Down the Terminal

"Gate 6. Gate 7. Gate 8," I read out loud and my legs burned as I ran through the airport. Security took longer than expected and now, I was filling my boyfriends sweatshirt with sweat. I haven't seen him in six months and we both finally found the time to reaffirm our love. I slowed to a stop at gate fifteen and smiled. 

"Just under ten minutes," I whispered happily. I plopped down and let out a breath of air. I pulled out my phone and called Ryan. 

"Did you make it?"

"Yes. I board in ten minutes."

"You know if you left an hour earlier, you wouldn't have had to run a 10K through the airport."

"I am perfectly aware of my time management skills. I like the rush."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." 

"I'm excited to see you."

"Me too. I miss you and I'm so excited to be in the same time zone again." 

"Me too," I stopped talking and listened over the loud speaker for flight information. 

"I'm about to board. Only six hours and I'll be in NYC." 

"Are you going to be okay? I know you hate flying and you haven't been to New York by yourself."

"I'll be okay. My plan is to sleep and hope the ride is a smooth, turbulence free trip."

"Good."

"The Southwest announcer is calling my boarding group. I'll text you when I land." 

"Okay. Fly safe. I love you." 

"I love you too," I hung up and boarded my plane. I took my seat and shook my feet against the floor. 

"First time flying?" the women next to me asked. 

"No. I just am an anxious flyer." 

"My husband is too," the conversation died fairly quickly. I looked down at my phone and my hands shook violently. 

"Chewing gum helps and watching a movie," she offered. 

"Thanks. I forgot to download any movies. I didn't think about it." 

"They should have a movie playing over head. I normally read or play cards." 

"I brought a book, but my nerves normally distract me to the point where my focus is all over the place," I explained and she pulled out a deck of cards. 

"How many games do you know?" 

"A few. My dad loves card games."

"Mine did too. I'm Naomi."

"April. How long have you and your husband been together?"

"Two years. He is finishing his PhD. at NYU. He is going into law." 

"My boyfriend is at NYU. He is in philosophy. He is getting his PhD. in classics."

"Small world."

"Right!" 

We hit it off right away and the six hours flew by quickly. 

"This is the captain speaking. We are beginning our decent into New York City," my foot started shaking and I braced myself for the landing. 

"Is your boyfriend coming to pick you up?" 

"Yes. His best friend is coming to pick up his wife, so they came together."

"April."

"Yeah?"

"What is your boyfriends name?"

"Ryan. Ryan Kastner."

"I'm Leon's wife."

"This world could not be any smaller. This is hilarious!" we laughed together and I didn't even feel the wheels hit the ground. 

"I'm so glad I met you."

"Me too, Naomi. You made this trip so much less scary."

"Glad to be of service. I can't believe your Ryan's April. He talks about you all the time. He adores you." 

"Aw. We've been apart for so long. I am finishing up my PhD in abnormal psychology at Berkley, so the long distance has been really difficult," the plane slowed to a stop.

"How long will you be here?" 

"Two weeks."

"That's so great," she stated, standing up to grab her bags. She pulled down mine and we walked over to the pick up together. I spotted Ryan first and broke off into a dead sprint. 

"I've missed you love," he whispered into my ear and I kissed his cheek in response. My eyes welled up with tear and kissed him softly. 

"I missed you so much."

"How were you on the plane?"

"I was great, thanks to my new best friend, Naomi," Ryan looked over and laughed. 

"You owe me twenty bucks, Leon. I told you they would be sitting together." 

"It was a big plane. How could I've known?" Naomi laughed and we all loaded into the car. Life is funny in this sort of way. You never know who your going to meet and how they are going to impact your life, until they are seated next to you on an airplane.