The alarm buzzed and I hit the snooze button without thinking about it, like I do every morning, and drifted back to sleep for another nine minutes. Then another nine. And another. By the time I did get out of bed, I was running forty-five minutes behind schedule and I was thanking the gods that I had spent last night arranging everything so I could just jump in the shower, dress, grab my luggage, keys, and head out the door.
Traffic wasn’t too bad until I got closer to the airport, then it seemed that every available car in the area was locked in tight around mine. I crept slowly closer to the off ramp, squeezing into the far right lane while checking my rear view mirror and blind spot carefully. As I reached the light at the bottom of the ramp to bear left into the airport I noticed a taxi in the lane next to me. Actually, it wasn’t the taxi I noticed as much as who was sitting in the passenger’s seat.
Your beautiful, sparkling, light blue eyes danced and held mine for a brief moment, causing chills to race through my body. I was caught, transfixed by even a casual glance into your eyes. It was as though our minds were linked in some way and I shivered. Then you smiled, and I nearly lost control of my car.
Shaking my head at the near calamity and refocusing on the task at hand, I made a left at the light then drove to the next stop sign and made a right turn towards the terminal. I noticed that you took a left turn, and I wondered for an instant where you might be headed, but only for an instant. If I didn’t get in gear soon, I was going to miss my plane.
Leaning over the steering wheel I read the parking lot signs as I passed them and finally came to the one that was assigned to the airline I was taking. The lot was close to full, apparently everyone was leaving town for the holiday weekend. I drove up and down the rows frantically trying to find any available empty spot while I kept checking my watch.
Scowling like a demented shrew, I finally found a space out in the north forty, so far in the outback that all I could see of the airport was the tower peeking in the distance. I grabbed my luggage from the back seat and raced towards the end of the row of cars just as the tram pulled up. Out of breath and looking a bit tossed, I smiled and handed the driver my suitcases, boarded, and found a seat just as the tram lurched forward.
As the tram drew closer to the terminal it began to slow and finally parked at the boarding gate. Your taxi pulled up and parked in front of us. I watched as you opened the door and stepped out. You leaned back into the front seat to grab your small black leather backpack and I edged over in my seat so I could get a better look at you.
Almost in a trance I watched as you tossed the pack over your shoulder then went to the back of the taxi to get your luggage from the trunk. You were facing away from me and all I could see was a mass of short thick ringlets running down your neck and into the collar of your green and yellow shirt. Your Bermudas were loose exposing thick athletic legs that disappeared into your white socks and tennis shoes. I took a deep breath releasing a very inaudible sigh just watching you. Your arms were tanned a golden bronze and I could see the definition of your shoulders pushing against the material in your shirt as you lifted and carried your suitcases through the revolving doors into the terminal.
Returning to reality I looked around and noticed that the tram had almost emptied. Gathering my belongings and my luggage I began to hurry toward the boarding gate. Once in line I paused and looked back over my shoulder through the windows and down the main entrance area near the doors but you had disappeared into the crowd.
Standing in line seemed to take an eternity even though it was moving steadily. The adrenaline in me kept surging causing my hands to shake but I figured this would pass as soon as I got to my assigned seat and relaxed. After several minutes I reached the front of the line, checked in my baggage, then moved to the center of the corridor with the other passengers waiting for the boarding announcement. Again I looked around the terminal for you but your bright touristy shirt was no-where to be found.
Once the boarding announcement was made I looked over my shoulder one last time and saw that you had been stopped by a random security check. There you were in all your glory, shoes off, suitcases open, the security officer rummaging through all your belongings. I giggled as I noticed a pair of women’s black satin string bikini panties fall to the floor. Without hesitation you simply bent over while smiling at the officer, scooped up the panties and placed them in your shorts pocket.
I moved up the ramp toward the aircraft and handed my ticket to the stewardess at the loading door. It was amusing watching everyone move through the plane in a close jumbled unorganized fashion, each finding their seats, putting their carry on luggage overhead, pulling down blankets, grabbing pillows, climbing over people, but surprisingly within minutes they were all settled in their own little space.
Well, they were all settled, I was still trying to maneuver around an elderly gentleman who was on the aisle side of my row. He apparently had either boarded early or more than likely had remained on board during the layover. His hair was all tossed, a blanket covering his sleeping body, and his legs wedged under the seat in front of him.
This is when I wished I had worn my slacks, but instead I was standing in the aisle looking down at him wondering how I was going to get to my seat without disturbing him. The skirt I was wearing was short, about half thigh. Snug enough that I decided to wear a thong underneath to keep from showing panty lines. My button down sweater just touched the waist and my legs were bare, nicely tanned from weeks of sun.
I hiked my skirt and lifted my leg as high as I dared then braced my hands on the armrests of the seats so I could maneuver over him. When I looked back I noticed that he had snuggled a little deeper into his covers but was still sound asleep. Sitting back in my seat and rummaging through my purse I pulled out the crossword puzzle book I had brought to work on along with a pencil. As I sat and worked on my book I noticed that the window seat on my right was still vacant. I always enjoy sitting by a window but by the time I had purchased my ticket there were none available. I figured that once the plane was airborne I could slip over there without anyone being the wiser.
An announcement came across the intercom that we were about to depart. I could hear the loading door come down and latch then the sound of the engines.