by Kris Bryant
“Wow. She’s cute.” Marisa leaned over me to get a better look at the woman who just sat down.
“Are you serious? She’s a hot mess right now. I feel awful for her. She lost two people she loved,” I said. I wondered who she lost. Was it the little boy with his dad two rows behind me? Was it the old couple across from me who handed me a napkin when my drink spilled? On a deeper, darker level, I felt guilty for surviving. So many people died that night. I had obsessed over the photos of the crash site online, wondering about my original seat, the bathroom I’d been trapped in, the slide I went down. I wondered why I made it. I wanted there to be more survivors. “But, yes, she is pretty.”
“Contrary to what you think, I’m not trying to fix you up. I was just saying she was attractive. I can appreciate beauty,” she said.
I placed my hand over hers. “I’m sorry. I’m just on edge being here. I’m nervous to see Jason again.” I wasn’t entirely sure why I was nervous. The man had saved my life and I owed it to him to thank him in person. But the woman threw me for a loop because she was beautiful and I was at a somber event and wasn’t expecting to feel tingles.
When the meeting was over, several people milled about including the press, who were itching to talk to survivors. Marisa got between me and them. I headed to a room designated for group therapy. I peeked in and saw about thirty people hovering by the coffeepots.
“How are you feeling?” a masculine voice behind me asked.
I turned to find Jason. I hugged him and started crying. I knew I was going to have a strong reaction upon seeing him again, I just didn’t know I was going to lose my shit. Marisa came up behind me and rubbed my back soothingly as I clung to him.
“Thank you so much,” I said.
He held me tighter. I didn’t care that my ribs were sore or that the fresh scar on my side was on fire. I just held him for as long as I needed to. When I finally relaxed and pulled back, I touched his face and smiled at him. He brushed my tears away, and I brushed away his.
“You look and smell so much better.”
He laughed. “I hope so. It took forever to get rid of that awful jet fuel smell.” He leaned back but still gently held my elbows.
“Hi, I’m Shaylie. This is my best friend, Marisa.”
He hugged me again. “I’m Jason. Nice to finally meet you. Both of you.” He winked at Marisa. I swore she blushed. “You look a hell of a lot better than the last time I saw you,” he said.
“I’m feeling better, too. Some stitches and a few breaks, but I’ll be good as new in about three weeks.” At least the cast was removable and I could shower with it off. My first shower after a week of sponge baths had been heavenly. I stayed under the stream until the water turned lukewarm and my mother scolded me. She reminded me that I didn’t need a cold on top of my injuries.
“Are you back to work?” he asked.
“Yes. I’ve been working from home. Thankfully, I can do that.”
Jason and I had a few conversations on the phone over the last two weeks. His family owned a ranch in Cheyenne. He was the quintessential cowboy. We talked about work, relationships, and why the fuck we were both on that plane. He was visiting his cousin in New York.
“So, what did your boss say?” he asked. He knew my beef with Brittany.
“Oh, don’t even get me started.” Marisa waved her hand at him like she had too much to say and none of it was good.
He laughed at her theatrics. She blushed again. This was interesting. Jason was thirty and single. Marisa was thirty-two and single. Jason was a good-looking man with ambition. Marisa was beautiful, smart, and liked men who made quick decisions. I switched into matchmaker mode immediately.
“Are you here overnight? Would you like to have dinner with us later?” I wasn’t sure of the appropriate term for this group meeting and I didn’t feel comfortable calling it therapy. I felt a slight lean from Marisa. She was either excited or upset that I offered.
“If you ladies don’t mind the company, I’d love to,” he said. He led the way to a few empty chairs arranged in a large circle when the person in charge of this session asked us all to take a seat.
I stiffened slightly when I noticed the woman who stood up to Dallas Thorpe was sitting five seats down from us. Marisa did the lean thing again. I studied the woman’s profile. Marisa was right. This woman was beautiful. Her wavy hair was the color of milk chocolate and her eyes were a light golden brown. I held her gaze briefly when she focused her attention in my direction to find the source of an annoyingly loud squeaking chair. Beautiful really was a poor word. With her high cheekbones and full lips, stunning was more like it. She was probably in her late twenties and had a confidence about her that heightened her attractiveness.
“I see we have a few more people in this session. Hi, my name is Daniel and we’re all here to listen and help one another out. What happened was very traumatic, and sometimes sharing really helps cleanse the soul.”
Jason leaned over and whispered, “Last week it got loud and turned ugly fast. Daniel had to remind people he wasn’t with the FAA but was a just a PTSD therapist.”
“Jason, I’m happy to see you here today. How are things?” Daniel asked.
I froze. Everybody turned to look at us. Even Marisa sat up in her chair a little straighter. I wasn’t ready for people to notice me.
“Things are good. I’m getting used to my every day again. Loud noises still bother me and I drive about ten miles under the speed limit, but I’m fortunate.” He turned and looked at me, waiting for me to either say something or allow him to. I nodded. “This is Shaylie. She’s the first person I helped off the plane. I’m thankful she is doing well, too.”
Fuck. I teared up and gave a small wave to the group.
“Welcome, Shaylie. Would you like to say a few words?” Daniel’s voice was very soothing and I didn’t want to talk, but I wanted to give Jason the respect he deserved.
“I’m fortunate to be here, too, and it’s because of Jason.” I reached out and took his hand for support.
“Do you want to tell us about it?” Daniel asked.
“The reason I survived was because I was where I shouldn’t have been. We had begun our descent and I went to the bathroom and got stuck back there. It’s a good thing I did, or else…” Everybody knew what I meant.
“Where were you in the plane?” I didn’t recognize the woman who asked me. She wasn’t one of the eleven survivors.
“My seat was in the front part of the plane. Row nine.”
The attractive woman stiffened and made a noise, but didn’t say anything. I waited.
“We’re very glad you’re here,” Daniel said. A few people asked me questions and I did my best to answer them. I was so nervous. The session ended after forty-five minutes, but I was exhausted. Hearing other survivors and, worse, people who lost loved ones was draining. I hugged and thanked the flight attendant, Carol, who’d got me strapped into a seat. I didn’t see the older lady who held me when Jason got me off the plane, but I found out she lived in Oregon and Denver was just a layover for her. I would get her address from the representative of the Victims Assistance Program. The director of the program had given me her business card and told me to call her any time I wanted.
“Excuse me. Can I speak to you for a moment?” I turned to find the woman Marisa and I were admiring. I nodded and stepped away from Jason, Carol, and Marisa.
“Yes, of course.”
“You said you were in row nine. What was your seat number?”
I didn’t feel good about this. Her voice held a note of anxiety that raised my own level of angst.
“Nine C. I was on the aisle.”
She placed her hand on my forearm. “You must have been sitting next to my fiancée, Robin, and my best friend, Emma. Do you remember them?”
I gritted my teeth and tried not to judge. Maybe they had an open relationship. The two women sitting next to me were kissing, touching, laughing, cuddling, and acting like teenagers
in love, not as if one of them was involved with someone else.
“There was a lady with light brown hair sitting next to me,” I said.
“That’s Robin. And Emma has short almost black hair.” She became animated after finding a connection to her loved ones. She clutched my arm tighter. “How were they? I know you left your seat before…well, before the crash. I guess I just wanted to know that they were happy and at least together.” She dropped her hand from my arm.
I had to give her something. “They were joking and having a lot of fun.” I left out the part where they were making out. And the fact that they annoyed the shit out of me the entire flight. Guilt washed over me as I realized I was a complete jerk for still being upset over them. I was alive. This woman standing in front of me had just lost two very important people in her life and was trying to find closure. I was the only person who could ease her mind and help her take the next step.
“I didn’t talk to Robin before their flight. I was teaching a class, so she left me a voice mail,” she said. I waited as she recalled that memory and got lost in it for a few moments. “I’m sorry. Hi, I’m Piper. Piper Cole. Thank you for talking to me.” The corners of her mouth perked up for a brief moment.
“Hi, Piper. I’m Shaylie Beck. I’m very sorry for your loss.” I had no idea what to say to her other than that. I didn’t feel comfortable telling her what I witnessed.
“I’m glad you made it out okay. It must have been a horrific experience for you. I can’t even imagine.”
I watched her swallow several times and knew she was a few seconds away from crying. I pulled her into my arms and held her. She was stiff for a few moments, but when the sobs hit, she melted against me. I was the last connection between her and her fiancée. After a few minutes, she stepped out of my embrace and wiped the tears off her cheeks.
“I’m sorry about that,” she said.
I waved her off. “Trust me, I have cried more the last few weeks than I ever have in my life. I’m so sorry for everybody here who lost someone. If it wasn’t for Jason, I’d wouldn’t have survived either.” I introduced them. Jason was very sweet to her.
“If you’re up for it, we’re going to grab dinner. You’re more than welcome to join us,” he said.
She briefly hesitated before nodding. I watched a swirl of emotions on her face. I knew she felt guilty for living, but it was important for her to know it was out of her control. It was a horrible accident that nobody could help. There was a risk in getting on an airplane. I’d already decided I wasn’t flying again for a very long time, if ever.
Chapter Four
“You aren’t going to believe this,” I said once we were in the privacy of Marisa’s car.
“What?” She dragged out the word dramatically, knowing full well I was about to dump something really juicy in her lap.
“So, I was sitting next to Piper’s fiancée and her best friend.”
“No way. What are the odds?”
“Mar, that’s not even the unbelievable part. Her fiancée and best friend made out the entire flight. Like giggling, and tongues, and everything. I was so annoyed with them.” I buckled up and ensured the seat belt was tight. I would forever wear my seat belt from now on. No exceptions.
“Hold up. Are you fucking kidding me? Did you tell her?”
I glared at her. “Of course not. Plus, I don’t even know her. Maybe they were in a throuple or a poly relationship. Who am I to call her out?”
“I wish you would have waited to tell me. Now I’m going to be staring at her the whole night wondering,” she said.
“Hopefully Jason will keep the conversation going. He’s really nice.” I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye and grinned when I saw a smile dance across her lips.
“He is. And a gentleman. And your knight in shining armor. What did he say when you told him you’re a lesbian?”
“It didn’t faze him. I’m going to be the sister he never had. He only has an older brother. He’s single, by the way.”
“Oh?”
I stopped from rolling my eyes. I knew she was interested in him. Marisa and I had been best friends since college. I knew her body language better than anyone.
We pulled into the parking lot of Luigi’s Italian Restaurant and waited for Piper and Jason, who arrived a few minutes after us. Not a total surprise, but Piper showed up in an old convertible Bug. Jason had to park across the street because his truck wouldn’t fit in the tiny parking lot. The hostess seated us right away. There were only a few seconds of awkwardness as we got used to being in one another’s space.
“Well, the lasagna is excellent. And if you’re vegetarian, the stuffed eggplant is delicious.” I had a feeling Piper was a vegetarian.
She surprised me when she ordered chicken parmesan. Jason ordered a bottle of wine for the table. I felt ugly sitting with these three beautiful people. Jason had dark hair and dark eyes and the type of chiseled jaw you saw on male models who advertised cologne or designer suits. Piper was stunning. Her makeup was light and accentuated her features perfectly. She had the longest eyelashes I’d ever seen before. It was hard not to stare at her. And Marisa was the pretty girl-next-door blond cheerleader type. It always floored people when she told them she was a cop.
“Piper, what do you do?” Marisa asked.
“I own a yoga studio in Thornton.” That explained her perfect physique.
“Nice. Do you live in Thornton, too?” I asked.
Piper nodded and took a sip of wine. “The studio is across the courtyard from my loft. It’s a great up-and-coming neighborhood. They are doing a lot of renovations to the area to make it more appealing for young people.”
“I’m in commercial real estate, so I know what you mean about Thornton. That’s not really my territory, but I do know the area pretty well.”
“What about you, Marisa? Are you in real estate as well?” Piper was sweet.
I snorted and coughed on my wine after hearing Piper’s question. “You’ll love this one.”
“I’m a detective,” Marisa said. Piper and Jason looked at her in surprise. “I know. I don’t look the part, but I love my job.”
“I’m a rancher and I totally look the part,” Jason said. He pointed at his cowboy boots. “I’m only missing my hat. I left it in the truck.”
“Here in Denver?” Piper asked.
“No. Up in Cheyenne. I just came down for the meeting to find out if they knew anything yet.”
That sobered us up quickly. The table got quiet.
“I wish they knew what happened.” Piper spoke first, her voice low and soft.
“I know. Me, too.” I reached to my left and gave her hand a supportive squeeze.
“If you don’t mind, could you two tell me what happened in your words?” she quietly asked.
Jason spoke first. “I was sitting two rows from the back. I had the aisle seat and was reading the stupid airline magazine for the twentieth time. The plane made a loud popping noise, then just flipped on its side. All of a sudden, I was almost in the aisle. The seat belt was the only thing that prevented me from falling.”
“So, why weren’t you in your seat again?” Piper turned to me. Her solemn expression made my heart hurt.
“I got up to go to the bathroom. We had started our descent and the flight attendant wasn’t happy with me, but I got up anyway.” I turned to Jason. “Do you even know how high we were when we started having problems?”
He shook his head. “I could see lights off in the distance, but I honestly don’t know how high we were.”
“I remember smashing into the mirror and kneeling on the glass. That’s probably when I cut my leg.” I rubbed the tender skin through my slacks. The surgeon did a great job placing tiny stitches, but the scar would be there forever.
“What were all of your injuries?” Piper asked. “If that’s not too personal.”
“I broke three ribs and my wrist, dislocated my shoulder, and was impaled by the arm rest of a chair,�
� I said.
“And stitches above your eyebrow and on your knee,” Marisa said.
“I’m just glad the bruising is gone. My ribs are still healing, so it hurts to take deep breaths or laugh.”
“That’s awful. What about you, Jason?” Piper asked.
“Nothing really. A few light burns where my shirt caught fire, but I just got some cream when I was in the emergency room and left an hour after I arrived,” he said.
“I think it’s amazing that you saved Shaylie. That was very brave of you,” Piper said.
I liked the way she said my name. It sounded like a whisper. “Jason saved several people that night,” I said.
“I just did what anybody else would have done. I even tried to get to the other sections, but…well, the emergency vehicles showed up.” He looked at his plate and took a bite.
I knew that wasn’t true, but Piper didn’t need to know that the other sections of the plane he raced to were so engulfed in flames, the smoke prevented him from even getting close enough to help. He told me nothing survived the explosion. He couldn’t identify anything on the ground. Hunks of metal were the only thing left. Anything flammable had burned.
“Marisa, what kind of cases do you work on? Homicide?” Piper pushed her plate away and leaned forward.
A strand of hair escaped her tie and she gracefully tucked it behind her ear. Her movements were very fluid and calming. Given the reason we were together, I thought for sure dinner would be awkward and stiff, but Piper was poised and relaxed.