The Strange Flight Home

by Bebbi

I got to the airport really early. I had a nice salad for lunch and the plane arrived twenty five minutes early so they did pre-boarding early too. When I got on I sat down in the front row on the left. I wanted to be able to get out fast when I got home because Mr. B was coming to pick me up and I didn’t want to make him wait too long.

When I sat down there was an older man at the window and a younger man in the aisle seat. I know that people are always disappointed when someone takes their “extra” middle seat so I felt a little guilty. I didn’t realize the seats in the front row had no under storage so I had my bags under my legs. The flight attendant had me put them up in the overheard which was fine. I was really glad that we were going to get off on time and then the last minute this girl comes on….

The first thing I hear is, “I need a bloody mary”, and around the corner she appears, this girl who was young and very pretty but definitely disheveled. She was small and cute and had what looked like mascara running down her face. She smelled of alcohol and went to the back of the plane. Everyone in the front really took notice and eyebrows went up and there were a few comments about how she really needed her bloody mary. We laughed because we all thought she was a drunk flier. So the flight attendant is preparing us to depart and guess who holds up the show??...yep, you guessed it..

“Bloody Mary Girl” was in the restroom and the flight attendant had to get on the speaker and tell her to find her seat. It was one of those situations when you just shake your head and really wonder about people. So, the younger man beside me was really nice and we started talking. We joked about bloody mary girl and he was very kind and flirting with me. He told me I looked 35 and that really made me laugh. But we had a good laugh over Bloody Mary Woman.., he would look back and see what was going on. So, after our delay we got up in the air fine and we went through the 58 minute flight, it went by fast with Mr. Flirty Thirty Something. He was so cute! Right after we landed I grabbed my bags quickly. I hurried downstairs and put my purse and carry on in my car I told Mr. B I had to go in and get my luggage. I went back in and the turnstile that had our flight on wasn’t working any longer. After a few minutes they said over the speakers that another turnstile was the only one working and had us go one over to it. I walked to the far end away from the cute thirty something flirty guy…and was standing at the other end. Well, I noticed someone crouching on the floor. Sure enough, it was “Bloody Mary Girl”. She was on the floor and almost in tears with pain! The “mascara” was actually a black EYE and her arm was hurting and she couldn’t get her large checked bag off the turnstile. I told her not to worry and I would grab it. Her bag was a large taped up broken bag. She told me her boyfriend had beaten her up and her mom was picking her up to take her to the emergency room.

I got the bag off the turnstile and then realized that I couldn’t carry her bag and pull my own. So, I looked across the turnstile and 30 something’s eyes and mine met and I motioned to ask him to come over. He didn’t hesitate and came right over. I told him the situation and asked him to help carry out her bag. He was so funny and kind. He carried the bag outside for her and I stood with her until her mom came. I really could have given him a big hug and kiss for jumping in and helping like that. When we were walking over to go outside he was asking the girl what happened and she said it was a “long story”..well, while we were on the flight he was asking me things and I told him they were a long story too. While we were walking he said, ‘Well, I guess I am never going to get to hear the long story!” He sounded so downhearted and It made me laugh and realize that a lot of women (and men too) have, “Long stories”. I waited with her while her Mom drove down to us. “Blood Mary Girl” gave me a hug and thanked me several times and so did her mom as I put her big bag in the back of their truck for her. So, from this I really learned that I shouldn’t judge people so quickly. I had no idea that this poor girl was beat up and not just a drunk woman on a flight. I did give her information about the Women’s Center and felt like a real bad person for judging her when these are the people that I volunteer to help!

Have you ever judged something too hastily and then realized your mistake later? I thought this was also a good thing to ask because of all of us meeting too. We all think about how we “think” someone is and then when you meet, it may be different. Or, you meet someone and after getting to know them realize that there is so much more. I am excited to hear your comments on this one.