That was, without a doubt, the worst flight of my life.
The lady next to me who kept drooling on my shoulder.
And now I have to take an expensive taxi…
Because my friend is too sick to pick me up from the airport.
Already this vacation is off to a terrible start.
I’m dragging my simple black suitcase out of baggage claim towards the taxi stand…
When I feel someone lightly tap me on the shoulder.
When I turn, I see a guy about my age standing there.
He’s tall with broad shoulders…
The most adorable dimples…
And a look of absolute terror on his face.
Guy
So sorry to bother you.
Probably the only cute guy in this small town…
And I’ve already scared him off.
Emma
High altitudes turn me into Medusa.
Guy
Well in that case, I’ll try not to look at you.
I smile at his ability to get my Greek mythology reference.
Emma
Why don’t we start over.
Emma
Hi, Ben. What can I do for you today?
Ben
I think you might have my bag.
He points to the suitcase in my hand.
I glance down and see he has a suitcase identical to mine.
Ben
We must have picked each other’s up.
He opens the suitcase he's holding.
I follow his gaze to see my clothes strewn about…
Along with empty candy wrappers…
My old stuffed rabbit, Mr. Floppy Ears.
My face burns brighter than a stoplight.
Yes, I’m a college student who still sleeps with her childhood stuffed animal.
If I didn’t scare him off before…
Emma
I wasn’t anticipating anyone rifling through my personal possessions.
I try to shut the suitcase quickly, but Ben stops me.
His eyes go wide staring at something in my bag.
I bet he sees my foot fungal cream.
I knew I shouldn’t have bought the value size.
I feel a wave a relief when I see he’s holding my favorite book:
The Poetry of Pablo Neruda.
Emma
Just a book of poems.
Emma
Pablo Neruda. He’s my favorite.
Ben looks at me with an expression I can’t quite place.
Then he opens his own suitcase and fishes out a book identical to mine.
Ben
I never travel without it.
Ben
Every time I reread it, it—
Emma
Tells you something different?
I feel a shiver go down my spine.
The butterflies in my stomach start flapping their wings.
But then a shrill voice cuts through the air.
Ben and I turn to see a petite blonde hurdling towards us.
The woman throws her arms around him.
Ashley
I’ve missed you so much!
Ashley
I’m so happy you’re staying with me!
Of course he’s not single.
I should have known better than to get my hopes up.
Emma
I should probably get going.
Emma
It was nice meeting you, Ben.
I grab my bag and hurry away.
I hear Ben calling after me…
I’m standing in line for a taxi.
And at the rate this line is moving…
I won’t be getting out of here anytime soon.
Ben
What are you doing here?
Emma
Not all of us have pretty girls to pick us up.
I try to keep the bitterness out of my voice.
But I’m not very successful.
Ben
Let me give you a ride.
Emma
I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Ben
Please, it’s the least I can do.
Ben
You know, for rifling through your personal possessions.
Emma
Won’t your girlfriend mind?
Emma
The blonde who came to pick you up…
He’s so cute when he’s confused.
Ben
Wait, you mean Ashley?
Emma
She said she missed you and you’re going to be staying with her.
Ben
Well, I am staying with her…
Ben
And her newborn baby.
Ben
Because she’s my cousin.
Ben
She’s a single mother and it’s been a stressful couple of weeks.
Ben
I said I’d stay with her for a few weeks to try to give her a break.
And shows me a picture of him holding Ashley’s newborn baby.
Honestly, I don’t know who’s cuter:
Ben
The baby’s with a neighbor right now.
Ben
She didn’t want to bring him to the airport.
I feel like such an idiot.
Emma
So Ashley’s not your girlfriend.
Ben
Ashley’s not my girlfriend.
Ben
I actually don’t have a girlfriend.
When I look up, I see he’s smiling down at me.
Ben
Come on, let me give you a ride.
He puts his arm around my shoulder.
His body is warm against mine…
He smells like freshly cut grass and peppermints…
And as we walk out of the airport, I can’t help thinking…
Maybe this vacation won’t be so bad after all.
