It's Time

Leah's been telling me this whole time that I really should "Just post the whole thing! You're gonna confuse people!" I really hope that I haven't been confusing you, but hey-seven is considered a lucky number, so today will be Leah's lucky day!

We shall continue:

...By the window, two little girls marvel over the planes coming and going. They eagerly watch the people in their bright vests driving luggage from place to place, fueling planes and directing pilots toward the correct gate. They wave at the people in the planes, oblivious to the fact that the passengers have their shades down for the sun, or are engrossed in learning how to buckle their seat belts (AGAIN?!), where the exits and barf bags are, and how to use their seat cushions as flotation devices "in case of a water landing." A plane lands in their gate and they excitedly jump up to return to their parents and collect their matching flowered backpacks filled with stuffed animals and coloring books.

The woman at the counter, excited to finally have something to do, announces that first class can board, and the elderly couple slowly put away what they've been occupied with and gather up their bags. Other people join them to have their tickets checked and go down the long, gradually getting colder hallway, to settle into their plush seats with as much foot room as twice the aisle.

The line for first class now depleted, the woman announces that those with small children or who will need extra time boarding should come up.

The mother pries her phone out of her son's hands and stows it in her purse, simultaneously picking up their baggage and grabbing his hand. They board, while the woman calls zones two and three, and finally, all zones boarding.

The people wearily  get up from their seats to stand in yet another line. Their tickets are taken, beeped in, and handed back, as they too proceed down the long, gradually getting colder hallway. The flight attendants cheerfully greet them. Walking through the first class cabin, they hurdle backpacks and briefcases (WHY DON'T THEY BOARD THE BACK OF THE PLANE FIRST?), finally ending up at the back of the plane. It's like the steerage of a boat, where they have to fight for armrests with their neighbors, and feet-room with their backpacks, briefcases and purses. True bliss.

You're welcome Leah.