2014 Prompt Responses - 28. Prompt 340

“There is no way I’m going in there!” My big bear of a boyfriend stopped dead in the plane’s doorway.

I put my hands on his back and shoved, but it was like trying to move a giant redwood.

“C’mon, Georgie! You’re holding up the line!”

He turned to face me. He was pale and sweating and I could see the fear in his eyes. “There is no way I am getting in that flying tin can!”

“Well you have to before they kick us off! Now c’mon! You know how important this trip is to me. Please don’t do this.”

“Sir, you’re going to have to either board the plane or step aside and let the other passengers board. We’re on a tight schedule.” The flight attendant was polite, but firm.

George grabbed my arm and pulled me to the side. I shrugged away from his touch and glared at him as the line of irritated passengers filed past us.

“You agreed to this.”

“You should have told me how small the plane was! I can’t even stand up straight!”

“You said you’d flown before!”

“Yeah, once, and the plane was much bigger! I’m sorry, Adam but there’s no way in hell I’m getting on that plane. We’re just going to have to drive.”

I bristled and narrowed my eyes. “Get on the fucking plane, George. Don’t ruin this for me.”

“Sirs, you’re going to have to board or exit the loading area. We need to prepare for take-off.”

George looked at me pleadingly. I wanted to knock him out and drag his sorry carcass to his seat, but figured that would just get me thrown into federal prison and then we’d never get to my parents.

“My apologies for the delay,” I said. “Apparently we’re driving.” I turned and stalked toward the terminal. I was too mad to even look at George. He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently.

“Adam, thank –“

“Don’t talk to me right now.” I ducked away from him.

“Sweetheart…”

“Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me! I said don’t talk to me!” I yelled.

We walked to the car in awkward silence, dragging our suitcases behind us. I was glad we hadn’t checked any luggage. When we arrived at the car, George looked at me sheepishly. I opened the trunk and then threw the keys at him. It was a good thing we didn’t pack anything fragile from the treatment I gave our suitcases as I loaded them into the trunk. I opened the passenger door and sat down, slamming the door shut. George got in the driver’s seat and started the car. He glanced at me occasionally as he pulled out of the airport and onto the thruway. He was smart enough to avoid talking to me. It was going to be a long eight hours until we reached New York City, but if we drove all night we’d still get there in plenty of time for the party.

My parents were celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary and I planned on coming out to them and introducing them to George. I never felt right hiding from my family, and I wanted them involved in our upcoming wedding. We’d been together for five years and he’d never even met my parents. I told them that I had a big announcement and they were anxious, but curious.

“You’re paying me back for those damn plane tickets, you know.”

“I know.”

“You’re paying for all the gas and tolls, too.”

“I’ll pay for the whole trip, babe. For the record, I feel horrible. I’m sorry I’m claustrophobic. I had no idea the plane would be that small or I never would have agreed to fly. Forgive me?”

He looked so contrite that it was almost impossible to say no. I took his hand and squeezed it briefly before letting go. “I’ll get there, Georgie, but I gotta be honest and say that I’m still pretty damn pissed.”

We drove the next couple hours in silence, and I drifted into uncomfortable sleep. I awoke as he pulled into a rest stop.

“I need a cup of coffee. Can I get you anything?”

I yawned and stretched. “Nah. I gotta pee, though.”

We reached the outskirts of the city around 5:00am. It only took another half-hour to reach my parents’ brownstone due to the lack of traffic at that hour. George found a parking spot about a half block away. We sat in silence for a minute before he looked at me. I drew him in for a hug and held him tightly. He ran his hand through my hair and tilted my head up so he could kiss me.

“It’ll be ok,” he whispered into my hair.

“I hope so. I love you, babe. No matter what happens.” I sat up and smirked. “Even if you are a claustrophobic jerk.”

He laughed and tousled my hair. “I love you, too. Now let’s go meet the ‘rents.”