Flight 4913

It's going to be alright, sweetheart.”

Molly Henderson gave her husband’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

Shane returned the gesture and furnished a half-hearted smile.

“It’s just that I haven’t been on a plane in years. I hate this turbulence. How much longer before we land?”

“Twenty minutes since the last time you asked me,” Molly responded. 

“Oh God,” Shane groaned. “I just want to get out of this tin can and touch down in the Bahamas.” “In paradise,” Molly added. 

“Can I just click my heels and wake up there?”

“Doesn’t work that way, sweetheart. Be patient. We’ll be there soon enough and it’s going to be heaven.”

“I know. I know.” 

“Why don’t you try a magazine or one of the movies. They have an excellent selection.”

“Who can read or watch TV with all of this shaking going on? I feel like I’m getting sick. Aren’t you feeling a little queasy?”

“I’m too focused on where we’re going to think about such things. I’ve been waiting for this trip for a long time. Now that we’re finally taking it together, it’s going to be fabulous.” Shane let out a breath and smiled.

“Yes, it is. And we both needed this. Between my long hours at the office and you being in that car accident last month, we haven’t had a moment to rest.”

“Don’t forget about YOUR accident the other day.” “That was nothing,” Shane said.

“Nothing?” Molly said sharply. “You fell asleep at the wheel. All because the office had you working those long hours like a mule for minimal pay.”

“They did promise me a promotion,” Shane countered. “And I put those hours in for us.”

“I know that, sweetheart and I love you for it. That’s why I insisted on this trip. It was time for us to go away.”

“Agreed,” Shane said. “Now that the plane is rocking less, I’m going to hit the bathroom and get some water. Do you want anything?”

“No, thank you. Don’t talk to any strangers.”

Shane got up from his seat and headed to the back of the plane. On the way, he scanned the faces of the passengers. More than a few looked like they were as nervous as he was during the unsteady flight. 

When Shane arrived at the bathroom door, he was greeted by an old man with a friendly smile.

“Hello there, I’m Leonard,” the man said.

“Hi. I’m Shane.”

“I’ve taken this flight with my Lucille and my two sisters in the past. How about you, Shane?”

“First time. My wife Molly’s idea and I am damn glad for it.” 

“I see. My son will be out momentarily. He needed time to adjust to the flight.” 

“I understand what he’s going through,” Shane said. “And I’m not in any particular hurry.”

“My son Timothy was always in a hurry. Never had time for me or his mother once he left the house. It got so Lucille and myself were fortunate to even get a card on holidays.”

“Well, he’s here to bond with you now,” Shane said, trying to be helpful. “You two will get to spend quality time with each other. That’s what my wife and I have planned.”

“I didn’t give him much choice on the matter,” Leonard responded sharply. “I realize I should not be talking to you like this.” The smile disappeared. “You have much to learn. Go back to your wife.”

The old man brushed past Shane and returned to his seat.

“What a cranky fucker.”

Just then, the door opened and a nervous-looking man about Shane’s age emerged. 

“You must be Timothy,” Shane said cheerfully.

“I am. And you are?”

“Shane.”

“Some flight, huh?”

“The turbulence is unsettling, but I just try to keep thinking about where we’ll be shortly.”

“I’m over all that. And you will be too once you get used to the idea.”

“I’ll never get used to turbulence,” Shane said. “It gives me the feeling the plane is going down.” “It doesn’t,” Timothy said.

“Doesn’t what?” Shane asked.

“Go down.” 

“Okay pal, if you say so. So, your dad said he had to pull teeth to get you to take this trip,” Shane said, changing the subject.

“My fiancée left me at the altar,” Timothy said “I never recovered from the shock. I was in a dark place and dad pulled me out. How about you?”

“Classic overworked and underpaid drone trying to get ahead. Not even enough time for my wife. After my accident, she decided we were taking a trip.”

“She decided,” Timothy said with a frown. “I think I understand now. You should go back and talk to your wife.”

“WE ARE ARRIVING AT OUR DESTINATION. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.”

“That’s our cue,” Timothy said. “See you on the other side.”

Shane watched Timothy return to his seat. He realized the plane was no longer shaking and he also did not have to use the restroom anymore. He walked through the aisle and noticed the other passengers were now in a cheerful mood.

When he took his seat, Molly smiled and asked, “Feeling better?”

“Now that we’re landing, much better.” 

“Good. What took you so long?”

“I was talking to the weirdest father and son team back there.”

“About what?”

“Nothing really. They kept saying I should talk to you.”

“They’re right. I need to tell you about….”

“WE HAVE ARRIVED. PLEASE EXIT THE PLANE.”

Shane watched people file out in an orderly fashion. He started to get up, but Molly grabbed his arm.

“Let the others out first. There’s something important I have to explain to you.”

Shane started to protest, but he sat back down and patiently waited. When the last person left, he turned to Molly.

“What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until we got to the hotel?”

“Look out the window.”

“Why?”

“Just look out the window, please.” Shane did so.

“That light…it’s so bright and beautiful! We’re not in the Bahamas, are we?”

“No, we aren’t.”

A realization suddenly hit Shane.

“Wait… Are we…? Is this…?”

“Yes, and I waited forever to be here with you.”

“It’s only been a month.” 

“Yes, but it felt like forever.”

“Forever is what we have now, right?” Shane asked. “That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?”

“Come on,” Molly said standing up. “They’re waiting for us. This is how it has always been done.” 

Shane remained seated with uncertainty. Molly gave her husband’s hand a reassuring squeeze. 

“It’s going to be alright, sweetheart.”

THE END