Flying Backwards Read online

  “Sorry to disturb you.” She closed the door behind her. He gave her a tight-lipped nod. “I just wanted to let you know I am heading over to the house now to pick up the last of my things–if that’s okay with you.”

  Phillip cleared his throat. “Yeah, that’s fine.” He shuffled some papers around. “I have some things here to catch up on, so I’ll be home late anyway.” Nora knew she was not the first person he’d loved who left him. They had been together a long time. He had proposed to her. She was going to be his wife.

  He gave her a pleading look.

  “Okay. Oh, I’ll leave the key under the mat.” Their eyes locked. It felt final for them both.

  Her guilty tears had dried up by the time she pulled into the carport at Phillip’s house. She noticed the For Sale sign right away. Nora’s only regret was hurting Phillip; leaving this house was not going to be hard. She carried in a few cardboard boxes she had borrowed from her mom’s house. She pulled a couple of garbage bags out of the cabinet for her clothes. The bedroom was a good place to start. Clothes, shoes, some books, a yoga mat, and some small hand weights went into various boxes and bags.

  Nora walked around the living room looking at photos in frames of her and Phillip. One photo of them was taken at a friend’s birthday party and another at the lake. She passed them by and picked up a photo of herself with her parents and Lizzy at Lizzy’s high school graduation. She took that photo and one of her with Polly wearing matching Santa hats at Christmas. Nora shook her head, realizing there was nothing else that was hers to take. They had bought things like sheets, towels, and some dishes together, but she did not want or care about them. She’d never wanted to spend time in this house and never cared about fixing the place up. She had no connection to it. This only confirmed that she had not fit in this relationship.

  She went to the cupboard to retrieve her favorite mug and noticed the ring holder on the windowsill. She looked down at her engagement ring. It was a beautiful round stone in a simple platinum setting. She slid it off her finger and placed it in the holder. She’d always set it there when she washed the dishes. It would feel strange not wearing the ring, but she couldn’t keep it. Phillip will notice it when he gets home.

  She slipped the mug into a box and loaded up her car. Placing the house key under the mat, she drove away, feeling somehow freed.

  Nora returned to her parent’s house. Her family rallied around her. Dad hugged her, Mother fretted over her comfort, Victoria uttered sage advice, and Lizzy became her snuggly sofa companion. It had been one emotional day, one emotional work week, and then that part of her life was over and she was ready…‌Ready to take on this new adventure.

  As the leaves fell, the cold November wind kicked up. Since moving out of Phillip’s house, Nora was content to go for long runs and attend Tyler’s games with Lizzy. She focused on brushing up her French skills. There was a small lull for Clark’s Catering around Thanksgiving. As the family gathered to celebrate, Nora couldn’t help but feel the negative space that was usually filled by Phillip. He’d joined this gathering for so many years. He was an only child, and his parents lived in Denver. Nora had only met them once.

  The Thanksgiving feast was an all-out affair, but Nora ate little. She had lost some weight, perhaps due to the accumulated anxiety while she waited for training to start in January. This lull in her routines at times made her doubt her choices. What if it didn’t work out and she ended up alone? When such thoughts entered her head, she pushed–no, shoved–them out of her mind. Still the anxiety pressed heavily on her chest. Nora hadn’t heard at all from Phillip. She’d heard his house had sold in only six days. Lizzy had mentioned she’d seen a moving truck there a few weeks before Christmas. He was probably in Boston by now. Nora wished the best for him. She realized even though the thought of being single was a little intimidating, something within her was changing, opening to new possibilities. The gears of ambition and desire were turning, building her anticipation for what was to come.

  The packet from Meade Airlines arrived with all the information she needed for her six-week training in Pittsburg. Finally the day had come. The family gathered together for an intimate farewell dinner for Nora. The next morning she survived an emotional good-bye before she drove to the airport, on her way to Pittsburgh and a new life.

  Chapter Four

  Nora’s plane landed in Pittsburg in mid-January for flight attendant training. A blanket of snow covered the town, and the cold temperatures had kept most of it on the ground. She boarded the hotel’s shuttle van and smiled at the five passengers. She guessed they were all in the flight attendant program too. The two girls across from her had been chatting before they’d boarded the bus. One of the girls wore a skirt and cardigan sweater set. Her wool coat and scarf were folded on the seat beside her. Her shoulder-length, perfectly fluffed hair was neatly arranged. The second girl was petite, and she had dark, wavy hair past her shoulders.

  “Sure is cold here. We get some cooler days in the mountains in North Carolina, but not this cold,” the girl in the sweater set commented. She slipped her scarf around her neck to ward off the chill.

  “Yes, cold, but look at the snow. It’s pretty. I’ve never seen snow for real. I was hoping it would snow here. We’re from Miami.” The girl with the wavy hair pointed to herself with her index finger, then to a guy in the back with her thumb. Her voice was loud, and she spoke rapidly. She wore tight tan pants, definitely with some spandex in the fiber blend, Eleanor thought. Her short leather jacket did not look like it kept her warm.

  “You might not think it’s so pretty after six weeks of it,” jeered the guy at the back of the shuttle bus, who never looked away from the frozen landscape.

  “Oh, shut up, Miguel. What do you know about snow?” the girl retorted over her shoulder. “That’s my cousin, Miguel, who has never seen snow either.” She rolled her dark eyes. He made no further comment.

  “Are you two headed for flight attendant training?” asked a pretty girl with strawberry blond hair who sat two seats over from Nora.

  “Yes, we are,” the southern girl said. “Are you?”

  “Yeah, my name is Bree Royce. I flew in from Washington, DC.” She smiled at everyone, because everyone’s attention was on her. Bree was striking. She had a pale porcelain complexion, and the hue of her blue eyes appeared almost turquoise. Her smile framed straight, gleaming-white, movie-star teeth. Of course, Nora thought.

  “Nice to meet you, Bree. I’m Rebecca, from North Carolina. And this is Jackie and her cousin Miguel from Florida. We all met on our last flight up here. We were all in the same row. Can you believe it?” said Rebecca, the southern belle.

  “Hi, I’m Nora. I’m going to the training too,” Nora volunteered. “I’m from here. Well, eastern Pennsylvania.”

  They all exchanged nods and smiles. Then all eyes rested on the last passenger on the bus, who sat near the back row, curled up, facing out the window. She wore a hoody sweatshirt and baggie dress pants. She had glanced over when Bree spoke, and then her gaze darted back to the drab view of fields, trees, and overcast skies. She straightened and stretched before she smiled back. “Hi, I’m Brittney.” She gave a wave. “From Florida too.”

  They made small talk for a while. None mentioned how nervous they were, even though they’d traveled from afar and faced obstacles that could have two possible outcomes: they made it or they went home. Nora felt some trepidation. She was relieved when they finally arrived at the hotel, which distracted her from the unsettling emotion.

  The large packet she’d received in the mail a few weeks earlier detailed all the pertinent information about her stay. She would be housed in a hotel five miles from the flight attendant training facility during her six-week stay. She would be assigned a roommate; they would share a room with two double beds, a mini fridge, and a microwave. There were coin-operated laundry facilities on the first floor, along with a gym.

  The packet gave instructions for the t
ypes of clothing, shoes, and even jewelry that could be worn during training. Meade Airlines requested business-casual dress. Nora had to shop for a few suitable items like the collared shirts and navy shoes specified. She needed a swimsuit for water-emergency training and managed to find one even though it was off season. She also purchased a few new pairs of pantyhose; she only owned one pair. She invested in a navy pencil skirt and three pairs of dress pants. She’d needed new things anyway because she had lost some weight. The stress of breaking off her engagement, anticipation of her new career, and leaving home for the unknown had made her anxious. She’d worked out more consistently to help deal with the escalating emotions. She wasn’t disappointed that this resulted in a smaller dress size. It was the first time she had made it through the food-crazy holidays and lost weight.

  The hotel was a basic block-style, with no embellishments. Once inside, Nora noticed the dated lobby that offered alcove seating; there was a pub-style restaurant directly at the front. Since she was expected to pay for meals during her stay, she hoped the food was decent at the pub.

  Miguel breezed by them, got his key from the front desk, and disappeared into an elevator. Nora wondered about his aloof personality and how he would interact with passengers in the friendly skies. Jackie and Rebecca stepped up to the front desk next and were assigned the same room. Nora and Bree signed in and were paired together. This total stranger, Bree, was going to be Nora’s roommate for six weeks. “Let’s check it out.” Bree handed Nora her key card.

  As they headed toward the elevators, Nora looked back at Brittney, who was getting her room assignment. Nora glanced from Bree’s Coach purse and matching Coach roller-bag to Brittney’s backpack slung over her shoulder and the faded back duffle bag at her feet. Hmm, she thought, this is going to be an interesting six weeks.

  Their room was basic, minimal and clean. Outside the bathroom was an additional sink and mirror, which would be helpful when the girls got ready at the same time in the morning. The closet was large enough for the two of them, and they each got three drawers in the dresser. Bree claimed the bed by the window. They unpacked their bags.

  “So, Bree, tell me about yourself. You’re from Washington, DC?”

  “Yes, DC and Potomac, Maryland.” She pulled out one lovely garment after another. “Mr. Royce, my dad, is in DC, and Mrs. Royce, my mom, has the house in the suburbs. They’re divorced.”

  “What made you decide to do this?” It seemed like Bree’s life was pretty plush from the looks of her stuff.

  “Mostly to get away from them. I wanted to do something for myself, something that didn’t involve either of them helping me. Plus, this job just seems fun and free.” She looked at Nora, hoping she might understand.

  Yes, free. Freedom was exactly what Nora felt. Even though breaking up with Phillip was heart-wrenching, she felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She didn’t want to waste the rest of her life in a doomed relationship, void of passion and shared companionship. She loved her family dearly but didn’t want to be involved with the family catering business any longer. She had declined to become a partner and chosen to work elsewhere. She owed it to herself to overcome her timid, obliging ways and seek fulfillment in life. She wanted to be free–free to go, literally, where the wind would take her. “You said it! Freedom–I can’t wait to start traveling. I feel like I’ve been trapped in a small town my whole life.” Nora handed Bree six of the twelve hangers provided. They both felt the mutual connection of a budding friendship.

  “Really.” Bree looked as if she considered her new roommate for a moment. “Where do you want to go first?”

  “I’m training for the international position, so any of Meade’s European destinations will be great. Also, I am looking forward to using the flight benefits to travel when I’m not working. First stop–Italy. It’s always been on my list of places to visit.” She worked at the buttons on the shirt she’d just put on a hanger.

  “Italy is amazing. You will definitely love it. I spent a summer there just after college. Mr. Royce has a golf buddy who owns a vineyard in Tuscany, and we got to stay in his villa for two months.” She paused for a moment. “International flight attendant–I should have applied for that.” Bree slid a cream-color silk blouse onto her hanger. Nora figured it was no doubt a one-of-a-kind designer blouse, unlike her cotton-polyester blend. Bree folded the matching camisole and placed it in the drawer next to her dainty lace bras and panties.

  “Do you speak Italian?” Nora asked.

  “I speak some Italian. My roommate in college was from Sicily and talked nonstop on the phone to her family in Italian. She spoke half-English, half-Italian.” Bree chuckled. “I got pretty good at understanding it that summer in Italy. The guy I was dating there only spoke Italian.” Bree sighed dramatically. “Yeah, we spent a lot of time together.” Bree shook her head, clearing her thoughts. “How about you? Do you speak any languages?”

  “Oui, I speak French.” Nora confided that she’d worked hard to brush up the past couple of months.

  As the girls got to know each other better while they finished unpacking. Nora was relieved she’d lucked out with a great roommate. They seemed like long-lost friends already.

  Nora stashed her cotton bras and underwear quickly in the dresser drawer. She lined up her shoes in the closet. She’d brought sneakers for the gym, a pair of ankle boots, and the required navy shoes. She lined her three pairs of shoes next to Bree’s dozen sets of fashionable footwear. Nora dug in her bag and pulled out her slippers to add to her side, although the tattered addition didn’t increase the appeal of her collection.

  * * *

  After the girls finished chatting and unpacking, Nora called home to quickly report that she’d made it to Pittsburg. Her call was brief because Meade Airlines was hosting a welcome reception in one of the hotel’s ballrooms; it was starting soon.

  The ballroom was divided by a floating fabric wall, and the smaller space was filling in fast. Nora and Bree each took a class of wine offered at the makeshift bar and grabbed one of the last empty tables. Nora glanced at Bree in anticipation. She noticed as Bree sipped white wine, her regal posture made her stand out among the otherwise ordinary group.

  Nora looked around the room for the few familiar faces from the shuttle bus. Jackie and Rebecca sat across the room at a table with two other girls. Miguel loomed nearby. She guessed around one hundred people were squeezed around the room.

  Maria Sanchez walked in. Nora recognized her from the initial open interview session. Maria stood next to a table piled high with large, thick envelopes. She welcomed the group and wasted no time covering the upcoming itinerary. Monday through Friday, shuttle buses would transport everyone to the training facility. Classes would typically run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with an hour lunch break. She reminded them that they were responsible for buying their own lunches. The training facility had a cafeteria, and there was a sandwich shop within walking distance. In addition on Saturday mornings they would have training, and the shuttle buses would take them to various facilities for specialized drills. They would have Sundays off.

  “You will be divided up into five groups. There will be a morning lesson in the classrooms, followed by an afternoon exam covering that morning’s lesson.” She paused and went on to explain how the scoring worked. Two makeup exams during the entire training program were allowed if trainees scored below 80 percent. If someone failed to meet this requirement, he or she would automatically be sent home.

  Bree and Nora exchanged glances, thinking that could easily happen to anyone in the room. The fantasy career they dreamed of could be over almost before it began. Are the exams tricky? Nora wondered. On the bus, others had reported rumors that half the trainees often went home.

  After the exam each day, Maria explained, they would move on to other types of training. During the weeks that followed, they’d be required to accomplish various tasks inside the mock airplane cabins. Ea
ch trainee was required to reach the overhead bins and close them, arm and disarm the aircraft door, lift out the forty-pound emergency window, and buckle themselves correctly into the flight attendant jump seats. Nora’s stomach fluttered with excitement. This was really happening! She was here at training!

  “Please come collect an envelope. All details will be available to you. I will be around to answer any further questions.” Maria was quickly surrounded by eager trainees.

  * * *

  The first Monday morning, after Bree and Nora grabbed coffee and a muffin from the hotel’s continental breakfast bar, they boarded the transport van. Arriving at the training facility, they wished each other good luck; they were not assigned to the same class.

  Nora and her classmates sat at tables facing a whiteboard with the names Chad and Stacy neatly written across it. Nora could feel the enthusiastic energy in the room. They gave their full attention to the two instructors, Chad and Stacy, who introduced themselves as flight attendants who had worked as trainers for the last couple years; they said they would be with them for the six weeks of classroom training. Their first lesson was on airline terminology, and Nora took detailed notes. Nora thought Chad was easygoing, and he remained on topic. Energetic Stacy often added side stories that the trainees found amusing.

  Nora and Bree met at lunch and discussed the morning lesson, reviewing their notes over cafeteria salads that came in plastic clamshells. After lunch the trainees took their first written exam. Nora was nervous, but she stayed focused. In the afternoon the lecture was about uniforms and appearance standards. Every aspect of the uniform was discussed, from avoiding overstuffed, bulging pockets to collars that must lay flat. No detail was left out. On the subject of earrings: only one matching set of earrings could be worn at one time. Various shapes were not authorized, including dangling or hoop earrings more than one inch in diameter. No ear cuffs, nose rings, novelty shapes, or earrings with moving parts were permitted. Nora decided her diamond CZ studs would be a safe choice. She thought of Bree, knowing her diamonds were real.