Yoharie: What It Takes to Fly (part one)

Yoharie

What It Takes to Fly

(part one)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Cause logically, you’re on your own anyway. Literally, you could turn eighteen while you’re up in the air. Yeah, that’s funny…”

Rae paused over this. Her sister liked the legal angles. She was going to be an entertainment lawyer—

She was, of course, probably the youngest ever. Because the ones who are born with that thing, tracking on the goal like a missile, get what they want. Savannah had no predictions for what she’d find available to want, stepping off a plane in California, dead poor.

But California seemed right…it was farthest away.

“Really, I think you’d be an adult, and no one could make you do anything anymore. You might get publicity.”

“Like Val.”

“Only. You’re not trying his thing. You’d get busted, girl.”

They both had their phones, checking prices on this and that.

“How much extra you think?”

“Make sense, Hanbo.”

“I mean, besides four hundred for the ticket…you think tipping? Fee if you ask for a Coke?

“After you land, tipping. Probably you want a taxi. You need a hotel you can stay a couple of nights…cheap, not creepy. Make sure you carry your own bag.”

“They don’t make you give ID if you’re paying cash, or anything…”

“Call the cops! No, seriously, they couldn’t have the right. What for? But why isn’t your driver’s license good?”

Savannah shrugged. “I just feel like I’m gonna be harassed.”

Rae’s plan for her…confiding meant takeover…was to check the UCLA area for student housing. Look for some girls who want a roommate, safe enough. “You remember that book at Grandma’s where the girl is…I don’t know. Her husband’s in college and she gets permission to audit classes…?”

“So I could audit classes? That’s a thing still?”

“Maybe not. You have to find out what you can do. But all the while, picture the clock ticking. Don’t get sightseeing.”

“I’m just gonna see if I can get in at a McDonald’s or anything.”

“Seriously, you can pull this off. Here, check it.”

Rae had found already a facebook of roommates wanted.

“Westwood! I have to find out what Westwood is.”

“Super mega expensive. Yeah, your taxi rides are gonna get nasty…you need to settle. On the plane you can be doing your work.”

 

 

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“Well, bus.”

“Oh, I don’t think… Not cross country, Bo!”

“Bus, to get around. Not taxi.”

“Not until you know just exactly where you’re going.”

“Oh, thanks, Kate.”

“Fuck you.”

 

After school, they walked the dog, and staged scenarios. Hairspray. It’s supposed to be as good as pepper spray…

Look, Rae said, sticking her phone under Savannah’s nose. You’re allowed to take hairspray on the plane. Armed and dangerous.

“We shouldn’t joke. You make me nervous.” A minute later, she said: “That’s Mom’s car.”

“Oh, she’s visiting Mat. The little lovebirds.”

This delivered flat and cold. Savannah got a picture of her sister in court…though Rae would never prosecute felons…

“Are you gonna be my free lawyer one day?”

“No. I’ll take a percent.”

“So…I’m looking for a job, and I’ve got, how much money left? How long?”

“Well, we haven’t got you funded yet. I need to talk to Grandma.”

“You’re good, kidster, but I don’t see getting a thousand dollars out of her.”

“Don’t be dumb. You have it already. You just take out what belongs to you. And not anyplace close to all of it…”

“But I can’t. Only Mom and Dad.”

Beatty whined, lagged on his leash, other dogs’ presumed reportage a baffling miracle to him, one needing many second looks and a degree of marveling. Talking, they ignored him, stopped when he stalled hard, started when the scope of the work ahead recalled itself to his mind, and he surrendered one light pole for the next.

“I’m going over to Oakbrook. I think the call needs to come from the office. She’ll figure it out, soon as she knows you’re gone. But truly, the money is yours. You’re not a ward of the state. Technicalities, we can overcome.”

“Rae…”

“Hanbo. You need to be there…keep the door shut.” Rae gave her an elbow. “But we’ll take Mom out for lunch or something. We’ll ask her about the divorce point blank.”

“We’re not…rifling her drawers…”

“No, no. That would be stealing. We’re extracting assets that rightfully belong to you.”

 

 

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What It Takes to Fly

See more on Yoharie page

What It Takes to Fly (part two)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2019, Stephanie Foster)