by Z. Allora
The flight attendant stood in front of him. “May I offer you something to drink before takeoff?”
“Um?” He stared at the smartly dressed man and willed an answer to the question to pop into his head. Drink? Why was thinking difficult?
The attendant smiled and said, “We have water, sparkling and still, soft drinks, coffee, tea….”
Kai glanced across the aisle at Beau, who asked, “What do you feel like? Water or soda?”
The simple options were better. “A Coke, I guess?”
“Of course, sir.” The attendant winked at him, turned on his heel, and strutted down the aisle like it was a fashion-show runway.
“Oh, he’s handsome,” Beau whispered.
Lafayette turned and glared at Beau.
It was true. The flight attendant could have been a model, with his chiseled features, alluring lips, and well-proportioned body. His backside was—
Beau laughed at something, and Lafayette growled. His companions didn’t appear nefarious. Maybe he should ask—
“Here you are.” The flight attendant set a glass on a napkin and darted away before Kai could pay for the drink.
Did he have to pay for the beverage? Kai watched everyone else, and no one dug into their wallet. Ah, must be one of the perks of Business/First.
Kai yawned and sipped his Coke, hoping the caffeine would perk him up. He needed to find out more about this job, so he leaned over and asked, “So where will I be living?”
“The club is attached to apartments,” Beau responded.
“Who else lives there?” Simple question, because he couldn’t put together difficult ones.
“Those who are… um… others who work at the club.” Beau glanced at Lafayette, who appeared fascinated by the book everyone had in their seat pocket.
“The other workers?” Kai attempted to clarify.
“Um, yeah, for lack of a better term.” Beau rushed on. “We’re right in what’s called America’s Bible Belt, which means there are many religious people in our area.”
Lafayette snorted. “If you consider hate a way to God.”
The man waved off his friend and reassured Kai. “They’re not all like that. There are many good people. We even have several churches that welcome everyone.”
Kai understood he should have gained more from the sentence than the actual words, but failed. He yawned again.
“You’re exhausted,” Beau stated rather than asked.
Kai nodded.
“You’re going to love the other zomb—workers. We’re like family.”
Lafayette reached over and squeezed Beau’s hand.
Oh, they were together.
There hadn’t been many openly gay people in Kai’s small town. Two girls in his school had claimed to be “in love” with each other but dumped each other two weeks later.
Kai didn’t know any gay guys, which was just as well since Uncle Franz was far from tolerant on the issue. The asshole applauded the “gay hunts” they had in Russia, giving lengthy descriptions of groups tricking a man into meeting someone for a date or to help them… and then dwelling with awful glee on how instead the group would be waiting to beat their victim up or humiliate him, and would post a video outing him.
Pushing the horrifying concept aside, Kai fought his brain to form a question, but the flight attendants asked for everyone’s attention and demonstrated important safety procedures. Kai forced himself to pay close attention. No one else appeared to listen to the vital survival information being imparted. As the warnings were given, he pulled out and studied his safety card, then located the exits near him. He figured out which cabin door was closest in case he had to open it in an emergency.
The pilot’s voice crackled over the speaker. “Flight attendants, prepare the cabin for takeoff.”
The flight attendant strolled down the aisle and flashed a toothpaste commercial grin as he collected Kai’s glass. He nabbed items that passengers wanted to trash, and then he disappeared. A few minutes later, he reappeared with a variety of newspapers. He vanished at a double-pinging bell.
Movement of the plane drew Kai’s attention to the window. No one sat in the window seat so he leaned over to peer out. Damn, backing the tractor up was a nightmare. This thing was massive. Within a minute, the plane stopped and rolled forward.
“We’re number two in line for takeoff,” the pilot informed them.
A short time later, the plane jiggled down the runway at a good clip. Eventually it lifted off the ground. Kai stared out the window as Frankfurt’s roads, cars, and buildings got smaller until they vanished under the clouds as the plane climbed higher into the sky. The plane bumped through the clouds as if they were aerial speed humps, and finally leveled. A bell dinged again. Kai loosened his grip on the armrests.
“Greetings. I’m First Officer Louis. The captain will hit our cruising altitude in a couple of minutes. Then she’ll turn off the Fasten Seat Belt sign and you’ll be free to move about the cabin. But when you are seated, safety regulations require your seat belt to remain fastened. We’d like to thank our frequent flyers. We know you have a choice in airlines, and we’re glad you’ve chosen us.”
An English-speaking female voice came over the speaker, discussing the flight and services offered. Then she repeated everything in German. Kai was impressed his English translations were correct, despite being exhausted.
The flight attendant came back and handed him a warm, lemon-scented towel. Kai followed everyone else’s example and wiped his face, neck, and hands. The flight attendants collected the towels with tongs and another flight attendant handed Kai a menu.
Lafayette got Kai’s attention and showed him how the seat worked. “You can lay your seat flat with these buttons.” One was to recline his seat, and the other was to raise his footrest.
“And your screen controls are here.” Beau reached over, pressed a button, and a controller imbedded in the armrest popped out. He showed him where the movie menu was and how to flick through the selections.
Wow! American movies. Could they possibly have…? Yes! The latest superhero movie. And the latest sci-fi… or action adventure. Which one to choose?
Eenie, meenie, minee… superheroes!
The flight attendant peeked out from behind a curtain and smiled at him.
Kai slapped on his headphones. Not that he was interested in seeing guys in spandex, though all those muscles flexing…. Ulrich said the special effects were good, and that’s why he chose this movie.
A pretty female flight attendant gestured for his attention. He pulled off his headphones. “What would you like to order, sir?” she asked, setting a tiny dish of fancy nuts on the little spot at the end of the armrest.
Beau leaned over and said, “I’m getting the steak, twice-baked potato, and spinach.”
“The same please,” Kai ordered.
A few minutes later, the male attendant opened Kai’s tray table and laid a napkin over it. He asked in perfect German, “First time going to America?”
“Yes,” Kai answered in English.
The man left and returned with salad and Kai’s choice of dressing, which he ladled over the greens. It reminded Kai of a fancy restaurant his parents used to take him to for special celebrations. They’d had handsome waiters there too.
“I’m Paul, by the way. Anything you need, please ask.” The attendant winked at him.
What was he supposed to say? “Um… a… thanks.”
Paul, the bearer of creamy dressing, winked again and moved on to the next passenger but didn’t introduce himself or wink. Kai knew because he watched him.
With a smile Paul deposited, not one, but two hot rolls onto Kai’s bread plate with two pads of flower-shaped butter.
“Um, thank you.” Kai didn’t want to be rude, and pretending he was watching the movie didn’t seem to stop the man’s attention.
Beau smiled over and asked, “Good?”
The food or the— Kai’s mouth was full, so he nodded.
When he finished the first course, the flight attendant brought Kai his entrée and sparkling water served with two slices of lemon and one lime ribbon. The steak melted in his mouth.
It was decadent to be lying around watching movies and eating delectable food he didn’t have to cook. If he were home, he’d still be in the fields. Before the second movie started, sleep dragged him off.
Kai woke to a deep voice saying, “We land in forty minutes. Your friends asked me to wake you so you could have breakfast.”
His eyes adjusted to the bright light, and he focused on the flight attendant’s mischievous brown eyes. He appeared way too similar to the superhero starring in Kai’s dream.
“Oh?” With effort, Kai pressed the button and raised the back of his chair to sit upright. He tried to get his bearings, but his mind was buried under slush.
Paul brought him a hot towel and the breakfast menu. “May I take your order?”
Why did it sound like he was asking something else? Kai wasn’t sure his voice was working, so he ordered breakfast by pointing at the menu.
Geez, his brain couldn’t even put words together.
Where were Lafayette and Beau? Perhaps they were freshening up. The idea sounded good.
He stood and had to grab on to the seat in front of him.
Flight attendant Paul was there with his strong arms to support Kai. “I can help you into the bathroom.”
What kind of help was he suggesting?
“A… no… I’m fine.” Kai dragged himself into the bathroom, taking his new toiletry kit with him. He used the facilities and washed. With the help of his fancy products, he shaved, brushed his teeth, and combed his hair. Then he returned to his seat.
When Paul leaned down to serve Kai breakfast, the man’s masculine cologne stirred Kai’s senses. He ignored the impossible wants and shoveled the perfectly scrambled eggs into his mouth along with warm, buttery toast.
Coughing until he could breathe again convinced him to take smaller bites. His jaws were too tired for chewing big pieces.
He gulped the coffee and accepted another cup, hoping to wake up.
Lafayette and Beau returned to their seats.
Beau touched Kai’s hand. “We’ll be home soon. Customs, baggage, and one more short flight.”
“Good.” Kai closed his eyes.
“You’re exhausted,” Beau stated.
“Yeah.” He must have fallen back asleep, because Beau tapped him on the shoulder to let him know they’d landed.
“Oh sorry.” He used the chair in front of his to hoist himself up.
Lafayette nabbed his bag out of the overhead.
At the door, Paul handed Kai a card. “If you ever want to get together….”
Why would I—Oh!
“Thanks.” Beau rescued him and snatched the card from Paul.
Kai waved. “Bye.”
Beau steadied Kai as they deplaned, guided him through the US Customs line in Newark, and handed the agent their completed forms with three passports.
The agent glanced at Kai for two seconds and asked, “English?”
Kai gave a half nod and half shrug.
The agent stared down at the paperwork. He directed his questions to Lafayette and Beau but ignored Kai.
Kai should have listened for clues about what he’d be doing, but he didn’t have the energy to translate the English. Just standing upright was an effort. Was there a bench someplace he could lie on? Nope, onward.
“Luggage belt number three,” Lafayette said after studying the screen in the arrival hall.
Kai yawned as he struggled to keep up with the other men.
“Fayette, you go ahead,” Beau said. “We’re going to go a little slower.”
“Sorry I can’t keep pace. I guess this is jet lag?” Kai had heard the term but didn’t realize how the phenomenon impacted functioning.
By the time they reached baggage claim, Lafayette had gathered their luggage off the conveyor belt and had stacked the bags onto a cart.
Beau led Kai over to Lafayette. Good. Ah, something to rest on while they were standing in another much shorter line. Lafayette handed the agent a stamped form, and they were allowed to pass through to the doors.
Beau pointed to the sign. “Connecting flights.”
“We need to recheck the bags here.” Lafayette offloaded all their bags, and an airline representative scanned the bag tags before putting the luggage back onto another conveyor, where they were x-rayed. Another person dragged the bags away. Quite a system, and if Kai had the energy, he’d have asked how the bags didn’t all get lost.
He trailed after Beau and Lafayette, trying to shake off the fuzziness that consumed his brain.
“We have to pass through security one more time,” Beau said as they stood in yet another line.
His ticket beeped twice, exactly like Beau’s and Lafayette’s had. He was pre-TSA approved, so he didn’t have to take off his shoes. Thank God! He trudged through the line, barely able hold up his arms for three seconds for the scanning machine.
Beau placed a hand on his back and steered him to the gate. The screen over the gate said the next plane was heading to South Carolina.
“Is that where we are going?”
Beau nodded. “Yes, South Carolina.”
Kai wanted to ask what he’d be doing there, but Lafayette pointed to an available seat. Kai collapsed into it. He’d close his eyes, if only for a minute.
A gentle tapping hauled him to consciousness, and Beau said, “Sorry, Kai. It’s time to board.”
“Oh?” He’d fallen asleep again. His jet lag must be harsh, but why weren’t Beau and Lafayette affected?
They entered a tiny plane. Two of these cabins would probably fit in the last plane’s front section.
Lafayette apologized his way down the aisle of the tiny aircraft, mumbling, “Damned puddle jumper.” The configuration was two seats on one side and one seat on the other. The muscular man folded himself into the single seat and gestured for Kai to take the window seat on the other side.
Beau giggled. “Not as lush as the first ride, huh?” He bounced into the aisle seat, next to Kai.
Lafayette grumbled, “Next time we’re leaving out of Charlotte. It’ll be worth the extra time in the car.”
Beau reached across the tiny aisle and said, “As you wish.”
Lafayette grabbed Beau’s hand and held it.
Kai woke as they shook down the runway. Was the plane going to make it? By some miracle the plane climbed into the clouds. He fought to keep his eyes open to glimpse the New York skyline. The possibility of crashing to the earth, while likely, didn’t worry Kai at all… at least then he’d rest.
Lafayette and Beau continued to hold hands. Kai was reminded of how his mother and father had been together. It was nice to see, even though it differed from what he was used to.
His uncle ranted and raved the day the United States’ highest court ruled same-sex couples would have the right to marry. Same-sex partnerships allowed in Germany were a step in the right direction, but it wasn’t marriage. Marriage was good….
Kai leaned against the window and closed his eyes, not opening them until Beau nudged him awake again as they landed in South Carolina.
As they again made a trek to baggage claim, Lafayette grinned at Kai. “A bit smaller than Frankfurt’s airport.”
That was an understatement. “Is this the whole airport?”
Lafayette nodded.
Beau shook his head. “No, not really. They’re building more. Besides, this airport is much closer than Charlotte.”
Lafayette snorted. “That’s ’cause the entire thing, including the runways, can fit in another airport’s pocket.”
The whole airport was a quarter the size of one of Frankfurt’s massive terminals. Kai laughed, or tried to, but barely managed a chuckle. He must need more sleep.
They gathered their bags and walked less than a block to the covered parking garage.
; Beau indicated a black Mercedes convertible. “And we’re here.”
“Wow. This is this year’s model, right?” Kai dragged himself around the vehicle to examine the machine from all angles.
“Yeah, I like their design.” Lafayette popped the trunk.
Kai guessed that meant there was enough room so the guy didn’t have to fold himself in half to drive.
They loaded everything in. Beau helped Kai into the car.
Lafayette turned the car toward the I-385 signs and hit traffic.
“The speed limit is only sixty-five?” Maybe Kai misread the sign.
“That’s miles per hour, not kilometers,” Beau reminded him. Miles were over one-and-a-half times the speed of kilometers, but still that was slow compared to Germany’s autobahn.
Lafayette adjusted the rearview mirror, which allowed Kai to meet his gaze briefly. “In some places the speed limit is fifty-five, and in residential areas or near schools it can go down to twenty or twenty-five.”
They exited the highway and drove on smaller roads through lots of green fields. Trees he didn’t know the names of lined the roads. Colorful wildflowers in a field of green grass reminded him of the open spaces around Östringen and Bad Schönborn. What would Ulrich think of so many houses and all these ritzy developments?
Kai yawned and wished he’d shake this exhaustion. South Carolina had a lot of green fields, but he’d seen no vines. What would the soil be like in this climate? He closed his eyes.
Beau’s deep laugh echoed through the car, forcing Kai to open his eyes. He followed Beau’s finger, which pointed to a construction sign that flashed a warning: Zombies Ahead.
Lafayette growled, “I’m gonna kick Cassidy’s ass.”
Geez, Kai wouldn’t want to be this Cassidy person.
Beau laughed harder. He grabbed Lafayette’s nonsteering hand and brought it to his mouth for a quick kiss. “Oh, you will not. You’ll snarl at him, and then he’ll apologize and take it down.”
Lafayette glanced over at Beau with a small smile and returned the gesture, lifting Beau’s fingers to his lips.
