the thick, heavy air in New York. An indistinct floral fragrance tinged with faint saltiness from the ocean filled the space. It reminded her of the candles she had in her apartment bathroom.
Restraining herself from doing an impromptu two-step into the terminal, she tamped down her excitement. She'd been planning this trip with Barbara for months. They were childhood friends, but Tabitha hadn't seen Barb in at least five years. Between jobs and commitments, they'd had infrequent contact. There had been a phone call here and there and exchanged holiday cards, but they had drifted apart. Barbara had proposed they take a trip. They'd take a vacation together and get all caught up. It would be just like old times.
When Barb had first suggested Hawaii, Tabitha had been resistant. She didn't think she could afford the cost, but they had gotten a good deal by planning ahead. Barb's plane from Houston landed twenty minutes before Tabitha's, and they planned to meet at the coffee shop in the airport terminal.
After exiting the jetway, Tabitha turned on her phone and almost immediately, it signaled that she had a voicemail. To her horror, it was from Barbara. She was not coming. There was an unspecified "family emergency" and she hoped Tabitha understood. Tabitha sank into a nearby seat, stunned. She'd never expected to spend a week in Hawaii by herself. She had imagined the two of them going to the beach, sightseeing and even learning to surf. Now Tabitha faced a week of solitary meals and loneliness. Not only that, she would probably have to pay the entire hotel bill herself.
Tabitha did a quick mental calculation trying to determine if she could cover it. Things would be very tight financially when she returned home. For an instant, she experienced a mixture of irritation and mild anger, but it quickly passed and her normal good mood reasserted itself. Barbara would not have canceled without an extremely good reason. Both of them had changed over time, but surely Barb had not changed that much.
As her negativity dissipated, Tabitha began to worry. What am I doing thinking about my vacation when Barbara has an emergency? Tabitha dialed Barb's number but the call went directly to voicemail. She left a message telling Barb not to worry and that she hoped everything was okay.
Tabitha returned to her feet, making her way via the posted signs. She exited the secured area and headed toward the baggage claim. When she arrived, some of the bags were already traveling around on the belt. She felt relief at not having to wait, yet what was the point now? She wasn't in any hurry.
As she waited, she studied the people congregating in the baggage area. People watching was a favorite pastime of hers. In New York, there was an endless supply of interesting characters to observe. It wasn't long before her eyes settled on an attractive, dark-haired man. He appeared to be in his mid-30s and held himself with an air of self-confidence that indicated wealth, position or both. She mentally speculated on the reason for his visit. Was he a doctor here for medical conference? Gorgeous Guy did have that look about him.
Tabitha’s thoughts shifted to an elderly couple. She wondered if they were moving to Hawaii for retirement or if it was a special trip for a milestone anniversary? Her bag arrived and she pulled it off the belt. With a leisurely gait, she headed toward the taxi stand.
*****
As the taxi traveled toward Waikiki, Tabitha considered her options: stay and make the best of it or go home early. Changing the ticket might cost a hundred dollars or more, and she would lose the deposit at the hotel. She would miss her long-planned Hawaiian vacation to boot.
Tabitha stared out at the bright sky and saw clouds reflected on the side of a mirrored building. The vast blue ocean beckoned her from the right and the green-covered mountains drew her from the left. Diamondhead glittered in the distance.
No, she didn't want to leave. She would stay
Restraining herself from doing an impromptu two-step into the terminal, she tamped down her excitement. She'd been planning this trip with Barbara for months. They were childhood friends, but Tabitha hadn't seen Barb in at least five years. Between jobs and commitments, they'd had infrequent contact. There had been a phone call here and there and exchanged holiday cards, but they had drifted apart. Barbara had proposed they take a trip. They'd take a vacation together and get all caught up. It would be just like old times.
When Barb had first suggested Hawaii, Tabitha had been resistant. She didn't think she could afford the cost, but they had gotten a good deal by planning ahead. Barb's plane from Houston landed twenty minutes before Tabitha's, and they planned to meet at the coffee shop in the airport terminal.
After exiting the jetway, Tabitha turned on her phone and almost immediately, it signaled that she had a voicemail. To her horror, it was from Barbara. She was not coming. There was an unspecified "family emergency" and she hoped Tabitha understood. Tabitha sank into a nearby seat, stunned. She'd never expected to spend a week in Hawaii by herself. She had imagined the two of them going to the beach, sightseeing and even learning to surf. Now Tabitha faced a week of solitary meals and loneliness. Not only that, she would probably have to pay the entire hotel bill herself.
Tabitha did a quick mental calculation trying to determine if she could cover it. Things would be very tight financially when she returned home. For an instant, she experienced a mixture of irritation and mild anger, but it quickly passed and her normal good mood reasserted itself. Barbara would not have canceled without an extremely good reason. Both of them had changed over time, but surely Barb had not changed that much.
As her negativity dissipated, Tabitha began to worry. What am I doing thinking about my vacation when Barbara has an emergency? Tabitha dialed Barb's number but the call went directly to voicemail. She left a message telling Barb not to worry and that she hoped everything was okay.
Tabitha returned to her feet, making her way via the posted signs. She exited the secured area and headed toward the baggage claim. When she arrived, some of the bags were already traveling around on the belt. She felt relief at not having to wait, yet what was the point now? She wasn't in any hurry.
As she waited, she studied the people congregating in the baggage area. People watching was a favorite pastime of hers. In New York, there was an endless supply of interesting characters to observe. It wasn't long before her eyes settled on an attractive, dark-haired man. He appeared to be in his mid-30s and held himself with an air of self-confidence that indicated wealth, position or both. She mentally speculated on the reason for his visit. Was he a doctor here for medical conference? Gorgeous Guy did have that look about him.
Tabitha’s thoughts shifted to an elderly couple. She wondered if they were moving to Hawaii for retirement or if it was a special trip for a milestone anniversary? Her bag arrived and she pulled it off the belt. With a leisurely gait, she headed toward the taxi stand.
*****
As the taxi traveled toward Waikiki, Tabitha considered her options: stay and make the best of it or go home early. Changing the ticket might cost a hundred dollars or more, and she would lose the deposit at the hotel. She would miss her long-planned Hawaiian vacation to boot.
Tabitha stared out at the bright sky and saw clouds reflected on the side of a mirrored building. The vast blue ocean beckoned her from the right and the green-covered mountains drew her from the left. Diamondhead glittered in the distance.
No, she didn't want to leave. She would stay
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