“Hello, Jan? No, I’m still in Phoenix right now. Yes, it’s warm. You don’t have to check Mickie unless you have to be in town for something. René will be taking care of him. Yes, I’m excited about this trip. Trisha and Larry are right here with me, don’t worry, hon. I’ll call you when we land in Honolulu. Love you, bye.”
“I just checked with my kids while you were on the phone,” Trisha said. “As soon as I get on that plane, I’m going to try and get some shuteye.”
“So will I,” I replied.
Chapter 6
Ocean Flight
The day continued clear and by the time we boarded our 737 aircraft. I was ready for a snooze. I noticed the couple just ahead of us walking through the jetway was the same couple I saw separate from the people movers. I guess they’re going to Hawaii too. Once again, there was curbside baggage and I left my suitcase with the handler who tagged the handle and gave me a ticket copy.
The plane took off a little after noon and the flight was so smooth that I fell asleep.
Up in the next seat ahead of me, Hobnobby turned around and began speaking to me.
“Susan, be careful. There are those that don’t appear to be what they seem,” I heard him say.
I mumbled, “I’ll be fine. Go home.”
The witch from the warehouse flew passed me screaming at the top of her lungs...
I woke up to an unhappy child as his mother tried to keep him from leaving her lap. He screamed again. I looked at my watch and realized three hours into the flight had passed. Shaking the dream out of my head, I realized had to use the restroom.
When I returned to my seat, the child was quiet and the stewards were taking orders for meals. They went passed my chair so fast I didn’t have time to hold my hand up. Larry, taking notice of this, told the steward. Thank goodness for quick-thinking friends.
When I received my turkey sandwich, I noticed the little lady across the aisle that I had watched earlier walk in tandem with the people mover, didn’t have a meal.
“Did you get something to eat?” I asked her.
“No, she went by faster than I could raise my hand,” she replied.
“Here. I’m not going to eat the whole thing if you want half.”
“Thank you. I’ll let my husband have it. He’s diabetic and I brought couple of granola bars.”
“Is this your first trip?” I asked.
“No, would you believe it’s our fourth? How about you?”
“My second, but the first time was ages ago with my husband.”
“He couldn’t make it with you?” she asked.
“No, he died last year, but my friends are with me back there,” I explained and pointed to the seats Larry and Trisha were occupying.
“I’m so sorry,” she replied and leaned over into the aisle to whisper so her husband wouldn’t hear, “I don’t know how I’d manage without my husband.”
“It’s not an easy road, but my friends helped me.”
She nodded and handed her husband the half sandwich and managed to let the steward know they needed a soda pop. Although the woman had dark hair, she looked older than I had thought but younger than her husband.
I pulled out my book, Fatal Error, Death by Innocence and began reading. Then I noticed the passenger across the aisle was trying to get my attention.
“Yes?” I asked, looking over at her.
“I’m the author of your book. How do you like it so far?”
“You are? It’s captivating. This is such an intriguing story that makes me feel I’m right there with the characters. Did you write this yourself or did you have help?” I asked.
“By myself, I’m always accused of having a vivid imagination. When you finish reading it, please write a review on A Good Book or GoodReads. I’d appreciate it if you do,” she said.
“I will. What is your name, A.–?”
“Just call me Alene.”
“Would you sign this? It’s my friend’s copy.”
She held up her hand and pointed a finger into the air. “Just a moment,” she said.
She pulled out a different book from herstored tote bag and signed it before passing it across the aisle as I passed mine over to her to sign.
“Here. Let your friends know about me and my books,” she said as I retrieved both books back. The other book was The Eye of the Matrix.
“I most certainly will. Thank you.”
I put her book into my bag, holding onto mine, and wished her well. I read some more out of my friend’s book and dozed another hour when the captain announced we were going to land in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.
I didn’t feel the wheels of the plane as we landed on the tarmac. The pilot didn’t jerk the plane around as much as the Phoenix pilot did. As soon as we walked out of the plane into the jetway, the blast of warm humid air hit me in the face. Phoenix was warm, but this was sticky and smelled of plant life.
We hurried on to the baggage claim area, so we could retrieve my suitcase and my friend’s large luggage. Now since it was still Wednesday, we planned on staying two nights in a motel near the beach before we leave for our ship on Saturday morning. Larry made the arrangement to rent a car and before we knew it, our bags were loaded in the trunk and we were off to the Waikiki Hotel.
Chapter 7
The Swedish Star
My hotel room was a little smaller than my friends due to the single bed but I had a great view of the prominent mountain called Diamond Head. My friend, René, said the sunsets are breathtaking. Since the sun was about to set soon, I wanted to be
