Chapter 1: Lonesome in Alexandria

“We will be beginning our descent into the Borg El Arab airport, Alexandria Egypt.” A female voice announced over the pa system, jostling Casandra from her sleep. She picked her head up from where it had rested on the food tray. She groggily folded the tray upright, as the voice directed, and began to stare out the window.

Beside her was her father. Her father with his tweed jacket, odd greying hair that was only hugging the slides of his head with nothing on top, his tired eyes, and pointy nose. He was not sleeping, and had probably spent the entire flight with his nose in some book.

She knew how excited her dad was for this trip. As an archeologist, he leapt at the opportunity to come and dig in this ancient city. She wanted to be excited for him but she just couldn’t bear the thought of dead people and rotting old things coming out of the ground. She frankly couldn’t be less interested in this trip.

She was forced to leave her comfortable home in New York City to come live in Alexandria for a year with her dad. She left her friends and her boyfriend, Davin, behind and she knew well that things wouldn’t last between them. But, her feelings didn’t matter to her father. All he cared about was getting to dig in some ancient sandbox.

Some time later Casandra and her father made it through Customs and were making their way out from the airport. There were pictures of the wonders of Egypt decorating the walls and she had to admit the pyramids looked pretty cool. But, they weren’t located where she was at, of course. The only thing she noticed was on display in the pictures about Alexandria was a lighthouse, an urn, and some lady named Cleopatra.

“Can we visit that lighthouse, father?” She asked her dad, motioning to the picture on the wall as they came to the exit doors.

“Oh that!” Her father exclaimed, apparently excited she asked something about history, “That is the lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the ancient wonders of the world. It stood some 1,500 years, and was notably one of the brightest and most majestic pieces on the Mediterranean coast. What a marvel, you know it was commissioned by Alexander the Great?”

“Dad!” She exclaimed, very frustrated, “Can we go?”

“Well,” her dad hesitated as they got into the cab, “It’s not standing anymore…..” He looked down at his shoes as they sat in the cab, apparently disappointed she didn’t really care about the story behind it. And, she sighed exasperated. Of course there was no lighthouse! There was nothing to see in this littlen, old city, was there? She looked out the window of the cab which was streaked with fresh rain.

When they got to the apartment she took her suitcase and made her way to her bedroom without saying anything to her dad. She knew it hurt him when she did not want to speak with him, but she couldn’t help it. She was mad, sad, and tired. She didn’t have the energy to care. She took off her coat and shoes and drew a bath.

“Sandy,” her father’s voice came from outside her room, “I’m gonna order some food. Would you like some pizza?”

Sandy! He did it again, he called her Sandy!

“Dad!” She exclaimed upset, “don’t call me mom’s nickname for me! My name is Casandra. And, no, I don’t want pizza.”

He did not say anything, but she could imagine his face in her head. Eyes sad, mouth struggling to say something, but unable to. It was a sad picture, but he has got to stop calling her that! Mom was gone, had been for 4 years, and she had no plans to come back. He had to accept that she had her own family now and didn’t look back. Neither should they. But, she couldn’t help but feel a little bad for talking like that to her dad. She creaked open the door.

The living room was connected to the kitchen, with only a bar stool-like counter separating the two sections. Her dad was seated on the couch with his head in his hands. She had a twinge of guilt and sadness for the guy. She couldn’t help it.

“Hey dad,” she called out to him, and he looked up from his hands, “actually, I’d like some pizza. Just plain, please.” He looked really happy and began to nod quickly as he started to dial the number to order.

She smiled softly, closed the door and bathed while her dad ordered the food. When she was finished the pizza had arrived and her dad had put two slices on a paper plate for her. She sat beside him on the couch, not super close, but still near him and they began watching some TV as they finished their dinner. It felt strangely nice to be there with her dad, watching TV, eating pizza, just like when she was little. Mom wasn’t there, but after the last couple years they had, she did not want to see her.

Cassandra slept soundly that evening, without any dreams, but when she woke she felt much better. It was mid morning by the time she got it, and she went to the kitchen to see her dad already left. But, he left a note on the fridge apologizing for not walking her but she looked so tired, gave her the address to the university library where he’d be, and left her some money. She took the money and thought about what she should do?

She decided to go shopping, there must be something pretty in this town! She grabbed her purse and key, and made her way out the door to see what there was to see in this city.