Victoria knew she should
have packed the night before, and now she was stuck with everyone in her room
and nothing to wear. She wanted to scream, but didn’t. She was very
superstitious and hated flying, so she had her own rituals to follow—including never getting
mad before a flight. The way she saw it, she didn’t want to be remembered that
way if she never came back.
When she was trying to
be diplomatic, her sister’s help was the last thing she wanted. “I don’t think
that’s a good idea, Ava. Remember last time? When I got a room with no shower
because my plane made three stopovers and they were all late?”
“One isolated incident. There
was a shower down the hall.”
“I know, I remember.
There was also no soap in the bathroom. Shall I go on?”
Ava looked at her sister
in the matter-of-fact way she had done so many times before. “Please do. I love
to hear that story. You’ve told the damn story to everyone we know. Sometimes,
even to strangers.”
“Fine,” Victoria said.
“Just get me on the next flight out. I can be ready in half an hour. Thank you.”
Victoria opened her
suitcase, put it on the bed, and started throwing in her clothes. Her taxi was
on the way. Since a shower had been ruled out, she sprayed herself with perfume,
put on a dab of lip gloss, and was ready to go. She kissed her kids goodbye and
ran out. Michael was standing there, wondering if she would kiss him goodbye
too, but she didn’t. “Michael, make sure everything is okay.”
Grace was already outside
with the cab. The taxi didn’t look like it could make it to the airport, but Victoria
just got in, figuring she would either die in the taxi or on the plane. With
her attitude, it was a wonder she traveled at all.
Grace closed the door. “Don’t
worry, dear, I’ve got it covered. Your kids will be safe. Michael will help.”
As Victoria looked back
at her kids, she closed her eyes and prayed. “God watch over this house,
because it looks like things are going to be up for grabs.”
The cab driver looked back
at her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I shouldn’t
ask this, but I will. How fast can you go? I don’t want to be late. I already
missed one flight.”
“Not a problem, Señorita.” He knew what she meant; this
wasn’t his first rodeo. He hit the pedal, and they were on their way.
The ride was a little
bouncy, but it was the fastest trip to the airport that Victoria had ever had. She
looked at her watch and took a deep breath. “You just saved my life.”
“Que
dios este contigo.”
Victoria turned back and smiled.
“Meaning?”
“May God be with you,” the driver
translated.
“I hope so. Thanks.”
And off they went!
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