“52..” I mumbled as I typed my address in the GPS.

My friend’s make fun of the fact that I need a GPS to go everywhere in the city, but I have too many things to remember.

I thought back over the encounter that I had just had as my phone rang. It was my best friend Carmen.

“Hola.” She said cheerfully.

“Hola.” I responded. 

Neither of us are Hispanic, but she had been living in Costa Rico for work for the past 6 years and she spoke Spanish fluently.

“Did you make it to your gate?” I asked. 

“Yes, E 4.” I could hear her shuffling her boarding pass in her hands.

“Ok, I just got to my car. I’m glad we were able to get dinner.”

“So am I,” She agreed. “Did you have to wait long for the employee shuttle?”

“I didn’t have to wait at all.”
“Yeah?”

“Yes. Remember the guy from Hinge I was telling you about?”

“The one who says he’s 6’7?”

“He’s really 6’7.”

“How do you know?” I could hear the smile in her voice.

“He just picked me up and brought me to the employee parking lot.” I giggled.

“How’d that happen?” she asked.

“I texted him when I left you in the terminal and he said that he was around the airport.” I explained. “When I walked outside, he was sitting in a Lamborghini Truck; he stepped out of it, he was six-foot seven girl.”

We both squealed.

“Yes, when I hugged him, I had to stand on the curb to reach his neck.”

“Ouii that’s fun!” She shrieked.

“I know.” I laughed. “And he offered to take me to the parking lot, so I said yes to chat for a few minutes. He’s really fine and he wouldn’t let me touch the door. He was a gentleman, and he spoke so well. Oh, I was impressed.”

“Sounds like it.” She smiled.

“Yeah,” I sighed. “Now I’m on my way home to deal with reality.” 

We buried my youngest brother the weekend prior, which was why Carmen had flown in. I’d also just returned to being a flight attendant after taking an extended leave, and I was in contract negotiations for my business, and I just ended a five-year relationship. It was all taking its toll on my spirit.

“I know.” She comforted. “If you need me, I’m here.”

“I know. Let me know when you land.”

After hanging up, I thought about my little brother. There were so many questions in my mind regarding his death. I thought of the last few calls he made to my mother and I as I took a deep breath and turned on my playlist. I didn’t want to think about anything at all. I sparked my joint and turned the volume up.