My old school was on a different island from where my mom worked, so my dad and I traveled often. Every few weeks we were going from one island to the other, which meant we spent a lot of time in the airport.
Even before this I had always flown more than most other kids; I had grandparents in other countries or on other islands that I had to visit, and a plane is easier to travel on than a boat. I even flew unaccompanied minor, which meant that a flight attendant would guide me through the airport and chauffeur me. Although one memorable time, when I was traveling with stranger kids off to visit relatives of their own, our attendant did very little of that, and we had to find our own way to the plane. Travel in this case became one of the first glimpses of independence, away from the guidance of my parents and generally left to my own devices.
Those earlier times, traveling was an occasion. As previously mentioned, it was only after my mom got a new job and had to move islands that it truly became routine. My dad and I became airport people. The homeschool commune that I was in at the time was generally accommodating; there was no good reason why I couldn't lug my books back and forth and use zoom for communication. And so that’s what I did. It worked from a purely functional level. I went to events plenty of times. For example, I got to perform in our haunted house as a hand from under the table, and had a wonderful time. I heard a classmate remark how far we had come, how we could all remember when we were at a meeting, throwing ideas at the wall and now we had a real haunted house. A planning meeting that I was not present for.
Not that I was completely isolated, of course. My parents tried hard to schedule around school events I wanted to attend, and it’s not like my classmates abandoned me. Any lunches spent alone came from my own introversion. Other than planning, the worst thing I ever missed was a zookeeper letting my classmates pet a snake. However much I wanted to pet it too.
Still, I formed a fond acquaintanceship with other airport people. For instance, every time I was in one airport I would order a snack from someone, who knew me only as IB and who I knew only as the lunch lady. Our bond transcended names and was etched in simple routine. And my dad and I, being creatures of habit, were fine with making our own sub-rituals and in-jokes, which I can’t deny strengthened our relationship. Besides, struggling through phone conversations with my mom, instead of being there in person, would have been intolerable.
Then I graduated, and joined Laurel Springs, and that was that. There wasn't any need for travel anymore. I don’t fly as much anymore. Actually I don’t even go off the island much, unless we need a doctor’s appointment or something like that. Not that I mind my new sedentary existence as much; I feel like I’ve flown enough for a lifetime.