Page 53 of Reclaiming Adelaide

“Good evening Mr. Murray.”

“Everything ready?”

I got out of the car as one man with a captain’s hat opened the door for Becca and the other with longish brown hair on top took the bags from the trunk.

“Yes, sir.”

Jake left us and followed the pilot to the nose of the plane, then turned around and beckoned to the woman in a uniform. “Prudy, make sure they get situated, would you?”

“Yes, sir.”

The blonde-haired stewardess walked toward Becca and me. “Right this way, please.”

Her short hair exposed her long neck and round gold earrings as she walked in front of us.

“Hi, Prudy,” Becca said. “How are the kids?”

“They are great. Thanks for asking…”

We stepped into the plane, and their conversation drifted to background noise.

The cream interior with black squares running down the aisle made me want to play hopscotch, even though it didn’t resemble that at all. These were purely decorative. And seats so comfy they looked as though you could disappear between the creases.

“Wow.”

“I know, right? I’ll never get used to it,” Becca said.

“Have a seat right here, please,” Prudy said, pointing to a snug chair next to a couch with pillows and a blanket.

“I think I’ll take this.” I sat on the couch as Becca took the seat Prudy pointed to. “And a vodka tonic.”

“She’ll have water with lemon,” Jake called from the entrance.

“I’ll have a vodka tonic with lemon,” I said, firmer this time.

“Prudy.” Jake looked between us.

She nodded at Jake as she made her way past him and into the front of the plane while I glared at him.

He ducked as he entered the cabin, grabbed my arm and hauled me from my seat, and plopped me into a chair.

“Jake?” Becca said, alarmed.

“Stay out of it.”

“No worries,” I said as he buckled me in. “I’m used to his abuse these days.”

Jake pulled the seatbelt tight across my lap, the veins in his forearms bulging as he squeezed the strap, making my mouth water.

“Watch your mouth,” he seethed into my ear.

“I only speak the truth.” I turned my head and gazed into his resentful blue eyes.

“Would that be the first time?”

I snarled and pushed him, but he didn’t budge. “Leave me alone.” I looked away from him, crossing my arms across my chest, his essence deceiving me.

Jake stepped back and took the seat across from me, then buckled himself in as Prudy walked towards me with my drink and a brown liquid in another cup, only his was glass with sharp cuts, like diamonds.

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