With multiple cameras flashing at all angles and directions, the paparazzi was crazy and brave. Very brave. The once quiet reserved rural area where no one visited was reaching its capacity. The usually deserted streets were filled with reporters as more vans of them were about to arrive any minute. Anyone would have thought aliens had ascended to the earth with the frenzy happening there without a second thought. It didn't make sense. Why would the entire department of photographers all come to this town? There was a reason. The sea of cameras only wanted to capture one person --- Bridy Owens.
Soon the arrival of the long-anticipated model arrived. The distinct crunch of the gravel of the SUV signaled to the photographers to get ready for the next few intense seconds as Bridy Owens dashes from the SUV to the big brown house with the swing and pond. Her childhood home.
Mentally, all of them including me was prepared. The invisible timer started in 3, 2, 1...
The dash has begun. Bridy swung open the car door and dashed across the road to the big brown house where I was waiting. So many pictures were taken that the path was no longer visible but a huge space of flashing lights. Nevertheless, Bridy did not hesitate or stop. Soon she was approaching the front door which opened only long enough to let her in and no one else.
" Bridy please one question ... "
" Bridy smile for a picture!"
" Shame on you Bridy, shame on you. "
The paparazzi goes through these three stages every time. Enthusiasm, desperation and being sore. I particularly enjoy the last stage even if Ma tells me off. Secretly, she also enjoys it just as much or more than me.
Bridy was finally home after three months. Ma and Pa immediately pulled her in for a long-awaited tight embrace. "Thanks Birdy. " Even at her 5 feet 7 petite frame, my sister managed (but struggled) to pat my head which was at 6 feet high. Teasingly, I used her head as an arm rest, bent down and whispered to her ear. " You're welcome short queen. " Even as the youngest family member, I had the height advantage.