27. Samantha

                                    

                                          
I walked out of the baggage area both excited and a little nervous to see Uncle Brendon and Aunt Sarah. 
But they weren't there. 
I looked around and didn't see anyone I recognized. 
"Sam!" I heard my name called. I turned around and saw Zack on the other side of the stanchions, where people waited for travellers. I frowned. Where were Uncle Brendon and Aunt Sarah?  Were they still mad at me? Had they changed their minds about me staying with them?
"Hey, you okay?" Zack asked. I shrugged. 
"Didn't Brendon or Sarah text you to tell you I was picking you up?"
I shook my head. I was afraid if I opened my mouth, I might cry.
"Are you sure? Brendon told me he texted you."
I looked at my phone and showed it to Zack. No texts since I left Ohio.
"Your phone is still on Airplane Mode, kiddo," Zack said. I looked at him quizzically and looked at my phone. And indeed, the little airplane icon was still on the top. And I hadn't connected to the airport wifi. I rolled my eyes at myself and turned off airplane mode. My phone essentially started to blow up. They were all texts from Uncle Brendon saying they'd sent Zack to get me because they had some things to take care of and weren't sure they'd be home in time to come get me, too. Now I just felt a bit dumb. 
"All good?" Zack asked me. I nodded. I still didn't quite trust my voice. 
"You hungry?" He asked as we got to his car. 
"No, thanks. I'm okay."
"Are you sure? Brendon told me you don't usually like airplane food and that you're usually hungry when you get here."
"He's right. But tonight the food was, well, not horrible. I ate most of it."
"Okay," Zack said. "You're sure?"
I smiled and nodded. I actually wasn't hungry. 
I leaned back and watched the scenery as Zack drove us towards Uncle Brendon and Sarah's house. He asked a few questions about my time back at home, the trial, that sort of stuff. We chatted a little. 
When we got to the house, I went into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Aunt Sarah usually keeps a pitcher of lemon water in the fridge and I liked it. It was refreshing and wouldn't mess with my blood sugar. 
I drank a couple of glasses and then told Zack I was getting tired and went upstairs.  He told me he'd stay until Uncle Brendon and Aunt Sarah came home. 
"I know you're 18 and quite capable of taking care of yourself, but I'll feel better if I'm here until I know they're home. I know you were sick recently, so I'll be here if you need anything."
"Okay," I said. "Thanks, Other Uncle Zack."
He smiled at me. 
"Sleep tight, kiddo."
I went upstairs and started unpacking my clothes from the weekend, and the few things I'd taken back with me. I put my computer and charger on my desk and plugged the computer in. The more stuff I got done the happier I was feeling. It was a little strange, because, I mean, I was just unpacking. But whatever. 
I heard a knock on the door and went to open it. Uncle Brendon and Aunt Sarah were there. I was so happy to see them, I hugged them both.
"Hi, guys!" I squealed, hugging them both again. I felt giddy.
"Sam? Are you... drunk again?" Uncle Brendon asked. 
"Brendon!" Aunt Sarah said. 
"What? She's euphoric. And she smells drunk!"