Page 39 of Small Sacrifices

Inside, he spots the governor and Mr. Wright. Good decision on arriving early. Unfortunately, Everett is also there. He's standing with Mr. Swayne, engaged in cheerful banter despite looking tired. Reid's gaze lingers on Everett's face before Everett's eyes meet his. The softness and quiet happiness in Everett's eyes make something flicker in Reid's stomach. Instinctively, he looks away. If simply looking and smiling seemed flirtatious to Mr. Wright, a direct greeting might be worse. Instead, Reid offers a nod to Mr. Swayne and moves on.

As Reid shuffles in place, his feet and ears stinging from the cold, he frets about the boarding order. Surely, the governor and lieutenant governor will board first, but then what? Reid's not sure if he should follow Mr. Wright or wait until the cameras are stowed away. His indecision is interrupted when someone jostles him and grabs his hand. He instinctively tries to pull away, but the grip tightens, forcing a crumpled piece of paper into his hand.

In the dim light, Reid catches a glimpse of Everett's face—pale and serious—before it shifts to a mischievous grin and a wink. Everett's gaze then returns to the empty air. Reid stands there, heart racing, the folded paper digging into his skin. Whenhe finally regains his composure, Mr. Wright is out of sight, and the camera crew is already boarding. At least that answers one question.

Reid's next concern is finding a seat. His luck seems to turn when Mr. Swayne, who is also waiting to board, approaches him. "Mr. Maxwell, I'd like to pick your brain about the parents, if I may."

Reid agrees without even noticing that this will make it difficult for him to sleep on the flight. Because it means he can justfollow.He can follow Mr. Swayne up the stairs and onto the plane. He can follow him to a pair of seats in the back of the cabin and just copy him when he stores his luggage on the seat in front.

The man then leaves for a moment to find himself a coffee, which is apparently something readily available on this plane. Reid feels absurd when he realizes that he's actually surprised. But this gives him the time to unfold the little piece of paper Everett slipped him.

"I can explain about yesterday. Please text me,"it says. Underneath is his phone number. The whole thing is written so sloppily that it's a miracle Reid can even decipher it.

At first, he's so surprised that he just stares at it. What the hell?I can explain.Sure he can. But did he have to jostle Reid quite so badly to give him such a nondescript note? And he isn't even apologizing. Reid feels like an apology would be warranted, given the way Everett just ignored him. Even if he doesn't know what happened after that, a shortI'm sorrywouldn't be too much to ask.

When Mr. Swayne returns, Reid shoves the note into his pocket so hastily that he feels it rip. There must be a peculiar expression on his face, because the man just stands there for a bit, taking in Reid in his seat. "I'm sorry, did you also want a coffee?"

Reid would like the effect a coffee issupposedto have on him, but that's neither here nor there. "No, thank you." The only thing that ever really wakes him up is cold water.

"Oh, good." Mr. Swayne's smile is relieved as he maneuvers himself into his seat. Only when he sits down does he discover that there is a cup holder, and deposits his drink into it with a delighted sound. "You know, I'm in this thing so rarely that I always forget where everything is. I nearly got lost on the way to the coffee machine."

This thing.Reid takes a breath. "So you..."

"Have been on here before? Yes. I know it might not look like it, but they do, in fact, let me out sometimes. This is the jet that they always use for these kinds of trips. Welcome aboard!" He makes jazz hands. "So. I'm curious. The briefings have been very incomplete through this entire thing. And if I'm gonna be there to explain what measures the state will take, I'd like to know what kind of questions we'll get. You talked to the parents, right?"

"I don't have a list prepared," is the first thing that Reid can think to say. It's still too dark out for him to think clearly.

"I don't need a list," Mr. Swayne says and blows on his coffee. His glasses fog up. "Just what comes to mind."

What comes to mind is the question of why Mr. Wright and Governor Mackenzie know so little about the task force that they need to bring their liaison. But maybe that's unfair. With a deep breath, Reid tells the man everything he knows. It still isn't much, but most of it seems to be new to Mr. Swayne. Especially the lack of enthusiasm most of the parents are showing for this trip.

Mr. Swayne sighs. "All things considered, they've stayed remarkably civil."

Reid can't help but agree. But also... "I don't think that will last for too long. Right now, they're grateful to finally receive help. The anger will return."

Next to him, Mr. Swayne hums, then hisses. When Reid turns his head, he's huffing shallow breaths with an open mouth. Reid can't help the smile. Apparently, Mr. Swayne is impatient when it comes to hot beverages. Reid can sympathize.

Through surprisingly tinny loudspeakers, someone tells them to please buckle their seat belts, as they will take off shortly. Immediately, Reid's field of vision narrows in on Mr. Swayne's cup of coffee. That's not good, is it? A hot coffee in an open container during takeoff? He can imagine way too many ways that could go wrong. At least Mr. Swayne deposits the drink in the cup holder towards the aisle, and not the one next to Reid.

"First time?" Mr. Swayne asks.

The question appears to be out of nowhere, but only until Reid follows Mr. Swayne's line of sight down to his hands, practically clawed into the armrests. Ah. "No, I just don't enjoy flying."

"Hm." Mr. Swayne grimaces. "Yes, my ears don't like it either. But it'll be over soon."

Reid resolutely does not say that it's nice for Mr. Swayne that the discomfort stops after takeoff. That would be neither helpful nor polite, especially since Mr. Swayne is just trying to be nice.

"There's a reason I don't fly often," he says instead. "I wasn't expecting to come along, honestly. This is a bit of a surprise."

The man next to him nods sagely. "Me neither. God knows I don't leave the office much."

Thankfully, he remains quiet until they're in the air. This gives Reid the time to contemplate Everett's note and decide—no thank you. He's not going to text him. This is stressful enough. He doesn't need an explanation. That's not what he wants. He wants to keep his job.

As the plane takes off, Reid breathes deeply, trying to ignore the roar of the engines. Despite how luxurious it is, the plane is still noisy. The pressure in Reid's ears builds, and swallowing only helps so much. But it's bearable, and Reid can focus on Mr. Swayne's enthusiastic discussion about vacation rentals, only needing to hum, nod, and offer brief answers. As Mr. Swayne debates hotels versus Airbnb, Everett approaches from behind.

"Hey, Elijah," he says cheerily. He doesn't greet Reid. He doesn't even look at him. The full force of his smile is aimed at Mr. Swayne.

"Morning, Ev. You're chipper. Looking forward to going home?"

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