The Fractured Wife

Chapter 3

“We’re going to fly in an aeroplane. It’s bigger than the ones you have and you don’t even feel like your flying and you get to watch a film and have snacks.” Grant picked up Conan and proceeded to fly him around the room. Conan screamed as his big brother made him swoop up and down in the air. 

“Mummy, are we really going to fly like birds and eat snacks in the air?” Conan said finally after Grant has landed him on the bed. He ran over to Roma and wrapped his arms around her and looking up at her with innocence and excitement.

“Yes we are sweetheart and you can even sleep on the plane if you want to,” Roma said laughing knowing that her sons will be safe. “I should’ve done this a long time ago,” Roma said to herself looking at her sons as a stab of guilt hit her in her heart. She gathered both of her sons into a bear hug and got herself sorted before she left the motel.

Once Roma had spoken to the manager thanking him and handing back the room key she ordered a taxi and made sure that their disguises were in place in case Frank was looking for them. The taxi arrived and Roma and her boys got in the back. “Airport please,” Roma told the cab driver as he pulled away from the motel. Looking back through the window Roma felt sad that she was leaving her home and the little number of good memories she had with Frank but as she looked away from the window and saw the boys she knew she had made the right decision. She was thankful for Frank tho as he gave her 2 amazing boys that were growing into admirable men. 

They arrived at the airport and since they didn’t have any luggage except an old duffel bag with precious items and the little amount of clothing they took the previous night they didn’t have to wait in the long queues of people. Roma kept looking around like a deer caught in the headlights in case someone spotted them and told Frank where they were. She looked calm but she felt her stomach tying itself in knots and felt like her heart was thumping so hard she was certain it was going to jump out of her chest. After she got the tickets and got to the departure lounge she relaxed a little bit but knew she had to be cautious till they were safely at her sister’s house. 

“Mummy, can you pee when you’re in the aeroplane? Where does it go? Does it fall on the people that are on the ground?” Conan asked Roma with a wondering thoughts that only 6-year-old boys have. 

“you can pee in the aeroplane but it goes in a big box that collects all the pees and poops then they take it away when the plane lands,” Grant said to his little brother with a laugh his eyes full of amusement and ruffling Conan’s hair. 

Conan thought for a moment then accepted what his brother had said. “Mummy is it scary flying? Will the plane crash?” He started to get worried but Roma put Conan on her knee wrapping her arms around him. “No baby, flying isn’t scary and the pilot knows how to fly properly and he is careful when we need to land. They make sure the aeroplane is safe before we all go on and that there is enough fuel to get to where the plane is going.” Roma said comforting Conan. 

“Mummy what’s fuel? Is the plane hungry or thirsty?” Conan said looking deep into his mother’s eyes. 

Roma laughed like she hadn’t laughed in years and looked down at Conan holding him closer to her “The fuel is like when you need a drink when your thirsty and the pilot makes sure the plane has enough drinks to get to where the plane is going.” Roma had noticed that they were sitting near an older couple who was listening to her little boys questions and laughing to themselves. The older gentlemen had a thoughtful look and whispered to his wife something that Roma couldn’t make out and left to go to the duty-free shop. The gentleman returned carrying a plastic bag and sat down beside his wife once again. He cleared his throat and turning to Roma and Conan he smiled and said “Sorry to disturb you but we couldn’t help but overhear your son’s questions about flying. Can I talk to you for a minute? If that’s OK with your mum.” looking at Conan and gestured Conan over. “I used to be a pilot a long time ago when people were fighting in a big war. I used to fly a smaller plane than the one you are going on” pulling out a small toy plane from the carrier bag and giving it to Conan. “This plane is a special plane and if you get scared put your fear into this plane and you’ll be happy again.” Conan looked at the little plane and grinned so much to the old gentleman. 

“Thank you but can you tell me where the pee goes to in the plane?” Conan asked the old gentleman who was laughing so much his laughter was making the people around him laugh as well. 

“Well there is a special place in the bottom of the plane that everything gets stored so that people don’t fall into it as that wouldn’t be nice for us would it?” the gentleman said to Conan who couldn’t take his eyes off the plane in his hands. 

Roma couldn’t believe it when the man reached to the carrier bag and handed the bag to Roma. The man looked at Roma saying “You look like someone who has the weight of the world on their shoulders but I promise you it will get better.” Roma couldn’t believe it when she looked in the bag and saw a number of snacks and drinks. She fought back tears as she stood up facing the man 

“Can I give you both a hug please?” Roma asked the elderly couple who looked like they had offended her. 

“Of course you can dear.” The woman said standing beside her husband. Roma threw her arms around the elderly woman and gentleman. 

“Thank you for your kindness both of you,” Roma said with tears flowing down her cheeks. The older woman handed her a tissue to wipe her eyes. 

“It was not a problem dearie. You just take care of yourself and those boys of yours.” The woman said to Roma. 

“I will but I have to know your names. I’m…… Lorraine and this is Gerald and Blair” Roma said but felt guilty for giving this couple fake names but what else could she do in case someone overhears and runs back to her husband.

The woman smiled “Of course dearie my name is Anne and this is Dmitri” pointing to her husband.

Just as they said their names the announcement was made for them to board their plane. Roma picked up her bag which Grant took of her and slung over his shoulder. Roma held her hand out to Conan and smiled when he took her hand. Roma thought on the way to the plane. “This is it our new life begins.”