Timothy didn’t say anything. I guess what we’d just experienced was self-explanatory. Doesn’t everyone have a Faery Queen drop in on them in mid-flight, or rather at the point of landing?
No, all joking aside. Things were good. I was rid of both the nausea and the horrible necklace that had been glued/cemented/welded to my neck. My hand reached up to touch bare skin. It was a really, really good thing. I felt like me again.
Around us, passengers were unhooking their safety belts. A couple had already stood up and were reaching for something in the overhead bins even though the captain or steward had urged everyone to stay seated until the plane reached its gate.
That was actually a funny line. Gate? Like there was a fence we needed to get inside? The plane was driving down a long strip of asphalt, just like it was a car traveling back to its garage.
Timothy reached over and unbuckled my belt, although I’d have preferred it to remain on. Safety first, right?
I heard Bob and Terry discussing the Faery Queen. Bob thought she was knock-out gorgeous. Terry was telling him that it wasn’t wise to discuss her in such terms. Terry was always the caution in their relationship. Bob was the puppy, pouncing around in pure joy. Not that such an analogy applied when we discussing werewolves. I suspected they were both long-toothed and clawfully dangerous.
Ben shot a glance my way. He was smiling at me, like he didn’t have a care in the world. He’d actually stood up to his Queen. Didn’t that concern him? Would there be repercussions for him?
The man in front of Timothy had stood up too and was unfortunately airing his under pits. Nasty. I hoped he applied deodorant when he made his way home or to his hotel.
“You alright now?” Timothy asked, giving my hand a quick squeeze.
I’d let go of my husband’s hand a couple of minutes after the wheels touched the pavement and we were slowing down. I felt guilty for causing him pain.
“Are you okay?” I asked. “Did I tourniquet your hand?”
Timothy laughed and kissed my forehead. “I’m tougher than that, my darling.”
We both stood then, feeling that it was our turn to exit the metal monster. Daniel, in front of us, moved back slightly. Ben moved to his right side.
“Welcome to Florida,” Bob shouted from behind me, getting a hush from Terry, but I was glad for the reminder. I’d never been outside the state of California, and here I was clear across the continental US. Wow!
Florida, land of alligators and sea cows. I wondered if we’d have time to go see a manatee. Timothy had once promised to take me to Florida, but I’d thought he was joking, yet here were.