
“My friend, we will be here awhile.” A voice travels to my ear.
I have no friends here. I’m in lay-over purgatory. I turn to see a bright smiling face. A rather Foriegn face but charming British accent.
“I’m sorry… I was starting at people and didn’t realize who you were talking to. They told me four hours ago, this flight is the most timely they run. Travel is hell.” I try to figure the nice man out.
We simply don’t act this way at home. My God, he could be a terrorist, or a religious nut, or run a foreign money scam. The news of full of these types in other countries.
“Travel is like a present. You think you know what will be inside. Then like a flower it opens… simply amazing what happens. We seldom believe what we know not.” His hands gesture something popping up out of box. I hate to fly alone. You seem much better than most here. Calm to the outside. At least.”
I turn to catalog his features. Dark eyes, softly set amongst richly tan skin. Dark hair well controlled at ear length with a bushy mustache. His crisp cotton shirt almost glows white. He has one small carry on bag.
“I returning from finding a brother who thinks the world is a grand adventure. He found simple things aren’t simple in other places. I’ll be the first to tell him how wrong he is…” My voice falters. Why am I telling a stranger this?
“He is good to have you. Someone to go when he needs. I have to deliver things to family. I’m the only one who has the time.” His dark eyes lock into me. “I will find other things. Make this a real trip for me.”
“Oh. You been to the States before?” My mind erupts. A real live terrorist. There’s a bomb not even five feet away from me.
“No. The place scares me. Kilometers to travel. We do not drive like that. But must see something. When I deliver this, I am then free. Free to travel.” His smile is truly a master weapon.
I freeze. What dies one say you a mad killer.
“Where are you going? I have traveled a bit.” I fake friendliness. My eyes look for security personnel.
“You are tense all of a sudden. I will be in Seattle. We are on the same flight. I didn’t mean to…. cause you any discomfort. Strangers sometimes want their space.” He smiles that damn friendly smile.
“I’m sorry. I’m a bit tired. Didn’t mean to push you away. ” My lies get deeper.
He sits foward and speaks “I’ll return.”
I watch him walk over to a security person bag in tow. They smile and talk. The smiles disappear. They both look my way.
I’m no terrorist!
Written as part of a challenge called Tale Weaver https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/19271780/posts/1436456071
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