the team had gathered ins

discussing line combinations near the windows, and members of the medica

head therapist walked over, handing me a thick folder. "Arthur's rehabilitation fi

wil

A burst of lau

toward the strip of bright blue kinesiology tape peeking out beneath the

d. "Must've been one

is duffel bag, completely unfa

the only

d as boarding was announced. I waited until most of

at near the middle of the cabin and quietly sett

light attendant approached me with an apol

ed up.

omfortable flying without sitting beside his roommate. He had a panic a

O

eats? You're the only staf

olitely. "

you s

n, and my smile instantly evaporated. Arthur looked up from the scouting report in his

isle. There was absol

buckled myself in. Neither of us spoke. The aircraft taxied towar

teady hum of the engines and the occasional turning of a page.

to his rehabilitati

ld've sa

make someone else's

aint nod. "

ning to face him. "Can

pen

talk unless it's a

rig

ed the flight attendant, but left the plastic tray completely untou

nd

ped break

und to look at him. "

me at the termi

S

e isn't b

rated breath. "You pay

he unopened bread roll from his tray, and placed it fi

him. "I'll take my chances." N

finally switched off. I glanced toward th

when the captain's voice echoed overhead. "Ladies and gentlemen, we've encountered une

k. "I've got it," I mutter

raft jol

o steady myself. Several players cursed around m

meone shouted for everyone to sit down. I reached desperately toward my row, but I never mad

g happene

apped firmly around my waist, pulling me f

th

as he yanked me out of the aisle just as another violent drop rocked the aircraft. A sh

went comp

ost all sense of direction, and the only thing keeping me from crashing vi

ncy lights flick

heavy, suffocating silenc

om the strain on his joint. I breathed in sharply, the sudden lack of

rmth of his lap beneath me, and my fingers were tangled tightly into the fabric of his shi

f us move

the position completely short-circuiting my brain. Then, t

I turned

medical staff. Even the flight attendants had frozen in place, thei

o quickly that I nearly lost my ba

oom door, and slammed it shut behind me. The latch clicked. I leaned against th

could only imagine the knowing looks and th

completely unaware that out in the aisle, Arthur was gently rotating his le