The Passenger Who Wouldn’t Leave
Captain Edward Blair was landing a routine flight at Chicago Midway. He stepped out of the cockpit after his usual intercom and protocol of letting passengers disembark, only to see the flight purser speaking with a man who would not leave the plane.
Edward frowned. Until the man turned around.
Staring into a mirror is what it was like.
The man spoke before Edward could say a word.
“Do you want to see Mom?”
A wave of shock hit him.
“Adam? Is it really you? Is Mom alive?”
It had been 24 years since they last saw each other. Edward and Adam were both twins, brothers set at an orphanage as children. Adam had adopted him as a little boy when he was eight, now Edward was entrapped in some endless hell—or so he thought.
“Again, I asked you a question,” Adam repeated. “To watch her or not, do you want to?”
Edward nodded, he was too stunned to even speak. Together, they rode out of the airport and remained silent as they made their way through the city. Memories and guilt ran through Edward’s mind, tears burning behind his eyes.
Finally, Edward said, “I never thought she would come back when she left us.” When I got adopted, I assumed that the hope was gone. She didn’t want us, I thought.”
Adam shouted, almost in a snarl, “You had a choice.” “You chose comfort over family. I begged you not to go. She came back a year later. She searched for you. She never forgave herself. I hated you for leaving, he choked out, And me—
Pulling up was a small, weathered home. Adam must have had an awful life, Edward immediately realised. His brother had stayed. Our mother had been his charge. Everything that he had gave was his time, his dreams, his peace.
The modest living room had Annie sitting in a wheelchair inside. At the moment she saw Edward, her frail hands started to tremble.
“Edward…” she whispered through tears. “You’re really here.”
She rolled closer, arms outstretched. “My sons. Together.”
Mom, coldly Adam said, “He’s not staying,” while pouring her a glass of water. “Before returning to his mansion, he had just come to visit here.”
Edward ignored the jab. He knelt in front of her, tight in her arms.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. I was a scared kid. You would have thought that you wouldn’t return. Please forgive me.”
She couldn’t blame you, she whispered, stroking her hair. “I only wish I could have given both of you a better life.” I missed you every day.”
Edward shook his head and she asked him to stay the night.
“I can’t. I got a job offer in France. This was my last flight here, today. Perhaps it was fate I saw Adam. At least I got to see you.”
Annie’s face fell. “You’re leaving?”
“I’ll visit,” Edward promised. “As often as I can.”
Adam slammed his glass down. “Don’t lie to her! Don’t deny her hope only to leave her again. Just go.”
Tears welled up in Edward’s eyes and he stood. “I’m sorry. Truly.”
Several days later Adam could see a moving truck across the street. Curious, he peered out the window, and froze.
Edward came out of a sleek car.
They opened their door in disbelief as he and Annie opened it.
“What are you doing here?” Adam demanded.
“I spoke to my wife. Our realization was that France was not our future. I turned down the job. They understand who my adoptive parents: they’re retiring in Europe. The house across the street was mine. I want to be near you. I want to be family again.”
Edward presented his wife Emma and his daughter Alex. Annie and Adam got a warm welcome from both of them. She burst out in tears of joy.
That night, the women had desserts, told stories, the brothers sat on the porch.
Edward knew that I didn’t trust him. ‘But I am here to right things.’ For both of you.”
The guard on Adam softened, but stayed guarded. “For Mom’s sake that now will be my last chance.” She’s smiling again. That’s what matters.”
Over time, Edward and his wife helped renovate Adam’s house and they now looked after their mother during the day. Now free to do what he wanted, Adam had proposed to his long time girlfriend. They became the two families that grew close and shared meals, laughter and healing over the street from each other.
The past hadn’t vanished. However, they were creating something new.
Something real.