I had assumed that my major business trip to Los Angeles would be just another day, but the pilot’s enigmatic request caused me to doubt all of my prior knowledge. I never would have anticipated how the information he revealed would change my future. Though my two-hour flight to Los Angeles was supposed to be uneventful, what transpired during that trip permanently altered my course in life. Let me explain why I had to travel to Los Angeles that day before I tell you about it. I now have my ideal job as an architect at a reputable construction company. Let me tell you, my arrival here was not due to serendipity. It was my diligence and the many late nights I spent in college honing my abilities and picking up new ideas.
My employer just given me the chance to show a significant project to a few of our most influential investors in Los Angeles. I gladly accepted the invitation because it was a HUGE thing that might lead to a long-awaited promotion. To be honest, I was really appreciative of the opportunity to make my mother, Melissa, proud. She has raised me as a single parent, which is mostly why she is my best friend. She informed me that my father had died before I was even born, but she never discouraged me from following my aspirations. My mother has always provided me with support, and I am grateful for that.
Upon informing her about the meeting in Los Angeles, she gave me a hug and exclaimed, “Go get ’em, sweetheart! I will keep you in my prayers. At the airport, the time passed quickly, and before I knew it, I was settled into my seat and the plane was ready to take off. I was fortunate enough to have an empty seat next to me, and the flight attendants were all really friendly! A tray of drinks was brought to me by Bethany, a pleasant-looking flight attendant, a few minutes into the trip. “Would you like anything to drink?” she inquired, grinning.
“Please, just orange juice,” I said, reaching up to take the glass. Bethany looked down at my wrist birthmark as I did. “I apologize, but could I please have your passport?” she requested abruptly. That is odd, I thought to myself. I handed it over, confused but not willing to fight. Bethany nodded and took a close look at it before giving it back. Just a routine check-in with protocol. I am grateful. Sounds awesome.
After a little while, Bethany came back to my seat. She said, “Pardon me, but will you be in a hurry after we land?” “Yeah, I’ve got a connecting flight to catch and I’m already running late,” I explained as I subconsciously clasped my hands together. What on earth could the pilot possibly need to tell me? And why did it have to wait until after we landed? My big meeting was hanging in the balance, and I didn’t want to risk missing my connection.