Page 32 of Signs and Signals

As we step onto our private plane, courtesy of Zander, the three of us females become overwhelmed with the sight. The plane is not an ordinary plane, it is more luxury and comfortable than double seats on either side with a walkway down the center.

There are a total of ten seats, which look like overstuffed recliners, lining each side of the aisle. The red plush carpet beneath my sandals tickles the skin on my feet not covered in straps and the sole of the shoe.

Haven tries every chair before deciding which she feels the most comfortable in, deciding on sitting next to Zander, who is seated closest to the door we came in.

Atlas and I sit next to each other, across the expansive walkway from Zander and Haven, leaving Amara to choose her seat last. She seems to be having a mental argument with herself on whether she should sit across from Atlas and I or across from Zander and Haven or to sit in one of the two seats that are solo behind the sets of chairs.

“Excuse me, miss. The pilot says we are about to take off and we need you to find your seat and fasten your safety belt,” a beautiful red-haired stewardess tells Amara.

“Oh, I’m sorry, yes of course.” Amara stumbles over her response to the woman, then takes the seat across from Haven.

“I figured I would sit here in case any translating needs done. You know, since she signs faster when she is excited. Why are you looking at me like that, Indya?”

Amara is trying to explain her way out of a hole for opening her mouth on the reasons she chose the seat she did. I know she is crushing on Zander, but sadly, he doesn’t seem tonotice or mirror the crush. If she would have just sat in the seat across from Haven without explaining, I wouldn’t have been giving her the look that says,yeah, use my kid as an excuse to eye-fuck the pitcher,but I just shake my head giving her a shrug and eyeroll.

“Whatever,” Amara mumbles.

After we are in the air, the flight attendant comes back out to introduce herself, and not in the most professional way, at least it doesn’t seem that way to me. I haven’t been on many flights, but the flight attendants are usually professional.

“Good morning, my name is Rebecca, and I will be your flight attendant today to and from Sioux Falls. The flight will be short and smooth, as we have clear beautiful skies, both trips. If you need anything from me,anything at all,please do not hesitate to ask.” Rebecca makes eye contact with Zander and Atlas, in a very seductive way, especially the way her voice dropped when she said, “anything at all.”

I look at Amara and she is giving Rebecca the evil eye, so I know she is thinking the same thing I am. Atlas and I are holding hands for fuck’s sake, and she is being blatantly obvious in her flirtation towards him.

Atlas clears his throat, he seems to know we are talking shit about the woman without speaking, sometimes I feel as though he can read minds. He leans closer to me, kissing my cheek and whisper, “You are the only one I see, my only thought, my only reason, when it comes to women, there is only one. You.

Understand?”

My cheeks flush, I nod my head, then kiss his mouth, just a peck, since Haven is on board. However, if my daughter wasn’t within eyesight, I would show that woman, just what she is missing, and will never get.

“I love you,” I say against his lips, he smirks.

“I know. I love you, Indy,” he responds.

I feel the warmth of someone standing next to me, and a wave of strong scent of plum, cinnamon, and something else I can’t recall. But it is so strong my eyes are beginning to water.

“Would you likeanything,Atlas? I can bring it to you right away?” Rebecca is being flirtatious, desperate, completely ignoring the fact that I am sitting right here. I am getting nervous about how Atlas is going to respond to her advances that are not subtle at all.

“You want a snack or something to drink, Indy?” Atlas asks, knowing that Rebecca is being forward, and that jealousy is eating me alive on the inside.

“I’m good right now,” I say to him in a low whisper. Apparently, Rebecca is not concerned whether I want something to eat or drink at the moment, just Atlas.

“We are good, thank you. I would, however, appreciate a little respect in front of my girlfriend, if you wouldn’t mind. I feel as though you are being a little disrespectful,” Atlas tells her, his voice severe and his face only showing anger and irritation.

Rebecca’s face is bright red, but she doesn’t say anything, Atlas embarrassed her in front of all of us, and we haven’t even been in the air for ten minutes.

“Would any of you like anything,” Rebecca says to Zander, Amara, and Haven, ensuring she makes eye contact with all three of them. I think she learned her lesson with Atlas and does not want to make the same mistake with Zander and Amara.

“My niece, Haven, would like some juice, apple, if you have it, and some type of cookie or cracker that is not saltines or oyster crackers. You know like animal crackers or graham, if it is a cookie, anything will do. For myself, I would like a glass of white wine, whatever is back there is fine,” Amara tellsher, speaking and signing, so Haven is involved in the request as well. Zander just shakes his head no, not even making eye contact with her, which makes Atlas chuckle.

The rest of the flight was uneventful, Rebecca stopped flirting and other than checking on us halfway through the flight, we didn’t hear or see her.

Zander was the last off the plane, and as he walked over to where Atlas was carrying Haven, he grabbed her from his arms and plopped her on his shoulders. Her smile is broad, and excitement is pouring off of her.

A white limousine, a black SUV, and a black sedan are all waiting. We just stand around waiting for Zander to tell us if we are taking the SUV or the sedan. Hopefully the SUV because, hello, there are five of us, and one of us needs a booster seat.

With Haven on top of his shoulder, her hands gripping his ears, he heads towards the white limo.

“Are you serious right now?” I ask no one in particular.

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