The Facts

I know everyone is curious. And I really mean that. I know everyone is. Some people are more curious than I am. So here it is. This is the story of Terminal E in Logan Airport.

Between the hours of 5:30 and 6:30pm I waited outside the International Arrivals door, nursing a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee that I had no intention of drinking. I just needed something to hold on to. During this time I saw the most beautiful baby in the world, followed by the most ugly child in the world who would not stop chasing after a middle-aged woman riding a segway. There was a fancy driver guy holding a sign that said "Virgin" on one line and "Money" under it. Virgin Money. I don't know what this means but I asked him if I could take a picture of it and he said no. I saw one man come out of the doors and beeline towards me. He dropped his luggage pretty much at my feet and proceeded to take out every article of clothing inside. He put everything he had on him. And I mean everything. It was the most peculiar thing I have ever seen. He didn't acknowledge me at all either. He just zipped up his now empty suitcase and headed out the door. God bless him.

But enough about strangers. Or... more about a stranger I suppose.

When my father finally came through the arrival gates I held my breath. He was alone. No. Wait. He was not alone. There was a woman trailing slightly behind with her own cart of luggage. This must be her. I walked up to my dad and gave him a big hug. It's been a month since I've seen him but I couldn't help but cut the hug short. Where was that woman? It has to be her. She is clearly Sri Lankan and as she walked behind my father she seemed to know him. But the woman I saw was not near my father anymore. She was greeting someone else at the gate. As I realize this is not her my father says, "You won't believe it! My friend was on the same two flights as me the whole way! Isn't that funny?!"

Yes, dad. Extremely funny. Fifteen very "funny" seconds of my life passed by trying to figure out if this woman was my new stepmother. It was really a blast.

So my father said goodbye to this mystery woman (but not the mystery woman) and we headed out to my car. And now the truth comes out.
'
"So how was your trip?"
"Awesome, just great!"
"Lots of beach time?"
"Oh yeah, and a wedding."
Silence...
"You know I got married right?"
"...yeah...?"

We're suddenly in the car (I don't remember ever putting his luggage in the trunk) and I find myself looking at a wedding picture. Now, I can't really describe it but if you google "sri lankan wedding" or something along those lines you'll get the picture (Not literally but you know what I mean). It was a very happy looking couple. Except one of them was my father and the other, a stranger. It was such a strange feeling. My father had a wedding. His European friends who were on vacation were there. His family was there. I was not. So very strange.

After asking a few questions I learned these things.

She is not a widow. My brother just made that up, I guess. She has never been married and does not have any kids (until now... mwahahaha). She lives right outside Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo so unlike my father's family she isn't much of a farm girl. She teaches computer stuff to people. Like word processing and excel and shit. Here's the good one, she speaks English!! Yes. The language of kings! And from what I hear she speaks English well. What a plus!

She is also nice and funny and very anxious and excited to come to America. All very good things.

I will have to wait a while before I can meet her. She's got lots of paperwork to get approved. My dad thinks it'll be a couple of months or sooner.

I'm going to have my dad scan in the wedding photos so if you know my dad and will find the humor in them just let me know and I'll send them your way. They will not disappoint!