Next Tuesday – Part 1

The woman next to Ben leaned in as the pilot announced their descent into JFK. 

“I still look for the towers every time,” she said. “Don’t think I’ll ever get used to those empty spaces.”  

Ben grabbed the Polaroid picture that fell from his laptop case, staring at the picture of Justin and him, with Elise in the middle. If he squinted, he might be able to see the freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose.

“Beautiful girl,” the woman said, bringing him back.

 She pressed a napkin into her crimson lips and inspected her face in a small mirror.

“You visiting or going home?” 

 “This is home but I haven’t been back since end of 2001.” 

 “Things have changed a lot there since then. What brings you back?”

  He thought about his father’s phone call a month ago, asking him to help design an entry for the 9/11 memorial contest – his inability to say no.

“I came back for a job. How about you? Is New York home for you?

Her face lit up as if he’d asked about her grandchildren.

“Brooklyn girl through and through. Never had a reason to leave New York before but I had a new granddaughter to meet.”

“Mazel Tov.”

They were silent as New York Harbor rose behind the tiny window. He braced himself for the landing but it was the sudden ache in his heart that took him by surprise.  

(to be continued…)