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the taxi ride was slow an painful, and seemed like it took forever. maybe because it was early in the morning, or maybe because we were so crammed in the back of the vehicle. but eventually and thankfully, the ride comes to an end and we are getting out of the taxi.
the air is different than i remember; it's cold an crisp. what month is it again? i can't remember, but it must be around Halloween or something. the trees are light orange all around, an the wind is blowing very slightly. October or November. must be.
Sarah and Jenna help us get our bags an insists on carrying them for us. of course, they win the argument because, "this trip is about you guys not being stressed, let us take care of all the hard work" as Jenna would say to us. Sarah tips the cab driver and we are on our way inside.
there are hundreds of people with bags and children, waiting inline to step up to the check-in counter. though, all the way at the end is a Disability counter, for easy access for people who have some sort of disability or is of old age. that's one thing we hate, being labeled has 'disabled'. we're just sick, that's all.
we follow Jenna and Sarah to the counter, admiring all the different things going on, even if it's very overwhelming for myself. my breathing quickens up and i can feel some sort of anxiety or panic attack coming, which Tyler could notice.
"Joshie it's okay." he says as he reaches back to my hand.
i rush to grab his hand, my fingers trembling as i start to panic.
"don't let go Ty. please don't let go." the words pass through my shaking lips.
"i won't Josh, i promise," he squeezes my hand an smiles at me before leaning in to kiss me; i can feel the people around us stare as whisper and some smile at the gesture between us. it only makes me want to panic more. Tyler pulls away slightly when he notices, "don't let them bother you, okay? it's just me an you right now. we'll be okay." his breath tickles my lips as he pulls away an squeezes my hand once again.
"boys, let's go. we're all checked in!" Sarah says with excitement in her voice. our nurses were very excited as well.
we follow our nurses until we reach the security section of the airport. i stop in my tracks when i realize what we'll have to endure. i didn't know, but Tyler called to Jenna to come over.
"Joshua, you'll be okay. we're here with you, you can do this okay?," she places her hand on my shoulder as she looks up at me slightly, her being shorter than i am but still more intimidating, "you just put your shoes on the conveyor belt an step through the x-ray. you have done millions of x-rays, i think you can do this one just fine, yes?"
i nod quickly an take a deep breath, follow being our nurses once more. Tyler stands behind me, our hands still locked until we reach our area. we take off our shoes an place them on the conveyor belt.
"Ty can you go first please?"
he smiles an nods, "sure thing Joshie, watch. just do what i do after. you can do it!"
the airport security officer ushers Tyler forward; he walks through the metal doorframe, the x-ray clicking as it scans for any dangerous objects, which obviously comes back negative.
"next." the officer says.
i take a deep breath an close my eyes an step through the frame, relieved when the short seconds were over an the officer called for the next person.
"good job Joshie, you did well." he kisses me on the cheek an holds both of our shoes. we put them back on an walk to Jenna an Sarah who are waiting for us by the exit.
