Warm and safe in his car, Michael drove down Lake Shore Drive, past the old Drake Hotel for the very last time, a flood of memories filling his mind as he went through the bitter cold night with very few drivers out on that early Thursday morning. Michael was a mix of emotions, he was anxious, excited, nervous and nauseous, and he just wanted this day to be over with. Michael tried to focus on his breathing, taking in deep calming breaths, as he drove west down the Kennedy Expressway. Now, when a patrol car pulled up behind him, Michael thought his heart would explode but the officers paid little attention to the red BMW and its driver, Michael was able to breathe a sigh of relief as he finally made it to O'Hare International Airport. Michael parked his car in the International parking lot as he retrieved his carry-on suitcase from the back seat then he tossed the keys to his prized automobile on the dashboard, and closed the unlocked door. Michael knew what he had to do, and that was to flee, but this fact did not make the act of doing so any less bearable. As he bundled up against the cold, frigid, Winter air Michael made his way to the terminal in the early hours of that dark January day. He was very relieved to be in the warmth of the building as he checked in and went through security, who did open up his suitcase and ask for receipts for the all the expensive watches to prove they were not stolen. Michael was extremely on edge but he appeared calm, cool and collected and was soon sent on his way to his gate with no further delay.
Michael walked hurriedly, like a man with a purpose, as he tried to calm his thoughts and anxious breath as he waited in line for his boarding pass. Two women, in their fifties, stood in front of him, one was wearing Shalimar parfum; which Michael instantly recognized the scent, as this was the familiar smell of his mother's favorite perfume. Michael took in deep long breaths, his mind filled with somber thoughts, longing for the warmth and touch of his dearly departed mother. It was no more than five or ten minutes to get his boarding pass and have a seat at the long row of chairs, where Michael found himself sitting close to the older woman, just so he could be reminded of his loving mother's presence for a moment longer. So he lingered and waited for the boarding announcement and in doing so, Michael caught the eye of a small group of young, good looking women who began to look his way with silly grins upon their faces as they whispered about him to each other. Michael became very self conscious and he was terribly worried they had recognized his face from the newspapers or the report on WGN. He was just about to get up and go to the restroom when one of the young ladies came over with a devilish smile as she said to Michael "I remember you."
"Is that a fact." he said quietly.
"You were in that movie." she said her bright blue eyes filled with excitement. "Thelma and Louise."
"No." Michael said with a laugh of relief.
"Well you look just like that actor.., Brad Pitt."
"No, I can assure you I am not an actor."
"Well is he your brother? Because the resemblance is astonishing.., though you look a bit older." the stranger said flirting with Michael as her friends, who looked like SMU cheerleaders, all smiled and waved at him, giving little winks and blowing him kisses.
Michael assured her he was an only child, and he was, in fact, flattered by the conversation and this helped distract his troubled mind from the terror of getting on the plane. The young woman continued asking Michael if he was going to Dallas for business or pleasure. He told her business. She asked what hotel he was staying at. He lied and said he was staying with a friend.
"A Girlfriend?" she asked still in full flirtation mode.
Michael did not want to answer anymore questions, even though she was young, attractive and charming she was quickly becoming annoying, so he lied to her further, saying. "No, not a girlfriend." her eyes beamed with the joy of this news then he broke her little heart when he added "My fiancee."
A short disappointed paused was followed by the disheartened young woman saying "Well, congratulations, she's a very lucky woman, have a nice flight to Texas, I hope you enjoy your stay." with that she went back to her group of friends, who quickly lost interest in Michael when they learned he was not who they thought he was. So he boarded the jet settling down for his quick flight down south, he did his best to calm his nerves and the stewardess, a lovely woman with long black shiny hair, and bright green eyes with thick black lashes, noticed her passenger's discomfort and distress in his ice blue eyes, so she did her best to help ease his flying anxiety by reassuring him in a calm soothing voice, stroking his hand. He confided in her the truth of his parents death aboard flight #191 and she knew all about the tragedy. So she explained to him "Sir, I can tell you since that accident occurred, the safety of our aircraft's have vastly improved. I have been flying for ten years, thousands of flights and I can reassure you we are perfectly safe." Michael's fear was quelled a bit by her words of comfort and years of service, so he tried not to think about the plane crashing to the ground as the jet sped down the runway lifting off the Earth traveling at 720 miles per hour.
Michael walked hurriedly, like a man with a purpose, as he tried to calm his thoughts and anxious breath as he waited in line for his boarding pass. Two women, in their fifties, stood in front of him, one was wearing Shalimar parfum; which Michael instantly recognized the scent, as this was the familiar smell of his mother's favorite perfume. Michael took in deep long breaths, his mind filled with somber thoughts, longing for the warmth and touch of his dearly departed mother. It was no more than five or ten minutes to get his boarding pass and have a seat at the long row of chairs, where Michael found himself sitting close to the older woman, just so he could be reminded of his loving mother's presence for a moment longer. So he lingered and waited for the boarding announcement and in doing so, Michael caught the eye of a small group of young, good looking women who began to look his way with silly grins upon their faces as they whispered about him to each other. Michael became very self conscious and he was terribly worried they had recognized his face from the newspapers or the report on WGN. He was just about to get up and go to the restroom when one of the young ladies came over with a devilish smile as she said to Michael "I remember you."
"Is that a fact." he said quietly.
"You were in that movie." she said her bright blue eyes filled with excitement. "Thelma and Louise."
"No." Michael said with a laugh of relief.
"Well you look just like that actor.., Brad Pitt."
"No, I can assure you I am not an actor."
"Well is he your brother? Because the resemblance is astonishing.., though you look a bit older." the stranger said flirting with Michael as her friends, who looked like SMU cheerleaders, all smiled and waved at him, giving little winks and blowing him kisses.
Michael assured her he was an only child, and he was, in fact, flattered by the conversation and this helped distract his troubled mind from the terror of getting on the plane. The young woman continued asking Michael if he was going to Dallas for business or pleasure. He told her business. She asked what hotel he was staying at. He lied and said he was staying with a friend.
"A Girlfriend?" she asked still in full flirtation mode.
Michael did not want to answer anymore questions, even though she was young, attractive and charming she was quickly becoming annoying, so he lied to her further, saying. "No, not a girlfriend." her eyes beamed with the joy of this news then he broke her little heart when he added "My fiancee."
A short disappointed paused was followed by the disheartened young woman saying "Well, congratulations, she's a very lucky woman, have a nice flight to Texas, I hope you enjoy your stay." with that she went back to her group of friends, who quickly lost interest in Michael when they learned he was not who they thought he was. So he boarded the jet settling down for his quick flight down south, he did his best to calm his nerves and the stewardess, a lovely woman with long black shiny hair, and bright green eyes with thick black lashes, noticed her passenger's discomfort and distress in his ice blue eyes, so she did her best to help ease his flying anxiety by reassuring him in a calm soothing voice, stroking his hand. He confided in her the truth of his parents death aboard flight #191 and she knew all about the tragedy. So she explained to him "Sir, I can tell you since that accident occurred, the safety of our aircraft's have vastly improved. I have been flying for ten years, thousands of flights and I can reassure you we are perfectly safe." Michael's fear was quelled a bit by her words of comfort and years of service, so he tried not to think about the plane crashing to the ground as the jet sped down the runway lifting off the Earth traveling at 720 miles per hour.
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