The Airport Lady

Ned was a twelve-year-old novelist.  He spent most of his time reading and writing, was going to fly on a plane to a conference on writing.  Ned had about 40 minutes to board his plane, so he went to check with the flight attendant near the entrance to the big tube that would connect to the flying jumbo-monster.

“Hello,” said Ned, “I have my boarding pass, here.  Do I give it to you now?”  “Keep that with you and we will announce boarding in 32 minutes,” said Wanda, the flight attendant.  Ned felt better, he then knew he was in the right place.  He left the entrance stand to find a place to sit.  Dressed in blue jeans, a tucked-in white t-shirt, and tennis shoes, Ned was dressed casually enough to have a bit of confidence.  He was flying alone; his mother was not too worried.  Airports to them were like shopping malls.

“Where should I sit?” wondered Ned, then he saw her.  The lady he saw was very pretty.  She was wearing an orange dress with navy-blue lines – the dress would have been impossible for other women to sport.  She was reading a magazine; Ned had to sit by her.  Even he did not really know why.  “Is this seat taken?” asked Ned.  “No sir,” said Ms. Flowers.  It seemed as though she was losing interest in her magazine.

“I see I am not the only person waiting to board this plane,” said Ms. Flowers, “Did you find the flight attendant to be somewhat uptight?”  “I think she could crack a glass marble in her… you know,” said Ned; the attendant might as well been a talking pair of starched pants.  Ms. Flowers nodded to agree as she glanced towards the attendant.  The woman in the orange dress looked to the ground.  She was sad about something.

“Is there something you would like to talk about?” asked Ned.  Ms. Flowers looked to Ned and said, “I would love to, you would not understand, though.  How old are you, 12?”  “I happen to be exactly 12!” said Ned, “You are quite the intelligible woman guessing.  Why are you sad?”

“Once a year, for four years in a row, I was able to see an ex-boss.  I currently work in consulting for another firm, however I was using my paid vacations to come and see this man.  He paid me.  I did not need the money; it was nice to see him, though.”

“This arrangement was professional?”

“You seem smart for a 12-year-old.”

“I am a prodigy; I study all sciences.  I write; I publish.”

“Wow, maybe you could give me advice.”

“I always think, ‘Let it go.’  I remember not to dwell on anything that may bring me to an unhealthy frame of mind.  As for you; I am no doctor.  I can relate a few things, albeit.  Do you want to hear these possibilities?”

Ms. Flowers put her arm around young Ned, she knew the young boy was just trying to help out.  His want to help alone meant something to her.  Her  normal business trip was down the tubes; Ned was a nice surprise.

“What could you possibly say that would upset me?”

Ned observed that Ms. Flowers had no hair in her armpit; she was a pretty woman, indeed.  Her smell was faint and inviting.

“I do not think I would upset you.  Anytime something does not go as planned there are reasons to be happy or sad.  You were expecting real forms of fulfillment.  These rewards were financial, physical, and emotional.  The man you were going to see was quite possibly all you thought about for months and years.  You had plenty of time to get things done in your life.  What kept you going when you were down?  Thoughts of your old boss did.  Your being able to look forward to seeing him and having a reason for it has kept you happy.  Now that the things you were looking forward to are gone, you have options.  One, you can find another annual, please, pardon my saying, payer, or two you can use your vacation in other more healthy means.  Finding the right guy for that job is not easy; it was odd that you knew him that way, anyway.  He had to be the only man you went to see to fulfill the needs you did or did not know of.  You may not be able to replace him.  It would possibly be unhealthy to try to; not all men are trustworthy, wealthy, or generous.  There are men that would take advantage of a woman pursuant of specific needs.  I, if I were you, would play it by ear.  Remember what you are after.  Seek it.  If it is not there, seek something else.  If you are still at a loss, let it go and try something new on your vacation.”

Ms. Flowers was crying a little.  The young boy was bright, after all, proved to her that various men of all ages ponder the needs of women.

“What is one thing that I could try new on a vacation?”

“Before I answer that, what do you think that flight attendant would do with a new broom?”

“One thing she would not do would be to wet it in any way.”

“That is very funny.  Someone wets a broom for her and she will no longer stand at attention in her sleep.”

“Give me that suggestion.”

“Photography.  Post some pictures for the world to see.  I will leave comments; you can read my daily posts and revisions.”

“I usually surf the web in a different manner.”

“It is always fun to find that next mountain – show us the men that do not qualify.  When you go to a carnival, photograph a 7 story Ferris wheel lit up at midnight  with spinning lights of multiple hue.  People enjoy appreciating these things.  Blogging takes time; it can be said to be an intelligible hobby.”

“I may give that a try.  I may also pay an ex-lover of mine a visit, later.”

“Are you returning or going?”

“I am returning, what are you doing?”

“I am on my way, alone, to a writing conference on device, voice, and audience appeal.  Can I have your e-mail address?”

“Sure.”

Ms. Flowers gave the young boy her e-mail address and he thanked her.  The attendant called out for boarding and the people boarded the airplane.  The flight was nice; Ms. Flowers enjoyed her conversation with Ned.  They kept in contact with each other for years and years.

♦