"I'd like one ticket to Rome, please. The earliest one you've got." I tapped my feet and handed the airline manager the little money I had.

I only had enough in my pocket left for a taxi cab. And maybe a hotel.

When I first moved to New York, before I got an editorial job, that was my line of work.

It's interesting how time flies by.

After I received my ticket, I walked to my hangar with my luggage and tried to forget my last airplane experience..yThe pilot insisted to fly into a tornado. And that, was absolutely no fun.

I want to sleep. My eyes were tired, and it was early in the morning. But I had to keep myself going.

For only twenty more minutes, I thought. I can do this.

I was determined to battle the sandman harder than I had battled my father a few days earlier. Anything at all to get me to Italy would have made me happy. And the Graham genes in me were telling me it was the worst way to go.

Sleep problems, heart problems, and just problems. We're all unlucky, aren't we?

The plane finally arrived and I sat in my seat, right by the window. A tall, dark man. He was the kind of man that reminded me of my father. He was middle aged, dressed nicely, and wore a pocket watch around his neck.

"It's going to be a long flight, isn't it?" The man tried to strike up conversation with me.

I nodded. "I guess so."

He laughed, "You guess? We've got to fly over the Atlantic Ocean!"

"I know that." I said, then covering my face with my coat, trying as hard as I could to ignore him.

"I didn't think you did. I'm sorry."

"I'm a writer," I mutter. "I'm not stupid. I know about everything this flight and this trip entails. I decided to get on this plane to Rome for a reason I don't think you understand. A reason that I think you wouldn't care for either. If you excuse me, I need to get up and move. I see a vacant seat by a woman with more common sense and respect for others. Have a nice evening, sir."i

I got up, walked away, and sat down next to the woman. She was dressed in a vaguely familiar outfit from year's past. Her eyes were in a newspaper. They were on an article I wrote.

The Wrongs of Racism: Injustice of The South, by Jean Louise Finch.

"You've really made a name for yourself, Scout. I've missed you."

It was none other than her former neighbor, Miss Maudie Atkinson.

"I've missed you too!" I wrapped her in a bear hug as the plane took off, descending into the sky.

"So, Maudie, why are you flying to Italy?"

Miss Maudie closed the newspaper and turned to me, "Well, I needed a vacation. I saved up my pennies and decided, why not fly to Italy? Nobody else in Maycomb's been there!"

I laughed, agreeing with her. She asked me why I was headed that way as well.

"I'm going to visit Dill. And see what he's up to."

"Dill? In Italy? Well.. As a friend, or something more? He said you were his fiancee back in the day."

I took a deep breath and told her the truth. One that in reality, I had no harm to reveal to her or anybody else.

"I wanted to find him to tell him that I love him."

Maudie's eyes widened, and she smiled, "I've been waiting to hear that for years now! I'm guessing you finally heard about Henry, didn't you?"

I sighed, "Yes. He wasn't worth it. Not one bit."

"It took a while for both of us, dear. He was going to those meetings, and it contradicted every idea in your writing.. I didn't know how you put up with it. But I realize that it's because you didn't know a thing."

"You're right. That's exactly it." I still couldn't believe all that had happened.

"No matter how much they tried to convince me to stay, I couldn't. I was just exhausted by everything. All of the betrayal and all of.. Everything Just shocked me. I need a break. I need out."

Maudie nodded her head, "I understand, dear. I do. If you need anything else while we're here, you let me know."

I said that I would. And the plane took off, up into the air.

For a long while, we rested in the plane. We were given a meal. We looked out the window. And I ended up falling asleep on her shoulder.

When I woke up, the man from earlier had stood right in front of our row. He had an angry expression on his face, and Maudie was shouting at him. I was too tired to understand what she was saying. Not until I sat up and stretched my legs.

"I'm in love with her, I have the right to take her back!"

What in God's name is he t"alking about? What's he doing?

"You clearly explained you had no intention to take her seriously, I heard everything you said! And that was just about sitting next to her. She was angry because you told her, an intelligent young woman, that she was naive and oblivious. That, for her, is a horrid insult. She doesn't take it when people tell her things like that. You, sir, have had too much to drink! Go away!"

My head was spinning, trying to figure out what was happening. Hostesses tried to restrain the man, who smelled intensely of vodka and whiskey.

"You're both a bunch of cowards! Sick, sleazy cowards! You're missing out on a better life, sweetie! Your daddy didn't say what he did because he cared about you!" He slurred his words and stumbled down the aisle, not being able to distinguish between anything in the plane.

I waited until he was long gone, in another section of the plane, before asking Maudie what happened.

"He wanted to date you, dear. He wouldn't accept your rejection and took it out on me."

"He never asked me anything.." I said, while rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"I know. He was drunk. They willingly gave him those bottles because he paid for them."

I nodded my head yes, I knew what she meant.

After a few more long hours, the plane landed. Maudie and I said our goodbyes; we both had different plans for our trips to Italy.

It was dark out, from what I could tell from the windows. I took a bathroom break and bought myself a chocolate bar to keep myself going while I looked for a taxi.

It's been quite a day... Maybe I need to rest..

I went against my own instincts and headed outside.

Taxis were picking up other people, going to predetermined locations.

I had no clue where to go. And being the only woman wearing slacks, I had a feeling I wouldn't get far.

I sat on a bench and ate the last quarter of my candy bar, staring out at the rainy, neon street.

After I felt more energized, I stood up and stared at the cars, playing a game of "I Spy" with myself.

I spied a yellow Mercedes Benz driving down the road, headed away from the city. I found it very interesting to watch, and my eyes kept following it down the street.

As it laddering front of the airport, it made a u-turn and sped my way.

The car stopped right in front of me. The driver's door opened, and before I knew it, Dill wrapped his arms around me, crying happy tears.

"Jean Louise.. I can't believe you're here..."

I wasn't sure if it was the rain or his tears on his face. He was completely covered with water.

We were soaked. Completely.

I laughed, "Well, I can!"

"Why'd you come here?" He asked, while putting a hand on the side of my face. I put my hand right above his, realizing how much I missed his touch.

"I missed you, Dill. I came back for you."

"Why? " He was confused. "Don't you have Henry?"

I gave him my own confused look. "No, Dill. I left him." I gave him a warm smile, "I'm in love with you."

He pulled me close, and our faces were barely an inch apart.

"I'm in love with you too. I never stopped being in love with you."

Instead of answering him, I kissed his lips in the rain.

I waited far too long for that moment, and thought I'd found it years before.

I was wrong, dead wrong.

This kiss with Dill was special. I felt it from my head to the tips of my toes.

I never felt that with Henry. And I never felt it with anyone else.

It was Dill and only Dill.

When we pulled apart, we looked deep into each other's eyes.

For a while, we stood in silence.

Then we laughed.

"Scout, it's quite late. You want to go to my place?"

I hugged him tightly one last time, "I'd love to."

Then, we drove off in the dark, Roman night.

And we never looked back.