Page 37 of Winner Takes All

Monica nods, her bottom lip quivering. “I like Wonder Woman,” she quietly says.

“My first swimsuit I remember having was Wonder Woman,” I tell her. I lean in as if I’m telling a secret. “I even have a Wonder Woman Barbie doll in a box that I refuse to get rid of. She’s my favorite too.”

“That’s really cool,” Monica says, her eyes wide with wonder.

“I’ll tell you what. When we land this plane and get your mom nice and safe with the doctors, I’m going to get your address.I’ve had that Barbie for a long time, but I think she needs a new home. I’m going to mail her to you.”

“Really?” Monica gives me a slight smile.

“Really,” I tell her. “I think you’ll take care of her very well.”

“Can I play with her?” she asks.

I give her a hug. “You can play with her all you want and remember that you’re a superhero as well.”

“I am?” she asks in wonder.

“You sure are,” I confirm. I look at Ethan. “You are too. I’m sure your mom thinks you’re both the greatest superheroes ever created.”

“She’s a good mom,” Ethan says.

“She looks like a very good mom,” I tell them both.

“That man over there helping your mother is a superhero too. He’s helped lots of people just like your mom.”

Ethan’s gaze moves over to Victor, who’s now talking to the pilot through the intercom.

“Is he really a superhero?” Ethan skeptically asks.

“He sure is,” I confirm.

Victor finishes speaking with the pilot then turns back to the woman, reassuring her as he checks her vitals again. “You’re going to be okay. Keep calm, and we’ll soon be landing,” he tells her.

Minutes feel like hours, and the tension in the cabin is thick, but Victor never wavers. I can see the way he’s calculating, assessing, always one step ahead. He asks for an oxygen mask, gently placing it over the woman’s face, and carefully explaining every step he’s taking to keep her calm. He’s so dang good at this. My chest tightens even more with something that feels an awful lot of love.

Finally the plane begins to descend, and I hold on to Ethan’s and Monica’s hands, squeezing them lightly as the flight attendant takes us to a new seat where I can sit with them.

“We’re going to be on the ground soon,” I tell the kids.

Ethan nods, still holding back tears, trying to stay strong for his sister. I see the relief on his young face. Monica leans into me, her tears finally stopped, but still needing comfort. She can’t be more than five, and Ethan has to be around seven.

The plane touches down sooner than I thought possible, and the paramedics are waiting on the tarmac. Victor steps back as they board, giving them a quick rundown of what happened, and what he’s done. The woman’s stabilized enough to be moved, and I help the kids move over toward her.

The paramedics thank Victor, and suddenly the passengers begin clapping, praising him for keeping calm and helping the woman. I feel blessed to be the woman with this hero.

He finally comes back to me. “Are you okay?” he asks.

“I’m fine, Victor. What about you? Are you okay?”

“I wish I could’ve done more, but I think she’ll be okay,” he says. I now see the strain on his face.

“You did amazing, Victor. That woman might not have made it if you weren’t on this flight.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve done anything like that. I’m glad my training came right back to me.”

The flight attendant comes over, thanking Victor again, and offering us free drinks. Victor laughs, shaking his head. “I could use some water,” he tells her.

“I’d like to get the woman’s address if you could try. I promised her daughter a superhero Barbie,” I say.

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