This is my effort to support the airline industry and get people flying again!
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I was tired and ready to get to my hotel when I got on the plane. The flight was delayed 2 hours in Stewart and 5 hours in Chicago and there's another 2.5 hours to go to Austin. Thank God, I had a good seat. Middle of the plane, exit row. I sat in my aisle seat and didn't fasten the seat belt. They had said the plane would be full and from past experience I knew I couldn't expect to be lucky enough to have the middle seat empty. Sure enough the 'Middle seat Man', came soon after I sat down. I am not talkative on a plane, especially after aggravating delays, and I said nothing as "Middle Man" took his seat. I fastened by seat belt, sat back and close my eyes. People passed by and knocked into me. At this point I didn't care, I just kept my eyes closed and tried to think relaxing thoughts.
Then there was someone leaning against meβ¦must be putting up his luggage. I heard him excuse himself as people passed by and he leaned into me. I just feigned my nap and shifted toward 'Middle Man'. Finally his baggage was stowed and he said excuse me and sidled by me; his rather nice rear in my face.
We all settled down and we were off. I settled back and was falling asleep to the patter of voices around me and the drone of the plane.
Then I thought I heard "Her name is Vee. I'm meeting her in Austin. I hope this late flight didn't mess up her schedule."
I opened my eyes. I must be dreaming [but, hey let's go with it! Don't nobody pinch me now!!]
Middle Man was talking to Window Man. Was it one of them that said that?
"Have you meant her before," says Middle Man.
"No, this will be the first time." It was window man. "We've been writing to each other but have never met." I tried to make eye contact, but couldn't do it without clotheslining Middle Man. I nonchalantly kept trying as if to look out the window. The fact there was nothing but black out there, didn't phase me.
Window Man and Middle Man kept talking and the conversation moved to business. I gave up. I figured I had been dreaming, wishful thinking. I started to drift off to sleep.