The normal parade of humanity walked through the airport terminal one cold winter’s night. On the way home as a passenger, I prayed for an opening in the sky just long enough to get me home to my wife. My wife was a new pilot for a different airline and not senior enough to have Christmas off, so instead we decided to celebrate the holiday on December 23rd. The only problem was that it was the 22nd, I was stuck in an airport, and I only had one flight left to make it home on time for our celebration. The weather forecast was not too promising.
Absence does make the heart grow fonder, but after ten years of marriage I was already head over heels in love with her. The absence was only making my heart ache that much more.
“Shut up and put that away!” A 50 year-old man barked at his wife nearby. She complied with his demands, looking like a scolded puppy dog. I remembered this couple from the check-in counter. He had yelled at his wife like no person should be spoken to in public. I realize travel is a stressful time for everyone, but you could just tell this was no one-time occurrence. He would let loose way too easily, and she visibly flinched every time he spoke.
She was very cute in a Mrs. Beasley doll manner and had a naive Edith Bunker way about her, which was in line with her husband’s grumpy Archie Bunker mannerisms. I felt sorry for her but she acted as if everything was normal.
“I said no! You’ll eat on the plane!” he yelled.
“But….”
“What did I say?” He shouted, and raised the back of his hand as if to strike her.
She got the message and was silenced immediately. She knew her place, but everyone else in the boarding area did not, and yearned for her freedom. Evil looks at him abounded, but the couple was oblivious to the sentiment of the disapproving crowd. I sat back and wondered if they were ever deeply in love. Did they ever yearn for each other the way I yearned for my wife at that moment? When was the last time they hugged or said “I love you ”?
“You just went to the bathroom! What are you doing? You’re pathetic!” he scoffed as she hobbled away, smiling sheepishly at me as she passed. She had sweet eyes that seemed like they had seen way too much.
There was a growing recognition of the problems this couple had, as I’m sure every woman was infuriated and most men tried to look the other way. I needed to see my wife even more.
“We are ready to board flight #110 through gate 41 A.” The announcement was greeted with a collective sigh of relief.
“Hurry up, you stupid bag. They’re boarding!” he shouted.
His wife scurried back, apologizing for taking too much time.
“Where are the tickets?” he barked.
She searched her purse and then looked up in horror. “I must have left them in the bathroom.”
Without a thought, he cocked back and slapped her with the back of his hand. As she groveled, I felt that I couldn’t let this continue. I got to my feet, but someone beat me to it. A young black female spun him around and delivered a right cross that would have made Muhammad Ali proud. The man fell back in his seat and the crowd, especially the women, silently cheered.
The authorities were called. Everyone in the boarding area, including myself, wanted to be witnesses on behalf of the young lady. No charges were filed, for it was deemed self-defense on behalf of the older lady, but the young lady received a warning. I believe the older man should have gotten a warning or at least a serious lecture. Would he have listened? I bet the only thing the older couple got out of the experience was a story to tell about how they were almost mugged at the airport by a gang of marauders.
I got home that night and hugged my wife a little bit tighter and for a little bit longer, knowing in my heart I would never be that type of man. It was the best Dec. 23rd Christmas I’ve ever had.
