Panicked, I reached up and pressed the button for the flight attendant to come. I pressed it again. And again.
“Niya, what are you doing?” Sean reached for my arm.
I jabbed him in the chest with my elbow. “Don’t touch me,” I lashed out.I might kill you.
“Ow,” he said, in stunned disbelief, massaging his chest.
The flight attendant scurried down the aisle. Her purple lips held a wide smile. “You only need to press it once,” she said, all sugary and sweet but her rapid blinking eyes told me she was annoyed. “How may I help you?” she asked.
“I need to change seats,” I bellowed. Without waiting for her consent, I unbuckled my seatbelt and scooped my purse off the floor.
She placed a hand on her hip. “I’m sorry but you’ll have to stay here. The captain has engaged the seatbelt sign. We’ll be in turbulence soon.”
“Ma’am, this guy confessed something that changed my world,” I pointed at Sean. “If you don’t move me from him, we’re going to have a serious problem.”
She looked at Sean. “I’ll move if you want me to,” he volunteered.
Shaking her head, the attendant muttered, “Lovers’ quarrels.”
“We’re not lovers,” I corrected.
Her purple lips twisted into a patronizing smile. “Come with me, ma’am. There’s a seat on row five. But you’re going to have to remain there for the remainder of the flight.”
“That is perfect.” I cut my eyes at Sean and pushed past the Asian man who dared to be sleeping with a serene expression on his face when my world had disintegrated. I retrieved my luggage, kept my chin up and followed the attendant to my new seat. After a quick, “thank you,” I hoisted my luggage into the overhead bin and squeezed my way between two larger women who huffed at my presence. I shrugged and settled in. I’d rather endure smelly armpits on my left and onion breath on my right—seriously, who ate onions on a plane?—than sit with someone who was my brother’s killer.
And, yes. Sean was my brother’s killer. His punk behind stayed home and left Jhavon to face the toughest dudes in our town on his own. He might not have pulled the trigger but he didn’t stop it either.
My chest heaved as I dissected Sean’s story. How could I make him pay for what he’d done? Then a thought occurred. How was I going to get home? I couldn’t afford Uber and I wasn’t getting intohiscar. I’d rather walk than endure another moment in Sean’s presence. I snapped my fingers and pulled out my phone. As the plane taxied toward the runway, I sent a quick text.
“Miss, please put your phone in airplane mode or shut it down,” Onion Breath said to me.
“Please put your breath in check,” I shot back. I covered my mouth, immediately regretting my words. I wasn’t mad at Onion Breath and I wasn’t trying to start a disruption. I was just mad and hurt and all in my feelings because of Sean. “I’m sorry,” I said, contrite. “I’m feeling a bit stressed. I’m shutting it down now.” I made sure she saw me power off my cell phone and slip it into my purse. All I could do was pray my text had been received.
Onion Breath pursed her lips and gave a small nod. From my side-eye, I saw her dip in her pocket and pull out a stick of spearmint gum. Thank goodness for that small reprieve. Now I could go back to thinking of ways to make Sean pay. I looked at my watch. I had about three hours. Enough time to think of the appropriate way to torture someone and get away with it.
I leaned back into the seat and closed my eyes.
It felt like minutes but I felt a tap on my shoulder. I opened one eye. “Yeah?”
“We’re here. It’s time to go,” Onion, I mean, Minty Breath said.
That snapped me awake. I didn’t even know I’d drifted off. “Oh. Thank you.” I snatched my luggage and scurried out of the plane. I didn’t want Sean catching up to me. I scuttled through the crowded airport, ignoring my grumbling stomach, snaking around sleepy toddlers and smartly dressed businessmen. My eyes remained fixed on the exit signs. I panted from exertion but I wasn’t slowing down.
My cell rang. It was Sean. I pressed the END button.
It rang again. This time I answered.
“I’m here,” he said.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” I said. “I’ll be right there.”
Knowing I had a ride made me walk faster. I heard a shout behind me. “Niya. Wait up.” I propelled my feet toward the exit and jogged to the waiting red Ford Explorer.
“I’m so glad you got my text,” I said, struggling to catch my breath. I took a moment to savor the cool AC.
“No worries. I was just getting off my shift,” Mike said. “And, you know I’d do anything for you.”
I shifted. “This is the only kind of ride you’ll have with me.” I grabbed the door handle.
