All year I've thought about home. Oakland was rough around the edges, something I noticed as I escaped the upper class bubble and explored the city. But I fell in love with where I lived. Sure, I missed Osaka. I missed my classmates, especially Yuya. I missed speaking my first language. But Oakland grew on me, considering the wrestling scene there is amazing. The indie shows I'd go to, seeing the best and brightest of the industry battle on those musty mats. The scene got better with the rise of Oakland Fight Club.
I tried to forget the drama in Hulwater and enjoy my time with my friends and family. Mask equipped, I navigated the mostly empty airport, as I was one of the lucky few who was even allowed on a plane to begin with. I heard on the radio on the way to the city there was news of the pandemic rules being relaxed after a new vaccine roll out. I prayed it was coming soon. I wanted to work under a crowd again.
I took a quick glance at the window, frosted and cold. The snow falls lightly on the streets of Minneapolis. Memories flashed of the summer I was here. The warm washed over me as I envisioned heading into Independence Bash, arm wrapped around Carter. God, I couldn't get my hands off of her back then. A pit slowly sunk to my stomach as I realized that I could lose that. But I can't just have her be my sex friend. The announcer snapped me back into reality, as I walked over to my plane, with my single bag in hand. My mind kept wandering back to Carter. I hoped she wasn't mad at me. I didn't wanna leave her in the dark all week. But at the same time, I said I'd give her space. I promised that I would give her space. Would it be annoying to text her?
Conflicted, I shot her a text. "Off to Oakland. Keep in touch!"
That was the first text I sent her since the argument. Before I put my phone on airplane mode after I sat down, she sent me her response.
"Ok!"
Well, better than nothing.
Looking over the cloudy horizon, I realize this would be the first time I left the state since I first moved here. So much has happened since March. My mind raced with pictures of what the city looked like with a pandemic overlooming. I thanked God I didn't lose anyone to the sickness, but I'm the lucky few. Oakland is far from Hulwater. But, there was no use worrying thousands of feet in the air, I had eight hours to kill and no cigarettes to smoke the stress away. Eventually I popped a nice melatonin and dozed off.
I woke up at the perfect time.
The Oakland skyline looked beautiful at night, in an urban sense. The lights, seeing the hustle still going on, it was something I missed. I got a bit emotional, my smile never fading as we touched down finally. I departed my flight, adventured through the less crowded airport, and eventually saw my father.
Xavier Knight… My father. He always had a resting face that exhumed confidence. He stayed relaxed, putting his hands in his pockets or leaning against something. He was still a built man in his forties, being wider than I. Well, that's just how he always was. He's a taller, stronger version of me, as fathers usually are. He had a buzzcut, where the black and gray meet on remaining stubs of hair. For facial hair he had a separated mustache and goatee, both graying.
I lit up when I finally saw the man. I had to admit it, I missed him to death. I missed my family. Dad smiled wide, opening his arms for a tight hug. I accepted, embracing him fully. "Kris…" He mumbled, laughing as we kept hugging.
"I'm so sorr–"
"Don't," Dad interrupted. He loosened the hug. "Your mom misses you too. Let's take you home."