Chapter Four

It was clear the amount of happiness I felt when I rose this morning with this glow on my face. Smiling at all, although my morning had become hell due to other circumstances, I did not stop to pout about it. Instead, I kept a smile plastered across my face.

Why?

It would be obvious to all that knew me and how the past few days meant to me. With my promotion sitting on my shoulders, it felt like I was ready to tackle the world.

I stuffed my day and night wear, along with my professional attire, into my suitcase. I did not know what this trip required; I just knew I wanted to be prepared for all things.

It has been a while since I treated myself. With no personal life, I thought it was time to ditch the self-painted nails and treat myself. Why not? I deserved it.

I forced my resisting hair into an untidy bun before I finished packing all my essentials for this trip. Full of bubbling life, I picked up my cell phone and called for a taxi service to head my way....

I glanced at my watch. Time was passing quicker than I hoped for. I looked up. They swarmed the Philadelphia streets with taxi cabs, busy drivers, and delivery trucks. Downtown, Center City was a mad house during the early mornings which is why I regret having to pick up some things from my office.

“Hello?” I knocked against the glass partition that separated me from the foreign cab driver. “How long do you think it would take?”

I was shifting in my seat now, left to wonder if I would make this flight on time. I looked at my watch. I was losing time the longer we waited in such atrocious traffic. I could not be late. I just could not. They trusted me and I needed to show them why they did. The last thing they wanted was to offer me such a prestige position then have to see me appear hours later.

“Traffic.” He yelled over his shoulder without even looking my way. His accent was thick.

“I know but are there any alternative routes? Say, back streets?”

Some drivers were used to the city life so they found other routes to get their passengers on their way so they could pick up the next money handler.

“Traffic.” He said it again as if that was the only word he knew of.

I slouched deeper into the partially destroyed leather seats, staring out of the window at the bumper-to-bumper traffic that moved at the same slow pace as us....

“That will be twenty-seven -”

I shoved three ten dollar bills into his clammy hands. Tipping him was not my agenda but catching my plan on time was.

“Keep the change.” I voiced before I stumbled out of the rear passenger door.

He popped the trunk and got out and assist me. Short for time, I stopped him, alerting him I could handle it myself. I pulled the heavy bag from the tiny trunk, slamming it onto the cement curve before I pulled the handle.

My suitcase dragging on wheels in one hand and my carry on in the other, I raced into the airport toward the gate...

I checked in my luggage; lost for words when I was hit with the price of luggage claim. I passed through security, displeased when I was asked to step aside by a flirtatious officer to be 'properly' checked for any contraband or other illegal items. I ran to my gate, not before I slammed into another rushing pedestrian who seemed displeased about their spilled cup of scorching hot coffee. I approached my gate on time, just to listen to the gum chewing, eye rolling, hands-on-hips gate attendant bring to my attention that my flight was delayed for about an hour.

I sat in the waiting area, forced to listen to a small child have a tantrum for forty five minutes of my excruciating wait. I walked into the plane and placed my bag above my chair, just to realize the hatch above did not lock properly.

I forced myself in to my assigned seat by the window before I drew the curtain up to look. I felt peace. I felt that this would be my only relaxation of the day. Peace. I began to familiarize myself with the chair before someone took the seat beside me.

She was small. Her curly ashy blond hair danced around her rosy cheeks, shaping her face. She leaped into the chair beside me because of her short stature. Her little arms slithered around her small doll that accompanied her on the plane. She looked at me, I looked away. I did not want to scare her by staring at her.

“Hi?” Her voice was just as adorable as her.

“Hello.” It was easy for her to leash my attention.

“This is my first time on a plane. Is it your first time too?” She stuffed her doll under her arm before she reached for her buckle.

“No, I have been on a plane once before when I took a trip to Disney.”

“Disney?” She seemed to cease her struggle to latch her buckle to look at me. “I’ve always wanted to go to Disney.”

“You would love it. It’s awesome.” Her eyes seemed to flash a glint of hope and wonder before she looked passed me and out of the window at the awaiting clouds. “Do you want the window?”

Her body jerked before a smile stretched across her small lips. She seemed to be hit with a wave of excitement before she saddened. She sat back.

“My mommy told me not to bother anyone.” Her arms crossed. “She told me not to be a burden.”

“You are no burden to me. Come on.”

I stood from my chair before I helped her into mine, buckling her into the chair for security. She nearly leaped for joy as she watched other planes and service vehicles rip the runway.

“Where is your mother? I will tell her I switched seats with you, my choice.”

“My mother is not here. She is in Paris.”

“Oh? Is she waiting for your arrival?”

“I guess. Daddy told me she would either be waiting for me...” Her eyes lit up like fireworks when she saw a plane take off into the clouds. “Or engaging in ad-delt-ter-tree?”

I tugged at the collar of my blouse. I knew the word she was having trouble spilling out. And by the look of things, there was a little trouble in the mist of her family. I could tell she did not understand what was going on but picked up on a few words that spilled her way.

“Oh well I'm sure she is waiting for you when you arrive.” I hope she was. Or else I would have some explaining to do to this little girl. By the look on her innocent face, she did not understand. I think anyone would prefer it that way...

I stretched my legs and arms out, relieving the tension of my crammed muscles. I waited for the flight captain to give the next instructions. Upon our complete stop, I unbuckled my belt and turned to face my riding partner. Leaning against the arm rest, her little eyes closed before she snuggled into a carry on teddy bear that stored her small possessions. She looked so innocent, despite the hours of talking and stories she was determined to share.

I shook her lightly before she rose from her slumber. She looked around, watching as everyone began to emerge from the chairs and make their way to the exit.

“We are here?” I watched as her eyes grew vast.

“Yes. Finally.” I stood, stretching as far as the overheard compartment would allow.

“Yay.” She unbuckled the seat-belt and leaped from the chair, dragging her bear along the way. “I cannot wait to see my mommy. I hope she is waiting for me.”

I pulled my bag from the overhead storage, swallowing the lump in my throat as I followed her onto the flooding aisle toward the exit of the plane. I watched her skip, hop, and sing upon our exit and into the lobby area. She stopped and looked, her eyes scanning over the many faces that waited at the exit.

Standing there were people waiting possibly waiting for loved ones, friends, and family. Some were waving with smiling faces that seemed to glow when they saw who they were waiting for. Some held signs with the names that informed us who they were here for.

I looked back at Sammy, the little girl I have had the pleasure of meeting. It hurt me internally to see her look so disappointed. I watched her eyes search the crowd, expecting the sight of her mother. Sadly, all she received was a cheerful wave from an older gentleman who held up a flushed white sign with her name written in black bold lettering.

“Do you know him?” I whispered to her.

“Yeah, he's my mommy's cook.” She snatched her small purple and blue suitcase from the baggage carousel, extending the handle to allow the wheels to help her drag it. She turned to me, her eyes full of disappointment and sadness as everything seemed to sink in. Her mother was not here for her.

“Are you going to be okay?” I pulled my heavy luggage from the carousel, trying my best not to look her in the eye. Her mother was not here. I knew how it felt. Neither was mine.

“Yes.” She put on a rehearsed smile. I could tell she was accustoming to the pain. I could also see she was not allowing it to stop her. She was young but she was strong.

“I will miss my little plane partner.” I poked my lips to a playful pout.

“I'm going to miss you too Ms. Karina.” I lightly nudged her into the direction of the awaiting man who seemed to have never dropped his smile even despite the time we were taking away from him. Sammy skipped to him, embracing him with a hug before they disappeared into the moving crowd...