About He Was Just a Broke Single Dad in Row 17 Until the Plane Fell, and the CEO Called His Name
Common Ground and the Emergency Landing
“What’s her name”
Marcus asked.
“Sophie”
Hawthorne’s voice cracked. She was at boarding school in Connecticut, a straight-A student who wanted to be a marine biologist.
“I missed her recital last month because of a merger I thought there would be more time”
The plane shuddered again. Marcus reached across the armrest, placing his hand on Hawthorne’s shoulder.
“Tell me about her”
For the next ten minutes, Hawthorne told Marcus everything. He spoke of how Sophie had his wife’s eyes but his stubborn streak. He had been so focused on building an empire that he had forgotten to build a relationship with his daughter.
“I’ve got a little girl too”
Marcus said, when Hawthorne’s voice failed him. He spoke of Lily, who lost her first tooth last week.
“Lily she’s seven lost her first tooth last week and put it under her pillow But I couldn’t afford to be the tooth fairy that night had to borrow a dollar from my neighbor”
Hawthorne looked at him with wonder.
“You still played tooth fairy”
“Of course that’s what dads do”
The plane lurched again more violently. Through the window, Marcus could see fire trucks lining the runway, their lights flashing like earthbound stars.
“Prepare for emergency landing Brace positions”
Marcus thought about Lily. He thought about how she would curl up in his lap to read library books. He remembered her telling him he was her hero because he never gave up.
He wondered if Sarah would tell Lily that her daddy loved her more than all the stars in the sky. The plane hit the runway hard, bounced, and hit again. The sound of grinding metal filled the cabin as the aircraft skidded sideways.
Emergency brakes screamed, the world spun, and then there was silence. Smoke began to fill the cabin. Emergency lighting cast everything in a hellish red glow. People were crying, but they were alive.
“Everyone remained calm”
Jeanette’s voice was somehow steady despite the chaos.
“We need to evacuate immediately Leave your belongings and move to the nearest exit”
Marcus unbuckled his seat belt, his hands shaking badly. Hawthorne was struggling with his own belt, his face pale and disoriented.
“I can’t My hands won’t work”
Hawthorne whispered. Marcus reached over and helped him, then grabbed the older man’s arm.
“Come on We’re getting out of here”
They joined the stream of passengers moving toward the emergency exits. Marcus helped an elderly man who had fallen, supporting his weight. The slide was steep and terrifying, but they made it down.
Fire trucks and ambulances surrounded the aircraft, their sirens wailing. EMTs rushed toward them with stretchers.
