Page 19 of The Perils of Pretending
“Laaadies and gentlemen,” a male voice says in a sports announcer tone over the speaker. “Welcome to the first inning of our not so fast but absolutely furious boarding for flight 79 with service to Anchorage. We want to thank all our mile members for trusting us instead of the budget-friendly airlines. Our snacks and beverages really do taste better than theirs thirty-five thousand feet in the air despite being the same brand. We’re going to be boarding in a quick wink. Until then, go ahead and crowd up to the gate as if we’re racing for a billion dollars. It definitely helps us gate agents work harder when hundreds of you breathe down our necks.”
I laugh. “I like this guy. Too bad he isn’t doing our safety instructions.”
Grandma pulls on the sleeves of her suitcoat. “He’s rude.”
Max smiles. “I think bringing humor into a somewhat mundane situation is smart.”
“He should be fired for his cheekiness. It’s unappreciated.”
“Speak for yourself,” I mutter.
Grandma’s gaze whips to mine. “What was that?”
Max pulls me into his side. “Sadie asked if you need help boarding?”
I glance up at Max, my brows rising. Why is he trying to win Grandma over and cover for me?
Grandma’s brows pull together. “Oh.” She blinks like she’s completely taken aback. “That’s…helpful…of you, Sadie. But I’m in first class and can manage getting to the front row.”
Mom pats Grandma’s shoulder. “If you change your mind, Alice, let us know. We’re happy to help.”
I wouldn’t say happy, but if Grandma truly needed assistance, I would step in. For now, I’m glad she’s stubborn enough to get her eighty-year-old behind situated without me.
“Alrighty folks, well done listening to instructions and waiting a respectful distance away from the gate. The score after the first inning is passengers, one, gate agents, zero. We’re ready for the second inning. This is for those who require a little extra assistance down the Jetway. Get those tickets ready and come on up to home base. We’ll get you grand slammin’ right onto the plane.”
I point to the airline employee helping scan the boarding passes of a family with a toddler and a baby strapped to the mom’s chest. “I don’t know if this guy loves his job or just likes to make people smile, but I’m here for it.”
Max pinches my side. “Must be why you like me so much. Because of how often I make you smile.”
“Hmm.” I tap my chin. “Am I smiling with you or at you? That’s the real question.”
Grandma picks up her purse. “I’m boarding.”
Brody touches Grandma’s elbow. “They haven’t called your zone yet.”
Max ditches me, taking Grandma’s arm, wrapping it around his bicep. “I’m sure the gate agent knows a VIP when he sees one. That’s my experience anyway. Come on, Alice. I’ll help you over.”
Grandma detangles herself from Max. “I don’t need assistance.”
Max sucks in a breath that whistles against his teeth. “Ow, Alice. You know where to strike. I now see where Sadie gets it from.”
“Gets what?” I ask. If he thinks I inherited anything from Grandma, he’s wrong.
“Her independence.”
I look at Grandma. Yes, I’m a woman with a career, home, and stable social life, but how does that make me like her? I’m not mean. I don’t push people away. I don’t try to control people by lording over them with my money.
I take that back. I can be mean toward Max, but only as a reaction to his comments.
“If only she inherited my common sense.” Grandma pats the French twist in her hair. “I’ll see you in Anchorage.”
All the air in my lungs deflates like a popped balloon. Grandma zaps my energy like nothing else. I grab the bracelets Soda gave me, sliding them on my wrist. I need the strength Poppy promised they’d provide.
“Bye, Alice,” Mom, Brody, and Max say.
I stand there watching the woman who is my ticket to being in Alaska and completing my bucket list, wishing I was looking forward to being with her rather than dreading every interaction. I’m not sure who Dad took after more, his mom or his dad, but I’m incredibly grateful he moved us away from Grandma and her constant disappointment and belittlement.
The moment Max and I sit on the plane, I lean my head back against the seat, letting out a whoosh of air. “I’m glad that’s over.”
