Escape A Barson story

Chapter 2

Olivia slung her carry-on over her shoulder, and she, and Noah disembarked the plane. They walked to baggage claim. Olivia was relieved when she saw all of their luggage come down the baggage carousel. "Mom, I want to help." Noah said, when all the bags were almost in reach. Besides her biggest suitcase, and her carry- on, Olivia had packed a medium size suitcase for her son, and 2 backpacks, one for each of them.
"OK sweet boy." Olivia took her carry-on off her shoulder, and handed it to him. Then, she quickly grabbed the bags off the carousel, she placed them beside her on the floor. She picked up Noah's backpack. "Give me back my carry-on, and I'll give you this." She said, lifting the backpack, and extending it to him. They traded bags."I can hold my own suitcase." Noah sad, when his backpack was securely on his back.""Noah, are you sure?""Yes". The boy answered, holding his hand out to take it. Olivia gave him a grateful smile, as she handed it over to her him. She then took the opportunity to put her backpack on. A moment later, when the backpack was comfortably on her back, Olivia picked up her big suitcase. "Let go, Noah." They walked out of the airport, and Olivia was surprised to see a cab right away, she spoke briefly to the cabbie, and she and Noah got into the cab.
The cab rode for an hour, before Olivia saw the green sign, informing her that she and her son were in Winter Falls, a town that she read was not that far from Beaver Creek. "Mom, I'm so hungry." Of course, Noah was hungry, Olivia thought, guiltily. The flight from New York to Colorado was over 7 hours long. Olivia was grateful Colorado was 2 hours behind New York. She and her son gained 2 hours, she was going to enjoy Mountain Standard Time
During the flight, while Noah was sleeping, Olivia was able to watch While You Were Sleeping, and Trains Planes, and Automobiles, 2 movies she never had the opportunity to see, 2 movies that made her cry. "Mom, I'm hungry." Noah repeated, calling Olivia out of her thoughts."I know, sweet boy, we'll eat as soon as we get settled in.""You can go to Catherine's, the cabbie announced."What?" Olivia asked."Catherine's, it's a local restaurant, very close to where you're staying. I can drop you off there, you can get something to tide you over, and I'll pick you up. I'll give you my number. Call me when you're ready.""Please, please, mom," Noah begged.
Alright, sweet boy."Yay!: Noah cheered. The cabbie let the mother and son team out in front of Catherine's. Olivia knew it was Catherine's because of the big red sign announcing it. The cabbie got out of the cab as soon as mother and son did.
"Here's my card." The cabbie said, walking toward Olivia with his left hand outstretched. She took the card from him, and backed up a few steps. She watched him get into his car. When she was sure the cab rode away, she entered the restaurant with Noah. The place was small, and packed."Mom, I need to go to the bathroom.""OK, let's go. I'll ask where the bathrooms are.""I see one. I'm not 2, mom, I can go by myself.""No." I'll wait outside." Olivia said, she was a New Yorker, a New Yorker who was in her 24th year of working in SVU, she trusted no strangers. It was hard for her to trust most of the people she knew. She trusted her squad, all current and former members of it."But mom." Noah protested.Noah, I have to watch the bags.Give me your suitcase." Noah did as his mother instructed. He begged to keep his backpack on, and Olivia let him.
He ran to the bathroom, and Olivia followed. She stood guard outside. Minutes later he opened the door, and Olivia realized she needed to go. Olivia ran inside. "Stay here, Noah. I'll be right out." She closed and locked the door. When she was able to use the toilet, her bladder was grateful. She washed her hands, and exited the bathroom feeling comfortable again. "OK, we can order, and find a table." She said to her son, Noah smiled, and rushed to the counter. Olivia followed with bags in hand. She stood beside him.
"What can I get you?" The woman behind the counter asked
"Do you have Hot Chocolate?" Noah asked."Yes, I do, I also have a menu. The woman reached behind her, got 2 menus, and handed them to Noah. "Do you want whipped cream on top of your Hot Chocolate?" The boy looked to his mother for permission.
Olivia smiled. It's a special occasion,"Noah smiled, brightly, and turned back to the women behind the counter. "Yes please." Noah gave his mother one of the menus, and she read through it as Noah's Hot Chocolate was being prepared."Anything else, Sir?" The women behind the counter asked."An Oatmeal cookie." He turned his head to his mother. "Mom, what do you want?"
"May I also get an Oatmeal cookie, and a black coffee. please.""Coming up. Go sit down, I'll bring everything to you.""Thank-you." mother and son said in unison. Noah took his suitcase from his mother, and they went in search of a table, there were only 2 empty tables, Olivia chose the table with 2 chairs. She and Noah sat down next to each other."Hello." A male voice said. Olivia saw a tall, pale ,middle-aged man with dark blond hair, and bright blue eyes sitting down at the table next to theirs. "You're on vacation too. I'm Steven Day.""Hello,"Olivia said."What made you decide to come here for the holidays. You are here for the holidays?""We are, my mom's friends are here." Noah informed the man.
Yes, we decided to come here to be with friends." Olivia added.
"Good, that means I'll see you around." Steven said with a smile.The woman from the counter placed down Benson's orders in front of them. She then placed a hot drink, and a plate with a burger, and fries in front of Steven."Thank-you", Olivia said."You are very welcome. By the way, my name is Catherine. Let me know if you need anything." Catherine left the check on the table beside Olivia. She dropped a check on Steven;s table as well.
Olivia smiled. "Nice to meet you", she said. Catherine moved back to the counter, Seeing that Noah was eating his cookie, and sipping on his Hot Chocolate, Olivia let herself take a sip of her drink.
"Oh, you ordered the coffee." Steven said, seeing the look on Olivia's face when she tasted the bitter liquid. "The tea is better here, and the Hot Chocolate is delicious.""It is, mom." Noah agreed with Steven.""That's good to know. Next time." Olivia answered. She ate her cookie quickly, as Steven talked. She retrieved cash from her purse which was inside her carry-on. She paid the check, left a $5.00 tip, and turned to face Noah. His plate and cup were now empty. "Come on sweet boy, we don't want to be late.""Can I help you with your bags?" Steven asked."No, that's alright. We got them. Thank-you for asking." Olivia said. She and Noah gathered up their bags, and exited Catherine's.

Author's Notes

Winter Falls is a Colorado town that I made up.

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles is a movie that came out in 1987.

While You Were Sleeping is a movie that came out in 1995