Serendipity

Southwest contest entry

"You don't understand! I need a ticket to L.A. My grandma was diagnosed with cancer and doesn't have much time left. I need to be there with her!" I implored the ticket agent.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do. All of the flights to L.A. are sold out."

I walked towards the entrance of the airport and sat down on a bench, burying my face in my hands. "What am I going to do? I never should've moved to Atlanta," I sobbed.

"Excuse me," a gentle voice interrupted. "I want you to have this." A thin blonde woman held out a sheet of paper.

"What's this?"

"It's a ticket to L.A. that departs in an hour."

"I couldn't possibly take this."

"I heard about your dilemma. Trust me, you need it more than I do. You should go take care of your grandmother. Please take it." She placed it into my hand and smiled.

"Thank you so much, Ms..."

"Ava."

"I really appreciate it. How can I repay you?"

"You don't need to."

I got up and made my way through security and onto the plane. I collapsed into my seat, relieved.

Minutes later, a tall man with steel-blue eyes and chestnut hair sat down beside me. "Hi, I'm Liam. Pleased to meet you," he said in a husky tone.

"Hi, I'm Madeline." I smiled and raked my fingers through my hair, trying not to think about my puffy red eyes and how repulsive I looked.

He glanced at my t-shirt.

My cheeks flushed. I was wearing a raggedy concert t-shirt and leggings while he was dressed in a form-fitting shirt and jeans, looking so charming.

"The Chainsmokers?" They're my favorite band!"

"Mine too! They're incredible. I just went to their World War Joy concert last month."

"Really? Me too! Wow, what are the chances?"

"What was your favorite song?"

"I love 'Closer'. What about you?"

"No way! 'Closer' is my favorite song!"

We spent the rest of the flight bonding our love for the band and other common interests.

I swung the door open. "Grandma, I'm here!"

I heard a cough and rushed to her bedroom. "Are you okay? Do you need water? Do I need to call an ambulance?"

"Calm down, child. I'm fine. I just had a little tickle in my throat." She reached over to her nightstand and picked up a glass of water.

I stared at her. She looked like a limp ghost as her frail body laid against the pale sheets that matched her face; my eyes began to water.

"Why are you crying?"

"I lost five years with you when I moved to Atlanta. If I had stayed here, we would've had more time together. If I had taken care of you, you wouldn't be sick."

"Five years or five minutes: it doesn't matter to me as long as I get to spend some time with my Maddy." She caressed my cheek. " There's nothing that you could've done differently that would've changed it. We all have our own stories that were written by the stars and cancer happened to be a part of mine. I don't want you to blame yourself, okay? You chased your dream of being a CEO all the way to Atlanta, and I couldn't be prouder. Now, tell me what I've missed. How was your flight?"

I thought about the man on the plane and blushed. I held her hand and gushed to her about the handsome stranger, which was how her last moments on earth were spent.

Years later, I was walking through Downtown Atlanta, heading home from work. I walked by the array of homeless people and greeted them. Each of their stories broke my heart and I tried to help them as much as I could. I came to an abrupt stop when I noticed a familiar blonde woman wrapped in a threadbare blanket. "Is that you, Ava?"

She looked up at me with a puzzled expression. "Yes, I'm Ava. Who are you?"

"I'm Madeline, the girl you gave your plane ticket to a few years ago."

Her face lit up with recognition. "Oh my goodness! How are you? Did you get to see your grandmother before it was too late?"

"I'm wonderful and yes, I did. I'm eternally grateful to you. What are you doing here?"

"When I gave you my ticket, I called my boss and told him that I wouldn't be able to make it to our conference. He was furious because it was really important for our company's future, and I ended up losing my job. My bills kept piling up, and I eventually filed for bankruptcy. So, I ended up here."

"That's awful. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I never should've taken your ticket."

"I'm glad that you did. And I definitely don't regret it."

"Well, now it's my turn to return the favor. You're going to stay with me and work for my company until you get back on your feet."

"I don't want to impose."

"Nonsense! I insist. You have to come home and meet my husband, Liam. I never would've met him if it wasn't for you."

"Thank you." She gathered her belongings and followed me to my car.

"Hey, honey!" I shouted when we got home. "Come meet Ava!"

He ran downstairs with a huge grin on his face. "So you're the infamous Ava that I've heard so much about? I can't thank you enough for helping me meet the love of my life. I'm glad that we have a chance to repay you for your kindness. I'll show you to your room."

They went upstairs while I stood in the foyer. I looked through the window and smiled. "You were right, grandma. The stars had written my story, and Liam and Ava were meant to be a part of mine. And it all started with a heartbroken girl and a random act of kindness.