“Yes, itis.”
I continue to hold her hand as I drive onto Highway 101 toward the airport. I take the exit after the airport and turn onto a dirt road. There’s all kinds ofDo Not EnterandAuthorized Personal Onlysigns, but I drive right pastthem.
“Where are you going? I don’t think we're allowedhere.”
I shrug. “Wearen’t.”
“But, Connor?” shepanics.
“It will be worth it. I’ve always wanted to come out here. I hear people do it all the time. Justwait.”
I park facing the runways, in what I hope is a good spot, getting out and opening herdoor.
She’s not sure if she should get out of the car. I grin, holding out my hand, hoping she’ll put her faith inme.
“Won’t we get in trouble?” she says, finally placing her hand inmine.
“It’ll befine.”
I help her out and take a blanket from the backseat. “We can sit on thetrunk.”
She looks at me like I’m crazy. “Why?” The wind picks up, and she wraps her arms aroundherself.
I open the blanket, place it around her shoulders, and pull her into a hug. “For that.” I point to where the lights of a plane race toward us and lift off a few hundred yards away before flying directly overus.
I yell at the top of my lungs, celebrating the rush of watching all that weight getairborne.
Mackenzie screams too. “Holy shit. That’snuts!”
“Now do you see why people come out here? Sit down before the next one takesoff.”
She lets me lift her up on the trunk, and I take my place beside her. When she opens the blanket wide, sharing it with me, I know I’m on the right track. I brought her, not only because it would be cool, but also because it’s not a place we cantalk.
The noise can be deafening at times, and I hope it will help us break this barrier she put up, showing her we can be together and not have the entire focus on her beingsick.
When the next plane takes off, we scream at the top of our lungs, feeling the release our relationship needs deep into our toes. It’s perfect. It’s exactly what we need, and I can see her walls slowly breakingdown.
I grasp her hand in mine, wanting to lean over to kiss her, and notice blue lights shine through the darkness. Her eyes widen, and I sense herpanic.
“Oh, shit,” I jump off the back of the car and help her down. “Time togo.”
I grab the blanket, and we rush to our doors, then hear over a loudspeaker, “Stop rightthere.”
We freeze and look at each other over the roof of my car. Her face is whiter than I’ve ever seen, and I’m not sure if I should laugh or worry. I hope she’s not pissed atme.
“Turn toward me and slowly walk over here with your hands in the air,” I hear over the speaker, and we move toward the flashing bluelights.
“Stop there. Now turnaround.”
My eyebrows shoot up when I realize how serious thisis.
A man approaches behind me and places my wrists in handcuffs before yanking me to the cop car and pushing my head down before almost throwing me in thebackseat.
He spares Mackenzie and has her head to the car with her hands clasped in front of her instead of in back. He opens the door, asking her to sit inside, then drills us forinfo.
“What in the hell do you guys think you’re doing? Did you not see the signs?” he asks, obviouslyfrustrated.
“Officer, this is my fault,” I say, but he stopsme.
