Hawaii Five-O and its detectives belong to others. I'm just visiting their universe. This story is a challenge response.
Dedicated to everyone who has stood in those long lines at the airport . . . with or without kids!
AIRPORT INSECURITIES
"Bye, Chin! Have a good time! See you next week!" Danny and Kono waved as they dropped Chin, his wife, and their eight—count 'em, eight-children off at the Honolulu Airport.
The kids were hyper-excited, from teenagers Tim and Suzy through four-year-old Tilda to the baby (although Chin thought he was either hungry or needed a diaper change). After all, it wasn't every day they got to go on a family vacation-and to Disneyland! Chin looked at his little squadron and their pile of luggage. "Guess we'd better check in and go through the new security line. Hope it doesn't take too long. Don't want to miss our plane." He aimed that statement at his two middle kids who were starting a small argument over who got to sit by the window.
The Chinese detective attempted to calm them down. "We'll be flying over the ocean for five hours. All you'll see is water until we get to Los Angeles."
"Yeah, but it'll be different water." Oh, the logic of a 10-year old!
"So, you can take turns," their mother attempted to keep the peace. That seemed like a workable compromise, until the two kids began arguing over who got to sit by the window first. Chin sighed as he marshaled his army to the check in. Twenty minutes later, ID's checked, boarding passes secured, and luggage left in the care of the airline (Chin really hoped they'd see all of it at their destination, even though experience told him otherwise), they got into the security line.
"Nothing like standing in line to stand in line," he mentioned to his wife while at the same time attempting to keep hold of a squirming four-year old.
"I got to go to the girls' room!" Tilda whimpered. "Please?"
Suzy offered to go with her small sister. "Hold my place, will you?" she asked her older brother who was more interested in watching the young and pretty female passengers a few places ahead in the line than in listening to his sister. "Uh, sure," he muttered distractedly.
More distractions! Chin's 12-year-old son decided he needed a couple more comic books. Maybe the latest Batman or Superman or maybe both. He squirmed under the security barrier and headed to the newsstand, Chin in pursuit. Comic books obtained, they got back into line just as Suzy and Tilda returned. "Chasing crooks is easier," the detective thought. "I wonder how my wife keeps up with everything!" Of course, Disneyland and a long plane trip weren't every events for the Kelly family-something for which Chin was profoundly grateful.
Finally, finally! they reached the head of the line. Chin counted carefully: eight kids, one wife, one Five-O detective, all present and accounted for. Boarding passes and ID's checked again and in order. The Kelly parents breathes a sigh of relief—that is, until Chin realized they'd have to go through this again at the end of the week! Yes, chasing criminals was much, much easier.