2E

I shiver as I stand out in the cold Colorado air, pulling my jacket closer to my body. Sighing, I feeling my breath form clouds in the air. It probably wasn’t the best idea to wear my jean shorts and short black V-neck t-shirt but at least I brought my jacket. South Carolina is warm anyway. I can hear my Dad and older brother behind me, checking in my bags and getting my flight arranged. My older sister is still in the car getting my purse ready for me while staying out of the cold. She hates it as much as I do.

“And don’t forget to ask for aspirin if you start getting a headache and...”

“Mother I know.” I say, a little exasperated. Sometimes my Mom still treats me like a kid she doesn’t seem to realize that I'm 19 now. For goodness sake, I'm a college freshman, at Harvard no less. 

“Sorry dear, you know how I get,” my Mom says, apologizing. I feel her hand on my cheek rubbing it softly. I sigh, smiling at her.

“I know Mom.” I say.

“I'm just worried. You haven’t flown alone in a while.” My Mom pulls a piece of my black hair behind my ear. I shiver again, not because of the touch. At that moment I can feel a snowflake hit my nose. I hate the snow with a burning passion. Ever since I got in the accident two years ago that rendered me blind, I have hated it. I hate it almost as much as I hate driving, which is the reason I am flying to South Carolina this year instead of driving. It’s a family tradition to drive down to Hilton Head, South Carolina, to see the family and spend time on the beach. It’s not like we couldn’t afford to fly. In fact, we could probably afford to take a private jet, but it’s a tradition and my family is big on traditions.

“So squirt you ready to go?” my Dad asks from behind me and I feel his hand ruffle my hair.

“Yep,” I reply, turning in his general direction and smiling. My Dad is six-three with arms like tree trunks. He has the same black hair as me and medium size nose. Once upon a time, when my eyes had color, they were the same blue as my fathers. Now they are an off gray or so I'm told.

“Watch out for those boys in South Carolina till I get there, ok?” says my 22 year old brother, Devin. Before I have time to dodge the attack, I feel his arm around my neck and his hand digs into the top of my head giving me a soft nooky. Devin is like my Dad, tall and strong. The thing about Devin is once I'm locked in his sleeper hold there is no way out.

“Stop that! I just did her hair.” says my sister, Christine, as she gets out from the car. I can picture Devin's devious smile as he looks up at her, not letting me go.

“Come on princess, you know Catharine doesn’t care about her looks like some people.” The teasing tone in his voice is obvious. I hear Christine give an annoyed sigh and walk toward me. Her stiletto heels click on the wet concrete of the sidewalk. Christine is 25. She has long brown hair that ends at her mid back. At five-eight, two inches taller than me, she doesn’t need heals but insists on wearing them anyway. Christine is always well groomed. Just last week she was ranked number three in the top ten most fashionable girls of her age or something like that. Christine is the only reason I know that every day I go out of the house looking at least somewhat presentable.

“Devin Michel Hernandez let her go now,” my sister says, her voice icy. My brother lets go immediately. Whenever my sister pulls out full names you know she means business. Christine might look small and weak but she is a black belt in karate and she could give even my brother a run for his money.

“And please stop calling me Catharine,” I say, trying to glare at him. I hear Devin laugh. He knows better than anyone that I don’t like that name it’s too… proper. I prefer to go by Cat or Cate.

“All right you two, settle down,” my Mom says and I feel her hand on my shoulder. I turn to look in her general direction.

“Now don’t forget that Aunt Marry will meet you at the gate. Here is your ticket and Dad will take you to meet your escort. We will be at the house in about two to three days’ time. Please try to stay out of trouble.” my Mom hands me my ticket and I feel along the side. Flight 805 to Nashville Gate 42 Concourse C.

“I’ll try Mom,” I say and I hear her sigh.

“Be safe,” she says pulling me into a hug. I hug her back then break away. Devin comes up and hugs me from behind.

“I was serious about the boys,” he says and I laugh at him. I feel a strap drape over my shoulder and two hands turn me around.

“Now be careful with it, it’s Prada,” Christine says and hugs me.

“Will do,” I reply. Another hand rests on my right shoulder and I turn to my Dad.

“Let’s go he says.” I nod and allow him to take my hand leading me inside the airport. The moment the sliding doors open, it takes all of my will power not to rip my hand from his grasp and put them to my ears. The noise is deafening. To any normal person I'm sure that it is just loud but to me it sounds like a jet engine. I wince in pain but continue to follow my Dad. 

We pass by a large group of people, teenagers from the sound of it, then stop. I hear a door open and follow my Dad. It closes behind me and immediately the noise stops. I sigh in contentment and continue down the hall. Our footsteps echo through the hall, telling me that it is narrow, probably big enough for three or so people. The floor is lined with tile and the walls are made of cement. I want to say that the common color is probably white, but obviously I really can’t tell. Another door opens and I hear a chair push back.

“Hello! My name is Agent Cortez, I will be escorting you to your flight.” I stick my hand out to him and try to smile hiding the annoyance I feel. Of course my Dad would hire an agent to escort me. My family is famous for more than one reason. First, there is the money factor, then there is the fact that my Mom is a world renounced chef, my Dad is one of the top lawyers in the nation, my sister is a famous super model and my brother is a football player for CU and in the running for the Heisman. Finally, there is the fact that I, their blind daughter, am one of the world’s best blind tennis players and a prodigy chemist major. Our whole family is in the news at least one practically every week.

“Hello agent Cortez, I'm Catharine but you can call me Cat,” I say, shaking his hand.

“Alright, Cat please allow me to check your bag and person then we will be on our way.” I nod and hand the agent my bag. As he goes through it, being careful not to moving any of the objects, I turn to my Dad.

“An agent Dad, really!” I say, annoyed at him.

“Don’t give me that look. I just want you to be safe,” he says, brushing his thumb along my cheek. I pinch my nose in exasperation and nod.

“I know.” my Dad pulls me into a hug then backs away.

“I’ll see you in Hilton head. Please listen to agent Cortez.”

“I will,” I say. I hear the door open and close and turn back to the agent.

“Alright Miss Cat, I'm going to run a metal detector along your body, don’t be alarmed.” I nod in response and put my arms out. The agent scans me quickly. “Your clean, no surprise. Now please fallow me.” I allow the agent to grab my hand and pass me a hat which I put on and tuck my hair into. He leads me out into the noisy airport again. We load on to a cart and the agent drives me to the gate. We arrive just as I hear the attendant announce.

“Flight 805 to Nashville, now boarding. All military and handicapped personnel board now.” The agent helps me off the cart.

“You must be Miss Catherine. Allow me to take you on to the plane.” says a way to preppy voice in front of me. I stick out my right hand and let the flight attendant take it. She grabs my hand gently as if I'm a china doll that she's afraid to break. I sigh in frustration and follow her. I hate when people treat me like this, I'm blind not broken or mentally slow. I hear people talking around me as I am lead to the gate and give the attendant there my ticket. He scans it and I'm lead down the ramp to the plane.

“Here is your seat, please make yourself comfortable and don’t be afraid to ask for anything,” she says as she helps me sit down on my chair. When I hear her leave I finally relax and take a deep breath. I sink into the soft cushioned chair of first class and cherish the few minutes of quiet I have before they begin to board the plane. The sound of rollers on the ramp hits my ear minutes later and I ignore it as the first class passengers begin to board.

“Excuse me,” says a light voice and I turn my head in the direction of it smiling.

“Yes?” I ask.

“Could you move your legs? I need to get to my seat,” she states. I nod and pull my legs up, allowing her room to get to her seat. She brushes past me and I hear her settle down on her chair. The rest of the passengers load the plain. About half way through something hard hits my shoulder. I turn to the source of the bump waiting for an apology but get none. I sigh in annoyance and choose to ignore it. I could tell by the material that hit me it was a brief case and I know from experience that business men are often into much of a rush to notice things around them. Finally, all the shuffling stops and I hear the airplane door close.

“Miss, here is a safety pamphlet for you,” says that cheery voice again right next to my ear and I jump slightly in surprise. I feel the cold hard plastic of the paper in my hand. I force a smile on my face.

“Thank you,” I say threw gritted teeth. The attendant leaves and I zone out for the next few minutes, not even reading the pamphlet in my hand. If there is ever going to be a problem I won’t be able to do anything about it and either will be left here or someone will come get me. The attendant comes back again to ask about drinks and food. I tell her what I want but don’t hear her leave

“Is that all you will need, Miss? Do you want a blanket or pillow? We can get you anything,” she says putting a hand on my shoulder. I try not to yell at the lady as I hiss through my teeth.

“I'm fine.” The attendant leaves with that and I sigh in exasperation.

“Man, those guys can get so annoying.” I turn to the girl next to me, nodding.

“They act like I'm a baby. I mean for goodness sake I'm 19.” I say rubbing the bridge of my nose in frustration.

“Yea seriously, I thought they pestered me, but it’s worse for you. My name’s Noel, by the way.”

“Catherine, but please call me Cat.” I reply with a smile.

“So, where are you headed?” asks Noel.

“South Carolina I have a two hour layover in Nashville.” I reply.

“I'm going to Orlando.”

“What for?”

“I’m going home to see my family for Christmas.” I could hear the contempt in her voice.

“Oh nice. I'm going to meet my family. We go to S.C. every year,” I reply, switching the subject, trying not to pry into any further.

“Sounds like a serious party.” Noel jokes.

 I laugh. “So is this your first time in first class?”

 “No,” Noel replies, trying to keep the guilt out of her voice but I hear it. I know she is probably worried that she sounds like a snob. “My family always flies first class, even though they know I prefer coach.”

“Cool.” I say as I reach into my bag and grab my iPod and Of Mice and Men book. Noel gets the hint and I hear her turn away from me. I pop in my headphones and turn on the music, opening my book to my next page. As I get lost in the book my mind wanders. I can’t help but reminisce like I always do when heading to S.C. it’s one of the few places 

I can still picture perfectly. It’s a place untouched by time and the changes I have gone through. I try not to let a tear slip from my eyes as I think about all the things that have changed in the last two years. Before I was handicapped, I had so many dreams. I was the captain of the basketball and tennis teams, one of the more “popular” people and I was an aspiring photographer. What hurt the most about losing my sight was the fact that I had to give up my dream of photography.

The sound of laughter fills the car as Jack finishes his joke.

“Come on Jack, he didn't say that,” Molly says, whipping the tears from her eyes.

“No, I'm serious, it was so creepy. I don’t know what is wrong with Mr. Main but not all his cogs are turning,” says Jack, smiling brightly.

“You should have heard what he said to me the other day.” I say from the back seat. Jack turns back to me, raising an eyebrow in question.

“What did he say?” says Mat, grabbing my hand in a protective manor. I turn to smile at him.

“It’s a secret.” I say, winking at him. Mat’s smile brightens and he shoves me lightly. I turn to the window and stop. “Hey look it’s snowing again,” I say, brightly watching the snow fall. I love snow so much.  I hear Mat laugh and I can see Jack rolling his eyes at me.

“You and your snow,” says Molly amusingly.

“Isn’t it the best?” I say, ignoring the teasing in her voice.

“Of course it is,” says Mat, grabbing my hands. I smile up at him. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jack reach for Molly’s hand and she turns to smile at him. Suddenly the car jerks, sending us flying to the side. The world is a blur of screaming and falling. I feel my arms snap as it makes contact with Mats hard chest. Things begin to fly around and the glass next to me shatters. I feel it hit my face and cry out at the sudden pain in my neck. I close my eyes, quickly praying for it be over. pain floods me as something hits hard in my right eye. Finally, the car stops and the air is deathly silent. Groaning, I push myself off of the floor and open my eyes, feeling around.  For some reason it’s really dark and I can’t see a thing. I feel the familiar carpet of the car below me and shove off the rest of my seat belt that wraps around my waist. The top has been completely shredded up. My body fights me as I try to move, feeling for Mat, Jack, or Molly.

“Oh my god, are you all right?” I hear someone, a girl I think, ask and I turn to the sound.

“Help us please.” I say, my voice coming out in a hoarse whisper.

“I'm calling the police.” says a boy’s voice. In a matter of minutes, sirens fill the air. I continue to crawl along the car to where I know Mat should be. Finally, I feel skin beneath my fingers and I fallow it, realizing its Mat’s arm.

“Hey Mat are you ok?” I ask pulling at it lightly. He doesn’t respond and I begin to panic. “Mat, Mat what's wrong? Wake up!” I yell at him, shaking him, as he continues to not respond.

“Hello? Is anyone in there?” a male voice calls in.

“Help please! Help, Mat’s not moving!” I yell back.

“Alright, we are coming in. Please don’t move, we will be there in a minute,” replies the voice. I hear the screaming sound of metal being ripped back. I feel hands come around me and I turn, expecting to see a face but my world remains dark.

“I got you,” says a voice and I feel myself being lifted.

“Please sir, help him, you need to help him!” I say hysterically.

“Were on it! We will get your friends out soon,” he replies and I nod.

“Hey, is it night time already?” I ask him as I feel him walk along the ground. The sound of cars and sirens fills the air. I feel the man shift beneath me and I think he is looking at me.

“What do you mean?” he asks, his voice confused.

“Well, it’s so dark.” I reply. “I was wondering if the sun had already set.”

“No mama, it’s only five o’clock.” replies the man and I hear the worry in his voice. He sets me down on a chair. “How many fingers am I holding up?” he asks.

“I can’t tell it’s too dark.” I say worried.

“No, it’s not. The sun is still out and it’s light. I can see you as easy as the nose on my face.” he says and I stop. No, it couldn’t be. I grab for the man, trying to find his shirt.

“Please.” I beg. “Tell me it’s not true.” I say tears streaming down my face. I hear the man sigh.

“I need you to remain calm as we check your vitals. You broke your arm and we think you have fractured a rib or two. The adrenaline is still in your blood so you don’t feel anything now but moving could hurt you more,” the man says and my world falls apart. I still numbly as the ETM’s cater to my needs. A helicopter comes to take Jack and Molly to the hospital. Mat is dead.

I rub away the tears in my eyes as the memory comes back to me. My life changed so much and I couldn't do anything to stop it. Apparently one of the glass shards cut off some nerve for my eyes. And if it hadn't, well I already lost my right eye. It took me months to get used to being sightless but eventually it happened and life went on. At first I was handicapped then I joined the blind athletes association and my life started to return to normal. My only regret has been my major. Now I'm a chemist but like I said I had always wanted to be a photographer.

“Ma'am the plane is about to land,” says that shrill voice in my ear and I turn to her, confused. I reach out my hand and feel the tray in front of me, still holding untouched food and a drink. Oh well, guess I'll save to food for later. The attendant helps me put my chair in the upright position and takes my food, putting it in a bag and giving it to me. The plane lands in a matter of minutes and the attendant is at my arm again. She helps me up and I turn to grab my bag from beneath the chair.

“Well see you around.” I say to Noel and leave following the attendant out. She leads me to another agent named Mark, who then leads me to another cart that will take me to another gate, where I will have to wait to finally get where I'm going. To the place where my memories are not scared by my past.