The next year is my bot mitzvah.

I've been working on my speech for my candlelighting ceremony in which I think my folks, friends,

and loved ones.

I'm so excited to perform for everyone!

Especially my dad was flying halfway around the world to see it.

Three days before the big day, I head to Tom Bradley terminal to pick him up.

It's me, my mom, my little sister, who's six months old.

I stand at the same railing.

This time, I'm tall enough to peek over it.

But as the last person rounds the corner to walk up the ramp, my dad still hasn't shown

up.

My mom walks over and talks to the airline lady who tells her he never got on the plane.

There's nowhere to call.

There's no way to get a hold of him.

So my mom calls my grandmother, who rushes over.

She's a tough broad whose resourcefulness was able to bring my whole family over from

Uzbekistan.

Her one downfall?

She burps when she gets nervous.

Usually, it's a welcome bit of comedic relief, but now it just adds to the cacophony of panic

in the airport.

Someone is freaking out and I'm scared too.

...