Katelyn Alexander

A Stranger's Smile

I struggled under the weight of two suitcases, a backpack, and a guitar. I had been traveling for twenty-some hours after nine months of living abroad and I was exhausted. As I pushed my cart full of bags through the LAX airport, I dreamed of getting off of my last flight and finally arriving home. I couldn’t believe the moment was so close. So close I could taste it. Nine of the longest, loneliest months I’d ever experienced and I was mere hours from home.