Page 2 of Journey to Cheshire Bay
The seconds to change my mind were ticking loudly.
Another flight attendant advanced up the aisle. “Seat?”
“34A.” My voicewas as jittery as my legs were weak.
This was going to be a long six-hour flight across the country to my first stop in Vancouver. After a small layover and another short flight, I’d land in Victoria to spend a few hours until my cousin’s friend would arrive and fly me over to Cheshire Bay.
My newresidence. No more living in my car.
My cousin Amber offered me temporary shelter and solace. It was the break I needed to start fresh.
The flight attendant walked backwards and pointed to thevacant window seat.
Just my luck, I was sharing the space with a guy about my age, and a decently cute one to boot.
“You can store your bags overtop, or under the seat in front of you.” The flight attendant pointed to both areas.
“In front of me is better.”
My seat mate twisted his legs off into the aisle, allowing me to squeeze into the tiny space I’d paid big bucks for. Dropping into my seat,I didn’t miss his cocked eyebrow, followed by a narrowed gaze as he tipped his head questioningly to the side.
What was his problem?
Avoiding eye contact, I tore my focus inward and begged my heartrate and breathing to slow down to acceptable levels. My heart pounded incessantly, notfrom the running, but from the rapidly fraying thread I believed was my future.
Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure I wanted the unknown. Even though things were a disaster, everything here was familiar. The places, the day to day, the heartache of epic loneliness.
The growing ache switched from a dull pang to weak painful stabs, focused solely on my heart. Was this the end? Was this how I was going to die? From soul-crunching loneliness? At least my original plan gave me a false sense of control over when and how. But this?
It was too much, and I unbuckled, ready to get off. “I’m sorry, I need to go.”
The plane rocked, and I threw my gaze out the window to see what the hell was going on. We were leaving; the plane was moving backwards. It seemed the now portion ofnow or neverhad arrived. No turning back.
“Fuck my life.” I whispered as the tears welled up and blurred my view.
Myhead knocked against the head rest, shifting my messy bun, and I closed my eyes, unable to stop the wave of forthcoming tears.
Voices spoke overhead, pointing out exits and floatation devices, most of which I didn’t understand. All I truly heard wascabin crew doors flight position and cross-check, please.
That’s it, the doors were sealed, and my breath hitched for all thatit meant.
“Hey, miss?”
I wiped a damp eye with the edge of myragged sweatshirt leaving a streak of black from the mascara on the cuff, and I turned to the cute guy, not giving a rat’s ass if he saw me in a cringe-worthy condition. I didn’t know him, and I most certainly wasn’t here for his entertainment. “Yeah?”
“Everything okay?”
“Just frickin’ peachy.” The words rolled out lacking confidence but ripe with sarcasm.
Truth of the matter- I was a total mess. My stomach was in knots, and I felt like I was having an out of body experience, hovering and staring at myself from above.
“You look so familiar.” He tapped his chin. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“Unless you were a regular at Del’s on 86, I’m afraid you’re mistaking me for someone else.” I ran my gaze slowly down and up him, not letting a morsel of recognition light up my face when it dawned on me who he was.
Truth was an evil bitch.
Whereas he’d changed and morphed from an awkward caterpillar into a handsome butterfly, to the point I barely recognized him, it was the crater above his right eye that gave away his identity. Iknew exactly who I was sitting beside.