All characters in this story are over 18
"Professor, is that you?" I was walking through the departure concourse at LAX, through security and headed for the gate of my redeye flight headed back east. I was already tired, and annoyed that I would have to connect in O'Hare in the middle of the night.
The woman had planted herself in front of me. She was in her mid-20's maybe late 20's, blond hair to the middle of her back, tied in a pony tail for travel. I couldn't say if she looked familiar or not, having taught hundreds of pretty blond girls over thirty years of college teaching. Like the millennial "bro" boys, they all looked alike after a bit. Not wanting to offend or admit I had no idea who she was, I resorted to my usual "Maybe we've met, maybe we've not" greeting.
"Hello, how are you doing? Nice to see you." She smiled slyly. "You don't recognize me, I know. But I would know you anywhere." I was grateful that she let me off the hook, but more confused than before. I laughed a bit.
"That's a level of notoriety I never expected, I'm sure. How is it you know me?"
"I'm Eliza," she said, expecting that would clear up everything. It didn't. Eliza saw the confusion remaining on my face. "I'm Jesse's sister. We met at her graduation."
"Oh wow, that is some time ago! You are Jesse's younger sister, right? You were how old at Jess's graduation?"
"Jess and I are three years apart. I was 19, Jess was 22." Eliza was cute then, but now had developed into a real stunner. I remembered Eliza from that graduation, a smiling young girl in a plunging top and tiny spandex shorts. Really nice legs, dancer's legs I learned later. Truthfully, I spent graduation day trying to wrest Jesse from her family for a last visit to my office, so I did not pay a great deal of attention to Eliza. But Jesse packed her dorm room and left with her family without my fantasized final visit.
"Are you flying in or out today?" I asked, noting that Eliza still dressed to display her large, natural breasts and long shapely legs. Still into spandex workout shorts and a sports bra. This time though she wore a clingy knit cardigan that covered, but did not hide her well-toned ass. Odd travel garb, but I wasn't going to object.
"Out," she replied. "I am heading back east to visit Jesse, in fact. She and her husband separated recently, and I am going to give her a hand with the boys."
"Justin, isn't it? I met him last year at Jess's college reunion. I'm sorry to hear that they've split. It must be hard."
"It is hard, but for the best, I think. They weren't right for each other. So far it's amicable for the sake of the boys."
"It's good of you to go help out. Do you live here in L.A.? What do you do that you can take off and visit your sister?"
"I'm a singer. Nobody famous. I make my way as a studio singer. Backup vocals, movie scores, things like that. I can go anywhere any time because I am easily replaceable, unfortunately." Eliza saw me check out her legs, which had added a west coast beach tan since last I ogled them. "I used to dance too. Same thing. Music videos, background dancing, some musical theatre. Now I just teach dance now and then." She laughed at my discomfort. "Don't blush just because you got busted! Do you live in L.A. now? That's far from home."
"No, I am on my way back from a job interview. One of the local colleges needs a Dean for a year. How they continue to make use of retired faculty. I don't think I want the job, though. I don't think I could take Los Angeles. I was never so happy to return a rental car safely in my life. So you're flying into Albany?"
"Yes by way of Chicago. I almost flew to LaGuardia and took a bus so I could avoid the connection but changed my mind at the last minute. You heading to Bangor?"
"I am, stopping in Chicago too. Nobody flies to Bangor non-stop. Are we on the same plane to Chicago? Mine is at Gate H9."
"Darn," she pouted. I am at H4. What time do you leave?"
"4:30 if the weather in Chicago holds out. I heard it was getting bad."
As if on cue, both our phones buzzed or dinged with incoming text messages. Chicago weather was not good, my connecting flight was delayed until 4:30AM, Eliza's until 4:10AM. As our flights were arriving in Chicago around 11:00, we were in for a long night in O'Hare.
"It's going to be a bore at O'Hare. Want to go drinking when we arrive? Let's meet at that Mexican place on K Concourse. You know the one?"
There were worse fates than to spend a late-night layover at the airport with a lovely young lady. I would have to concentrate on not concentrating on her breasts, though...
"I think so. If I get lost you can text me where you are."
"Wow, Professor, already getting lost, are you?"
"Funny girl. You'll see. We'd better run before they change their minds about these flights. See you in Chicago." With that we hurried off to our gates. Before we parted company, I swore Eliza gave me a lascivious wink, but it was probably my imagination, I thought. Nonetheless, I boarded my flight with a raging hard-on, imagining her well-toned legs wrapped around my neck.
I did a little consulting work on the flight, dozed a bit and picked at the mediocre business class meal. I did take full advantage of the free alcohol, however. The weather in Chicago was bad. I was kind of surprised we made it at all given how bumpy the approach and landing were. I was kind of regretting that 4
th
vodka...
I made my way to over to the K concourse, actually looking forward to spending some time with Eliza. If she was half as fun as her sister, it would be an enjoyable layover. The Mexican place was closed, but a couple of the other bars were staying open to make some extra money while people were stuck in the terminal. Eliza texted me from one of them. The bar was crowded, but of course someone had offered their seat to Eliza and was chatting her up as I approached.
"Hi Eliza, I made it finally."
"Hey Professor! It's a tough room here. This is Roger, he gave me his seat." As we did the perfunctory handshake, Roger gave me a less-than-welcoming look. Eliza easily got the bartender's attention and ordered me a drink. The drink was a vodka and tonic. I was glad for the tonic after drinking it straight on the plane.
"A vodka drinker!" Eliza exclaimed. "Me too! The nice flight attendant slipped me a couple of nips on the flight. He was really cute." Of course he did, I thought to myself. He was hoping for a happy landing too, I'm sure.