Before, During, After by Richard Bausch

Author:Richard Bausch [Bausch, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-385-35161-4
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published: 2014-08-11T16:00:00+00:00

10

She had put her head back and closed her eyes, still feeling nearly choked with fright and rage, and her exhaustion took over. Briefly she was in a blankness that, when there was a touch on her arm, she relinquished almost with grief, sitting forward a little and opening her eyes.

Duego was standing over her with that pleading look, the eyes sorrowful, wider and darker than she remembered them.

“No,” she said, shaking her head and pushing herself against the seat back. “Get away. Get away from me or I’ll scream.”

“I cannot bear this,” he said, taking a step away. “This trouble between us.”

Natasha shouted. “Get away from me!”

“Is he bothering you, honey?” Priscilla said, rising out of her own sleep. Others had looked up from what they were doing.

The blond flight attendant approached. “Go back to your seat, sir.”

Duego returned quickly to his row. He looked back at Natasha before stepping into his seat. The expression on his face was distressed and full of entreaty. She kept her gaze on him, glaring, as full of hatred and fury as she could make it.

The flight attendant said, “You okay?”

Natasha nodded.

“What’s his story,” Priscilla murmured after the attendant had gone.

“He thinks I’m someone else,” Natasha told her. She had begun to cry, and the other woman reached over and took her hand.

“Anything I can do?”

“He was bothering me in the airport. He—he wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“I think we should get them to do something about him.”

Natasha touched the wrist of the hand that held hers and pulled away softly. “Thanks, you’re so kind.” She sniffled. “I just want him to stay away from me.” Reaching into her purse, she brought out the packet of Kleenex, took one, and held it over her eyes.

“Well, it’s good the flight attendants are aware of the situation,” Priscilla said.

“Can you stay close to me when we get off the plane?”

“Where am I gonna go, right? I’m here.”

When the plane landed in Miami, he rose, pulled his bag down from the overhead bin, faced front, and waited for the door to open, without looking back. And when the people around and before him moved, he followed and was gone. Natasha walked behind Priscilla and her son to the opening and out, and along the tunnel to the gate area. Priscilla made a show of being wary. They entered the open area, and she stopped, and Natasha stood at her side. Others moved past them.

There was no sign of him during the wait in the long lines at customs.

“I have to get to my connection,” Priscilla said after they had passed through.

Natasha hugged her, fighting tears. “Thank you.”

“I hope you make it okay.”

“You’ve been so kind. I can’t tell you—”

“Hey, if we can’t protect each other.”

After another quick embrace, Natasha watched her hurry on, pulling her boy along with her. In the other direction was her own gate. She went there, keeping to the wall, and took her seat. The flight for Memphis would board in an hour.

She

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