Chapter 1 The Flight
Chapter 1 The Flight
The airport seemed louder than usual that morning.
Howard stood beside his suitcase, reading the same confirmation email for the third time even though he already knew every detail.
Mexico.
The word still felt strange to him.
He had wanted the job. He had worked for it. Yet wanting an opportunity and actually stepping into it were two different things.
Howard looked around the terminal.
People hurried past him with their luggage. Families gathered around one another. Travelers checked their phones and watched the departure screens.
For a moment, Howard wondered if he was making the right decision.
His phone rang.
It was Scott.
“You still have time to change your mind.”
Howard laughed.
“And give you the satisfaction of saying you told me so?”
“Exactly.”
Howard looked toward the departure board.
“I've already made my decision.”
Scott became quiet for a moment.
“You nervous?”
“A little.”
“That means you're human.”
Howard smiled.
“I'll be fine.”
“You better be. I don't want to hear that you got lost in Mexico.”
Howard laughed.
“I can read a map.”
“You couldn't find your own apartment last week.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
Howard shook his head.
“You're never going to let that go, are you?”
“Never.”
They laughed together.
The announcement for Howard's flight came over the speakers.
Howard looked down at his suitcase.
This was it.
He was leaving everything familiar behind.
His job.
His routine.
His friends.
His old life.
He didn't know how long the new chapter would last, but he knew it was beginning now.
“That's my flight,” Howard said.
“I know.”
There was a short silence between them.
Scott's voice became more serious.
“Take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
“And call me when you land.”
“You know I will.”
“Good.”
Howard smiled.
“See you soon.”
“See you soon.”
The call ended.
Howard took one last look around the airport before picking up his suitcase.
He walked toward the gate.
Every step made the decision feel more real.
When he finally boarded the plane, he found his seat and placed his bag beside him.
He looked through the window.
The runway stretched ahead.
For a moment, he wondered what kind of man he would become in this new place.
Then the plane began to move.
Howard watched the airport disappear behind him.
As the plane lifted into the sky, excitement came first.
Then came a quiet fear.
He had no idea what waited for him in Mexico.
He only knew that his old life was behind him.
And his new life had just begun.
