Turbulent Travel

Even the crowded plane was welcome to my day. The turbulence was worse than ever, but my day started hectic. The alarm was blaring, but I slept right through it. Thinking that a travel job would be great, but I need more motivation to travel. Luckily everything was already packed. Weighted suitcases and required documents were the least of the troubles. The car was already packed, and stuffing my remaining stuff was necessary before praying not to be pulled over by the cops. The distance to the airport did not help with the high-stress level. Depending is the only good part of the day, not being pulled over.

Overcrowded parking lots made finding a spot, but the most expensive parking lot, this was impossible situation. The real trouble of unwieldable luggage that fought every movement to get through the parking lot. Tumbling at every turn, I pulled it to the desk. Time was running out to get there, and the line was not moving. An argument was going on with the clerk trying to deal with an overweight suitcase. Everyone was angry at the annoying customer but eventually accepted the extra charge. Finally, I entered my bag, which was a pound over, and angrily took some items out. With my boarding pass, I headed straight to security, where I was padded down for minor issues. On top of my bag being searched, that had charging chords.

Time continued to be lost to the constant obstacles. Finally, with my carry-ons, I ran to the gate before I missed the flight. Just as I came around the corner, they were calling the name. I was screaming to get their attention; they looked as annoyed as I was the whole morning. The last few seats were left, but I stuffed my carry-ons under the seat.

Now in the air, things still did not improve with a screaming child. Feeling tired and spaced out during the flight instructions. Hearing them so many times, I had them memorized. Finally, fatigued and exhausted, I passed up even before the takeoff. The rocky feeling was getting to my stomach, and the screaming child had not stopped. This was supposed to be a good business trip, but everything went wrong.

Finally opening my eyes, I saw a slightly older guy than me sitting at the end. His demeanor showed fear, and I did not remember him when I sat down. Though he was handsome with his gray eyes and blonde hair pushed back.

"I did not think you wanted to be disturbed when I sat down," he stated.

"If you knew the day I had, you would not even question it," I commented.

"Hi, my name is Dylan Whitvere, and you are Claire Haddish," he spouted, smiling when he saw me.

"How do you know that?" I inquired with a funny look on my face. He gently just pointed at my boarding pass with a grin. I was giving my name up, but he was cute, so I continued."Turbulence getting to you; guess traveling is not your thing," I said.

Dylan's look of concern came over his face. "I have never been much for plane travel," he responded shyly.

"It is usually horrible at first, but I have traveled so long, I can sleep through it," I came back.

"It is all in my head, but the fear is always there," Dylan responded.

"Well, it's not that long of a flight," I touted.

He answered, "My wife says the same thing, but I still get nervous."

"You have a family then, and they are not traveling with you," I engaged his statement. He just looked at me," Yeah, for ten years now."

"Drinks and snacks," the stewardess interrupted.

"I will take some coffee with some cookies," I responded.

"Do you want any?" She asked Dylan.

"just some water and pretzels," Dylan told the stewardess.

She handed us our items, and we pulled down our trays. I just realized that the turbulence had stopped. Screaming babies had settled, and everyone was calm. It was a better flight, and relaxing was finally achievable.

Dylan looked more relaxed with his water. Inside I felt that it was a shame he was already taken. The flight was moving along, and the hot coffee improved the day. Unfortunately, I ran so late that I had no time to get some beforehand. Undesirable food was the airline's specialty despite all that was getting some food in my stomach.

"My family is home; I have four children and not taking them on a plane," Dylan replied.

I looked at him and laughed, "That is a lot of work; at least you get a break."

"I would not trade them, but my wife keeps everything together," Dylan responded.

"She sounds astute, and I am glad you are happy," I told him.

"Well, I had to travel this weekend for work, not so much for fun," Dylan said.

"I am here for a business conference, just another set of annoying talks," I touted.

"Yeah, earning money has many problems, too," Dylan answered.

I could just sit back, "just to keep on going and provide the basic needs." "What kind of job do you do?" I asked.

"Sales for a while, but now I just do some repairs on equipment," Dylan answered.

"I am in a traveling sales job that I thought would be fun," I declared.

"Maybe you will find a job you can love someday," Dylan replied.

Turbulence started again, and the seat belt signs blared. "Hey, I have to run to the bathroom before the announcement," Dylan stated.

He then disappeared to the back of the plane. As the shaking became worse, he never returned to his seat. My heart was racing since not I have seen him, but I just sat back for another nap. Finally, a voice over the loudspeaker woke everyone up, "We will be landing in less than an hour; please remain seated for the remainder of the flight." Again, Dylan was not in the seat, and my mind was racing.

One of the stewardesses was finally coming down the aisles. "Hey, miss, did you see the man sitting beside me? He has not been back in a while," I declared emphatically.

She looked funny at me and simply answered, "There was never anyone in that seat; it was always empty." Again, a funny feeling came over me, but I would know if I was dreaming.

Sitting in my chair, I found a note with my name on it. It was on the seat, but it was impossible. Slowly opening the message, I saw it was handwritten and signed by Dylan. It read till we meet again, my dear, p.s. I come off as a jerk, but I was just nervous. He signed it, your future husband, Dylan. All I could do was wonder what was happening. Sitting back for the remainder of the flight, I just looked at the note in confusion.