Chapter 10 - The Clouds Were Waiting
At twenty-two, Zuri boarded a flight alone to Chicago for her first major aviation policy presentation.
No Elaine.
No Marcus.
No guardian note.
No child fare.
Just Zuri Calloway, adult passenger, carry-on bag, navy coat, braids pinned back, boarding pass in hand.
Her seat was 3A.
She smiled when she saw it.
Not because of luxury.
Because memory had turned from wound into witness.
A man in 3C stood to let her pass.
“Window for you?” he asked politely.
“Yes,” Zuri said.
She slid into the seat.
Placed her bag beneath it.
Buckled her belt.
Outside the window, rain streaked the glass.
For a moment, she was ten again.
Standing in the aisle.
Small.
Humiliated.
Furious.
Then the feeling passed.
The flight attendant came by.
“Anything before takeoff?”
Zuri looked out at the wet runway.
Then smiled.
“Orange juice, please.”
The flight attendant nodded.
“Of course.”
May you like
Zuri leaned back in 3A as the cabin lights warmed around her.
The clouds were waiting.
