An abrupt drop in altitude jolted Katherine from her hard-won sleep.

Groggily, she peeled her eye shade from one eye and peered into the dim cabin. Most of the passengers on the plane were still asleep, and the flight attendants were nowhere to be seen.

She glanced at the seatback video screen to check the flight’s progress.

Still two hours until we land, she thought. Oh, well, I guess I’m awake now.

Just eight hours ago, she was in San Francisco, after having said goodbye for the third time this month to her husband and her cat. Her husband was simmering with quiet anger; the cat had the disinterested air that only felines can muster.

She’d Ubered her way to the airport to keep a minimum of fuss.

Katherine chuckled to herself.

As a motivational speaker, she was in demand around the world to tell people how to have a perfect life, be successful, and just generally keep it together. Maybe she should listen to her own talks once in a while?

A flight attendant walked past, and noticed she was awake. “Hey, aren’t you on that show…”

Katherine automatically turned on her public smile. “Yes,” replied Katherine. “That’s me!”

“I thought so! I just wanted to say that I really love what you’re doing for entrepreneurs, and I’ve got a business I’m working on myself. Do you have a moment for me to run it by you?”

Katherine sighed internally, careful not to let the exhaustion show. It seemed that every conversation she had was with someone who wanted something from her.  On one hand, she was grateful for where she was, but on the other, there was simply no time for her to be herself – whatever that was.

“I’m happy to…” Katherine began, when the plane jolted again with turbulence.

The flight attendant jumped up, saying “I’m sorry, I’ll have to talk with you another time!” She ran to the back of the plane and soon after began an announcement about turbulence.

Katherine sighed at the reprieve.

She decided to put her eye mask back on and pretend to sleep for the rest of the flight.

“Wot rrr ye doon Glazgooh?”

“Excuse me – what was that?” Between lack of sleep and a thick accent, Katherine could barely understand the words that being asked of her.

 

The immigration officer repeated himself, more slowly, “What are you doing in Glasgow?”

“I’m here to give a talk at a conference,” she said.

“That’s well barry, lass!” he said, while stamping her passport.

“Umm, thank you,” she stammered, as she retrieved it and headed toward baggage claim.

As soon as she stepped through the door, was immediately accosted by a young porter holding a sign with her name on it. He was 6’0 and wiry, with moppish auburn hair and freckles. He looked to be around 160lbs, wet.

“Katherine Crane?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Great! I’m you’re driver! I knew it was you. I have your picture! I’ve seen all your shows – well, the ones we can get over here, that is. I have seen a bunch on the internet too. You’re famous, ye ken?” His accent was much more understandable than the immigration clerk – although he spoke so quickly he was out of breath by the end of his speech.

“So I’ve heard.”

“Amazing! I’m so lucky I got you. I asked and asked and asked and asked and asked…”

“Well, obviously, you succeeded. Where are the bags?”

“Oh, over here! Yours are already out. I have them ready to go. You must be tired – I can take you right to the hotel?”

“That sounds lovely, um – what’s your name?”

“Oh! Yes! Hah! My name is Ian. Thanks so much ma’am!”

“Thank you Ian. Shall we go?”

Katherine watched with some mild amusement as Ian gathered her 5 unmatched bags onto a dolly and then began maneuvering through the crowded airport. He deftly navigated around elderly people, children and other slow-moving patrons on the way to the carpark.

She was so transfixed by his methods, she was caught off guard when he abruptly stopped short, causing herself to run into the bags, knocking them over.

“Ouch!”

“Oh, dear me, I’m terrible sorry about that. We’re here, though.”

Katherine looked up, and did a double take.

“Is this the car?” she said.

“Yes!” said Ian, proudly continuing “I paid for it myself, and its entirely mine!”

She wasn’t entirely sure how to react. In front of her was a rectangular orange box with wheels. She couldn’t tell where the car ended and the windows began – it was possibly the ugliest conveyance she’d ever seen. “Does that thing – move?”

“You’re funny! I thought you were funny from your videos but you never know if that’s scripted, right? Ok, lets get you packed up and we’ll get on our way!”

Katherine looked dubiously at the “car” and waited for Ian to finish loading the bags so he could open her door for her, as she wasn’t entirely sure from looking where the handle was.

“We’re about 30 minutes away from the hotel, Ms. Crane. I’m happy to point out the sites we pass along the way if you’d like?” said Ian, with a hopeful tone.

“Thank you Ian, but I should check my messages and get a bit of rest before I get there.”

“Oh, ok, I understand.” Ian turned on the radio and started driving, humming softly to himself.

Oh no, I’ve upset him. Well, he’s not the first man I’ve disappointed today, thought Katherine. She pulled out her phone and started checking her text messages.

52 unread messages.

Sigh.

One at a time, she went through each messages. 8 of them were from her best friend, simply sending her funny pictures and encouraging messages for the trip. Two from her agent which she could respond to later.

She sent quick replies to everyone, and then she got to her husband’s name on the list. 15 messages.

“Miss you already!”

“Have a great day!”

“Hope you’re having a nice flight!”

“Can’t find the filet knife – do you know where I put it?”

“Looks like there’s storms – hope everything’s ok.”

“Found the filet knife.”

“You should be landing soon.”

“The cat is being cute. Here’s a picture…”

;

“Looks like your flight got delayed a little bit.”

“Where are you? I think you’re on the ground.”

“Is everything ok?”

“I’m worried.”

“I’m really worried now. Why haven’t you messaged me?”

“Plane landed over an hour ago. Where are you?”

As she was reading these, another message came in:

“I just tracked your phone and see that you’ve left the airport. I’m sure you have your reasons for not calling me, but I don’t want to hear them right now. I’ll let you know when I’ve calmed down enough for you to call me. If you had cared enough to let me know you’d landed safely, you would have.”

Katherine sighed deeply. She traveled to get away from this, not to have to continue to listen to it 5000 miles away. She shut off her phone.

“Ian, what’s that thing we’re passing now?”

Ian perked up immediately and started chattering away for the rest of the way to the hotel.