Background
Rachelle Allen and Gretchen Hargis are on their way to the FanStory convention in Atlantic City when they meet with some unexpected detours.
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So far, Rachelle Allen and Gretchen Hargis are on their way to the FanStory Convention in Atlantic City when they break down in the heart of Amish country. After a few days, they arrange for a ride and pick up a woman named Jane. Upon arriving at the convention, more things go awry. This trip will prove full of memories and a few detours.
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I can hear the laughter and the clink of glasses through the bathroom door. Even though I was probably the only one at the convention that didn't get pelted with food, I felt dirty. Dirty that poor Tom had to answer for this. Tom had always been something like the Wizard in Oz, at least to me. I wasn't even sure there was a Tom, but there he was, under the table with me. I cringe at the ill timed request for more stars and hope he thought I was merely in my cups.
I come out, hair wrapped in the lush hotel towel and my pajamas. Diane and Dolly are cozy on the couch, each holding a glass of wine, I search for Rachelle and look towards her closed bedroom door. "Is she alright?"
"She's calling her husband. If anyone can calm her down, it's Bobby." Diane says, pausing to sip her wine.
"Well, that was a hell of a party, wasn't it?" I sigh. I shake my head when they offer a glass to me. I'm still a little tipsy.
Rachelle comes back into the room and smiles broadly. "Well, ladies, are either of you up for a road trip?"
And, just like that, we are on our way to pick up Rebekah. According to Rachelle, she had made her decision to return to her life in Pennsylvania. I can't help but smile.
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With Diane and Dolly following us, we head back down the interstate to Maria's. Rachelle ended up talking Rebekah into performing in her recital.
"Do you think Rebekah was really that gifted or did you just want her to see what she might be able to achieve outside of the confines of her religion?"
Rachelle shrugs. "I think everyone needs to leave their comfort zone once in a while. Without discomfort, there is no growth."
"Wonder how I grew after this past week?"
"Did you really ask Tom for more stars, in the midst of hell breaking loose last night?" she asks, a playful smile on her face.
"I did. Then I asked him to get me a bottle of wine. He was quite charming. You would have liked him."
She cocks her eyebrow. "Maybe," she says.
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I'm not a musical person. I stay away from plays, concerts and karaoke bars. But here I was sandwiched between Dolly and Diane, with Rachelle on the aisle seat. I am not prepared for the sound that comes from Rebekah. I feel a chill run down my spine. I am unprepared for the tears that threaten to break free through my lashes. It is the sweetest sound I have ever heard. I can't take my eyes off of her and feel a helplessness as I can't look away.
When I finally feel the spell broken, I glance around me. I wasn't the only victim of her angelic voice. We were a room full of disciples. The church of Rebekah was now in session.
In a way, I feel sorry that the rest of the world won't have the privilege of hearing her sing. But when we take her home, I realize she has made the right choice. She is where God wants her to be.
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As the bridge over the Albemarle Sound comes into view, I think about how different I was when I left here. My home is just fifteen minutes from here. I wonder if anyone will notice the difference in me. I can't wait to see the faces of my family, sleep in my own bed and drink coffee on my porch. This was the trip of a lifetime and I met so many amazing people. Taking a trip with a Jewish Yankee fashionista, who I had nothing in common with other than a snarky sense of humor, was my first step out of my comfort zone. The whole Amish experience was another. Then the fashion show, the convention, Jane Babies, the recital, and driving my newly repaired Suburban, by myself, from a service station just outside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to my home here on the Outer Banks, these were all things I'd never done, and never thought I would. I owed that fiery little red head a debt of gratitude. Not just for saving the day and the deluxe accommodations at the hotel, but for becoming a real friend. Someone who put up with my silly antics and reminded me to see the good in everyone.
Every good story needs a drama, some comedy, misunderstanding or misdirection. But one of the most important things is people you care about, come to know and root for.
I met a lot of characters this past week, and almost all of them I wish the best (with one exception). Putting faces to names I have gotten to know on FanStory has been a blessing. We are all real people. We have families and lives that sometimes spill over into our on line connections.
Maybe there won't be a FanStory convention next year. Tom seemed pretty pissed when we were checking out of the hotel. I do know one thing, sometimes detours happen. Instead of looking at it as an inconvenience, try to enjoy the trip. Detours can lead to all sorts of wonderful destinations.
