The airport terminal was chaos. Delays blinked on every screen, and the storm howled outside, rattling the windows. Jill sat slumped in an uncomfortable chair, her carry-on tucked between her feet. She glanced at her phone for the hundredth time. Still no updates. Her flight back to New York was delayed, just like all the others. She sighed, running a hand through her dark hair. Tim's going to be pissed. She could already hear his voice in her head: "Why didn't you leave earlier?" But she hadn't. And now she was stuck.
She noticed the man sitting next to her. He was older, maybe late 40s, with salt-and-pepper hair and a kind face. He caught her eye and smiled. "Rough night, huh?"
Jill chuckled, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah. I was supposed to be home by now. My husband's not thrilled."
He nodded sympathetically. "Robert," he said, extending a hand. She noticed the wedding ring on his finger.
"Jill," she replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, warm. Safe.
They fell into easy conversation. Robert had a good sense of humor that made her laugh, and before she knew it, an hour had passed. She noticed hie wedding ring and asked how long he'd been married, then told her all about his..late wife, how she'd passed away a couple of years ago. His voice softened when he spoke about her, and Jill felt a pang in her chest. He's still wearing the ring, she thought. He must really miss her. Just then an announcement came out all flights cancelled, her airline was offering hotel vouchers, she grudgingly took one.
By the time Jill called Tim to tell him about the cancellation, he was surprisingly calm. "I'll take the hotel voucher it's only for one night and figure it out in the morning," she said.
Tim sighed on the other end. "Alright. Just be safe, okay?"
"I will," she promised, though she couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt when she didn't mention Robert.
Robert offered to split an Uber to the nearby hotel. She stared at him for a minute when he chuckled " come on there's safety in numbers right!" his humor disarming her just enough to to say ok.
It was a quick ride to the hotel Robert being a gentleman grabbed her bag and they walked inside.
The hotel was... questionable. The wallpaper was fading, and the carpet smelled vaguely of mildew. But it was just for one night. Robert's presence made her feel safer he just had that aire about him. He suggested dinner at the Applebee's across the street since their rooms weren't ready yet.
Dinner was really fun. They didn't act like strangers, they were sharing stories and laughing over cocktails. Jill found herself noticing things about him--the way his gray hair curled at the temples, his broad shoulders, the way his hands rested on the table. He's handsome, she thought. She hadn't been out with a man other then her husband in forever and it gave her a thrill she didn't know she needed, no screaming kids, no arguing, no eye rolling comments, just some laughs and good conversation.
