When she plopped into her aisle seat in 16C, she said, “Ahh, last leg.”
Roger in 16B smiled and said, “Long trip, was it?”
“You don’t know the half of it. Started out in Columbus three days ago, rerouted to Chicago because of storms, and four hours later off to JFK, and finally to Dallas where we had to drive five hours to Tulsa. Wedding for my great grandson. Doing it in reverse now. You?”
“Oh, nothing like that. Just going to Columbus on business.”
“Name’s Gwen,” she said, holding out her hand. She looked to be 80.
“Roger,” said the man in 16B. “Pleased to know ya.”
The plane took off, and Roger and Gwen continued chatting even though Roger had six or seven things lined up to keep him busy. Gwen was much more interesting than his tasks.
“So, you don’t have a book to read or game to play or movie to watch?” Gwen asked.
“Pfft! No way. I’m about five years behind in my technology. I look all around at the phones and tablets and the WiFi. Not for me.”
“Only five years behind?” Gwen asked. “I hear that. Say, we’ve been in flight for an hour now and they still have that Fasten Seat Belt sign lit.” Gwen cleared her throat. “Think they’ll mind if I slip into the bathroom?”
“What’re they gonna do, toss you off? Tell you what. I’ll go first and lead the way. I’ll let you know what I come up with. Won’t be but a minute.”
Roger excused himself and walked down the aisle.
“All clear, Gwen,” Roger said, as he leaned over her a few minutes later.
“Did they give you the Evil Eye while you were there?”
“Naa. Never said a word. They’re all busy gossiping to reprimand me. They’d have to pull themselves away from their conversation to do it.”
“Conversations any good?”
“Gwen! I’m surprised at you. I am not an eavesdropper.”
“Oh sorry, I thought…”
“But they were talking about traveling to Italy and taking in the sights there. Nothing about their juicy private lives or anything like that.”
“Ok, then, as long as you weren’t eavesdropping. I guess I’ll head back there. Wish me luck.”
Gwen returned a few minutes later.
“Give you the Evil Eye?” Roger asked.
“Didn’t notice. I did take out a few heads on the way back up. Us old ladies can get away with things like that, what with our age and the turbulence on the plane and what not. These aisles are just too narrow. I might’ve even apologized a time or two. Did I miss anything while I was gone?”
“Nope, just the guy up there in First Class getting a little rowdy,” said Roger. “Hey, they still haven’t turned off that Fasten Seat Belt sign.”
No sooner had the words come out of his mouth than the Captain announced them getting ready to land in 35 minutes.
“Guess I’ll have to comply again,” Gwen said. “Story of my life.”
“Eh, I see the story in your eyes, Gwen, and it seems like a fun one.”
Gwen looked at Roger and said, “Yes, it is, Roger. Yes it is. But I think you’re sittin’ on my buckle.”
*******