Page 44 of Nine

“Would you two like a cocktail?”

“I’ll take a beer, any kind is fine,” Trig replies.

“And for the lady?” she asks, smiling even bigger at me.

“I don’t give a shit what you serve me. Just keep the liquor coming, and bring me some damn pretzels. I’m starving.”

Trig squeezes my hand.

“I have to use the restroom. I’ll be back.” I say, moving around her.

“Sorry,” Trig says, apologizing for my behavior. “It’s been one of those days.”

I don’t even look at either of them. I pass through the aisle and make my way to the back of the plane. I go in and do my business and when I come out a familiar face greets me. It’s the face of one of my clients. I could just die.

“This is not happening,” I mumble.

“I thought that was you when you passed by,” he whispers.

I suddenly become nervous and uncomfortable. I’m supposed to be this new person, and here my past is traveling on the same flight as me. I can’t deal with this right now.

“I need to get back to my seat,” I say quietly.

“It’s just that my wife and kids are on board. I don’t want any issue,” he whispers again, as he leans into me.

“No. I would never say anything.”

“That is a relief,” he smiles.

I try to work my way around him. He blocks me.

“I was just wondering…” he looks over his shoulder. “How much for a hand job?”

“Excuse me?” I say offended.

“It’s just that with the kids around, I haven’t been able to get off in a while.”

I see Trig look back. His eyes grow dark and then he stands up.

“You need to go sit down now or bad things are going to happen,” I say, and try to push him away.

“Come on. I just need you to touch it,” he says in a hushed tone.

I see Trig approach us. He’s staring at the guy with murderous eyes.

“Do we have a problem here?” Trig says through his teeth.

“No. Just an old friend,” I say. “He was just about to go back to his seat.”

Trig looks at me and then back to the guy. He leans into my ear.

“Was this fucker a client of yours?”

I pat Trigs chest. “Don’t cause a scene, please.”

A flight attendant walks over. “I’m going to need you all to clear the aisle.”

“Yeah, yeah. We’re just finishing up here. Give us a second,” I say.

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