A True Horror Story
By Matthew Smith
I had dropped her off at the airport. She told me I didn't have to go in with her. But I insisted. BOY, did I insist. Probably the worst idea I ever had. But the truth was, I would do it all over again. Helping her pull her luggage up to the front counter, as she checked them in. Watching the woman behind the counter hand her the plane ticket. What was I doing? She smiled at the woman as she took the ticket. I stared as she did so, wishing with all my heart that she'd hand it back, ask for her money back. But instead, I found her looking at me, a soft smile, but confused look on her face. She asked me, "Are you alright."
I smiled and replied, "Yes." I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. That was a Lie. Her smile imprisoned me. As usual. It wasn't fair. We walked over and sat down among the other people awaiting their flights. "This is exciting." I shifted my butt in the seat and looked over at her, a smile on my face. "I'm going to be down in Miami! It's crazy!" She looked over at me. "I just have to get through school, and then I'll be a chief."
"I expect a good meal."
"That'll be no problem."
I watched her as she talked to me. She was like a little kid in a 24 year old person's body. All bouncing because she just got that Barbie doll for Christmas. Her eyes flickered with fiery excitement. I wanted so bad to be able to look away. To just get up and leave. To have never followed her inside the airport.
But then, what kind of friend would I have been? Where exactly would that have gotten me? Perhaps I wouldn't be feeling so sick. Perhaps I'd be feeling much worse then I was now. It was hard to say. Oh, what the hell was I saying? It was not hard to say. I would have regretted it for the rest of my life had I not joined her in the airport.
Then the announcement came over the speakers. It was time for her to check in and start boarding. I closed my eyes and bit my bottom lip. I wanted to beg her to change her mind. To not go and stay with me. But I couldn't. She was happy. She going to do what she felt was her thing. And as long as she was happy, I'd continue to bite my tongue and smile. No matter how sick it made me feel.
No matter how much I wanted to cry... I just wouldn't ruin that for her. She stood, gathering her carry on bag. She took a breath. I stood up slowly, looking around the large room. Then she turned to me, and smiled a massive smile. I smiled back, not even able to match hers. "Well, here we go." She said softly. I nodded. "Yeah... here we go."
"Hey, you know that I'll be back, right?"
"Of course." I threw a chuckle in the mix. "Why would I think otherwise?"
"I don't know. Just, making sure." She pulled me into a hug. I put my arms around her and she squeezed me hard. Then I felt her arms loosen up around me, and suddenly realized I had to let go now too. And yet, I didn't. Not yet. Finally, I released her and she laughed softly. "You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. Go. Don't miss your flight because of me. I'll see you soon."
"I'll call you once I land."
"I'll be waiting with my phone in hand."
She smiled. I smiled back. I felt a tear roll down my right cheek as she turned and moved away, bag in hand. Her question echoed over in my head.
"You okay?"
"You okay?"
"You okay?"
I watched as she moved up to the security checkpoint, and she gave me one last wave as they checked her bag and passed her through. Then she vanished into the crowd.
"No. I want you to stay..."
"...Please."
END.