Chapter 16 - Page 220 - Flying To America

   Rhasha didn’t hesitate. “Could I please . . . just have a cup of water?”

   Jim took off his hat and went to get Rhasha a cup of water. Rhasha met him at the kitchenette and they embraced.

   “Have I ever mentioned that I love you?” Rhasha said.

   Jim looked at his watch while he pondered the question. “No, I don’t think you ever have.”

   “Oh,” Rhasha said, “it must have slipped my mind.”

   Jim smiled and kissed her on the lips. “Have I ever told you that I love you?”

   Rhasha decided to be serious. “Sweetheart, even if you never told me you love me, I would know it anyway.”

   Seeing Jim and Rhasha kissing, Shanha unbuckled her seat belt and rushed over to squeeze between them. “Papa, Mama, don’t forget about me.”

   Jim and Rhasha knelt and Jim kissed her.

   “We’ll never forget about you,” Rhasha said, and kissed her too.

   Jim picked Shanha up and carried her back to her seat. Rhasha followed. He gently placed Shanha in her seat, then he and Rhasha returned to their seats.

   As they sat down, Jim said, “Rhasha, I just want to ask you one thing.”

   “No, I don’t want to change my name to Kathy,” she quipped.

   They both smiled, then Jim got serious. “You’ve never been on an airliner. How did you know what a stewardess says and does?”

   “Some of it was guesswork and some of it, I overheard.”

   “I know there’s got to be more to this story,” Jim said.