I always get to sit next to the interesting folks on the flight to Kansas City. I've done it fourteen times now, and I've had an adventure almost every time.
The return flights are usually normal. I attribute this to the fact I'm headed home.
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Once, on a connection from Dallas, I was late to board my flight. They'd held the plane for us. I hastily found the only empty seat on the plane, and sat down with a sigh.
There was an older lady next to me, looking out the window.
She turned to me and smiled sweetly. I smiled back.
"How are you today, young man?"
"Just fine, ma'am. And you?"
"Oh, I'm doing wonderfully. Can't complain."
I put my bag under the seat and offered her some gum to relieve the ear pressure during the flight (Offering a piece to the strangers in my row is a regular custom of mine. If one of them turns out to be a terrorist or a hijacker, I want to be on their good side).
"No, thank you. I'm never bothered on planes."
I put the gum away and leaned back to endure the flight.
"I do have one thing you should know, son."
I turned to her attentively.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"I broke my elbow two days ago, and if you bump it one more time, I'm going to scream in your ear as loud as I can."
She smiled at me sweetly.
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I wrote this series of posts on the plane back from Kansas City. This was my last trip. As we taxied up to the gate at home, the quiet lady next to me spoke up. Turns out she's lived in Kansas City for the last 25 years and is sick of it. She's moving to New Mexico.
Welcome to Normal, ma'am!
