Every Thursday

Every Thursday

    It was another typical Thursday for John Burke as he made his way through the traffic of Louisville's International Airport (or SDF for short).  People piled out of taxis or Uber vehicles, unloading various pieces of luggage. Families were headed on vacations, while other people were headed on business trips. Some were hugging with smiles and excitement; others that tears as they parted ways. John wondered how many of these travelers were saying bye for the last time. Once, he had seen a couple throwing verbal parting shots at each other as the husband stormed into the airport; from what John gathered to start a new life with some other woman. It was never a dull moment.

    Travelers hurried their way through the corridors to check in at the airlines. John saw one flustered traveler arguing with Alice at the Northwestern check-in line. It looked like John's work day was starting a little earlier than usual. As he approached he could catch more of the man's complaint. The body language of the other people behind him told John that things were getting very uncomfortable. At this point the man was flailing his arms around and his face was beet red.

    "I have to get to Chicago today! I paid good money for this flight, and I expect to be on it! I have an important client I have to see today, and I'll be damned if I lose him! Now make it happen! How hard is that?"

    Alice was flushed as she calmly explained the situation to the customer, for what was likely not the first time. "Sir, as I have explained, your flight has been delayed due to weather. There are storms causing unsafe flying conditions, and we don't have clearance for another three hours. Unfortunately, there are no other flights heading to Chicago today; we do have flights going out tomorrow, or I can see if another airline has anything available. Or you will just have to wait out the delay, or we can refund you your ticket."

    "Well, that's not going to work! It's not my fault that the weather is crap, I expect to be in Chicago today- on time! Now either fix it, or put me with someone with a brain who can!" At this point the man at the counter was shouting and making a scene. Other customers were shifting nervously. Some looked at John, and he gave his best customer service grin as he approached the counter.

    'Maybe I can be of some assistance, sir," he spoke as he lightly touched the man's shoulder.

    "We'll, I certainly hope you ca--," the man started as he turned. Then he saw the badge that identified John as a TSA agent. The man swallowed hard.  The fact the John had a good foot of height and probably fifty pounds on the guy helped to shut him up as well. John was never a confrontational guy, but he was aware that his former linebacker build had its perks. He decided to try to do the gentle giant approach with this him; something told John he was all bark and no bite.

    "Sir, why don't you explain to me what the problem is and we'll see if we can fix it."

    The guy composed himself and glared at Alice. "I paid for a 10 am flight to Chicago for today. Now she's telling me that the fight won't leave for another three hours. I've got a client I'm supposed to meet with and I'm in danger of missing this appointment. This is unacceptable!"

    "Okay, well calm down. From what I overheard as I was walking up, the delay is because of the weather, correct?"

    "Yes."

    "So even if we were to look at another airline, they aren't going to be taking off any earlier, correct?"

    'Well, yeah." The man in the suit un-furrowed his brows just a bit.

    John continued. “So regardless, you are looking at a three hour delay. So you're options, like this lady has told you, are pretty simple. Either you wait, you take another flight tomorrow, or get a refund and cancel your trip.  If you don't mind me asking you, what type of work do you do?"

    "Real estate," the man replied. He could see calmness coming over the man's face. "And it's really important that I close this deal. I have a promotion riding on this."

    John nodded his head. "I can understand that, sir. And it is frustrating when things out of our control ruin our plans. But, is hassling this woman and holding up all the rest of these fine people helping your situation?" The businessman shook his head. "So here's what I would advise. Call your client; explain the situation to him and to your boss. Chances are they will reschedule for later; I’m sure they are aware of the weather in Chicago. Then you can come back and with a plan, and I'm sure Alice here will be more than happy to help you."

    The businessman had a look like a scolded child. "You're right. Sorry for making such a scene." He turned to Alice, "Sorry." Then he grabbed his bags and stepped out of line while fishing out his cell phone.

    Alice smiled at John. "Thanks John. Never a dull moment in the travel industry. Here, have some coffee on me." She handed him a Starbucks voucher and then waved over the next customer in line.

    "All in a day's work," John replied, as he pocketed the voucher and made his way to the TSA office.  Lines of people were waiting at security, walking through metal detectors and being wanded. Pockets were emptied of coins, phones, keys; sometimes the occasional forgotten pocket knife that would be confiscated. Most days it was just a monotonous part of the job, but they never knew. At least it seemed like the lines were moving smoothly as he nodded to Frank, Don, and Linda while they waved people through.

    After clocking in and explaining to his supervisor, Mike, about helping Alice at the ticket booth causing him to be a couple minutes late, John started his rounds. He was one of the lucky agents that didn't have to stay in one station all day. Instead he got to zip around the airport on a cart keeping an eye out for any trouble, helping lost travelers find their gate, sometimes getting a lost child back to their parents. John considered it one of the more exciting parts of the job. Plus he got to know most of the employees and often got some free food and swag from the vendors; or a free cup of coffee for helping out with a jerk customer.

    Sipping on his vente mochachinno, John made his way to the arrivals gate. He saw Tina over by the luggage carousels and made his way over to her. Tina was a veteran at the airport; an older African-American woman, she showed no signs of slowing down and everything about her gave people a 'don't mess with me’ vibe. She was one of John's favorite people.

    'How's it going today, Tina," John asked with a smile as he took a swig of his coffee.

    "Slow so far, just how I like it. I'm getting too old to be chasing down people trying to be funny or who got loaded on the flight because a stewardess could tell the no. Too early for all that mess. How you doing?"

    "I can't complain. Stayed up a little too late watching the Bears and Packers. But at least I got this to wake me up." John hefted his cup and smiled.

    'Don't know why you'd want to stay up late and watch them boys get their asses kicked. I'm telling you, them Bears need a quarterback something awful."

    'You're telling me, Ms. Tina. I guess I like an underdog." The two shared a laugh as they scanned the crowd of people. Families reunited and clustered together. A few service members in uniform made their way through as a group, and then splintered off as they were greeted by teary-eyed family members. Others made their way alone to waiting cabs and cars headed to their final destination.

    Tina nudged John. She nodded her head to a far end to of the terminal. "Look who's back. Just like clockwork."

    He looked over at the woman that Tina was indicating. She was in her late forties, maybe early fifties. Blonde hair and nicely dressed. Every time John saw her she was in full makeup. She had a traveler’s mug of coffee as she sat on one of the benches and took out a book. It was the same routine every Thursday  since John and Tina first noticed her.
   
    She would sit, sipping coffee and reading; whenever a group of people game through the arrivals she would close the book and stand smiling, searching the crowd. As the travelers thinned out, the smile would fade. Then she would take her seat again, and produce a notebook and write something in it. She would then go back to reading her book. She would repeat this routine for several hours, not leaving until late in the afternoon. Then she would gather his belongings, and teary-eyed make her way out of the terminal and leave.

    "It's been at least a month, and every week she's here." Tina shook her head. "It's sad when you think about it. But she seems harmless, so what do you do?"

    John took another sip of his coffee and considered the woman a minute. "Anyone talk to her? Just to find out what the deal is?"

    Tina shook her head. "You know the second I take my eyes off the crowd is the day something happens. Hate to say it, but I don't have the time for lonely hearts today. How about you big guy?"

    John cocked an eyebrow. "That a hint?" Tina grinned at him as he finished the last of his coffee. He sighed , tossing the empty cup in a nearby trash can. "Fine, but you watch my back, in case she ends up being crazy or something."

    John made his way towards the woman. She seemed fairly immersed in whatever it was she was reading. He saw she noticed him out of the corner of her. She raised her head and smiled at him. Then she went back to her book. John cleared his throat as he approached, "Morning, ma'am."

    She raised her head and smiled again. 'Good, morning."

    "I noticed you're reading The Great Gatsby. That's one of my favorites. First book in high school I actually finished."

    "Yes, mine too. Must be the fifth time I've read it. It's one of my son's favorites too."

    "I see," John registered that extra bit of information. "Is that who you are waiting on?"

    The woman nodded and smiled. "Yes, he should be coming home today. He went on a trip to Venezuela. Mark loves doing charity work; they were down there building houses and helping them with clean water. He's studying to be a doctor. Always wanting to help the unfortunate."

    "I see, so he's coming in today?" John was trying not to sound suspicious. Something seemed off on this. Why would she being coming every week to meet someone, if today is his return flight?

    "Yes sir, Gate 12. I'm assuming they may be having delays though. You know these international flights sometimes. Always be prepared for a wait." She then noticed John was giving her a confused look. "Is there some problem?"

    John cleared his throat again. "I don't believe so ma'am. It's just-I noticed you were here last week. And the week before that." The woman hung her head and he noticed her go pale. "Ma'am do you care to tell me your son's last name? Maybe I can check the flight schedule, see when he's scheduled to arrive."

    The woman smiled back at him and he saw tears in her green eyes. "Dawson. His name is Mark Dawson. But, I don't think you need to go to all that trouble. I'm sure you're very busy."

    "Not a problem, Ms. Dawson. Just give me a couple minutes, and I'll be right back."

    John made his way back towards one of the security terminals that allowed him to look up flight manifests. Something in his gut told him there was something off. He passed Tina and said softly without stopping, "Keep an eye on her. Something doesn't seem right; not dangerous, but not right." Tina gave him a short nod and kept the woman in the corner of her eye.

    John got to the computer terminal and looked at flights arriving at Gate 12. No flights were coming from Venezuela, but there was one coming in from Texas; maybe that was a connection. He typed in a passenger search with the name Mark Dawson. No match was found. He tried the other flights coming in. Also no match found.

 John got a knot in his stomach; either this woman is crazy or something bad happened. He swallowed hard and opened Google. He typed in the name "Mark Dawson" and "Venezuela". The first hit confirmed his fear.

    He made his way back over to Tina. He saw that the woman was no longer there. “Where'd she go?"

    "I don't know. Had a couple college kids get in a scuffle at baggage claim, nothing major but I had to break it up. When I got done with that, she was gone. You find out anything?"

    John took a deep breath. "Yeah. Remember on the news last month when that building got blown up in Venezuela?" Tina nodded. "We'll, her son was one of the people killed. He was supposed to be on a flight coming home three weeks ago. He was on a bus with some other Americans on their way to the airport and got caught in the blast."

    Tina shook her head. "That's a shame, right there. So this poor woman is coming to the airport, waiting on someone who's never coming back? I can't imagine."

    "Yeah. Listen, I got to get back on my rounds. I'll talk to you later." John got back on his cart and got back to work. He tried to occupy himself, but his mind kept going back to that woman. The rest of the day went in a haze. And the following days as well.

    Thursday rolled around again. When he came to arrivals, he saw Tina at her post. She cocked her head and John followed her eyes. There was the same woman again. John made his way over to where she sat. When she saw him, she closed her book and sat it in her lap. John forced a smile. "Ms. Dawson, nice to see you again this week. I missed you last Thursday."

    "Yes, I'm sorry I had to leave urgently.  I had an important phone call from my husband. And please, call me Shannon. I'm assuming you found out what happened to Mark?"

    "Yes ma'am," John took the seat that Shannon offered him. "I'm so sorry to hear about what happened. From what I read, you were right. He was a good kid and was taken way too soon."

    "Thank you. I want to assure you, I am not crazy. I am fully aware that Mark is gone, and he won't be walking through those gates. Talking about him like he’s still here is part of my grieving process, I suppose. But I'm still waiting on him."

    John was confused all over again. "I'm sorry; you lost me on that. No offense."

    "His ashes. I'm waiting on my husband to bring them home. He has been in Venezuela for weeks, trying to get through the legal issues; the circumstances of his death made it difficult to get him released to us. Every week, they tell us this is the week. But then something happens. Weather, politics, or who knows what; so I sit and wait, and I make a note on which flights come in and if they are on it. If something happens to David, I want a record. But, I think today is the day." She forced a weak smile. "They both are coming home today."

    "I'm sorry to hear that, it must be torture. Is that why you left so quickly last week?"

    "No, like I said, my husband had called me. Something with his passport that had to be fixed. And I had a feeling you thought I was crazy."

    John blushed, not wanting to confirm he suspicion. Instead he had an idea. "I would be happy to check on your husband's flight for you. Just to make sure."

    "If it isn't too much trouble," She smiled with hope in her eyes.

    John assured her that it wasn’t. After entering her husband's flight information, he saw that the plane had arrived thirty minutes before. His name was on the manifest as well. John smiled and made his way back to Shannon to give her the good news.

    He stopped short when he got to Tina. Shannon was embracing an older man with a graying beard and glasses. He looked haggard as he held a package in his hands. Shannon caressed it and tears began flowing. She caught John's eye and smiled as she held the package. He smiled back, nodding and forcing back tears of his own. Then the couple made their way outside.

    "What was that about," Tina asked John.

    "A family reunion," he said and smiled back at her. "You know what we say, 'never a dull moment'".

    "Ain't that the truth? Guess you better be getting back at it."

    John glanced out to the lines of cars and cabs outside the terminal. He saw Shannon and her husband loading their car. Smiling she waved at him. He waved back.