Part 1

We were above the storm. The sight of the clouds below flickering with a symphony of lightening took my breath away. It was beautiful from above.

I had driven through the worst of it en route to the airport, felt the gusts of wind rocking my truck and the pelts of rain and ice shatter upon impact with my windshield. I was so loud it hurt my ears. I couldn't allow myself to be overcome with nervousness, couldn't allow a distraction from my destination. I could not miss my flight! I was unaware that the authorities had been called out to watch for funnels in the sky... It didn't matter in the end. The flight was delayed and extended as flight plans were revised to circle around the storm, now in front and then below us.

Like the proverbial child with nose pressed against a candy store window, I watched the lightening show below until it had faded behind us.

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My seat mate, upon first impression, was a young socialite from her simple but elegant hairstyle, sweater twin-set and front pressed slacks (with the crease down the front of the leg), to the handbag at her feet with the clear PRADA logo facing upwards. She definitely wasn't "my people" to put it plainly. At first I was amused by her obvious attempts to stay in a defined personal space, but instinctively realized that her jerky movements were due more to intimidation than an air of superiority. She reminded me of someone trying hard not to draw attention to herself. The source, I imagine, was the shark in the wool suit with pointed acrylic nails (they looked dangerous) and fashionably highlighted ebony curls on Prada-girl's other side. I can still the disgust in her voice at our departure delay as she said "We're WAITING on people?" In reality the luggage was still being loaded, but I chose not to share that information. Her look of disdain at my approach had spoke more loudly than words and I knew she thought "country bumpkin" due to my manner of dress. Being an ornery cuss, I had to resist temptation to do something REALLY redneck just to stoke the fire.

Laughing to myself, I turned to watch out the window as we took off, realizing as we continued our ascent that we did so just in time. The storm we had deviated around on the previous flight was coming in...