Chapter 28
Xavier snagged first class seats after he flashed his badge. Flashing his smile with the ticketing agent also didn’t hurt. Once in the cabin, the flight attendant flirted with Xavier and asked him if he wanted orange juice. When I asked about a mimosa, Xavier shook his head and the same attendant chose to ignore my request.
“The federal government is not paying you to get drunk,” he said.
“Oh, this is the same government that spends billions on wars, pisses away money on Congressional benefits, and I can’t even get a mimosa? Give me a break.”
I looked out the window to see the last pieces of luggage being loaded by conveyor belt. The whir of the engines strummed along and the dry, recirculated air hissed.
“Why are you being so difficult, Jake? We should be on the same team,
