I hold up my hands.

“Pardon me ma’am I apologize in advance if I am wrong, but it looks just like mine.”

“Oh yeah well I can see how that could cause some confusion.” She says flirtatiously.

She smiles prettily and throws her hair out of her face.

I raise my eyebrows and Desi scoffs next to me.

“Just let me look at the name tag so we can be sure.” I say.

“Sure thing.”

She practically purrs in an exaggerated Southern accent.

An accent she did not have about thirty seconds ago….

She pulls the suitcase to the front and I look at the name tag.

Sure, enough it is mine.

I smile my most charming smile.

She gives me a flirty grin.

“Just as I suspected it is mine, see?”

I say holding up the tag so she can see it.

She bends her head and reads my name out loud.

“See young Choi?” She says surprisingly pronouncing it correcting.

“That’s me.”

I smile again and she hands me the handle.

“What an interesting name is it Asian?”

I internally cringe and Desiree rolls her eyes.

Oh brother….

“It’s Korean.” Desi says slowly like she is speaking to a small child.

I stifle a giggle.

She looks at us both like she does not understand the difference.

“Oh ok.” She says still clearly having no clue.

She smiles and holds out her hand to me.

“Let me introduce myself properly I am Brittany Coleman it’s nice to meet you.”

I take her hand in mine and shake it.

“Pleased to meet you Brittany.”

“Gee whiz I am so sorry about that, I was so sure that it was mine.”

She says and giggles.

Desiree scoffs and I discreetly pinch her arm.

“No harm no foul I am just glad to clear up the confusion.”

“Me too, say are you here for Mardi Gras if so, maybe I can show you around?”

“We’re good.”

Desiree says finally looking at the woman like she is stupid.

She looks at Desiree icily as if to say was I even speaking to you?

I cough to hide a laugh and look at Desiree.

“Be nice!” I say under my breath.

“No, we are here because of a death in the family.” I reply.

“Oh no! I am so sorry I offer my sincere condolences.”

“Well thank you kindly but if you don’t mind, we need to get going.”

I say pulling the suitcase close to me.

“Oh sure.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a card.

“This is my number if you decide to step out for a parade, a drink or anything else please do not hesitate to give me a call.” She says suggestively.

I take the card and smile at her nodding my head.

She waves and walks off back toward the conveyor belt.

“I offer my sincere condolences.” Can she even spell condolences?”

Desi sasses and I cackle.

“Did you hear her?”

“She actually asked is that an Asian name as if Asia isn’t a continent with many countries within it.”

She scoffs and rolls her eyes.

“Yeah I had to shake my head at that one.” I chuckle.

“But that is not the worst part she blat