Mom and dad didn’t want to come, not because they hate traveling or don’t want to see me (or my new home) but because they don’t want me to go to JFK to pick them up due to E airline destination. (Last time they visited, we had a flat tire on one way which requested a truck to take my car off highway; on the way back, it took 6hr due to traffic) Aunt was coming back and happened to take the E airline and 10 days later I’ll be in New York for a conference. Mom and dad finally said yes. The plan is that they come with aunt and later I drop them off, perfect.
Right before the departure, aunt found a tumor on her chest and decided to extend her stay to have the operation. Fortunately, aunt friend who lives in New York is coming back as planned. She agreed to take my parents to hotel then the bus station the following day.
Mom called me at the airport upon arrival saying they’re all good, waiting with aunt’s friend for the car service to the hotel. I went to bed. The next day morning, I saw texts and voice mail that hotel room wasn’t the type as booked and it wasn’t paid. What? It ended up with a series of calls with the hotel, booking website, another processing site, and filling a credit card authority form.
The friend dutifully took my parents to the bus station next day and I went to pick them up in the afternoon. 3 miles with traffics took me over 45 minutes. I’m late and worse, made wrong turn making circle at last half mile. I don’t see parking at bus station, where to park? I left my car with flashing light, ran up the station stairs, but didn’t see them. I checked the monitor, no info about their bus and no staff to ask. I ran down to the street and fortunately my car was still there. I ran back up again but still didn’t see them. I tried to check the bus company but mobile wifi didn’t work. I called the friend in New York but she didn’t answer the phone. Now it’s almost 2hr after the supposed arrival time, where are my parents? I went back to my car, thinking what I should do next…
Suddenly my phone rang, I picked up, a young lady’s voice. She explained she was on the bus with my parents and they just arrived. I ran back up and this time, I’m happy to see the familiar faces, mom and dad, they look smaller by the 4 suitcases. We were exhausted yet happy to see each other. We thank the young lady and let’s go home!
On the way home, mom and dad shared that thankfully to the New York friend who helped them along the way, to the hotel, to the bus station which is more than 1hr away from their hotel. There was no sign but lots of people and buses, everybody ran for the goal. The friend asked the young lady (an international student?) on the bus to watch out for my parents and waited till their bus took off. The bus ran into traffic in the city which cause the delay and drama.
‘Everything will be good in the end. If it’s not good, it’s not the end!’, the young guy kept saying so when he ran into trouble at (movie) the best exotic hotel. I love, believe, and see that happening again and again…