Okie Getaway Chapter 3
The forensic symposium was scheduled for late March during spring break so college students could attend and the various presenters would have an easier time of working out child care during their absence. Booth and Brennan knew Jesse would take excellent care of Hank and Christine, and Max was recruited to give him an occasional break. The couple felt extremely fortunate to have found such a dedicated man to oversee their kids and protect them from the threats of disgruntled criminals brought to justice. Hank was going through a phase of separation anxiety and it was only after many goodbye hugs, kisses, and tears, that they were able to head for the private airport where Cantilever's jet awaited.
The boarding procedure was seamless, with no lengthy security lines, distracted check-in desk attendants, or crowded aisles to negotiate. As they settled into luxurious leather seats and secured the safety belts, Booth reflected on their destination. The Oklahoma City bombing was an event like 9/11, Kennedy being shot, the Challenger explosion, and other such calamities. If you were an Oklahoman, he mused, you could never forget where you were when you heard about that occurrence.
This 'pan-shaped' state is one of the 'fly-over' areas of the country, but like every other area of the land it offers unique sights, sounds, and charm, which he and Brennan hoped to experience. The National OKC Memorial's new learning lab would enable students to witness the science of how the explosion was investigated, unraveled and traced to its perpetrator. Not unlike what he and his Bones did every day.
Booth knew that the only part of the memorial site open at first was an outdoor exhibit. In the years since, as the museum collections and displays became available to the public, its tours and presentations had become more informative. He imagined that hearing a recording of the Water Resources Board meeting in progress as the explosion occurred, with conversation and proceedings interrupted by rumbles and ominous sounds, would be eerie and unforgettable, making you wonder which of the speakers survived.
Because 168 people were killed, not nearly 3,000 like 9/11, it was possible to include personal accounts of each person's life, the field of empty chairs, and other individual mementoes of these victims. Having spent reflective time at the Vietnam Memorial, he had always wished that each name could be elaborated upon, to convey the bravery of its owner. And each soldier's story, like his father's with its trials and sorrows. In Oklahoma City, this objective was accomplished, as grieving families described lost loved ones in a room of glass cubicles for each. He knew that standing beside the memorial's reflecting pool would be a stark sobering experience, yet he felt honored by the chance to pay his respects to fellow agents killed by the blast.
Brennan sat next to her husband, watching his expressions change. Not willing to disturb his pensive mood, she waited until he glanced over at her, then reached for his hand and squeezed it gently. No words were needed. Booth stretched in his seat, arching his back like a cat, and smiled.
"I could get used to these chairs, Bones. God, they are comfortable."
"Yes, they are very well padded to support all parts of a passenger's body," she agreed. "We will only be airborne for 2 hours, and there is so much to see. I'm looking forward to watching the sun set and observing how the terrain changes at we cross the Midwest. I wonder if we could see wildlife along the Mississippi as we fly over St. Louis."
"I guess we'll find out," Booth responded, chuckling at his wife's insatiable curiosity regarding the world around her. While she could be ruthlessly rational and staunchly sensible, in some ways, his Bones had never outgrown the wonder of childhood. He watched fondly as she leaned forward to peer out of the aircraft's windows beside her seat, then arose, crossed the aisle and sat down again, to observe what passed below the other side of the plane.