Chapter 52 Vincent
Vincent
It’s been a few hours and Ari’s awake now, chowing down on a sub sandwich and chips. I keep debating the merits of telling her what a shitshow it’s about to be when we land, but I don’t wanna worry her.
I tap the flight attendant’s arm when she passes by. “Can I get a pen and some paper?”
She nods, smiles politely, then brings me what I ask for.
I start jotting shit down. It helps me get organized.
To Do:
Find doctor for Ari
House for Ari
Car/driver for Ari
Security for Ari
Nutritionist for Ari
Housekeeper/cook for Ari
Personal shopper for Ari
My pen pauses, hovering over the paper before I write the last item.
Photographer
It all comes rushing back to me, and I realize I’m gonna have to replace somebody who was irreplaceable. But first, I have to talk to her family. The thought of it hits me like a gut punch.
Then there’s my sister. My aunt and uncle. My best friend’s parents. They all lost their children in that plane.
Fuck.
It’s all coming down on me like an avalanche.
I drop the pen on my tray and sit back, staring at my messy, desperate handwriting. It’s unrecognizable.
I don’t even fuckin’ write the same way.
The pilot comes on to say we’ll be starting our descent. Ari’s knocked out again, so I reach over and touch her arm gently.
“Wake up, my angel,” I whisper. “We’re about to land.”
Her eyes flutter open, unfocused for a second. “We’re here?”
“Almost.”
She straightens slowly, rubbing her stomach. “This is it.”
“Yeah.”
We land just fine. No incidents. Pretty smooth, in fact.
The real turbulence is what’s waiting for us on the ground.