In the heart of the night

In the heart of the night

In the cool southern rain

There's a full moon in sight

Shining down on the Pontchartrain 

And the river she rises

Just like she used to do

She's so full of surprises

She reminds me of you

In the heart of the night

(Oh, down in New Orleans)

There's a night-bird singing

Right on through till the dawn

And the streets are still ringing

With people carrying on

It's been so long waiting

Just to be here again

Anticipating

All the time I could spend

In the heart of the night 

And I trust in your love never falling down

And I trust in your love

Just like I do in this town

Oh, never falling down

Never falling down

In the heart of the night

In the cool falling rain

There's a full moon in sight

Shining down on the Pontchartrain

And the river she rises

Just like she used to do

She's so full of surprises

She reminds me of you

In the heart of the night 

And I'm so glad to be back in New Orleans

Please don't wake me, don't shake me,

If this is only just a dream

'Cause It's the only place I can face 

That makes me feel so right

Below that Dixie moon and loving you

In the Heart of the Night

By: Poco 

1979

So - Where were we?

 I started getting to know my Dad over several phone calls during the following weeks

and it was decided I would go to visit him in New Orleans. 

As soon as the school year was up, I would make the trip.

I was very excited to be embarking on this journey. I was just shy of turning 14.

My mom took me shopping, helped me gather photos to share once I got there. 

The day I left, she and I laid out in the sun in our backyard, as my brothers played in the sprinkler. I don't remember talking much. I look back now and think this must have been a difficult day for her - to pretend everything was just ducky, but she must have been somewhat reticent about me leaving. It was the very first time I had flown. We said our good-byes at the gate and I boarded my plane. One thing happened I will never forget...

Once I got settled in on the plane, I was nervously passing time, waiting for takeoff,

 I started going through my new little magenta colored purse. 

Tucked inside was a very unexpected note from my Mom. 

"Kelley, I know I don't tell you often enough,

 but I want you to know, I love you... very much. Mom" 

Tears welled up in my eyes immediately and I missed her instantly. 

I've never forgotten that note, nor how it made me feel. 

My flight arrived at New Orleans airport at around 1:30 am 

The fellow passengers seemed to scatter within a matter of seconds and I felt eerily alone. I scanned the long, wide corridors to my left and right - 

seeking a face I would somehow hopefully recognize. 

But the only person in close proximity was a small-framed black man wearing headphones operating a huge, softly whirring carpet vacuum. I nervously approached the airline counter and said shyly "I don't know what to do, my father was supposed to be here..." Suddenly, I was anxious enough that I could feel a lump rising in my throat.

Then I heard his voice.

"Kelley?"...

~ To be continued ;)