An Ode to my Grandparents
by E.Glo
âQueen! Queen! You dropped something!â
Flustered, I looked back to what just so happened to be a fine man in military uniform; holding my wallet. Running late per usual, it made sense that I would drop the accessory I need the most.
âQueen? Thatâs an interesting approachâ I say as I grab my wallet.
I add a smile so he knows I was being sarcastic âThank you, I wouldâve been so upset if I would have boarded the flight without itâ
I politely walk off expeditiously knowing the boarding doors will be closing in 5 minutes.
âYouâre welcome Ms.?â the man in fatigue shouts out
I look over my shoulder and prepare myself to shout back, but I heard my name over the intercom in the airport
âHelen Carr to Gate G4 for flight 0903830 to Norfolk, Virginiaâ
Well damn, I didnât know they put ALL your business over the intercom. I picked up my pace and chunked the deuce at the airport hottie.Â
I arrived to the gate just as the attendant readied herself to give me a second warning over the intercom. I board the plane and to my surprise, I was able to score a window seat. Sure it was in the emergency row but a view is a view. Â
As I get comfortable and prepare for my customary travel nap I look up to see that I wasnât the only one running behind. After a family of three stumbles upon the plane, to my surprise, I catch the eye of the military hottie from the terminal earlier.
We smiled at one another. I raised my eyebrow. He politely ask the woman sitting on the aisle if he can grab the window seat. Smart man and heâs sitting in first class, must be the military clearance, lucky. The plane begins to settle so I fall back into nap formation.
I woke up to quite a bit of turbulence and the flight attendant welcoming us to Norfolk, Virginia.
âOn behalf of Southwest Airlines we want to be the first to welcome you to Norfolk, Virginia the weather is warm at 80 degrees with clear skies. We know you have many other options to choose from, but we thank you for choosing Southwest airlines. Enjoy your stayâ
Iâm in no rush to get off the plane. It always takes the baggage some time to make it to baggage carousel. Plus, I know my sister is probably a good 30 minutes away. Running behind, kind of runs in the bloodline.Â
I finally gathered myself and my tote, head down the aisle and off the plane. As I glance over the signs to find direction to baggage claim, guess who walks out of the menâs bathroom? The military hottie, yet again! This is so crazy, why does he keep falling into my viewpoint! Not to mention heâs standing in the pathway of the baggage claim.
As I walk in his direction, he looks up and smiles pleasantly. As much as I donât want to sell myself a dream, the man is fiiioone and this smile is contagious! He has to be about 6â2, face chiseled, and from the way his suit fits he has arms to match. Heâs a high yella fella, with the charm of a bronzed brotha. So of course I smiled back. Did I mention the smile is contagious! Plus it is kind of cute that we keep running into each other randomly.Â
I head in his direction. After all, I do have to go to baggage claim.
âThanks for grabbing and returning my wallet. I never got your nameâ I asked. âJames, James Street. Helen right?â said the military hottie. I laughed âYep thatâs me. Time never seems to be on my side. The way this weekend is set up, I cannot afford to be without my walletâ
âSounds like you have plans to turn Virginia Beach upside downâ James said.
âJust a tad. My sister is getting married and itâs her bachelorette weekend so we have a fewâŚ.exciting things planned. What brings you into town? Looks like you might be on your way to discuss war plans with the top officialsâ I asked jokingly as we reach the baggage carousel.
He laughed âFunny, Iâm actually in town visiting my brother (and nephew. They share the same birthday and my nephew is turning 1. He and his wife are going all out this year, so I figured I couldnât miss itâ said James.
Hmm family oriented and a man of valor. He should ask for my number.
âThatâs sweet. Does your brother live in Norfolk?â I asked curiously. I spot my bag and grab it. Oddly enough his bag was just a few bags behind mine.Â
âNah he lives in Chesapeakeâ he says with a smirk.
 âCool, cool. Well -â my phone starts to vibrate and interrupts my conversation, I look down to see its Sue. She must be pulling up.
âWell, have fun and enjoy the birthday festivities! My sisterâs pulling up outside. It was nice meeting you James Streetâ I grab my luggage and head towards the sliding doors.
He lets out a chuckle and says âWhy do you keep walking away from me?â
I freeze in my spot.
What did this man just ask me? Did he just-, who does he -? As I continue questioning whatâs happening in this very moment. He stands in front of me and says âI have family and friends that live in the area. My brother might not be up for a night in Virginia Beach but my guys and cousins might be up for it. Maybe youâll allow me to run into you sometime this weekend?â He hands me his phone.
Whoa. The man is bold. Iâm lost for words quite honestly. So I reached for his phone and enter in my number. As I save my digits my phone starts vibrating again. I pass him back his phone and gaze into his eyes, because, like, really who is this man that has me speechless. I answer my sisterâs call, using my shoulder to hold the phone to my ear I reach for my luggage and chunk the deuce and add a smile.Â
âIâm coming outside now, where are you?â
âWhere am I! Where are you? Iâve been outside for the pass 10 minsâ said Sue
âOh please bridezilla, youâre usual late so I took my sweet timeâ
âWell hurry up Helen, before they make me loop around the airport, yet againâ
Sisters, always complaining. I look back at the sliding doors to see if James was still standing there, but he wasnât. I wonder if he meant what he said about meeting up this weekend.
*Beep. Beeppppppp* Clearly my sister is excited to see me.
âOh lord, Sue! My ears! They can only take but so much.â
âI donât careeee its MY weekend and I missed MY sisterâ said Sue
We hug tightly, threw my luggage in the back seat and start discussing plans for the weekend.
âI know this weekend is all about me but who knows maybe youâll find a potential husband while weâre outâ said Sue
My phone vibrates. I look down and see a text from âMaybe: James Streetâ
How ironic.