She had walked up to the counter at the airport, looking at the smiling attendant.
"Hello, where are you traveling to today?"
"DFW Airport, please. First available flight."
"You're in luck, 3 seats left. They're boarding now, you'll have to hurry." She handed the woman her credit card, and a swift charge was place on the piece of plastic. As she passed through security and on to the gate where she would soon be on her way, she struggled to keep her fear from showing. This was unlike her to show up at someone's house unannounced, let alone, his house.
The 3 hour flight to her destination was quiet. She prayed that a baby would start screaming, or a movie would be shown, or a pesky passenger would chatter away next to her, but she was out of luck. Nothing was interrupting her thought process.
What would she say? Would he tell her to leave? She had everything planned out, but soon realized that not everything plays out according to plan. Panic set in as the flight attendant came over the loud speaker.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are preparing our final descent into the metroplex. Make sure your trays are in the upright and locked position and please have your seatbelts fastened. We will be on the ground in 15 minutes."
She went over the plan in her head one last time. Taxi. Phone Call. Drop off. Suitcase in tow. Doorbell.
"Oh dear god." She repeatedly whispered to herself as she walked through the airport and to the information desk.
"I need a taxi or shuttle, please." The lady looked at her, smiled, and replied,
"Yes, where is your destination?"
She spouted off his address, one that she surprisingly remembered, and gave her the piece of plastic. Such a handy item, she thought. So easily used, so easily lost.
She sat outside on the bench, waiting for her taxi to arrive. Again she repeated the plan.
Taxi. Phone Call. Drop off. Suitcase in tow. Doorbell.
She saw the yellow cab pull up. She looked at the man at the information desk, who signaled her to the car. This was, indeed, her chariot. She climbed in, repeated the address to the man, and was on her way. Her suitcase was clutched in her lap, her pale hands enveloping it. This was it. There was no turning back now. The money was spent, the car ride was happening, and the wheels of fate were turning.
At last, the car pulled up to his house. The same as she remembered. She thanked the man and stepped out. One last step was all that was necesssary. Doorbell.
Her heels upon the sidewalk made a loud sound as she approached. Her finger pressed the small button.
She could hear the ruffling of shoes against tile and the padlock unlock as the door opened. His face turned white behind the screen door that now separated them.
The only thing he could mutter was, "What are you doing here?"
"Choose me," was all that left her lips.
At last, she woke up. Her life was exactly as it had been. No flight had been taken, her bank account was still full, and no knowledge of her existence was thought of by him. He was unaware of how she felt and what she fantasized about doing. She wanted to have the courage to board that plane more than anything; however, another day of work and school awaited. She climbed out of her warm bed, proceeded to the bathroom, and began another day of repetition.
