And as she suspected, she was able to purchase the tickets at the self-serve kiosk using her mom’s ID and credit card. She felt guilty about doing that and planned to pay her back every penny. She had originally planned on paying cash, but had thought it might seem too suspicious. Blowing her nose then wiping at it as she checked through security worked. They passed her through. When she went through the scanning machine, the female guard looked a bit longer than she would have liked. Ronnie mumbled, “Sorry, my dad died,” and then more sympathetically the female guard waved her through. Relief and guilt coursed through her at the same time.
Retrieving her bag, she was allowed to put her ID away, and that was the last time she would need it. She let out a silent sigh of relief. Now she just needed her gate pass which she clutched close to her chest to get on the plane which was departing in less than thirty minutes. It should already be boarding now, she thought, as she picked up her pace to gate A17. She kept the tissue close, and head down solemnly as she handed her pass to the check in clerk who tore it in two and handed her portion back to her. She entered the tunnel to the plane and was ignored by the flight attendant as she passed by. Most of the people flying were already seated. She found her seat quickly and hunched down intending to sleep as much as she could for the four and a half hour trip that included the layover.
When the flight attendant announced for the passengers to put on their seatbelts, they would be taking off soon, she was able to relax somewhat and found she could breathe easier. She’d be in Bangor before six AM, out of the airport before anyone woke up, including her mother, an early riser. By six thirty she hoped she’d be in a taxi on her way to her grandparents. She needed her bike. It was the only way she could get to Gary, to where she thought he’d be anyway, undetected.
***
Ronnie slept during most of the flight. She was surprised, but glad she did. Exhaustion, emotional and physical, had overtaken her. The flight attendants had woken her to disembark in Philly, but when she informed them she was taking the same plane to her final destination they allowed her to remain. She had to do a lot this morning, then she would crash for the day, and take action tonight. She needed to have her wits about her when she saw Gary for the first time. He would most assuredly be suspicious of her surprising and sudden appearance, and she had to approach him just right.
As soon as the plane landed on the tarmac in Bangor, and began to pull slowly up to the gate, she unsnapped her seatbelt before the light turned off. She heard the travelers around her doing the same thing, and the flight attendant wasn’t complaining. These late flights were never full, and most people slept. She had been lucky enough to have the row to herself, and thus avoided having to make small talk.
When the light finally clicked off, she was out of her seat in a flash and making her way up the aisle passing people who had put their luggage in the overhead compartment. She kept her bag under the seat before her. She hadn’t wanted to waste time checking it. Also, she didn’t know how many taxis would be waiting in arrivals, and she sure as heck didn’t want to have to wait for one. Then there would be all the people arriving to take a flight. Bangor wasn’t small, but she was sure her face had been plastered all over the news. She wanted to avoid being recognized by the newsmongers. The wig would help, but she didn’t want to take any chances.
She hustled pass the flight attendant and cock pit crew who stood at the front of the plane wishing everyone well, and gave only a brief nod as she passed. Her small purse was already across her shoulder, but she shifted slightly to pull up her hoodie on her jacket before she walked out into the main terminal. She kept her head down, and began to walk around the slower people taking their time in the disembarkation tunnel. She had just a few of the first class passengers ahead of her, and she could see the door to the exit just up ahead. She would easily get a taxi, she thought, as she maneuvered past another couple.
***
In the terminal, she passed an older couple pulling luggage on wheels, and a younger man with a large ruck sack. She got a bit frustrated when a woman pushing a stroller stopped dead in her tracks in front of her to retrieve a dropped binky, but instead squeezed passed her ignoring the woman when she heard her curse at her retreating back. She needed to move. The large open area she emerged into was packed with people awaiting to board the plane she’d just gotten off of. She tucked in her chin, and again surged forward weaving around people blocking the aisle. She saw the escalator leading to the downstairs area and ticket counters, and quickly got on, walking down the moving steps until she was trapped by a man standing stock still unaware she was directly behind him. He was huge and carried a very large briefcase. There was no way she could get around him. Silently cursing, she waited impatiently. As soon as he stepped off the escalator she moved around him and began to walk by the ticket agents, and then the car rental booths towards the exit. Three taxis, waited outside. Glancing covertly at the drivers waiting to pick up a fare, she had to choose a driver and she wanted to be sure to choose the one that wouldn’t be too nosy or talkative during the long drive. One was smoking a cigarette, and one was a woman. She picked the last one. He was older, and she hoped the least observant.