Two Against Two
Chapter 9
December 22, 1990-2:10 P.M. AST
(Kate's POV:)
I'm sitting back comfortably in my seat, trying my best to take a nap. Peter is next to me, reading a book. My brother and sister in-law are sitting in the seats right in front of us, watching the in-flight movie.
We have been on this flight for what seems like forever. A nagging foreboding feeling has been hovering around close to my chest, since we first boarded the plane to Paris. It's like we've forgotten something important.
"What could it be?" I ask myself. A sudden jolt of panic hits against my chest, and I quickly make grab for my brown purse on the floor to get my wallet.
"What's wrong, Katie?" my husband, Peter, asks me, concerned, now holding on to my hand. The grab for my purse must have gotten his attention.
"I just have a terrible feeling we have forgotten something," I reply.
"Like what?" he asks me, a curious expression on his face.
I list off the things we could have forgotten: lights, turning off the stove, the coffee maker, locking up the house, etc…
"Katie, don't worry. I took care of each of those things myself and I double-checked to be on the safe side. So, everything is okay," He gives me a reassuring look.
"Did we close up the garage?" I asked.
I notice a quick expression form on his face, as if he's internally saying "oh, crap". "That's it; we forgot to close the garage. That must be it," he assures me with a smile, as if it solves everything.
"No, that's not it, either" I feel as though something is still not right. I rewind my memories back to the headcount that my niece, Heather, conducted. There were the twins, Megan and Linnie, whispering in each others' ear and giggling. Buzz trying to confuse Heather. Jeff with his nose buried in his portable game system, and Peter, who was conversing with the driver.
That's when I finally notice that Kevin wasn't there for the headcount. "KEVIN!" my maternal instincts suddenly scream, as my body lurches forward. I shout my youngest's name, which startles Peter, the couple sitting in the seats behind us, and Frank and Leslie up front.
"Kate, what's wrong? You okay?" Leslie asks me. A concerned look can be seen on her face, as she looks over the seat at me.
"Kevin is home alone," falters out of my mouth, as I put my head into Peter's shoulder and start sobbing.
Peter rubs my back in circles to get me calmed down. Leslie covers her mouth in shock, as she comes over to console me that everything is going to be okay. Peter is all shaken up, while Frank tries to mask his emotions, but I see it in his eyes that he's worried, too.
An airline flight attendant comes over to see if we need any assistance. Peter explains the situation about Kevin being left home alone and gives her our phone number to make sure Kevin is okay.
The flight attendant tells us that she will advise the captain of the situation and heads for the cockpit. I begin to calm down, while we all wait for the flight attendant to return, hopefully with some good news.
"Should I go back into coach and let the kids know about Kevin?" Peter asks me.
"No, let's not spoil the kids' first time on an airplane. We can tell them once the plane reaches Paris," I reply, like it's the best course of action to take.
The airline attendant eventually returns from the cockpit and informs us that the phone lines are still down in Winnetka. She assures us that the captain will keep trying, and that she will say a silent prayer for us that Kevin is unharmed.
Peter and I thank her personally, and tell her to send our thanks to the captain for going through all this trouble, helping us.
She smiles and says, "It's no problem, Madam. That's part of our job, to help the passengers out in any way we can. Just let me know if any of you need something. The plane should be arriving in Paris about four hours from now," We all give her our thanks. She nods and smiles back, as she walks away to attend the needs of the other passengers.
"I still can't believe we forgot him," I tell Peter, Leslie, and Frank, as my worry about Kevin's safety grows, unaware that he's safe with his sister, Christine, at the moment.
"Don't cry now, Kate. I'm positive we can reach Kevin, once the plane lands," Leslie tells me, trying to keep my spirits up. "Just try to relax, okay?"
"Okay," I reply, as I ease back into the comfortable first class seat and slowly drift off to sleep…
Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France
December 22, 1990-11:10 P.M. CET
(Kate's POV:)
"Kate… Katie, wake up. The plane has landed, and we have to disembark," I hear Peter say loudly, shaking me, as my eyes snap open.
"How long was I out for?" I ask Peter, as we both get up from our seats, grab the things we carried onto the plane, and make our way to the exit.
"You slept about four hours, honey," Peter tells me, as we meet up with our kids and rush down the jet bridge that connects the plane to the main boarding gate at the airport.
"Have you explained the situation to the kids about Kevin?" I quickly change the subject.
"Not yet. I thought we'd do it together after checking in through customs," Peter explains, as we reach the gate.
"Bienvenue à l'Aéroport de Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle," I hear a voice over the intercom speak, as we arrive at customs. The process through customs is fast and simple, considering how crowded the airport is right now.
With that out of the way, that's when I speak up and grab the family's attention, "I know you are all excited about spending Christmas at your Uncle Rob's here in Paris, but a situation has come up that requires a quick family meeting," hearing my kids moan and groan.
"Hey, quiet down now. There is a very good reason for this family meeting happening right now." I snapped. " While on the plane, it came to your Father and I's attention that Kevin was left at home. I know you've been looking forward to spending Christmas here in Paris, but due to the current situation, this family's main priority is getting back to Chicago as soon as possible to make sure your brother is safe." I firmly state, while Peter stands beside me, holding my hand, to keep me from breaking down into tears.
I see looks of worry appear on all the kids' faces after explaining that their brother is home alone. I also see a look of guilt form on Heather's face. She must think it's her fault that Kevin is home alone, since she was the one responsible for the headcount.
Peter lets me know that he's going to try to book all of us a flight back home, while I tell him that I'm going to try to get a hold of the police to check on Kevin.
The kids and I rush over to the closest payphones. I get into an argument and a tug-of-war with a stuck-up French lady over one of the phones. I instruct the kids to call anyone they know. I give Leslie my address book and tell her to call everyone in it. I place some change into the coin slot and call the Winnetka Police Dept.
I try to explain to the dispatcher that I'm in Paris, and that I need an officer to check on my son, who I explain is home alone. To my frustration, she connects me with the sergeant in charge of Family Crisis. I have to withhold from laughing, because the name he gives sounds so perverted.
The sergeant asks me a bunch of questions, while I try to explain to him that I just need an officer to check on my son. He finally gets the message and switches me back over to the dispatcher that I spoke with before. She explains that an officer has been dispatched to check on Kevin. I sigh with relief and wish her a merry Christmas.
Linnie and Megan walk up to me, and say they had no luck in reaching anyone. Leslie tells me she only could get answering machines. I can relax, knowing a cop is going to check on Kevin.
I assure my twin daughters that Kevin will be fine after they voice their worries. Heather soon joins us, she tells me how deeply sorry she is about not double-checking the count, and that she's to blame for Kevin being home alone. I tell Heather that it's okay and to stop crying, because she's not at fault.
The family and I meet up with Peter at the ticket counter. He explains to me that everything is booked up, and that the next flight out isn't until Monday morning. I lower my head in frustration and sadness. Peter shows some relief after I let him know the police are going to check on Kevin.
Peter tries to talk me into going to Rob's with Frank, Leslie, and the kids to contact the police again, so that they can reach us. I tell him "no", and that I'm only leaving the airport if it's on an airplane. The ticket attendant lets us know that I could be placed on a waiting list for a flight if someone cancels. I quickly agree, before Peter can say anything.
Peter finally gives in and whispers in my ear, "Don't get lost, okay?" It causes me to giggle. I hug him and the kids "goodbye", before they leave the airport.
Once they leave, I sit down in a empty seat and close my eyes. My thoughts focus at first on Kevin, and then drift towards Christine. "God, keep my youngest child safe long enough, until I can get home to him. And please watch over and protect my oldest daughter, wherever she may be. Let them both know that I love the both of them very much…"
END
A/N: Bienvenue à l'Aéroport de Paris-Charles-de-Gaulletranslates into Welcome to Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport