Heartbreaks, Prosecution, and Retribution

Chapter 21: My Final Destination?

The next morning had arrived. It's finally time for my departure. My family drove me to the airport since they were my only form of transportation, but more importantly to give our farewell goodbyes. I was trying to be respectful to my family and say my goodbyes in a loving way. I was somewhat rushing everyone a farewell to get to the terminal.

I don't think I have ever been in such a hurry to board a plane. Every second waiting in the area could only make me more anxious. I arrived at the security checkpoint; it was packed with people going through to the gates. So, I had a few additional moments to spare with my family. I was still trying to give them hints since I was in the security line so they can head back to beat the morning rush-hour traffic but, my suggestions were ignored. My younger sister had shed a tear, and then the waterworks began to pour out amongst the family from the sadness. I began to break down. I wouldn't know exactly when I would see them again or at all if I went to prison.

I finally got to the entrance of the security point, waving goodbye. I went through with the crowd. I lost sight of them through the crowd at the security checkpoint and now entered the terminal. I am on my own now. I am saddened and excited all in one. There are approximately thirty-five minutes to wait until my plane is fully boarded. I had a feeling of so much nervousness and anxiety going through me all at once. I am in the home stretch now, I tell myself. I am free, telling myself this, trying to relax from being too paranoid.

A voice comes over the speaker, "Now boarding passengers for Atlanta," which is the international airport that would fly me out of here. This was going to be a 3-hour flight that I'll be just itching to be done with.

Finally, I boarded my first flight, patiently waiting for the ride to be done with.

Once we landed, I had but only one hour to make it to the other gate which would fly me out of the United States to South Korea. I got to my gate with just a few minutes to spare. I had to nearly sprint across the airport, but once again, I had to wait before boarding. These few minutes seemed like forever.

Finally, after a short period of waiting, they began boarding people on the plane. As I am waiting for my boarding pass number to be called, I feel a sudden wave of relaxation come over me. I then decided to take some sleeping pills, though I am strongly against them. They would make me more at ease.

Once I got on the plane, I found my seat and made myself comfortable, adjusting my baggage and headdress for the ride. I was finally feeling all of the stress and anxiety being lifted. I was unaware of whether it was the pills or the atmosphere. It didn't matter. Just knowing I was almost in the home stretch was enough.

Knowing I hate takeoffs, I tried to close my eyes to relax and hope to fall asleep before the takeoff. Since I woke up early this morning, I was pretty tired. The medicine sets in as I slowly drifted into a daze of relaxation. I close my eyes, knowing I would be in Korea in about twelve hours or so.

Then suddenly, I am startled by the plane running into some turbulence. I guess I must have finally dozed off. I just blinked and come to find out, I fell asleep.

I awoke in a cold sweat from the terrible startle of the shake from the plane. I shook it off as if it was a prank. A bad joke being played on me. I felt my blood pressure begin to rise.

I never really liked flying, but over the times that I had to, I adapted to it. Of course, this was when I would be awakened to such things. This was much like the feeling of when you are falling in your dream, and you realize you're still in bed, unfortunately, I wasn't in my bed.

I then reached up and pushed the stewardess button. I wanted something to drink to wet my throat from being dry. I really preferred something with alcohol in it, since I believed I was in need of it. Once the stewardess came by asking if there was anything, she could get for me, I asked, "Can I get rum and coke." After she had left to make it, I still felt a bit uneasy about the jarring but feeling better.

Once the stewardess came back with my drink, I asked, "When are we going to be landing in Korea?"

Before she answered, her eyes widened with a look as if I already had one too many to drink. With slight laughter in her voice, the stewardess stated, "Going back to South Korea. We will be landing in Atlanta, Georgia in approximately nine hours."

Then she asked, "Are you alright." "Yeah, I am good, I was just kidding," I replied, to cover up the embarrassing confusion, I was just in while I took a sip from my cocktail that she handed me.

I was curious about the date. I looked at my ticket and my watch and it was the date that I had left on originally. Was it all a dream that had not yet become a reality? I then realized that it was a very horrible dream that I have awakened from.

I haven't done anything terrible. I still can't process the thought of being a murderer. I just have been asleep for roughly three hours, and I just left my wife and son in Korea. I am going to the states to visit my family since I haven't seen them in roughly three years, and Rose didn't have her visa approved just yet anyway. I had to leave before my leave days were expired. All of the facts were getting processed through my mind.

I am aware of what could happen when I go home and what I am capable of, but the regret of dealing with it is far more miserable. Until the time that I may cross over, I will try my damnedest to live a life of happiness and purity. I will attempt not to put myself in the situation which will cause me to regret my actions. To me, this was like a really bad version of 'A Christmas Carol.'

But I realize now that even the most troubled roads that we encounter and travel for any possible reason we just got to look forward.

And, for me, I appreciate what I had gone through just to achieve what I got. The things that we all go through in life are always preparing us for something better in life. I then accepted and was thankful for all the trouble with my ex-wife caused though I still didn't want to thank her in person. Without me joining the Army, I would have never have had my true family, and my miracle baby wouldn't have grown up to be a daddy's boy.