Super Heroes Continued...

We eventually left the house for the airport. Bonnie dropped us off at out terminal where we sky capped our bags. I think that was the first time my mom had ever sky-capped. In a situation like this, I was not about to wait in line to check in our luggage.

Our gate number was B18. Although Salt Lake International Airport is probably one of the smallest international airports, B18 is one the farthest gates there. What was a ten-minute walk seemed like a lifetime. When we finally got to our gate we sat down because we were going to be that last to board according to our boarding pass.

My mom wanted to call and speak to my dad. Earlier when my dad had arrived in Denver he was awake and coherent and able to talk. My mom wanted to tell him we were on our way and wanted me to talk to him. She began speaking to him, and immediately her eyes were filled with tears. She told him that we were coming, but saying that was difficult for her. I looked at her and told her she could go to the bathroom. I took the phone and saw her walk away. I put the phone up to my ear nervously. I did not know what to expect. I did not know what someone with a stroke sounded like. But to my surprise I could understand him, and he understood the situation he was in. I told him we would be there soon and that I loved him. Then I hung up the phone.

My mom still had not come back from the bathroom. I didn’t know how to comfort her. It was the tendency for my family to hide their feelings. Anytime anything was wrong, I would hide in my room so my family couldn’t see me. I think we all did this. Being a shoulder to cry on for my mom seemed out of the ordinary.