***** Vol.3 Chap.43 Chance meeting *****

On the following day, Frank packed lightly, enough to fit everything inside a single carryon. He took a couple of clean shirts and pants, some T-shirts, underwear, and half a dozen of heavy-duty socks. From the hall closet, he grabbed his sneakers. Satisfied with the packing, he was ready to go. The only other piece of carry on was his laptop, an inseparable piece of equipment that traveled with him everywhere.

He called for a cab and headed for the airport with no goodbyes to anyone. His life and research work were taken away from him in one swift move. He had no family here and whatever friends he had; they were all research partners and colleagues that he had no desire to talk to presently.

He took the flight from Pittsburgh to Chicago. A bumpy one causing him to close his eyes and rest. He was very thankful and relieved when the plane landed at O’Hare. They had to circle around the airport three times before the plane was given permission to land. There, he boarded one of the latest 797 planes from Boeing that gave a very comfortable and stable ride. In no time, they arrived at JFK. Frank wished he could stay on the plane longer. He was the last person to get off.

At long last, Frank stood up to leave when the plane emptied out. He thanked the pilot for a smooth flight and headed for the connecting gate. As much as he had traveled in the past 25 years, he still had problems finding his way around JFK. Every time he came here, something would have changed and he would inevitably get lost again.

Since the airport had several terminals, he always got lost deciding which terminal building to go and, along the way, got lost again while going from one terminal building to another. He finally found the terminal for the National Egyptian Airline and checked in. As he headed for the gate, he took time to browse through all the shops along the way. After all, he had three hours to kill.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Dr. Abdulcizi!” Frank was walking towards the International Departure area when he heard his name. Frank turned around and found a familiar face.

“Frank! What a coincidence!” The voice belonged to Dr. Abrahamson.

“Oh hi, Chris. Yes, what a coincidence. Are you going to another conference?”

“No, I have to fly to Cambridge in England to give a lecture tomorrow.”

“Wow, you are really a world traveler. Do you have time to sit down for a cup of coffee?”

“Sure, my flight will not leave for another two hours.”

“Good, let’s go to the International Café. I think it is near Gate G15.”

“Lead the way, as long as we stayed away from any heavy discussions.”

“It’s a deal. By the way, I saw you on TV yesterday.” Frank replied.

“Oh, don’t believe a word of it. What they showed you was totally taken out of context. Somehow, they have a way to show the exact opposite of what you say.”

“Isn’t that the truth? I hate the way they butcher up the interview. I was interviewed by KFFF, our local station, for evening news once and after they are finished with the editing, it sounded like I did the most hideous research that no one in the right mind should give me any money.”

“Yeah! What happens to honest journalism? I thought this was a free country. There should not be any threat of censorship here.”

“No, but there are biases of the journalists and the editors.”

“Can’t win, can we?”

“Nope. Oh, here is the Café.” They found a place and sat down close to the front. They both ordered a cup of cappuccino.

“Are you going to a conference somewhere, Frank?”

“No, not this time. I am going back home for a little R&R.”

“R&R?”

“Something that you know nothing about.”

“Actually, traveling is my R&R. I love to travel.”

“I have no doubt.”

“I am going to talk to the Board of directors of my institute. I like to invite you to come for a guest lecture.”

“I loved to. Let me know when and I will be there.”

They had a bit more chitchat.

“Well, it is about time for my flight.”

“Have a good one.”

“I will. I am glad I ran into you.”

“Same here. See you around.”

“Bye.”

Chris stood up and left with no idea that being Frank’s only friend, what was really happening with him.