Even worse, every time I didn’t get a “he’s doing well” a little more of me died inside.
The flight attendant pulled us to the side, and she said, “There are four staff members who are flying home. Two of us are willing to stay behind and let you both get on the flight. It’s in first class next to them, though.”
I wilted. “Oh god. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. We’re sorry you were bumped off the flight,” she murmured.
“It’s okay.” My voice cracked. “We’re going to make it.”
“Yeah, you are.” She squeezed my arm and said, “Three A and C.”
Tears peppered my eyes. “Thank you again.”
She handed me her ticket, then went and spoke with the gate agent whom I’d yelled at earlier.
This had been the worst.
We’d gotten to the airport at two in the morning, having to take an island-to-island flight from Maui to Honolulu then had to immediately turn around and get into the airport to then board our plane to Dallas.
When we’d gotten here, the gate agent had told us that the flight was about to be delayed because the plane needed some maintenance due to a hydraulic issue.
She’d said it would be delayed until ten. Then twelve. And now it was delayed until four, with no end in sight.
When I’d asked for another flight, any other flight, she’d apologized and said there weren’t any until tomorrow but she’d put us on standby.
And we’d watched with our hearts in our throats as they boarded the plane.
We were about to be called, they’d literally had our names on the tips of their lips, when the senator frat brothers had rolled up with their important pants on.
And that was when I lost it.
Which led us to now.
“Eedie,” I said quietly. “Don’t let me get into a fight on that plane. I want to be able to get home to your dad and not be arrested by TSA when we land.”
She squeezed my hand as she said, “Come on. Let’s get on the plane.”
We did, with no luggage besides our wallets and the clothes on our backs.
The girls said they would take care of everything else.
We’d left that morning after hearing that Webber had been found next to his bike, clinging to life, after being in an accident involving another car that’d been abandoned.
A hit and run, literally.
That was the last update we’d gotten since.
I closed my eyes and clung to Eedie’s hand tighter.
We boarded the flight, and I tried not to glare at the gate agent as I went by.
When we were seated, I didn’t look at the stupid congressman.
I buckled my seat and glared hard at the stupid air conditioner vent.
“Fucking crazy bitch,” I heard one of the congressmen say.
I clenched my teeth.
