Salvation - 3. Chapter 3

Usually, I wouldn’t take a walk after dinner, but tonight we stopped at the gift shop for some snacks for later in the evening. I ordered a roll away bed to be brought up to my room.

We watched a little TV, “Chris, I’m going to bed. The roll away bed is for you.”

I was in a deep sleep when I realized someone else was in my bed. I was being tested. I turned my back to him as if it was a natural move, never acknowledging someone was in my bed with me. Morning came, the alarm went off, and I was alone in my bed. I must give it to Chris. He was smart and never took anyone at their word. I assumed he was tricked in the past. I took my shower and dressed for the day. Chris was still asleep when I ordered a large breakfast for three. Then I went to the gift shop to pick up more clothes and a toothbrush.

I just got back to the room when the phone rang, waking Chris. It was my pilot telling me he was at the airport and would be ready when we were. I told him I was waiting for some paperwork, and as soon as it arrived, we’d be ready to leave.

“Chris, I’ve ordered breakfast, and I have some new clothes and a toothbrush for you. Go and take a shower, then we’ll have breakfast.

I called Alex and ask that he picked up a suitcase for Chris.

Breakfast came, and the porter set it up. “Could you arrange to take away the bed?”

“I’ll push it outside. A bellboy will come and take it away,”

Chris must have smelled the food. He came out of the bathroom with his pants on but no shirt. “I’ll finishing dressing and brush my teeth after I have eaten, is that okay?”

“Yes, that would be fine. Sit here.”

I fixed my plate and put the serving dish in front of him. He looked at me and smiled. I had ordered breakfast for three. I ate one serving, Chris tackled the other two servings. I smiled and didn’t mention about him crawling in my bed last night, he didn’t, and neither did I. He was still eating when Alex arrived. I offered Alex a cup of coffee while I checked the paperwork and passport. As usual, everything was perfect. There was even a stamp showing when Chris entered this country.

“When you’re finished eating and dressing, we can leave for the airport. “

I showed him his passport. He smiled and headed back to the bathroom to finish dressing. Alex helped himself to what was left of our breakfast. I packed the suitcase with Chris’s clothes and finished packing mine. A smiling Chris, dressed came out of the bathroom. I got a hug, so I guess I passed the test last night. Alex had a cab for us, I settled my hotel bill, the bellboy took our luggage to the cab, and we were on our way.

Arriving at the airport, I saw my plane crew. We passed through customs and headed for the plane. My pilot saw us and said something to my steward, who came and took our luggage. Chris took my hand as we approached the plane. I spoke to my steward, introducing Chris. One thing about having your own plane and crew was that they knew what I was doing and were all for it.

Getting settled in our seats, I smiled at Chris. I figured this was his first plane ride. The steward closed the door, gave the standard safety talk, and took his seat.

I watched as the plane began to move. Chris had a death grip on the armrest. His small knuckles started to turn white. “Chris relax, sit back, and enjoy the sensation of taking off.” He relaxed a little. At least the blood began to flow in his wrist again.

Reaching our cruising altitude, “Do you want anything to eat or drink, Mr. Jeffries?”

“No, thank you, Jimmy, but this young man might enjoy something.”

“Would you like something to eat or drink? We have egg sandwiches and milk to drink.”

“Jimmy, prepare a hot chocolate for him. He didn’t finish breakfast, so one of the egg sandwiches would be nice.” I looked at Chris; he was smiling.

Jimmy set a tray in front of Chris, he sipped the hot chocolate, and I knew like most boys, he had his last cup of coffee.

“Jimmy, do you have any movies onboard for a young man?”

“I’ll check Mr. Jeffries.”

Jimmy dropped the screen, and a Disney movie started to play. There was a Mickey Mouse cartoon followed by Dr. Strange. The film kept Chris’s interest until Jimmy began to prepare lunch. I walked up to the galley, “Jimmy, make sure the lad gets a full plate. I can eat a few of those egg sandwiches you had earlier.”

I watched Chris as Jimmy set a full plate in front of him, “What would you like to drink, young man?”

I knew what he would say, “A cup of the chocolate drink, please.”

I watched him dig right into his lunch. I knew Maria would love this kid. She was always complaining that the boys didn’t eat enough.

After clearing the plates, Jimmy started the movie again. I watched for a while and then decided to take a nap. I must have fallen into a deep sleep; when Jimmy woke me, I realized I had someone snuggled against me. “We’ll be landing in a few minutes.”

I nudged Chris awake, “Chris, we are almost home. The plane is preparing to land.”

He looked out of the window as the plane descended into the airport.

Passing through customs, we went and picked up our luggage, which had been cleared through customs.