She had somehow managed to convince her parents to let her go. She packed eagerly as tons of thoughts rushed through her mind. She imagined what the city would look like. "Don't swipe your card too many times while you are there, the bank will put a hold on it," her dad said. "Okay," she said, squinting her eyes, unsure of what he really meant. 

​

It was almost time to go when she began to get cold feet. She was excited about going but didn't think through how long it was going to take to get there. It was her first flight, but thankfully it included a connection. They arrived. Big city.  It was her first time at an airport. Delta. Southwest. American. Ground Transportation. Arrows left, right, up, and down. Now, how were they suppose to get to their room? Then she saw that there were so many taxi cabs lined up. Were all of these people actually coming to visit too? Her mind was full of questions.

​

Keep your purse strapped across your body. Walk with your head up. Pay attention to your surroundings. Were the things that her family didn't warn her about.

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They arrived at the room. Finally, a sigh of relief. She flopped on the bed, looking forward to all the fun that would happen over the next week. She took a quick nap. It was going to be a good week.

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Day 1: They got settled, chilled, and ordered carry out. 

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Day 2: They caught the subway Downtown. Outside patios, skate parks, malls, food courts. Everybody was doing their own thing. There were so many people. So close in proximity at times. It was easy to get caught up in a huddle entering a store or exiting an elevator. Natural instincts kicked in. Purse check. Watch forward. Look up. 

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Day 3: Of course they wanted to see the talk of the town. At least as close as they would allow. She took her camera out of her purse. Winded it up. Snap. Snap. Snap. "Will you take a picture for us? Thank you!" Snap. Snap. Snap. 

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Day 4: Back in the room he said, "Do you know how to play Phase 10?" No, she replied. She only knew how to play UNO. "Do you have UNO cards?" No, he replied. She rolled her eyes. He didn't show any pity on her. She lost every round. 

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Day 5: "I'm going to step outside to watch for the delivery man." It was their second night having pizza. Ring! Ring! Ring! The phone lit up. "Answer it, he's probably trying to get the room number." It was the delivery man. "Room 417," she said. Click. As she proceeded to put the phone down, she couldn't help but notice the words. They stood out and pulled the breath right out of her:

 

"I wish you were here instead of her." 

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Gulp. Deep breath. Because what else keeps tears from immediately falling down your face after reading words so hurtful. "The food is here!" She got up to wash her hands because it allowed a few more seconds to take deep breaths. Back onto the bed, she went. Pretending to be full after she had finished eating. She took a shower and laid down. Heartbroken. Thinking about how many more days it would be before she could go home. The trip was over.

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Day 6: She talked silently to herself all day. The words replayed over and over. I wish you here instead of her. I wish you were here instead of her. I wish you were here instead of her. So she pretended to be lazy. "I'm tired. Let's just stay in," she said. 

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Day 7: It's time to head home. She had gone an entire day of thinking about one thing: the message. Pack the suitcase. Call the cab. Travel to the airport. Check the luggage. Board the plane. Wheels up. 

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She thought days 1-4 made the trip worthwhile, but days 5-7 opened her eyes to reality. They didn't have a connecting flight on the way back. It seemed like eternity. "We will land in Memphis, Tennessee in about 20-25 minutes," the pilot's voice came through the speakers. Finally, she spoke. Brokenly. Because it was the first time she had seen betrayal towards her with her own eyes.