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“Starving!” I reach for a handful of grapes.
The doctor returns with a kit. “How long were you guys out there?”
“Two days,” Travis replied.
“Three, really,” I correct.
“How did you guys get to us so fast?” Travis asks.
The doctor smiles. “We happened to be out, enjoying my new boat when a radio call went out for anyone in the area to make a rescue. We pulled up anchor and headed your way.”
“Thank you,” Travis says.
“Yes, absolutely,” I nod.
The doctor cleans Travis’s wound and then checks my eyes to make sure I’m not concussed.
“So, what happened?” the doctor asks. “Did your boat sink?”
I can’t help but laugh. “No, our plane crashed.”
They both stare at us, like they’re not sure if they believe us. “How many people were on board?” the doctor asks.
“It was just us,” Travis answers. “It was a private charter.”
The relief on their faces was obvious.
“You’re very fortunate,” the woman says.
“It will be about two hours until we get to the Big Island,” the doctor says. “We can take you below deck and let you clean up. If your stomach can manage it, we’ve got some basic sandwich making stuff on board. We were only planning on being out for the day and didn’t bring a lot.”
“Oh please,” I practically cry at the thought of sinking my teeth into a sandwich. “I would love a sandwich.”
“I’ll take you down,” the woman smiled. “I’m Marnie.”
“Paige,” I reply.
Travis introduces himself before we are led below deck. The below-deck cabin was cozy and inviting, with soft lighting and comfortable seats. I was shown to the bathroom to clean up first. The moment I look in the mirror, I’m horrified by my reflection. My hair is a disaster. My lips are chapped, and my eyes are puffy with big dark circles. I would love a shower and a change of clothes, but that’s going to have to wait. For now, I make do with a sponge bath to wipe away the sweat and sand. The bug bites that cover my body are ugly, but really the least of my concerns. Knowing there is actual food just a few feet away helps me forget about my appearance. I run my fingers through my hair, disgusted by the sand I can feel clinging to my scalp.
When I step out of the bathroom, Travis is sitting at the table with his head back and his eyes closed. I know the man must be exhausted. He didn’t sleep much at all, choosing to keep watch over me. He hears me coming, opens his eyes and smiles. “Feel better?”
“Much.”
He takes his turn in the bathroom while I watch Marnie busy herself in the small galley, preparing sandwiches and pouring a round of drinks.
“You’re very lucky you weren’t seriously hurt,” she says as she put a plate in front of me.
My stomach growls loudly. “I am extremely fortunate. Travis is an excellent pilot.”
“What happened?”
“I honestly don’t know,” I shake my head and reach for the sandwich. Good manners tell me to wait for Travis, but now that I see the food, I can’t stop myself. My hands shake as I pick it up. I’m weak, but also still riding an adrenaline rush from the rescue.
Travis returns and sits beside me at the table. “We had an electrical issue,” he answers the question. “We lost the instruments, then one engine and the second wasn’t far behind. We were falling fast. I tried to glide to the nearest airport, but we didn't make it."
Marnie frowns sympathetically. "That sounds terrifying. But you're right, you're lucky to have survived.”
As we ate, the sailing continued smoothly. I couldn't help but think about the luck that had brought us this far. Travis and I had been through so much in the last few days, and I wasn't sure I could ever go back to my normal life without experiencing a sense of fear and anxiety every time I boarded a flight. But I was going to have to if I wanted to get back home.
