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Come Fly With Me

by tusker 

Posted: 07 January 2009
Word Count: 245
Summary: For Flash 2 challenge


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The challenge, great anticipation for many, had reared up in night dreams and impeded her concentration throughout Sara’s busy days.

Even the sight of daffodils, her favourite flowers, bursting into bloom with the promise of warmer weather had not alleviated her growing fear or tempted her outside into the garden.

Birds that she’d fed during winter, flew from fence to bird table as if taunting her apprehension. Preoccupied with her mental demons, she watched their aerial antics and courtships without her usual joy.

That morning, she rose, packed her bags, checked windows, electric points and cancelled the newspapers. Jeff, like an excited school boy, joked and larked about, telling her that soon they would be free from their work, interfering relatives and fractious siblings.

At eleven fifteen, she stood before a pretty young woman with dark hair drawn back from a well-made up face and, once Sara’s suitcase had trundled away behind thick plastic flaps, the young woman said, ‘Enjoy your holiday.’

In return, Sara let out an anguished sob and spun around, knocking her husband’s nose with a flapping hand. Elbowing him aside, she weaved an erratic course through a long queue that snaked past the public toilets, unaware of rising voices of astonished speculation.

On reaching automatic doors leading from Departures, she burst through into a late misty morning and, like a well-toned athlete, sprinted towards the airport’s long stay car park, deaf to the frantic shouts of her husband lagging far behind.






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Comments by other Members



V`yonne at 16:58 on 07 January 2009  Report this post
I can just see a terrified Jennifer taking the car park barriers at a sprint ; Perfect, Jennifer!

Prospero at 17:59 on 07 January 2009  Report this post
I have helped several people with flying phobias, so I can relate the accuracy of this piece.

You captured the sense of utter dread very well, Jennifer, I can believe you are a sufferer.

Best

Prosp

tusker at 18:23 on 07 January 2009  Report this post
Thanks Oonah.

You know me too well only I made the flight and Chris has the bent thumb to prove it.

Jennifer

tusker at 18:24 on 07 January 2009  Report this post
Thanks John.

One particular flight added to the phobia. I sing, to myself, with fingers stuck in ears, all through the flight, 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow.'

Ok, the other passengers think I'm mad but it helps.

Jennifer

Bunbry at 22:43 on 07 January 2009  Report this post
Have you tried Abba Jennifer? A little cracker, had a lovely mental image of you hot-footing it out the airport!

Nick

Nella at 08:19 on 08 January 2009  Report this post
Wonderful take on the challenge, Jennifer.
I've flown a lot, but I'm really getting to hate it!!!

tusker at 12:01 on 08 January 2009  Report this post
Thanks Nick.

Having an awful voice, I sing mentally. ABBA? That's an idea.

Jennifer

tusker at 12:04 on 08 January 2009  Report this post
Thanks Robin.

It doesn't get any easier, does it.

I compare the inside of a plane to a noisy flying coffin. Take-offs and landings are unbearable too.

Jennifer



Forbes at 23:49 on 10 January 2009  Report this post
Jennifer

I loved this! My sympathies with Sarah. I loved:

(...she burst through into a late misty morning and, like a well-toned athlete, sprinted towards the airport’s long stay car park, deaf to the frantic shouts of her husband lagging far behind.)

LOL!

CHeers

Avis



tusker at 07:44 on 11 January 2009  Report this post
Thanks Avis.

I've nearly done that but decorum stopped me.

Jennifer

Nik Perring at 17:46 on 15 January 2009  Report this post
You've captured the mood here really well, and as someone who's not the best flyer myself, I found it convincing.

Great stuff.

Nik

tusker at 18:20 on 15 January 2009  Report this post
Many thanks Nik from a fellow sufferer.

Jennifer




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