Page 6 of 7 Miles High
“Is that what’s happening?” I say, my voice higher pitched and a little shaky.
For some stupid reason he’s completely calm. Whatever the thing is that makes a person want to be a stuntman is serving him here. He pokes his brother in the arm and motions for him to fasten his belt. James does it without question then goes back to napping.
“Give me your hand,” Parker says, reaching across the aisle.
My fingers slide into his palm one beat before the plane drops dramatically. My nails dig into his flesh. Peripherally I see belongings fly in the air. Screams of terror fill the cabin. We start jolting side to side as passengers hold on to the seats in front of them or the people next to them.
I’ve gone silent. And cold. My heart’s beating so fast and strong I’m expecting a heart attack. Maybe it would be better than what’s about to happen.
“It’s okay. We’re okay,” Parker says, stretching across the aisle and rubbing my arm with his free hand. “Natalie! We’re alright.”
There’s blood on his hand where my nails wounded him.
“Your hand. I’m sorry,” I say, not really a hundred percent present in the moment.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing.”
The shaking slows. Parker keeps ahold of my hand but relaxes back into his seat.
Now the prayers and children’s cries can be heard. It’s heartbreaking. I see the purses and laptops in the aisle. Matt’s holding Maggie and they’re kissing like the plane’s about to go down in flames. I’m acutely aware it’s not passion passing between them, but comfort.
I’m super focused on every detail. Like a slow-motion film where you can watch each separate movement. The reverend’s softly praying aloud, arms around his seatmates whose heads rest upon his shoulders. Both Holly and Elizabeth are tucking into him.
Then it begins again.
Like an angry giant has grabbed the airplane as its toy, it seems like we rise a hundred feet then abruptly drop even more. Screams are mixed with calls for Our Lady of Guadalupe’s intervention. I hear a Jesus or two and then an Allaha Akbar. All the gods are being summoned.
There’s a shudder of metal, and that sensation freaks me out the most. I read somewhere it’s what people have reported before a crash. This right here, this is abject terror.
“Oh God, oh God, oh God!” is all I can get out.
When I turn to Parker, his face is relaxed. There’s even a crooked smile like this shitshow is a roller-coaster of a ride. His brother doesn’t look so good though. He’s barfing in an airbag. At least trying to while bracing himself on the seat in front of him. It’s hard to hit a moving target.
“That was a pretty good one. But it’s just turbulence. Honest, Natalie.”
I’m crying and my entire body has begun to shake.
“I’m really really scared,” I whisper.
Not because I’m trying to be quiet, but because I’ve lost the ability to raise my voice. My throat is closing and my grip is so tight it’s going to rip holes in the cushion.
The plane stabilizes but I know better than to relax.
He must have heard me because he leans over as far as humanly possible and turns my face to his. “Look at me.”
My nose is running and tears flow unabated. I give zero fucks.
“We’re gonna be fine. I know it,” he calls above the noise. “Want to look out the window? There’s Cancun. We’re almost down.”
I willnotlook out the window. Is he insane? The shuddering starts again then stops.
“Will it make you feel better if I tell you what exciting thing is gonna happen when we land?” he says calm as shit.
I can’t respond, but I appreciate his efforts to take my mind off the fact we’re all about to die.
“I heard your plans for the weekend. Think I can help you with that.”
The naughty grin gets my attention. I may as well go down thinking of sex.
He traces a finger along my bottom lip.
“How bout we swim in the ocean, find you some bacon, and here’s my favorite part, Natalie. I’m your wild.”
