Crashed
Gate C4 was hardly full. The simultaneous noise of the weather and various news reports on the TV’s that covered the otherwise bare walls. A few couples sipping on their early morning coffee. Scattered across a row of chairs were three teenagers chatting almost silently. One mother, desperately putting her whining daughter to sleep. Everyone in sight with drowsy eyes. I on the other hand, have been up since 3AM with enough energy to last days. Technically I have spent 11 years planning this trip along with my best friend Layla. She is off somewhere getting donuts for the flight. My stomach grumbles and I look around for her.
“Flight to Honolulu, Hawaii boarding in 15 minutes”

I pull out the snack cart from the back. A typical trip with this crew includes Cameron making some sort of comment on my height that makes everyone laugh. Natalie chatting up a storm with some stranger that she sees fit to talk to. Pilot and co-pilot, Blake and Austen, trying to keep serious. As I give people their snack requests, Austen’s muffled voice comes over the loudspeaker. “Hope you’re enjoying your flight folks! We will be experiencing turbulence, so the captain will turn on the seatbelt sign. 16 minutes until landing.” To be safe, I park the cart in the back. The plane shakes and I stumble into the nearby seat.

Aftershock. Franticly searching for my daughter, only to realize she is still in my arms. A shiver sweeps through me when the ice cold salt water at the ground of the plane, tickles my feet. Other passengers are shuffling around. The ones who aren’t injured. Most have exited into the floatation boats that I see through the shattered window. The flight attendant helps me to my feet, assuring me that everything is going to be fine. We are guided into the life raft. Memories of the joyful times with Aiden at the beach come flooding back to me. Ava lets out a cry, but I hold her tighter. Coughing, tears and the distinct smell of salt water as it seeps into my veins.