don’t you join me outside for some hot cider?”
“No, no I can do my own packing. I’m quite capable.”
“It’s not a matter of being capable. We have people who are paid to pamper us, that’s the life we live here. That’s the life you are going to live here.”
She pulled away from his embrace and turned to face him. “Please don’t tell me what I am going to do. I’d much rather be asked. I like to be a part of the decision making process and I’d like to feel like we are in this together.” Her voice was quivering now, the way it always did when she stood firm to her opinion and expressed her true feelings.
Richard leaned over her, gently grasping her shoulders. “I understand, and I’m sorry. I guess I’m just so used to calling all the shots. You’re right. We’ll do this together. Take all the time you need.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
She was thankful for his response. With each new day, she was starting to feel like she could really trust him. She was starting to believe that she could really fall in love with him.
For now, she would finish her own packing and prepare herself for their get-away beach vacation.
Sherry sat in the helicopter as their bags were loaded into the lower compartment. She still was still struggling to adjust to this jet-setting lifestyle and was starting to miss walking the streets of her old neighborhood and driving her own car. She wondered if anything in her life would be normal again.
Richard climbed in and clasped her hand in his.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
She offered him a yes smile and squeezed his hand. The ground below began to shrink and disappear as they lifted off. The sound of the propellers drowned out their voices and made it impossible for her to answer him. They made their way to the airport, where the private jet was waiting. The pilot and crew stood at attention outside the jet, greeting Sherry and Richard as they boarded. Once inside, they were greeted by a gourmet meal, champagne glasses (one filled with water), and a private movie ready for viewing. Their short flight had a long agenda.
Sherry smiled and clasped her chest at the sight of all the food. She was, once again, overwhelmed and humored by absurdity of it all.
“Is this even my life?” she laughed, smiling at Richard.
She sat next to Richard as the jet jockeyed into position on the tarmac. As the speed increased and they prepared for take-off, she squeezed Richard’s hand. She watched as, once again, the ground below disappeared and the jet leveled off for the short flight.
Once they were steady in the air, Richard unbuckled his seat belt and started to stand up.
“Are you ready to eat?” he asked. “I’ll get the—” His ready smile froze when he saw her face.
Sherry’s eyes were closed, and she had a hand on her belly. He looked up at the sound of his voice, and he saw her eyes were scared and filled with tears.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, fighting to keep the fear from his voice.
A tear fell from her face, “I’m not sure. I think it’s the baby.” She held her hands low on her abdomen and winced in pain. “My whole belly is tightening up and I feel like I have to push.”
“You’re only six months pregnant, Sherry, you can’t push. Stay calm, and we’ll get to a doctor right away.” Richard kissed her forehead gently as he buzzed for the attendant.
The flight attendant entered the cabin, “Is everything okay?”
“No. No, it’s not. Something’s happening with the baby, with Sherry. We have to land.”
The flight attendant hurried to the cockpit to relay the news.
Richard stroked Sherry’s hand and comforted her as best he could. She grew listless and seemed disoriented, one time asking him “But what about the beautiful lunch?” Richard couldn’t tell if she was serious or joking.
He clicked her seat belt and held her