“She’s talking about our severance packages. ”
“Oh yeah, the old man almost threw up signing our checks. But a contract is a contract,” Dylan chuckles.
“So, you guys are pretty fixed with money?”
“We are,” Andrew says.
“I’ve got this crazy idea. Don’t laugh, okay? I know it sounds insane, but I think you guys should start your own airline.”
The boys stay quiet for a few minutes. Then Dylan takes his hand and slaps his knees.
“Dammit, you’re right. We don’t need to work for anybody else.”
Andrew’s mouth is twitching with a smile.
“We’d make the best partnership,” Andrew says.
“Flying is your destiny, boys. Nobody does it as well as you do. ”
“Thank you, Hazel,” Dylan says.
Andrew gets up and starts pacing the floor.
“We could get some of the other pilots to come work for us. They’ve been complaining about the work environment at the airlines for ages.”
“We could do it right,” Dylan says.
“I know the two of you will be brilliant,” I say.
The boys are quiet, and I know they’re thinking hard.
“We don’t have to worry about the money. Dylan, I’ve seen your bank statement, and I know mine. Plus, we won’t have any trouble getting investors with our backgrounds!” Andrew practically shouts.
“My God Andrew, you’re right,” Dylan high-fives Andrew.
The guys start talking about what they will need to begin, and I go off into my own world. What would this mean for our relationship? Would I go to work for them? I’m not sure if I even want to be a flight attendant anymore.
The flights are exciting, but I feel like I want to do more with my life. I’ve always wanted to go into a business role at the airline. I just didn’t know how I was going to make the transition.
“Would you still fly with us Hazel? We definitely want you to be part of this,” Andrew says.
“I’d like to do something more. Do you think there would be room for me in the business side of this? I’ve got a master’s degree in management.”
“You have an MBA??” Dylan asks.
“We knew you were smart, but wow!”
The surprise on the boy’s faces makes me smile.
“Yes boys, I’m more than just a pretty face,” I laugh.
Then we all start laughing together. I get up from my chair to do a little dance, and it’s not long before they join me.
“Wait! Wait!” I say.
I take my smartphone from my pocket and put some music on. Dylan has a bluetooth speaker out on the patio, so I connect with it. The music is playful and lively. We all dance together.
“You’ve really given us something to think about,” Dylan says.
Andrew takes my hand and pulls me close to him.
“Our very own brilliantly beautiful Hazel Sutton,” Andrew says before kissing me on the cheek.
This is a perfect moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.