Chapter 1

He glanced down at the ticket. There wasn’t much time left if he followed the standards. As he sat looking out the window as he ate what was left of the meal he had ordered. The waitress was polite and kept coming by to fill his coffee cup. She even remembered to bring more sugar and milk, something, in his experience, they usually forget.

Forgetting was what was making him leave. Forgetting about the last several weeks and the events with in them. He glanced again at the time. Even with the traffic and waiting in the security check line there would still be a wait time. If only he had made the decision a few days sooner.

He shrugged. The past is the past. It can’t be changed. When Pat, his waitress, came back, she smiled and took the empty plate before asking if he wanted anything else.

“Well, a cup of coffee would be nice to go. The largest cup you have,” he gave her a small smile back while picking up the ticket again to check the time. He had not flown like that for a few years and was slightly nervous about missing the flight. “Or two of them, if not very big. And a slice of apple pie if it is available.”

With a giggle, Pat started a walk away. “I think I have just the thing for you,” she said as she continued to walk away. She was an older woman but still had a sway in her walk.

His phone buzzed. He looked even though he knew what it was. It was another reminder he had set. Being on time or earlier was something he could never get past. That had been drilled into him. It was one of the few things that had stuck with him all this time.

Pat came back and set down a large travel cup. It looked like it could easily hold thirty-two ounces or more. She set down a large to go box and leaned over reaching toward him she pull the chain on his neck.

“The cup and the pie are on me,” she whispered and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for your service, Captain.”

He blushed and nodded. He had tried to keep them hidden, hoping no one would think twice about it. Not that he needed to wear them, it was just odd not to. Too many years, too many memories. She gave his face a caress and slipped the bill onto the table before she went to attend her other customers.

After a slight glance at the bill, he noted there was a discount as well. After a quick calculation, he pulled out his wallet and then some cash. He always paid with a credit card but tried to leave the tip in cash. It meant the server got it that much sooner. This time, he added what he thought was an average charge for the coffee, the cup, and the pie. He took the time to finish the cup he had already before making up the one in the travel mug. As he stood from the table, he pulled the box with the pie and shook his head at the weight. He added a few more dollars to the tip pile. He had never been in that line of work, but he heard enough to know that wait staff didn’t get paid a great wage and tips were the bread and butter. He grabbed the check and his bag, juggling the cup. He was glad he had gone and checked in his other two bags earlier. He made his way up to pay the bill. The young woman there was grinning ear to ear when he stopped but just politely took his card and asked how everything was. He told her he had no complaints and would recommend the place to anyone who needed a decent meal outside the airport.

He had one stop to make, but as soon as he got into the cab, his phone chimed.

“We have visitors. Will send what you need with someone to meet you at the airport.”

It wasn’t usual protocol. With the way things had been he didn’t care. It was one last thing he needed to do. As he gave a new destination to the driver and took a drink sitting back he watch the city go by one more time. He could come back but he doubted he would ever.

It was only a ten-minute drive to the airport. He had an hour and a half before takeoff. He patted his check bag. He would double check its contents. Most of his stuff had been shipped a couple of days ago. There wasn’t much. What he hadn’t packed and moved, he sold off or gave away. The checked bag and case were more than what he needed for the time. He could have shipped the case as well, but it felt a bit odd not having nearby. He had to get permission to carry it on, considering what was in it.

Ten minutes flew by. He paid the driver cash and noted his supply of cash was low. What he had would last until he got to his destination. The only thing cash-related on the plane would be drinks. Watered down and tasteless, the price of being in the cheap seats. Unfortunately, he couldn’t just take on the coffee he had. It was either drink it or waste it. Unfortunately, that also went for the pie.

He went straight to the security line. He was halfway through when two of the TSA officers he knew saw him and came over with a young woman in an Army class A uniform in tow.

“Why are you waiting in line?” the younger agent asked, extending his hand to him.

“That is what one does when they travel by airplane. If you don’t know that, you are in the wrong business,” he snorted as he reached to accept the offer hand.

“You are still TSA. Come on. This lovely lady here has been waiting for you,” the one that spoke said as the other just reached to shake his hand.

Looking back at the line behind him, it had grown. He grumbled. “Look, guys, I appreciate it, but...”

“Sir, I have the packet. I need your ID,” the young woman interjected. She waved the packet in her hand and looked slightly nervous. She was no more than twenty-five, five foot three, maybe five-five. She had on glasses and her blonde hair neatly tucked into a bun as per regulations.

He had already had his ID ready for the verification at the gate if needed. He pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to her. The two agents grinned and pulled him from the line. That got murmurs going.

“You two having fun?” he asked with a shake of his head. Nothing like being pulled out by security. He still had a six-hour flight, and some of these people could be on it.

“Yeah, not every day we can pull someone like you out of the line. Besides, the lady needs your full attention,” the one who had not spoken said. “Besides, we have our orders.” He grinned at the secret implied.

He ignored him. The young woman was looking more nervous. He glanced down to look at her nametag. “Is there an issue, Private Carson?”

Her face was flush. That tinge of red in her face spoke a volume of her comfort level. “I’m sorry sir but I need your other ID.”

The two laughed as he growled. He shoved the cup at one and the bag at the other. “Be useful and hold these.” He pulled a small case from his pocket and handed it to her. She thumbed it open and showed the badge and ID inside. She scribbled on a paper as the two oooed and awed.

“Hope that is your phone number, gorgeous,” the younger of the two commented.

“Watch it,” he snapped, taking his cup back forcefully. “Don’t make me call your mother, Junior, and tell her how her boy needs new lessons in manners.”

Private Carson laughed as she handed back the ID and the packet. “Sir, I’ve been told to tell you that your ticket had been upgraded. Also your reservation at the hotel. The general regrets that you are leaving and wishes you the best and again his thanks.”

He had been through it all with the general before his departure. He hadn’t expected this but nodded. “Thank him for me. It was an unfortunate duty but not one I regret. Tell him I appreciate his efforts and wish him and the miss the best.” He stepped toward the other agent and took his bag, glancing back to look at her. “Private, how long have you been in?”

“My second year, sir.”

“Future plans?”

“I am going to try and make a career out of it, sir. But I will be attending college next semester.”

He smiled and nodded. “Smart. Keep learning Private. They offer a lot of training. If they offer something that interests you, take it. Life is full of surprises, and you never know what will be useful or even fun until you try it.” He started to walk away, then stopped. “And thank you, Private Carson.” He added. He didn’t add for what he just started walking. She knew what he meant and walked away with a bit more pride and a decision made.

The two agents followed him just back a couple feet and laughed as he approached the TSA entrance. The shift commander was there. When he saw them approaching he waved at one of the counter women.

“Sorry to see you go, Jason. You are good. Not one complaint.”

“It was easy enough. A few good people to work with make the difference,” he offered. He hated how some would take the opportunity to blame the situation, even if it was the cause. He contemplated what to do next, then grinned. “Speaking of which, I hear Ranse and Peters are changing out. Maybe these two could take over until you find a more suitable replacement.”

He looked seriously at them and nodded. “Perhaps,” he took the envelope offered by the woman and handed it to Jason. “We got the change for your ticket. You’re flying first class. The first round is on me. I am sorry I couldn’t get you a position out there, but my contacts have your contact info.”

He held up his hand to stave off any further discussion, then shook Jason’s hand before letting him go on his way, as he had his own work to do. He had to take a few minutes to meet him and say farewell, but that was all the time he had. He had all kinds of good people working under him, but some just stood out more. He pulled the two agents with him and let Jason go on his own. Jason had just recommended that the two of them take over the midnight shift at the customs inspection gate. There were reasons that few went there voluntarily. There was usually very little to do. No internet and no phone services were available, and it was mostly a total dead zone. If your assignment was there, you probably pissed someone off. You would be there until someone did something worse or newbies came in, and you had any good luck.

He put the ticket in his carry bag as he walked through the gate. By the time he reached the gate, he had just over an hour left. The first-class lounge was probably more comfortable, but he went to take a seat in the waiting area for his original ticket and pulled out his cell and charger. He had a few apps to pass the time. He did want to make sure they were still charged but found the outlets in use. He went looking for an available charging station. He found one at a coffee shop and plugged in anything he had that could need a charge. It would be a long flight without something to keep occupied.

Forty-five minutes later, he finished the coffee he had brought and another large cup he had bought from the shop. He felt bad if he didn’t buy something after using the station. He cleaned up and packed everything back in the case. After a stop at the restroom, he made his way back to the ticket area. He was going toward the first-class lounge when he heard the woman at the counter crying.

“I don’t understand how you overbooked the flight. I have to get to LA. My father is in the hospital there, and they don’t know what will happen.” She was pounding on the counter furiously.

Being a former TSA had some advantages and some drawbacks. He hesitated slightly before walking to the counter and nodding to the woman there. He had met many of the employees in his five years.

“Hi, Paske,” he said as she came up. Paske was a much older woman. She had been working with the airline for over thirty years. “Is there a problem?”

“Jason it is good to see you. Sorry you are leaving us. Problem? Yes. Unfortunately, we have over booked and had to bump the young lady. Every seat is booked. I don’t know how it happened but there is nothing I can do.”

He never understood that either. You have so many seats and you know that. How can you over book? “Unfortunately it does happen.”

“That is not right. I made my reservation. I had the confirmation. My father is in the hospital with a twenty percent chance of dying. I shouldn’t have to wait for five hours. Why can’t you bump someone else?” she said in tears.

Work in the industry long enough and you see a lot of fake tears. This woman was in true distress. He thought about what he had planned and made a choice.

“Are you sure?” he asked. “Sounds like she has a real need to get out there. A man should have family around when he is that close.

“Her brother is on the flight too,” Paske offered. “He was originally selected for the bump, but they chose between them which would go and which would wait.”

The young woman had calmed some but was still crying. “He is older and our father’s lawyer and proxy. He has to go. If anything happens, he has to make choices. I can’t, and he can’t do it by phone. I just want to be there, just in case,” she sobbed.

Jason reached over the counter and pulled a few of the tissues from the box Paske had, getting a dirty look. He smiled at her as he handed the tissues to the woman. He looked her over and tried to evaluate the story and the woman. She was not young but far from old, in her early to mid-thirties, well-kept, with long brunette hair and a small body that was thin but not starving. She had decent, clean clothing. She didn’t talk as if she was uneducated or coached. He searched the seating area for her brother and wondered why he wasn’t here with her.