Julia turns left at the traffic signal, follows the signs to the parking area, and finds a space up on level two. Fifteen minutes later she’s inside the brightly lit international terminal looking at the Departures and Arrival screen. Her heart sinks. Her flight’s been delayed.
She starts walking, wheeling her suitcase behind her, searching for the United Airlines counter to find out what’s going on. A few laps of the terminal later, she spots it. The line is enormous. All five counters are full with United Airlines staff processing queries from irate passengers.
“Oh boy.”
She turns to see a man standing at her shoulder. Early forties. Clean-cut. Dark-haired. Handsome. Sue most definitely would approve. He drops his satchel to the floor.
“Looks like we’re in for a long wait,” he says.
“Do you know why there’s a delay to Istanbul?” she says.
He laughs. “Delay? Haven’t you heard? The flight’s been cancelled. Ataturk Airport in Istanbul has been shut because of a possible terrorist threat.”
Julia blinks. “What? But I need to get to Istanbul urgently.”
He frowns at her, concerned. “Sounds serious.”
“It could be,” she says, swallowing.
Over at counter three, a senior citizen in a baseball cap is shouting at the United Airlines woman.
“This is getting ugly,” says the man. He taps his pocket. “Tell you what, I’m a member of the airport lounge. Can I interest you in a drink? A bite to eat? We can rebook our flights up there.”
She can hear Sue’s voice urging her to go.
“That’s very kind, but no.”
The man stands there looking awkward. She feels bad but there’s no point in leading him on.
She tilts her chin toward the counter. “Is there another way of getting to Istanbul? Maybe flying into another city and driving from there?”
He considers this for a moment. “As a matter of fact, there is. You could fly into Ankara, Turkey’s capital. Istanbul’s about a five-hour drive northeast from there. From memory, though, United doesn’t fly to Ankara so you’ll have to go with another carrier.”
“Any idea what airline does?”
He shrugs. “Turkish Airlines probably.”
“Thank you,” she says, hurrying off. “You’ve been a great help.”
“Don’t mention it,” he calls after her, “and if you change your mind about that drink…”
*
She strides the length of the terminal and finds the Turkish Airlines counter hidden in the second to last aisle. Her shoulders slump. The line’s almost as big as the other one. Someone touches her arm. The airport lounge man, she thinks. But when she turns around, it isn’t him at all.
“Leo.”
Leo lowers his duffel bag to the floor. “Hey.”
“What are you doing here?”
“What does it look like?”
Her spine stiffens. “I told you I don’t need your help.”
“I know what you said and I’m ignoring it.”
He’s changed from his work clothes to khaki chinos and a blue-checkered shirt. He’d worn the same thing on their final trip together. Hawaii. The disaster trip.
She crosses her arms. “I wasn’t kidding. You can’t come with me.”
His blue eyes study her face. “I’m not letting you do this on your own, Julia.”
She pauses. “Look, I appreciate the gesture but you’re not my husband anymore.”
He stares at her. “Jesus Christ, Julia.”
She feels like a bitch. “I’m sorry, Leo, but it’s true.”
“Well, last time I checked,” he says, “there wasn’t any law forbidding ex-husbands from flying to the same country as their ex-wives so I guess I can come whether you like it or not.”
Julia grabs the handle of her suitcase, starts wheeling. “I can’t do this with you now. Please go.”
He reaches for her arm. Julia has a flash of a happier time. Their first date all those years ago. A bad movie, even worse pizza.
“Listen,” he says, gentler. “Think about it from a practical level for a minute, would you? Two heads are better than one, aren’t they? It might actually help having me there, did you ever think of that? You never know when—” He stops midsentence and stares at something over her shoulder. “Who the hell is that?”
She turns. The airport lounge man is waving and half-jogging toward them.
“Hey!” he calls. “They’ve reopened Ataturk Airport.” He reaches them, rests his hands on his knees to catch his breath. “False alarm apparently. United has opened more counters. If you hurry, you should be able to check in and make your original flight.”
“Oh, that’s good news,” says Julia. “Thanks so much for letting me know.”
The man notices Leo for the first time. He looks at Julia. “This guy bothering you?”
Julia feels awkward, shifts on her feet. “Oh no, everything’s fine. Leo is—” she pauses, settles on, “a friend of the family.”
Beside her, the anger is coming off Leo in waves.
“Well, if you’re sure,” says the man, not appearing entirely convinced. “By the way, I never caught your name?”
“Julia.”
He extends his hand and they shake for a second time. “It was nice meeting you, Julia. I’m Tim. Best of luck with your situation. I hope it works out. And don’t forget about that drink. Bye for now.”
He flashes her a smile and turns to walk back in the direction he came from.
“Don’t let me stop you,” says Leo, after he’s gone.
“Honestly, Leo. Sometimes you can be an infant.”
They stand looking at each other, neither one speaking.
Finally, Julia lets out a breath. “What about Bishop?”
“Candy.”
Candy, his sister. Type A personality. Allergic to everything.
“Are you insane? Candy won’t cope,” says Julia.
“It will help build up her immunity. Besides we’re doing
