You & I

Chapter Four

The hours passed at JFK while I sat with my mom. She told me stories on what it was like raising me so young, and she still questions how we made it to the point where we can afford college in London.

Sooner than later, my flight was called for boarding.

"I'm going to miss you so much, baby," she said. She could barely get out the words while she choked on tears. "You're so grown up! My little baby is eighteen and going to London!" She pulled me in for a hug and we cried together.

"I'm gonna miss you so much, Momma," she held my face in her hands.

"I know, baby, I know. But you're gonna do great wonders out there. Make me prouder than I already am, if that's even possible."

We exchanged one final hug before I disappeared into the tunnel.

•••

I had a window seat once again, which I really appreciated. It was nice to be able to see the Atlantic once we started. Thirty minutes before take-off, my seat number was called to the front of coach.

"Excuse me, miss?" a flight attendant asked me.

"Yes?"

"Seats have been messed up and a woman and her child have been separated between first class and coach, would you be willing to trade spots with her?" Oh my goodness, I thought. The opportunity to fly first class to London? But there had to be a catch...

"Will it cost me anything?"

"Nope, we'll just move your bags." It seemed too good to be true and even if it was, I wasn't going to pass up an offer like this.

"Yes, absolutely."
Two more flight attendants moved my bags up to first class. The one who had helped me earlier led me to my new seat. I was by the window again, with an empty seat right next to me.

A voice called out on the loudspeaker, most likely the captain, "Everyone please be seated. Departure is in three minutes."

I relaxed my shoulders a bit and buckled myself up. I grabbed my book from my bag and turned off all of my electronics. Just then, a tall, wavy haired man sat next to me and buckled himself in his seat.

"Hi, I'm Harry. What's your name?" he asked with the richest British accent I've ever heard before. It was almost hard to understand what he was saying.

"I'm Macy. Do you live in London?"

"I'm actually from Cheshire, but I doubt you know where that is. You live here in New York?" The way he said York made me tremble. His green eyes and long hair weren't more than a foot away.

"Actually I'm from Minnesota, but I doubt you know where that is," I replied with a small smile. Were we flirting?

He let out a small laugh and looked down. "So, here's the thing; I get quite scared when the plane takes off, would you mind holding my hand?"
I giggled and it sounded so girlish and fake. Ugh! C'mon Macy, don't mess this up!
"I'd be honored," I said and he beamed.

His hands were warm and I could see the tattoos going up his arms. I wondered what they all meant to him.

The pilot gave warning and within a minute we were in the air. Harry and I both forgot gum and we laughed as our ears popped over and over again. In that moment I knew that London was calling and definitely the place for me.