Chapter 29
May 10, 2024
When I wake up, I’m in a dimly lit airplane. Again.
I don’t jolt up in my seat this time. This time, I stay lying down in my capsule / airplane-seat-bed thing. We must have managed to get first class again. I blink a few times before my eyesight adjusts to the dimness, and I look over at Milo, who’s lying down next to me, eyes closed, breathing softly as he sleeps. I squint at the screen in front of me and see that we’re flying over Canada. I tap the touch screen to see where we’re headed. London.
When I swipe the screen left to see where we’re coming from, my breath catches. San Francisco, California—where I grew up and where my family still lives.
I smile to myself. It’s been so long since I’ve visited home, more than a year.
I hear the sound of fabric rustling. I peer over at Milo, who’s stirring. He opens his eyes. When he sees me, he flashes a groggy smile.
“Hey there, Sleeping Beauty,” he whispers.
“Hey.”
“How long have you been awake?”
“Not long. Just a few minutes.”
He leans up and stretches his arms in the air. The hem of his dove-gray Henley shirt rides up, revealing a peek of his toned stomach. A flight attendant walks by. I don’t miss the way her gaze lands on Milo’s exposed abs.
I hold back a chuckle as she stops to check on him.
“Any breakfast for you, sir?” she asks.
“Just some water would be great, thank you.”
“You sure you don’t want anything to eat?” she asks sweetly, her eyes bright as she stares at him. “We’ve got a cheese omelet or eggs Benedict on the menu. Or a smoked vegetable crepe if you’re vegan.”
Milo aims a polite smile at her. “I’m really okay. Thank you. I think my girlfriend would like a tea, though.”
He gestures to me, and I try not to laugh when the flight attendant aims a tight smile at me. “Tea for you, miss?”
I nod. “Yes, please.”
She walks off without another word.
Milo shakes his head. “Wow. A bit much, huh?”
“She was smitten with you. I can’t say I blame her.”
He grins and reaches out to swipe my hand in his. “How are you holding up after leaving your family?”
“I’m doing okay.” I try to contain my smile. I can’t wait to wake up the next day and hug my mom and brother.
But then I take in how Milo’s expression shifts from soft to somber. “I’m so glad your mom ended up being okay. And that it all worked out.”
He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. The tender gesture helps take the edge off the flash of panic that hits me. That must be why we went to California—something happened to my mom.
I nod and look away, hoping that the panic I’m feeling doesn’t translate to my facial expression. I silently hope that when I see my mom, when I see whatever state she’s in that warranted a last-minute flight home, it’s not bad.
I look at him. “I’m glad too.”
For the rest of the flight, I quietly hope that everything—my mom, my brother, my family, Milo—really is okay.