Business Class
Synopsis
A chance meeting in business class leads two travelers to share a meal, a conversation, and a brief moment of genuine human connection.
Business Class is a flash-fiction story of less than 500 words. I hope you enjoy it, and I'd love to hear what you think.
~Simultaneously published on Wattpad and Royal Road. Also, published on PoetrySoup in 2024 as a free verse poem.
~*~*~*~
”Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness;” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
They met in business class — he at the window and she at the aisle. Bits and pieces of a conversation developed as the flight attendants began their in-flight services.
She was attending a management training seminar, he a two-day business conference. Light conversation combined with light refreshments added to the enjoyment of the flight. Their conversation ended after the pilot directed the flight attendants to prepare for the final approach. The landing was uneventful (which means it was great). When the plane came to a complete stop at the gate and the lighted seatbelt sign turned off, accompanied by the distinct chime, everyone stood to gather their belongings. They wished each other good luck with their meetings, exited the cabin, and went their separate ways.
They were surprised to see each other in the ground transportation area and learned they were staying at the same hotel. They boarded the shuttle bus and sat next to each other for the short ride.
As the bus drove onto the hotel property, she asked him, “Care to go Dutch treat for lunch? Or not … No need to make a fuss.” They agreed to meet in the hotel lobby an hour later, after settling in their rooms.
An hour later, she saw him in the lobby as she left the elevator. They smiled at each other and made their way to the hotel restaurant off the lobby.
After ordering, she asked, “Are you married?” He happily waved his ring finger, showing a platinum wedding band. He added that he and his wife had two sons. She picked up her water glass, raised it in a toast, and said, “You truly are blessed.”
Since she had shown genuine interest, he went on to share more details about his family life — past, present, and future hopes. She smiled and quietly listened, commenting when appropriate.
Eventually, the discussion turned to deeper topics — current events and what they were individually doing to make the world a better place. Thoughts on whether God really exists, and if so, does God really care about humanity?
Soon, lunch was over. She thanked him for taking the time, offering that she was divorced and lonely, making each day an uphill climb. She often sought distractions to ease her loneliness, but today had gone better than planned, strengthening her conviction that there were still many good and decent people.
They left with goodbyes and best wishes. She smiled and offered her hand in farewell. Two ships passing in the light of day, who would never see each other again.
”So on the ocean of life we pass and speak one another, Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Comments