When packing today to come to san diego, The Little Red Haired Girl asked me if I’d remembered my cell phone charger, trying to help me not forget anything. I told her “Of course,” pointing out that I generally forget different things than she does. I was right; I forgot to pack a comb.
So, this is a story from the last time The Little Red Haired Girl and I were at the airport in Hartford, CT. We were pretty early, and sitting at the gate chowing on some sushi that we’d picked up on our way out of town. We look over, and this couple had gotten up and was walking out of the gate area, leaving their two black duffel bags behind on the floor in front of their seats. That’s clearly not an ok thing to do, and we debated for a while whether or not we sould say something. After all, we’ve always been told, “if you see something, say something.”
I think I’m ashamed to admit that neither of us did say something. I won’t speak for The Little Red Haired Girl, but there was a certain aspect of not wanting to be a paranoid busy-body as well as a feeling of not wanting to “tell on” them for doing something stupid. At the same time, that’s the kind of mentality that makes it easier for actual wack stuff to happen.
The whole time I just held my breath, hoping the couple would come back soon. And they did, carrying sodas and holding hands. I keep thinking about it though, wondering what I would have done if they hadn’t? I hadn’t been brave enough to say something when it was really important to. What does that say about me? What will I do the next time something like that happens?
So I’m sitting here in the little airport at Roanoke, VA. Free wi-fi! I can’t be happier. I’m glad we got here all kinds of early. These little airports sure do know how to treat you right. With any luck there will be some kind of internet access in the hotel in San Diego, but I’m not feeling too hopeful.