It is as if I were a dog, sticking my head out the window. The mighty breeze bashes against my face.
“When will we be there yet?” yells my sister for the 700th time.
My mom responds with a hint of annoyance in her voice, “We still have 6 hours!”
Ugh. I'm even starting to get mad. I just want to get to California as soon as possible. I want to feel the warm California breeze, brush against my skin. I stick my head back in the car and close the window. But two minutes later, I end up putting my head out the window again because I feel car sick. Our car begins to rumble and slow down. We come to a stop. I sit there wondering why.
Soon after my mom turns around and says “I'm sorry kids but our car just died!” After waiting an hour on the side of the road, we get our car towed.
After another two hours, Mom comes over and says, “It looks like we are going to have to find another way to get to California. There is a train station close by so we will see if we can catch the train."
I feel wounded. I just want to get to California.
Another 30 minutes go by before we get to the train station. Our train leaves in three minutes! We panic and rush onto the train just before the doors close. We find seats and I lean my head against the window. I barely move, just staring at trees rushing by. After a long two hours, the train slows to a stop. I stand up from the seat and my legs feel tingly up and down, trying to wake up. Though I am in pain, I stand up and wobble a little.
My excitement levels are off the charts. I burst out of the seat and run off the train, my heart pounding in my chest. I freeze. Just standing there, creating a forever memory in my mind, feeling the California breeze rush all around my body. Finally, I'm in California.
Keira Legge is 10 years old and in 5th grade. She would love to travel all over the world, but she wants to visit Mexico. That is her favorite type of food and she wants to visit and eat at as many Mexican restaurants as possible. When Keira is not writing a new story, she is playing softball. She loves pitching on her softball team.
Keira's stories have previously appeared in Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter and Little Thoughts Press Issue Two: Natural Wonder. You can read about her writing process, favorite books, and more in this past interview.