Page 64 of Come Fly with Me

“Taylor’s dating some guy with a Corvette,” my dad announces when we walk in, and my palm hits my face.

My mom looks up from the book she’s reading, and I expect her to hit me with the questions, but she takes one look at the White Castle bag and lays into my dad.

“Jesus, Jim. You know we’re cutting down on our meat consumption. Your cholesterol is through the roof.”

“You might be cutting back, but I never signed on for it. And did you hear what I said? Taylor’s got a boyfriend.”

I feel like I’m back in high school again. I’m thirty-one years old, and my dad is announcing to my mom that I have a boyfriend. I’m now reminded why I make my trips through Minnesota so brief.

“Oh yay!” my mom squeals, clapping her hands and hopping off the couch before she pulls me into a hug. “So tell me about him.”

“Doesn’t anyone say hello? I disappear for months at a time, and all you’re interested in is some guy that might never amount to anything.” Even as the words leave my mouth, they sting. I know they’re not true and maybe it’s my attempt at protecting myself if this whole thing does go south.

My mom rolls her eyes, letting out a scoff. She says, “You wouldn’t have mentioned him if it was nothing. It’s been years with no mention of a guy since…” She trails off, not saying Trent’s name. Both my parents have put him on their shit list, and even though I’m a grown-ass adult, they’ll still side with me regardless.

“He’s a pilot…”

“Another one, Taylor?” my mom cuts in, and I roll my eyes. I’m not sure why I bother.

“He’s different.” I stop there, not elaborating on why because sometimes I want to keep things to myself. At my age my parents do not need to know my reasons.

“As long as he recognizes your determination and respects what you do, that’s all that matters. That prick…”

“Dad, enough. And yes, he does those things. He came with me to Girls in the Sky and helped me for the day.”

“Could never say that about Trent,” my dad mutters, shrugging his shoulders as he walks into the kitchen. “Was only interested when he thought it could make him some money, that prick.”

I let out a low, humorless laugh, scrubbing a hand down my face. I walk into the extra bedroom, toting my bag, just as my phone chimes out.

Carrie: Guess who came by the hangar the other day??? ;)

Me: IDK

Carrie: Seriously? I figured he would’ve used it as material to get on your good side.

Me: Jake???

Carrie: Yes Jake. Who else would I be talking about?

Me: He’s already on my good side. And remind me to tell you about Hawaii. I’m back in MN and going to bed soon.

Carrie: Well, then him showing up here and helping with the flight school just goes to show you he’s a pretty great guy.

Me: Yeah, he is.

I look down at the time on my phone, trying to figure out what time it is in Singapore and if he’s even there right now. Throwing caution to the wind, I call him and listen as the phone rings awkwardly, the tone nothing like that of the US.

Just as I’m about to hang up, I hear Jake’s breathy voice say, “Taylor?”

“Yeah, hi. You okay?”

“Yeah, totally fine. We literally just landed, and we were saying goodbye to the passengers when I heard my phone ringing.”

“You didn’t have to rush to answer it. You could’ve called me back. It’s okay.”

“I know that, but I wanted to talk to you.”

I can hear the people deplaning as we talk, their voices humming in the background as the flight attendants and the other pilot monotonously bid their farewells, every so often varying their choice of words.

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