Finally!!!

After a three-hour delay due to some malfunction I am boarding flight 7396 to Rio. This vacation is so long overdue. My only worry now is that with the new strict regulations on what can be brought through carry-on I can only hope that my luggage meets me there. I chose a good time to book my trip. Most people have already done their vacationing and are back to work, so this should give me a nice relaxing time.
I find my seat and place my carry-on above me. I arrived early enough to request a window seat. I know it’s the touristy thing to do, but it has been about five years since I’d flown anywhere that wasn’t business related and I wanted to take it all in. I got in my seat, took out my ipod, put on some Jay-Z and waited for the other passengers to settle in. I closed my eyes and imagined what my time would be like. I had planned for my first day at the resort to take in an in room massage and let someone work out all the knots that my body contained. Maybe hit the beach and try a sea-doo. I could rent a scooter and see some of the sights. Then hit a local club and see what the nightlife had to offer.
Someone tapped my shoulder. I figured it was the stewardess telling me I had to pay attention to the emergency instructional video. I pulled out my earphones, opened my eyes and found myself face to face with the most beautiful woman I’d seen in a long time. Her black hair hit an inch past her shoulders. Slender but firm frame and she looked like she was mixed with black and Indian.
“Sorry to interrupted you but the stewardess told me the seat beside you was empty and I can’t sit back there a moment longer.” She points about four rows back where sure enough there was an empty seat between a woman and her fidgety child and a heavier set man. “Do you mind?”
“Be my guest.”
Even though she is wearing a set of tracks and runners she is asking to be notices. That’s probably the reason why she is changing seats. I look back again and notice the heavyset man. He glares at me. I smile and turn back and see her watching me. My smile falters. She smiles shyly at me. She pulls her hair back behind her right ear.
“Thank you, they were driving me crazy.”
“What happened back there?”
“Well the kid was a real Jeffery.”
“A what?”
“Sorry. Have you ever heard the joke about the kid on the plane by Bill Cosby?”
“Oh! Jeffery!”
“Yah, he was kicking and fussing. He actually hit his mom.”
“For real? What did she do?
“Steven, don’t hit mommy. He even hit me.”
I laughed. She chuckled.
“It’s not funny.” She said. “He caught me in the mouth and his mom said nothing.”
“What about the guy?”
“Oh, fat bastard?” We laugh. “He was a little to happy to be sitting beside me. Kept trying to get close. Even rested his hand on my leg at one point and smiled. Crepes me out.”
“I can see why.”
“I really hope I’m not imposing on you by being here.”
“Not at all.” I said. I actually didn’t know I had these seats to myself.”
“Lucky for me then.”

The lights went on telling use to take our seats and fasten our seat-belts. We pull out from the airport and move onto the runway. The stewardess gets everyone’s attention to the screen ahead for the emergency safety video telling us what to do if the unthinkable should occur. Only people who haven’t flown as much as I have are paying full attention. A short time after the plane stops on the runway and prepares for take off. Looking out the window I get a clear view of the right wing. The engine kicks in, full speed ahead. I turn to look at the woman beside me. Her eyes are closed, hands gripping the hand rest; speaking but I can’t hear her words. She is saying a silent prayer for safe passage. I ask her if it’s her first time flying?
“No, just never like takeoff.”
The nose of the plane tilts upwards. We leave the runway, the earth, and enter the sky.
I’m on my way.

Ten minutes later, after the pilots level out the plane, the Captain’s voice comes on the P.A. and gives us the run down. Flight path, time, weather, bla bla bla. I look at the woman beside me again and she is relaxed now.
I ask her. “Business or pleasure?”
“What?”
“Your flight. Is it business of pleasure.”
“Oh!” She is flustered. “A little of both. Got a two-day shoot in Rio then the rest of the time is min. What about you?”
“Personal.”
“Personal as in family?
“Personal as in personal! Taking some time off from business. If pleasure happens to find me, all the better.
“I see.” She extends her hand. “I’m Reeca by the way.”
I take her hand.
“Darnel.”
“Nice to e meet you Darnel.”
“Likewise.”
The seat belt light goes out. We are now free to roam around the plane if we like.
I ask her if she is a Photographer?
“You don’t think I could be the model?”
“Never assume anything. Always expect the unexpected.”
She smiles. Her smile could put the sun to shame.
“Never thought about it that way. Good Philosophy to live by.” She tells me she’s been modeling for years now. Started at the same age as Tyra Banks. Did a few magazine spreads. Her big break was the swimsuit edition for Maxim. She even tried out for Top Model, but never made the cut.
“I really want to do high fashion.” She says. “But my assets aren’t helping me in the process.”
“Your assets?”
“The parts men notice when I’m coming and drool over when I leave.
“I see, so what’s the shoot about?”
“King magazine’s big booty girls. It ain’t classy, but it pays the bills. So what or who is bringing you to Rio?”
“Vacation. Time to unwind.
“By yourself?”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“Naw, just that a man like you shouldn’t be going away by himself.
“A man like me?”
“Yah, good looking man like yourself. I’m surprised your wife let your go without her.”
I blush.
“Thanks but I’m not married.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Nope.”
“Any potential?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Damn!”
“What?”
“Just find that hard to believe. Are you…?”
“Am I what?”
“Well…you know?”
“Does it look like I am?”
“Can’t really tell now a days.”
“No, you can’t and no I’m not.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Why is that?”
She doesn’t answer.