Fifteen Minutes

the only one who could see how he’d changed.

A voice came over the speaker system, interrupting the show. “This is our first call for Flight 449 to Atlanta. First-class passengers are welcome to board now.”

Reese slid to the edge of her seat. She was in the final boarding group, and now that she had watched this much of the show, she wanted to know if Zack had survived. Zoey and one of the married singers were saved right off, and then one of the contestants was sent home. That left three of them. Kip Barker drew out the drama as he sent another singer to the sofa. Only Zack and one of the remaining women stood on the stage next to Kip.

One would go home and one would stay.

“Attention, passengers. Groups one through three are now boarding at Gate C21 for Flight 449 to Atlanta. Groups one through three, please board now.”

Reese was in the fourth group. She stood and pulled her carry-on bag close to her side, her eyes locked on the television screen. She could hardly believe what she was seeing. Zack was in the bottom two? This hadn’t happened since the live shows started.

Next to her, she heard a man talking to his wife. “That Zack kid’s the most talented of all.”

“Yeah, but he’s changed. You should’ve seen him last night.” The woman shook her head. “Wouldn’t surprise me if he goes home tonight.”

For the first time Reese considered the pressure Zack had been under. Half the country was talking about him, analyzing him, judging him. Declaring that he was or wasn’t worthy of continuing on the show. A commercial break ended and Kip made the announcement.

Zack Dylan was going home.

“Attention, passengers, group four is now free to board. All passengers for Flight 449 to Atlanta, you may now board through Gate C21.”

Reese walked a few steps closer to the TV, her eyes locked on Zack’s face. What happened to you? Where’s the guy you used to be? She searched his eyes, his expression. What was he feeling? Was he devastated after coming this far? Or was this God’s way of rescuing him? If this were the old Zack, she would’ve said he looked almost relieved. Happy, even. But Reese could no longer be sure. She was still studying him, missing him, when Kip delivered a shocking update. The judges were being given permission to save Zack.

“Final boarding call for Flight 449 to Atlanta.”

Reese hesitated. So this was how he was going to stay on the show. She wasn’t surprised. The press had talked often about Zack and Zoey helping ratings. Reese took a last look at Zack as the show broke for another commercial. Then she pulled her bag to the gate and boarded the plane. She was glad she wouldn’t be here to see next week’s show, what songs he would perform and how he would leave a little more of the old Zack behind him.

She took her seat and checked the time on her phone. She had a five-hour layover in Atlanta. Not ideal, but then she’d be on the flight to London. She could hardly wait. But over the next few minutes maintenance workers discovered faulty wiring in the cabin door. A repair team was brought on board, and an hour later they finally pushed back from the gate. But they didn’t move two feet before they stopped and once more the mechanics were called in.

Another thirty minutes passed with occasional updates from the cockpit. Finally the plane seemed to be fixed and they were about to find their place in line for takeoff when the captain’s voice came on. “Sorry for the inconvenience, folks. We’re looking at big storms in Atlanta. I’m afraid we’ll have to sit and wait a while. Thanks for your patience.”

Reese sighed. She hated the delay. Here on the ground in Kentucky, she could feel Zack Dylan. Her memories were alive and everything about yesterday still seemed possible. Not until the plane took off could she truly give herself permission to move on.

After nearly another half hour the captain came on again. “Folks, we have some bad news. Our crew has timed out. We’ll have to return to the gate to switch crews. Again, thanks in advance for your patience.”

A chorus of grumbles rose from the crowd. Reese peered at the Kentucky night sky and her heart ached. Please, God . . . get me out of here. I can’t stay much longer.

Her flight was supposed to leave at eight, but as she got off the plane and turned on her phone, it was nearly ten o’clock and some sitcom was on the TV. Reese bought almonds and water at Hudson News. As she returned to the gate, the airline agent was giving another update. Her flight was now leaving out of C11.

She gathered her things and walked with the other passengers to the new gate. She took her seat and felt the weariness in her body. She had never felt so exhausted. Missing Zack, wondering why he had done the things he’d done, walking through the days alone. Getting ready for her move. All of it had drained her energy. She closed her eyes. At least her layover in Atlanta would be shorter. And then finally she would be on the plane to London, where she could get some rest.

And put the last few months behind her.

ZACK COULDN’T SLEEP. He had begged God from the time he left LaGuardia until now as his plane was landing that maybe . . . just maybe he might see her. They would be on the ground in five minutes, sometime around eleven o’clock. He wasn’t sure when her flight took off, but his mom said Reese was on a red-eye through Atlanta.

Every minute would count.

When the plane parked at the gate, Zack barely reached the concourse before a group of Fifteen Minutes fans ran up to him. He had no seconds to spare, not if she was still in the Kentucky airport. But the fans didn’t know that. God, let me shine for You. This is a privilege. I realize that now.

The moment was profound because it stood as a beginning for Zack. Here in this moment he could do nothing but treat it that way. If he wanted to return to the person he’d been before the show, if he wanted to glorify God in moments like this, then he needed to be intentional. He signed autographs and took pictures for ten minutes.

The group was clearly upset with his elimination. “You should have won the whole thing.” One young guy shook his head.

“That’s what I thought,” another chimed in.

A girl with them crossed her arms. “Yeah, I was so mad tonight.”

“Thanks.” Zack smiled. “I appreciate your support.” He took a final picture with a couple of the girls. Then he turned and smiled at them. “God must have better things for me back here.” They nodded, happy with that, and Zack waved. His answer felt wonderful because it was the truth. Here at the airport he was free. No one from the show was watching him or pushing him to say what was best for ratings.

Like before this journey, he didn’t answer to anyone but God. That new reality filled him with hope. A flight board hung on the wall down the concourse. Zack ran to it, frantically searching the departures. Please let her still be here. He spotted the one that had to be hers. A red-eye to Atlanta. His heart sank. The flight was scheduled to leave hours ago. One word next to the gate number gave him hope. Delayed.

In a full sprint he took off toward the C concourse, but by the time he reached her gate, the seating area was empty. He was out of breath as he walked up to the gate agent. “Flight . . . 449?” He looked around, desperate. “Did it leave?”

“It moved to C11.” She checked her monitor. “They’re boarding now.”

Zack could have hugged the woman but he had no time to waste. He ran as fast as he could back down the concourse. The gate was crowded, and people were boarding. He wanted to scream for everyone to stop. She couldn’t slip away from him now that he’d come this close.

Like a crazy person, he darted about trying to find her. Some of the passengers definitely recognized him, but they left him alone. As if they could see he was caught up in some deeply personal moment. Zack looked over everyone in the crowd before he realized the awful truth. She must’ve already boarded. He dropped to the nearest chair and hung his head. How could he have come this far and missed her?

He stayed there, his head in his hands, eyes closed, while the rest of the passengers boarded. Just when the reality had taken root in his heart, when he had come to terms with the fact that he wouldn’t have this last chance, he felt someone walk up to him. He couldn’t take another picture, couldn’t sign another autograph. Not