dick's Loose Gems

[Contains sexual content]

Christmas Day, 2020, arrived. Our family had planned a trip to San Antonio for months. I had everything all set. Except I didn't.

The woman taking our tickets asked for our passports. I produced five and gave two birth certificates for my little ones. I thought they didn't need passports. My hands shook. My heart burned as it beat into my throat, and as the beats came, they seemed to choke me. I couldn't breathe so well, and I had no words. I turned and stooped to my youngest children's height. I put my arms around them. I told them I made a mistake, and they were prohibited from going on the trip. I held back my tears as long as I could. But when they started, I couldn't stop.

My husband spoke up and said, "It's okay. We'll go and see my brother. You go with your mom and the two older ones and have fun." He smiled at me, kissed me, took the kids, and walked away.

I went with the rest of my family through security and to our gate.

The entire time I remained a mess of tears.

We got on, and people made way for my family and me to board first, probably because of my tears. The flight attendants fussed over me and tried everything they could to cheer me up. They even moved me into first class.

I was seated next to a man relaxing with a drink. He nodded at me, offered me a tissue, and said to the flight attendant, "She'll have the same." He nodded at his drink. He inquired, without meaning to be intrusive, whether I wished to divulge anything. "I planned a family vacation to San Antonio, but my two youngest don't have passports, so I had to leave them and my husband in the airport." The flight attendant came with my drink.

I thanked her. I asked the man if he often drank liquor so early in the morning. "No, it's the flying I dislike," he said, raising his glass to toast with me. I cheered him and took a swig. "Eew. What is that?" I said. He chuckled "It's a Manhattan," he said.

"My name is Lily. Thank you for the drink. Nice to meet you."

"My name is Robert; the pleasure is mine. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, much. Thank you." The flight attendant stood at the front of the plane and showed us what to do in the event of a plane crash. She finished, and the pilot announced, "Flight attendants, prepare for takeoff."

The plane taxied down the runway, picking up speed until the wheels left the ground. I looked out the window to see the buildings, streets, and houses get smaller and smaller. I looked at Robert. He looked stressed. He downed his drink and clenched his fist. He pursed his lips and his eyes shut tight. I put my hand on his shoulder. "Robert, are you okay?" His eyes opened, and his fists released. "Lily, I hate taking off and landing. That's all." He let his body relax, and I removed my hand from his shoulder.

"San Antonio, eh? Family vacation, so what are you going to do?" Robert said. "I've got a tentative schedule. But it is a vacation. What about you?" "Me? I'm heading there on business. I deal in gems."

"Gems? Like emeralds, rubies, diamonds, gems?" "Yeah, the money is great."

He called the flight attendant. "Can we have two more, please?" I looked at him and said, "I should be buying this round." I said. "Not a chance. I'm paying," The waitress returned with the drinks, and we cheered again. The flight attendant said, "It looks like you're feeling better. I'm so glad. My colleagues will be too." She smiled and left.

"It's strange to me that people are as kind as they are." "I don't know. I don't think it's strange. I think most people don't like to see someone in pain and crying. Besides, when you look like you do, people notice." He raised his eyebrows. I got a weird vibe from his comment and thought I shouldn't drink anymore after this one. The flight attendant came by with drinks. I asked for a Dr. Pepper. Robert did too.

I thought, come on, Robert. Are you for real? You're almost twice my age, and your grey hair and pot belly aren't my type. And I told you already, I'm married. Not going to happen. "I hope you don't mind I'm going to watch a movie." I said. "Not at all. I've got work to do." I watched part of White Noise when lunch came.

Before eating, I prayed, and I noticed Robert watched me. While we ate, he said, "What religion are you?" "I'm Roman Catholic, why?" "I just have never seen anyone pray before they eat lunch." He smiled at me in amazement. I always say grace before meals. He raised one eyebrow, tilted his head, and said, "Makes sense to me."

The flight attendant came around and took our trays. I put on the movie and continued watching. After forty minutes, the movie ended. There was still an hour left on our flight. I tried to close my eyes to get some rest. Robert said, "What kind of gems do you like the best?" "I like emeralds and diamonds." I looked at his face when I said it to see his reaction. "Wow! You have chosen some excellent stones there; great taste."

He pulled out a bag and showed me some loose stones he was carrying. I gasped. "Aren't you afraid to have them taken away?" With my eyes wide. "Nah, I shove the bag in my pants and tie it around my penis." He laughed. "You what?" I said. "I tie the bag around my penis so it looks like I'm huge." He looked at my face to see my reaction. "Ingenious, it's working."

The plane started to descend, and Robert went to the washroom. I knew what he was doing, and it grossed me out a bit. What a flipping weirdo. When he returned, I said, "All set?" and laughed. He looked at me and said, "Yup, you bet I am."

Upon landing, he clenched his fists, shut his eyes, and pursed his lips, prompting me to place my hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and said, "Thank you. Lily, you've been very kind to me. I appreciate that. Take care."

"You too." That was that. Robert was gone.

I found my family, and we got our rental car. I opened my bag to get my ID and saw something wrapped in paper. I pulled it out and discovered an emerald. My mouth hung open, and I shook my head. I got into the car and told my family the story. We laughed, and everyone looked at the emerald as we went to the hotel.

Exploring our neighborhood, we stumbled upon a Mexican market and grabbed a bite. Then we headed to the River Walk.

When I got home, I had the loose stone appraised; it was a carat emerald worth a lot of money. I asked them to make a ring for it. I kept the stone with me until the ring was made, and the jeweller put the stone into the ring in front of me.