I am currently standing in line at the airports cafeteria, scolding myself for going to bed so late.
I didn't get much sleep after Caitlyn left. I don't know whether I was too excited or too nervous. Maybe a bit of both. Can this line move any slower? I am not a morning person and I really need to get some coffee! Have a little patience, Leah, I say to myself, looking at all the other people waiting to be served. Every single person standing in line needs a cup of coffee and probably also had to wake up early as hell to be here in time to check in for their flights.
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When I finally get to the front of the line, I am greeted with a warm smile. A young woman is standing on the opposite side of the counter, holding a steaming coffee jug in her right hand. She has the most beautiful red curls, tucked into a messy bun. I spot her name tag on the black apron she is wearing, hiding her blue t-shirt. The name tag reads Mia.
"Good morning ma'am. What can I get you?" Mia asks politely. She is probably the most lively person in the airport this morning. Seeing a friendly face whose only interest is what you would like to eat or drink is refreshing. I place my order and move to the left side of the counter where I patiently wait for Mia to finish pouring the coffee. While I wait, a little boy with light blond hair comes walking up to me. The first thing I notice is his adorable outfit. He's wearing a red t-shirt with jean shorts and small little blue flipflops. On his red t-shirt is a picture of two dinosaurs. One is blue and the other one is green. So cute!
"Are you buying ice cream?" The tiny, soft voice makes me smile.
Before I can answer his question, his mother comes running up to us. "I am so sorry!" She apologizes. You can see the embarrassment on her face. I can't help but let out a little chuckle. "Don't worry about it." I say.
She smiles with relief. "He's been asking everyone if they are buying ice cream because I said no..." Before she could finish her sentence, she is interrupted by the tiny little dinosaur. "Mommy said if I eat ice cream so early in the morning it would make my tummy hurt."
He is simply adorable. "Mommy is probably right." I say. "You don't want your tummy to hurt while you're on the plane, do you?"
He looks up at his mom and then back to me. I can see that little brain is working over time.
"I'll tell you what. Why don't I get you a yummy cup of hot chocolate so you can warm up your tummy first before you have ice cream? If that's ok with mommy."
All of a sudden those little sad eyes brighten up.
"You don't have to do that." His mom says.
"Please, I insist." I say.
I bend down to the little boy and whisper in his ear. "Hot chocolate is my favourite drink. I think your going to love it just as much as I do."
I call Mia and ask her to add a small hot chocolate to my order.
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Roughly 10 minutes after I placed my order I am walking towards the waiting area, juggling two takeaway coffees in one hand while eating a large chocolate muffin with the other hand. I gave the little boy his hot chocolate and he couldn't be happier. I don't think he will bug mom for ice cream again anytime soon. He is now convinced that his tummy needs to be warmed up before he can eat ice cream.
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My eyes are scanning through the airport for Mark. The airport is full of unfamiliar faces. It always amazes me how so many people can be together in one room, yet we're all strangers to one another. Each and every person in this waiting room has a different story to tell. Every single person is going through something that the rest of us know nothing about. I see an exhausted mother struggling to take control of her 3 kids running around, screaming at each other over a toy they don't want to share. I think to myself, she must be a single mother since there is no sign of the children's father and her naked fingers show no sign of any wedding ring. Poor woman. I see an older couple sitting patiently drinking what looks like ice coffee. I see a group of young friends laughing loudly and joking about something they did on their vacation. I see so many people, walking around or sitting in the waiting area, staring at their phones, so many families that have to say goodbye to a loved one and so many reunions. My eyes reach the reception area and, I spot him. Mark is standing at the reception desk talking to one of the receptionists. She has long blond hair, tied up in a high and very tight ponytail. Oh my god I think to myself, rolling my eyes at the scene playing off infront of me. She is giggling like a dumb blond school girl, hanging on every word. I can tell he's flirting with her. Probably in an attempt to change our tickets to first class. Why doesn't this bother you, Leah? I ask myself. I have no idea. This isn't the first time I've seen him flirt with a woman openly in front of me. Somehow, I don't give a shit anymore.
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I mentally delete the image my eyes captured and take a seat in the waiting area. After what feels like an hour Mark finally returns from the reception desk and takes a seat across from me. I hand him his coffee and we sit in silence waiting patiently to broad our flight.
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"Good morning passengers, this is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89b to California. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passenger requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time. Thank you."
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Thank goodness! I mouth the words to myself. This silence is slowly killing me. Only ten more minutes. After a few minutes, I look up at Mark sitting on his phone as usual, busy with work. He is so distracted I doubt he heard the announcement.
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"Mark, did you hear..."
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I am about to ask him if he heard the announcement when suddenly I am interrupted by the familiar voice traveling through the airport. Finally all my payers are answered.
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"This is the final boarding announcement for all passengers booked on flight 89b to California. Please proceed to gate three immediately. I repeat, this is the final boarding call for all passengers boarding flight 89b to California. Thank you."
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Sitting on the airplane looking out the window I have a chance to think about my life, the choices I made and the mess I got myself into with Mark. Since I met him I became so insecure, I can't stand up for myself anymore and the worst part is I am willingly letting him treat me like a puppet. I don't know who I am anymore. I am really hoping this trip helps me figure that out.
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I close my eyes and drift away. I let myself fall deep into my dreams before the plane could touch the sky.
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