She handed me the new boarding pass. Getting my luggage checked in was a nightmare and a half, but everything had to get out of the dorms. They closed down during the week of Christmas for cleaning. Besides, I was done at UCLA anyway. My time was over and now I was on the road full speed ahead to growing up.
The thought was exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.
I took her suggestion after getting through security. A romance novel and a snickers bar would be more than enough fun to get me through the short wait. My father would be angry, but he would get over it. Besides, there would certainly be something else to stoke his angst over before too long. Nothing we ever did was right. How anyone worked for him was beyond me.
I checked my phone again as I slumped down in a cold plastic chair and had a few texts from Jessie and one from Seth, but nothing from my Dad. That I expected him to start caring any minute about how it might feel for me to be stuck at the airport alone was stupid. I was a grown-ass woman, as he had reminded me many times over the last few years, and honestly he was right. I was twenty-three and had a masters degree. I'd say that was pretty much grown.
After spending the first hour trying to get into the romance novel, and not getting anywhere, I pulled out my small sketch pad and let out a long breath. I needed to work on a few new designs for my spring line that I wanted to kick off my new venture with. I let my eyes wander around, taking in the styles and color palates of the better dressed females walking through the airport and let my mind explode with options.
My fingers scribbled furiously as I sketched out three new tops and a short summer dress that would only do well in warm weather states.
"Attention all United passengers on Flight 2543. We're looking for anyone who might take a two hundred dollar voucher to move to the five o'clock flight. We're a packed flight today and we have a standby passenger who's in need of getting home. If you're willing, please come visit us at the desk."
"Nope," I muttered and turned my attention back to my drawing.
Someone dropped down in the seat next to me with a loud sigh and I glanced over, the young guy appearing to be nineteen or twenty.
He looked my way and nodded. "Hi."
"Hi." I returned to my project, not at all wanting to start a conversation with a stranger. I didn't like half my friends and most of my family. Strangers were definitely out.
"That's pretty." He leaned a little closer as his dark grey eyes moved across my sketch pad. He was attractive, but in a rock star sort of way. The tats on his arms were done in various colors, some of them beautiful and some not so much. He had to have let a drunken friend do a few of them.
"Oh. Thanks." I set the pad down in my lap and turned to him, resigning myself to a short conversation. "You heading home for the holidays?"
"Trying to." He lifted a can of sprite to his lips and took a long drink. "My parents are in Maine and for some damn reason I'm supposed to stop through Colorado to get there. I've been bumped from the flight, so it looks like a long afternoon."
"Sorry to hear that." I crossed my legs and glanced down at my sketch pad, not really sorry at all.
"Yeah. That call they put over the intercom was for me."
That got my attention. "Why are you so desperate to get on this next flight? The connector flights all booked up if you don't make this one?"
"There's that, and the fact that my mother is going into emergency surgery at seven tonight." He shrugged, turning his gaze away from me.
"Oh. That's not good." I didn't want to dive into her personal business, but he was leaving me little choice in the matter.
"She's been battling cancer for the last two years, but I guess it's metastasized. She's not doing well." He reached up and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose as my heart ran cold.
His story was a little too similar to mine.
"I'm so sorry. Maybe this surgery will be exactly what she needs." My phone buzzed and I lifted it to my face, grateful for the momentary break.
Dad: The change in flight was $200. I'll add that to your ever-expanding tab.
"How much was the voucher for someone willing to go later?" I moved to the edge of my seat as the desire to do something good left me overwhelmed.
"$200, but it’s okay. I'm sure it will all get worked out."
"Watch my stuff." I got up and walked up to the podium, sliding my ticket across to the flight attendant. "I'd like to give up my seat to that guy over there and I'll take the later flight."
"Are you sure, Miss Burke? You were scheduled on the earlier flight and are already going to be arriving late."
"I'm sure."
"It's first class and the next flight only has coach."
"That's okay. I don't mind at all. Just apply the voucher to the fee you charged my father for me missing the first flight. Less for me to hear about later." I laughed, feeling good about my decision.
"The fee has been waived, and we'll just give you the voucher for your kindness."
"Oh no, I don't want it. Apply it to the guy over there. Give him a break. I'm blessed as it is."
Her smile was filled with warmth as she nodded. "Will do. Merry Christmas."
"You too." I walked back over and reached out, patting the stranger on the hand. "It's all fixed. You're in my seat and the drinks are free. If you look as young as you are, no asking for one."
He sat up as tears filled his eyes. "Are you shitting me?"
"No. Merry Christmas." I smiled and turned back to my drawing, letting out a yelp as he pulled me into an awkward side hug.
He thanked me ten times by the time the flight was called. I didn't think it was appropriate to tell him that his story echoed mine, but it was a good reminder that the world didn't revolve around me. It was a lesson I wished my Dad would learn.
* * * *
"Tell me why the hell we're picking you up twelve hours later than we should have been." My father barked at me as he loaded up the back of the SUV with me beside him. Parker was already in the backseat, obviously not wanting to hear the fight that was sure to happen.
"Some guy's mom was dying. I gave him my seat." I turned and walked to the passenger's side door and got in.
"Everyone dies, Chloe." My Dad got in and gave me a stern look as he buckled up, letting out a huff.
"Yep, but it's nice to get to hold their hand as they go. The airport waived the fee, so that's one less thing for you to pop a vein over." I dug in my purse, hoping to avoid the daggers he was throwing my way.
"Time is money. We've been waiting around all day."
"Sorry." I shrugged, looking like the apathetic teenager he expected me to be.
"Right. Thanks." His tone let me know that the conversation was over, and I was relieved to have it as such.
The ride home was tense, but the minute we arrived at my father's large log cabin, excitement sprouted in my belly and I couldn't wait to check out the rooms and snuggle up with my brother.
"I'll help Sis get the bags out of the car. You're going to be late if you don't get going." Parker leaned up between our seats and patted our father on his arm.
"Right. You guys order take-out and have it delivered. I'll be back late tonight." He put the car in park and glanced over at me. "We're glad you're here."
"We're glad I am too, Dad. Thanks for the ride."