Chapter 2

Granny here,

                                                                 Chapter 2

     The ride to the airport was quiet, Daisy was busy in the back seat going through her purse to take inventory of all the things she would need, making sure she had not forgotten anything important, like her passport. Her mother and dad were silently having a conversation with their eyes, small tears made their way down her mother's cheeks, she kept her head turned appearing to be looking out the window so Daisy wouldn't be able to see her so upset before she got on the plane. Daisy's dad was doing what he could to console her by soothing her hand hidden from Daisy's view.  "We're just about there, said her dad as he pulled to the terminal and let the ladies out of the car, you girls get ball rolling while I park the car."
     Daisy was kissing her mother good by about the time her dad returned, he pulled his little girl into his arms and whispered, "You know where you left us, we'll be here if you ever need us," and he kissed her on the top of her head. They had gone as far as they could go with her, it was now time for boarding and the moment she had dreamed of was finally here. Was Daisy's dream about to come true? Had she planned everything or were there surprises awaiting her that she never dreamed of? Only time held the answers and not even Daisy knew the questions. Daisy waved to her parents as she drifted out of sight, her mother had held back her tears as long as she could as she laid her head on her husband's shoulder and cried like a baby, he knew there were no words to say at that momnet that would take away the pain she felt, he gently held her in his arms there in the airport as they watched the plane lift off the ground. Trying to lighten the moment he raised her chin up, looked into her eyes and whispered, "we need to het home, there's romance waiting." She smiled and took him by the hand, squeezing it as if to say you're right, romance is waiting.
       The ride home was quiet but nice until Daisy's mother saw her plane in the sky, "will I ever get use to an empty house?", she said to her husband as she laid her head on his shoulder. :Don't forget you still have me to contend with, I have twenty one years to make up for," he laughed as he patted her on the leg. "Daisy may be gone in body but she will forever live in our hearts, she'll be back before you know it." He pulled into the driveway, opened the door, offered his hand to assist his wife from the van, as they walked into the house they heard the plane go over head, he shut the door behind them and wondered what surprises lay ahed for Daisy and even more interesting was what might lay ahead for him.
      As they entered the empty house Tom took his wife Anne by the hand and pulled her into his chest, "I love Daisy more than a dad is required too, but I love you even more, he whispered as he pressed his lips to hers with the tenderness of a soft rain. She felt his hands going over her body giving her invitation to go farther if she so desired. She led him up the stairs where their bedroom was waiitng and so was the romance hat he said would be there, she closed the door behind them and for the moment Daisy had slipped out of view.

      Daisy found her seat and was lucky to have been assigned one by the window. As the plane went higher and higher the houses became smaller and smaller until they looked like applique's on one of her grandmother's quilts. Daisy thought it was so cool to see the houses from a sky high view, she wondered which one was hers and if her arents were missing her as much as she was missing them. She leaned back on the seat, closed her eyes and tried to imagine what her life in Italy would be like, but before she realized it she was fast asleep, she was so tired that exhaustion had completely taken over. Sweet dreams Daisy.
       Daisy was awakened by the flight attendent's voice over the intercom announcing that it was now safe for everyone to unbuckle their seat belts. She looked out the window to see the billowy clouds that looked like cotton balls and the color of the sky reminded her of the blue in Seth Lawson's eyes, an old boyfriend from days gone by. She intorduced herself to the girl seated next to her, a young woman around twenty five who had an uncanny resemblance to Meryl Streep, one of Daisy's favorite actresses. She loved the movie Momma Mia; she had seen it four times. Just as their conversation was getting started the flight attendent came by and offered them something to drink, Daisy chose a cup of tea with sugar and lemon, and her neighbor had a diet coke. They continued to get acquainted, the young woman, intorduced herself as Leslianna, Leslie for short, Rosanno. She was on her way to visit relatives in Calabria, Italy. She was on a month long holiday, a gift from her parents for her birthday.  Was she a lucky girl or what? Daisy thought how hard she and her parents had worked and saved so that she would be able to take this trip and make the new life she thought she wanted. Some people are just lucky she thought, but she knew from experience that having loving parents had nothing to do with luck. She was blessed.
    By the time the plane had landed, the two women were well on their way to becoming friends, a flight that long does that for strangers, it makes them friends. Ass they stepped off the plane, they exchanged addresses, they planned to keep in touch during the month Leslie would be vacationing, they woul try to spend some time together if they could. Leslie could help Daisy find her way around since she had visited many times before. Daisy was good with a map and she did know about twenty phraes in Italian, she didn't know how far that would get her, English was now spoken as a second language in many foreign countries and she hoped that would be the case in Calabria.
     Daisy jumped into what seemed to be hundreds of waiting taxi cabs, she told the driver the name of her hotel and off she went. She was so excited she could hardly believe that she was finally there. The cabbie, who luckily for Daisy, spoke good broken English, began their conversation by asking what part of America she was from. After the first question there was no stopping him, Daisy thought to herself, this guy is like a robot, he must ask these same questions to every passenger throughout the day.  She became amused and began laughing to herself, she was just so glad to be there living her dream that answering a few questions was a small price to pay.
     The taxi darted in and out of traffic as if it were on automatic drive, the traffic was congested to say the least and Daisy noticed the automobiles were much smaller than in America, but there were lots of American made cars too. She held her breath as the cabbie displayed his NASCAR driving abilities; she breathed a sigh of relief as he turned in the drop off lane of the Hotel Italiano Calabria. She would be staying there until she got herself settled in a place of her own which she hoped would sooner than later.
    The bellboy retrieved Daisy's luggage which amounted to three large pieces, two smaller ones and of course all that she had carried on the plane such as her valuables, laptop, iPad, iPod and all the other i's she brought along. She was like every other young person her age who feels they can't live without all of today's electronics that make it possible to stay connected in today's world.
     The lobby of the hotel was beyond Daisy's wildest dreams, she had nevr been to any of the lavish hotels in America, they always stayed in motels, or a timeshare of their own. Daisy's parents were adamant that she stay in a nice hotel until she was permanently settled. They would be worrying enough over the fact that she was alone in a foreign country and having her in secure surroundings would help them rest a little easier.
     As Daisy entered the hotel lobby, her breath was taken away; it was the most beautiful place she had ever see, except on television. The chandeliers hung like enormous jewels from the ornate ceiling with its fresco paintings and filigree work around the perimeter of the ceiling. The furnishings were well able to stand on their own and could grace any mansion in the city of Calabria or anywhere else for that matter. For a few moments she just stood in awe and soaked in the beauty that she would be living in for a few days or maybe longer if she couldn't find a place right away. Was this really true? Was she really here? It was a dream indeed, it was Daisy's dream.
     Daisy walked into her hotel suite behind the bellboy, her eyes growing larger as she viewed what lay before her. She tried to compose herself as she tipped the boy and shut the door behind him, alone, she screamed to herself and jumped on the luxurious bed that was so inviting after the long trip. She rolled over and over feeling like a princess of her own domain. After her approval of the sleeping arrangements she opened the double doors unveiling a balcony worthy of Romeo and Juliet. The view was absolutely breathtaking and right now she was willing to give up a few breaths just for the privilege. She had a picturesque view of the entire city that was an ancient, experienced, mesmerizing mystery just waiting for her to explore.
      Daisy was worn out and hungry, she called for room service and ordered a thick steak, a baked potato and a large salad. While she waited for her meal she ran her bath and relished in the luxury of the moment. The tub was deep and as she sank herself beneath the bubbles, she felt the hot water soothe her body as only hot water can, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the sea of luxury, but just for a moment and then she heard a knock on the door which brought her bck to reality, she grabbed her satin robe, wrapped her head in the luxurious towel provided by the hotel and opened the door to find her dinner waiting and she was more than ready to dig in.

     Daisy had just finished her meal , which was outstanding, when the phone rang, it was her mother. "Daisy, it's mom, how are things going? Don't want to hold you up, just wanted to check and see if you made it safely." daisy smiled, "Yes mother, it was a great trip, my room is fit for a princess, the food is delicious and what are you doing up at this hour?" Her mother laughed out loud and answered "Just being a mother I guess, enjoy yourself dear and don't forget to keep in touch, Love you." Daisy tod her mother good by and hung up the phone. She was feeling exhausted from the trip and decided to take advantage of that beautiful balcony.
     The time difference was beginning to have an affect on Daisy so she decided to take advantage of the chaise lounge on the balcony. It proved to be more comfortable than she thought and before she knew it she had drifted off to sleep, after all her body was still on home time. After several hours of sleeping, she awoke to a sky filled with diamonds, the view from her balcony had been transformed, the lights from the city were spread out like a carpet of jewels awaiting her slection. Daisy stood there drinking in the excitement of the city that lay before her, it was hers for the taking but she had plenty of time for that so she made her way to bed where satin sheets were waiting.