Chapter Two
Spencer
Constant chatter mixed with the distorted overhead announcements inside the airport. Invisible, nasty germs lingered on every surface, looking for a new host to invade, to taint travelers with whatever disease they may be carrying. I closed my eyes and did my cyclical breathing, trying to ground myself and not let my obsessive thoughts and sensory overload overwhelm me. I was a pro at masking, hiding the fact that I was a mess inside. I barely hung on while I sat at the airport and waited for my flight to board. Crowded areas filled with strangers, strangers knocking into my body, and creepy alphas sneaking a chance to grab my ass led me to seek an isolated section of the building.
I wasn’t supposed to be alone. My fiancé, Alan, was supposed to accompany me for my work conference but had bailed at the last minute. He had some issues that popped up at his company. I thought it was for the best. He would be able to oversee everything for our wedding tomorrow while I was two thousand miles away. Luckily, my best friend, Isaac, would also be there to ensure the event was set up smoothly, since, if I was being honest with myself, Alan would probably mess something up or change my flowers last minute from lilies to roses. Having Isaac there meant little for me to worry about once I got back. If I ever managed to get back into town, that was.
Approaching the counter, I gave the gentleman my ticket and ID.
“Good morning, Mr. Matthews.” The airport staffer keyed in some information into the computer. “We are very sorry for the inconvenience. The coming storms have caused us to shut down all flights. They are estimating at least three days until the flights will be able will resume. All the local hotels are currently booked, but we are looking for vacancies nearby and once we find rooms for everyone, we will provide transportation to get there. You are welcome to stay in the airport throughout the storm. We do have food available for everyone and offer gift cards for extra expenses of a delay.”
“Can I book a flight now for a few days from now?” I just needed to know when I could tell Alan I’d be home, so we could reschedule our nuptials. Hoped they have fun at our non-reception without me and don’t waste our deposit. Choosing to not dwell on the fact that I was missing the most important day of my life, I focused on getting answers and controlling what little I could. The bubbles of frustration would need to be pushed down until later, having a complete meltdown in the middle of an airport with no support system in place or trusted ally to take care of me because I broke down and shut down physically, mentally, and emotionally would not fix my situation. I rubbed my middle fingertip and thumb together and reminded myself to continue breathing through my interaction with the agent.
“You can try but since we don’t know when the flights will resume, those new tickets may also need to be shifted later. Due to the circumstances of any rebookings currently being due to the weather conditions, all fees for canceling or changing flights have been waived. So you don’t need to worry about extra charges when you rebook.”
Determined to have a plan, I was booked on a flight leaving in five days. I stepped away from the desk and made my way to one of the less populated areas and pulled out my phone to call my fiancé. A shadow of a tension headache attempted to grow into a full-on migraine, so I placed the heel of my palm to the area it hurt most, the pressure allowing me a moment of respite.
When there was no answer, frustration flared in my chest and my stomach ached. Anxiety swelled in my gut over my inability to hear Alan’s voice. I couldn’t let the negative emotions win. I had to get through these difficulties strong and sensible. I called the one person I knew I could always count on. I called Isaac, knowing that my best friend would be aware of where everyone was and how things were flowing. Calmness flowed though me remembering there was a reason I left Isaac in charge of coordinating everything wedding and reception related in my absence. Alan was great at many things but not keeping the plan together if I wasn’t there to check the details. The fact that he couldn’t even answer my call, proved I was right not to leave my groom in charge of making sure everything went by without a hitch. Well, except that now there would be no second groom, I pressed my fingertips together more firmly in an attempt to refocus my thoughts once I heard my best friend’s voice on the other end of the phone.
“Spencer, I thought you would be in the air already. I was going to send one of your uncles out to get you soon while I finish getting everything ready at the venue for you.” Isaac laughed at something someone said in the background. “We have everything ready to go, just waiting on you.”
“About that.” I sighed and plopped down in the chair by the window. “I won’t be home today, or even this weekend. There is a big storm heading this way tonight, but it already started snowing here and the airport decided they needed to shut down all flights until the storm passes.”
“Oh, Spencer. That’s awful. But don’t worry, I’ll let everyone know here. Did you tell Alan yet?”
“I tried calling him, but he didn’t answer. I left a voicemail though.”
“Strange, I haven’t seen him in a while. He was hanging out with Benny. I’ll go find him and tell him to call you.” Isaac must have moved somewhere quieter as the noise seemed to move away from him and I was thankful for less background chatter. “Were you able to snag a hotel out there to wait this out?”
“No. I’m a dumbass and didn’t watch the local news or listen to the radio. I missed all the warnings and by the time I found out, everything was booked.”
“My brother Liam lives about an hour from there, let me call him and have him pick you up. He prepares for everything so you will be safe and warm. That way, you won’t have to deal with the overcrowded public space of the airport for days. How does that sound?”
“Like a dream come true. You’re a lifesaver. Are you sure he won’t mind?” I caught myself sucking my bottom lip and stopped. I hated that nervous habit, especially in chilly months where it led to a chapped lip. “You know I can sometimes be too much for some people.”
“I can only guess who told you that you can be too much.” I could almost imagine Isaac rolling his eyes as he spoke. “But, honey, you are not too much. You are perfectly you and I love it all. My brother will understand your need for alone time and silence. Trust me, he is very good at observing someone’s nonverbal cues and will help you find the things you need to feel settled and grounded while at his home. I think he even carries around little fidgets and sensory soothing items for friends and family who may be having a rough time regulating. You’ll be in good hands.”
“If you are sure.” My anxiety eased at the thought of being able to get out of the airport. Escaping the abundant assault of the auditory stimuli that had bombarded me since arriving sounded like a blessing in the middle of this current disaster. Between the overpowering blend of aromas from the airport food and under-washed body stench from some of the travelers surrounding me, I was nearing my personal limit for the day and would need ample time in a safe space to ground and regulate myself. “Thank you, Isaac. Let me know what he says.”
“I will. Listen, I gotta go and take care of two little issues that I just found. Don’t worry though, you just hold on tight until Liam can come and grab you, okay?” My best friend’s voice sounded strange, but I figured it would be, since now he had to inform the whole wedding party and guests there wouldn’t be a wedding after all.
“Okay. Thanks again. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I heard some yelling as Isaac hung up the phone and hoped everything was all right. As a family of eight came barreling down into the area where I sat, I hoped that his brother would accept me into his house.