Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85787 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
“You got it.”
“She said she’s been busy but is coming to see me on my birthday.”
“Oh yeah.”
“And tell her to stop by Zen Garden. They have the best wonton soup.”
Grouper piped in, “The salt in that stuff isn’t good for you.”
Yeah. No worries there. I was pretty sure Willow wasn’t coming.
My normally jittery nerves were anxious as I boarded the flight back to New York on Monday afternoon. The team and most of the reporters had headed back after the game last night, but I’d had to stay for an interview with a local college running back who was thought to be the number-one draft pick next season. Brody had acted fine when I spoke to him earlier, but I imagined the team’s loss yesterday weighed heavily on his shoulders. The second-string quarterback had thrown four interceptions, any one of which cost the team the loss.
The captain’s voice came overhead to tell us bad weather to the east had takeoffs backed up, and we were returning to the gate, although we wouldn’t be disembarking the plane. We should sit back and enjoy a complimentary beverage. Sure. Easy for you to say. These tin cans obviously didn’t have the same effect on him. Why did every flight I was on lately have to mention bad weather or some other potentially catastrophic scenario?
Once we parked and the seatbelt sign turned off, I made a quick trip to the ladies’ room, then dug in my bag for my cell to tell Brody I was running late. The screen illuminated, then immediately flashed a lightning bolt with a drained battery and proceeded to power down. “Damn it.”
“You need help with something?” My seatmate was probably in his late sixties. I thought about asking him to use his phone, but I had no idea what Brody’s number even was. I’d never actually dialed it before.
I held up my phone. “My phone died, and I don’t know the person’s number. I’m supposed to meet him at my apartment, and I’m guessing we’re going to be late since they just shut off the engine.”
“Ah. Cell phone withdrawal. The effects can be just as daunting as heroin, they say.”
“You don’t have one?”
“Nope.”
“Is someone picking you up at the airport when we land?”“
“Yes. My wife.”
“Does she have a phone?”
He shook his head, mildly amused.
“How will she know we’re delayed?”
“I supposed she’ll pick up the phone and call the airline, as she has for the last forty years. I take it whomever you are meeting won’t do that?”
“Definitely not.” I smiled and tucked my bag back under the seat. “So how do you pass the time without Candy Crush, then?”
“Candy what?”
For the next half hour, I explained the intricacies of a game that didn’t sound as riveting as it was while being played. My new friend returned the favor by explaining the art of cognac. When the flight attendant came to offer us a drink, he requested only two cups. Then he pulled out a bottle from his bag, and we proceeded to sample the liquor. It tasted like crap, but one small glass mixed with my flight medication, and I was out like a light.
When we finally landed, more than three hours late, it was exactly the time Brody would be picking me up at my place. Knowing traffic would be a nightmare, I stopped in the bathroom near the gate and plugged in my phone while I used the toilet and fixed myself up. The phone illuminated again after a few minutes, enough for me to shoot off a text to Brody.
Delilah: Just landed. Phone died before we took off. Are you already at my place?
Brody: Just pulled into the parking garage.
Delilah: Sorry. Will probably take me an hour to get home. Give it two minutes, then ring 3E. Patrick has a key to my place. I’ll text him now and tell him to give it to you.
Brody: Why does Patrick have a key to your place?
I wanted to get the hell out of the bathroom. We could discuss the logistics later.
Delilah: To unlock the door. Why does anyone have a key?
I smirked, knowing he wouldn’t love that answer, and then shot off a quick text to Patrick before I unplugged and headed home.
Traffic was surprisingly light, and I made it home in less than half the time it ordinarily took. It was odd that I was returning after a football trip, and Brody was at my house waiting for me. The roles were typically reversed.
“Hello?” The kitchen light was on, but everything else was dark. Looking down the hallway to the bedroom, I saw the bathroom was lit.
“I’m in here.”
The door was open. I stopped in my tracks as I entered. The visual was one of the funniest things I’d ever seen.
“What are you doing?”
“Exactly what it looks like I’m doing.”