Country Love

xi

 Chad was shocked when he found out that I was going on a little trip. I didn't mention where, though. He was even more shocked that instead of asking him for leave, I just asked his father. I could see the pain and resentment in his dolphin skin eyes when I climbed onto John, one of the less desired horses, to go to the airport.

Now I'm at the airport, checking in my four suitcases. It's less than I'd usually take on a one day trip but desperate times call for desperate measures.

The clerk says to me, "Ma'am, you have to pay three hundred dollars for the extra weight."

I scoff, offended, "I'm on a diet, I don't have much extra weight."

The clerk looks confused and on regaining his composure says, "That's not what I meant, you have to pay for those extra bags."

I'm even more offended now, I thought I had applied enough concealer to hide those, and say, "These eyebags are there because I'm very hurt, okay? Who are you to judge me? I've cried nonstop for the past few days, it happens."

He runs his hand through his hair, frustrated. He must be wondering who had the audacity to hurt a girl as virtuous and amazing as me.

He says, "No, NO! You have to pay for the extra baggage you're carrying!"

"Excuse me, mister," I retort, "I'm sure everyone has some emotional baggage but I don't see you charging the other people for it. Just because you can somehow see my eyebags doesn't mean you need to charge me three hundred dollars. As you've already noticed, I'm going through a very tough time, and you're not making it any easier for me by pointing it out."

He's even more annoyed now, even though he has no right to be because he's the one gaining sadistic pleasure by rubbing salt on my wound. He glares at me and says, "You have to pay three hundred dollars, for those-" he motions to my suitcases, "-suitcases. The glittery one, and the one with the Barbie on it."

"That's not a Barbie, she's a Bratz doll," I reply, shocked that he doesn't know this basic difference.

The clerk inhales deeply and before he can insult me any further, I say, "And you have no right to tell me how much luggage I can and cannot bring with me, mister. I am going to London for a full day's trip, and four suitcases is the minimum amount of things I need. You uneducated airport worker who doesn't even know the difference between Bratz and Barbie dolls are nobody to charge me money for carrying my things from one country to another. Do I need to call your supervisor or will you behave properly?"

He had been listening with barely contained emotions flashing across his face and now he finally bursts out, "These are the rules, Karen. Even if I wanted to, I am not authorised to let you bring all these things onto the plane for free."

I toss my golden mane over my shoulder and give him a pointed look, "Surely you want to break these rules for me." My seduction has always worked, but this man seems unaffected. He says with forced politeness, "Miss, you are holding up the line. Please pay three hundred dollars if you wish to bring these bags with you, or I will have to put them aside."

"Who are you to take my things? Do you know how valuable those clothes are? My Brad had bought the pink sweater for me in high school. And I don't like Chad anymore, but the red mini skirt he gave me is very pretty. And-"

"This is your last warning. Leave now or I will call security."

Tears well up in my eyes at his betrayal. "I hope you realise that you are a very rude young man. And that blue shirt doesn't match your pants. If you want to be seen by hundreds of people everyday, the least you could do is wear matching clothes."