INTERVIEW & BOOK GIVE-AWAY

I'm so excited to be a guest on Vonda Skelton's blog today. Please join me there ... Here's the link ...

http://www.vondaskelton.com/2015/10/27/interview-book-give-away-with-cindy-patterson/

and be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win a free paperback copy of Broken Butterfly.

I look forward to seeing you there.


Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day,

Cindy

A MISSED FLIGHT ... PART 2

I'm so glad y'all came back to hear some more of my story.

When I reached the airport, I didn't know where to park, so I had to stop and ask someone and then start all over on my journey around the airport.

When we were finally inside the parking garage, it took at least ten minutes to find a parking spot and maybe five more to get into the spot.

After the long walk to the terminal, I reached the desk and looked around like a lost puppy dog. But thank goodness, there was no line at our flight counter.

Did that matter?

No.

The lady asked me where we were headed.

I told her.

"You're too late to make that flight." She said in that short sort of way that cut off all small talk.

I started trembling immediately. "No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. You're eight minutes late."

"Eight minutes?"

"Have you got your bags checked in?" Her voice sounded fine, there was no sliver of condensation, but her eyes flicking from me to Zach were knowing.

"No, that's why I'm here?" I keep that I'm-too-dignified-to-beg tone out of my voice. But only barely.

She didn't hesitate. She didn't smile. "You'll have to rebook."

"No. I can make it. I can." The begging mode slowly creeps through.

"Do you have your boarding passes?"

"No. Please. I can make it."

"Let me get my supervisor."

She walks away and all I can do is retrace my steps over and over. Why did I stop? Why didn't I come straight here? What have I done? I felt like I had stepped up to the start of a race, and the outcome was already set in stone. I was going to lose. 

And ya'll, I'm shaking so hard, I can't see straight.

Zach grabs my arm. "Mama, stop it. You can't do anything about it."

"I have to."

I hear the ladies talking and I the supervisor says, 'You have to be here thirty minutes ahead of time'.

My clerk comes back. There's nothing more I can do. I feel like I'm going to throw up. I need to quit pushing myself to the limit. It's not worth it.

"You have to rebook."
I have to try one more time. "Please. I can make it." I point toward the area I think I have to go. "I know I can make it."

"No. Now, it's been ten minutes." She checks something on her computer. "They've already dropped your seats."

Deep down, I don't believe her. Why is this happening? I am not in control of anything. And I have destroyed everything over one bad decision.

"I can get you seats on a 6:30 flight and you'll arrive in Tampa at 10:45. Or I can get you a flight tomorrow." The frustration had drained out of her voice, and she just sounds very, very tired.

Zach finally speaks up. "No, I have to be there tomorrow."

My chest is pounding. I'm supposed to be at my friend's house at 3:00. How can I show up at her house at midnight? What kind of friend am I? What kind of mother am I? My husband is going to kill me. What kind of wife am I? I'm about to have a break down.

"Wait. I found something earlier." She's still typing on her keyboard. "I can get you on a flight at 3:45."

That's better. And I take a deep breath.

"It'll be $58 more per person?"

"Only $58 per person? That's it? That's all I have to pay?"

"Yes. That includes all the fees."

I exhale. "Okay." It's like hundreds of pounds are lifted from my shoulders. Not that I'm happy about paying $116 more, but I'm happy that's all I have to pay. Especially when I hear the people next to me will have to pay over a thousand. We would've turned around and drove home. Very disappointed. And I probably would've had to drag Zach. Is that even possible?

"So we need to be back here at ... Or should I go ahead and check in?"

The clerk didn't crack a smile. "I'm checking you in right now."

And even in this mess, with my stomach tangled in knots, I'm able to laugh.

Then, God blesses me in this moment even more than that.

"Wait. I found something sooner. I can get you two on a flight leaving at 12:20."

It's 11:45 now.

"You'll be in Tampa by 3:30."

God is so good.

To be continued...

There's so much more I want to share with you about our trip. I hope you'll come back week after next to hear more. :)

Next week, I'm doing an author interview with Vonda Skelton and I'm so excited. I'll have the link here next week so you'll be able to join me there. And I'll be giving away a signed paperback copy of Broken Butterfly, so be sure to stop by and visit us there next Tuesday!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cindy

A MISSED FLIGHT

I seriously have issues with pushing things to the limit.

I mean, why did I think I'd have extra time?

It's been a few years since I've flown, but only a few weeks since I've driven by the airport. How could I forget how many exits were between the one I decided I had to get off for a snack and the airport?

It was the longest stretch of drive I've ever driven, and the clock seemed to move faster than it ever has before. Did they add extra exits since the last time I came through here?

Why couldn't I have just waited until I arrived?

Because I HAD to use the bathroom, and I skipped breakfast and I had a  headache coming on and  needed a drink to take something NOW!! I couldn't wait twenty more minutes until I got inside the airport. It made perfect sense as I told myself veering my car off the interstate behind a slow driving eighteen wheeler.

Of course, there was no store in sight. I had no idea which way to go. So I followed the truck.

Still moving slow.

Still no store.

I had made a mistake.

Then I saw a store.

But it was a Members Only store. WHAT????

Then I spotted a Big Lots.

There was a lady in the parking lot. She was walking across the lot with her cart.

I waited.

With patience.

She was attempting to put her cart back, but in the direction she headed, there was only another lone cart standing in the space. She looked around unable to find the cart return.

The park I intended to take in the beginning was to my right where she stood originally, then I changed my mind and decided on the left park where she had walked and now stood. Has this ever happened to you? When you were in a hurry? Of course it has.

She looked at me, with apologetic eyes. Walking back and forth in the very spot I wanted to get. It was almost comical. It was like I was supposed to be there in that very second, unable to get to a parking space quickly because I was in a hurry. I was not upset. Really. I wasn't.  I felt for her. I knew she was having a hard time. I just sat there waiting, instead of speeding away with an attitude and finding another park.

But this of course was taking more time, and I knew the mistake I had made was huge.

I just didn't know that this was only the beginning.

To be continued  ...

Cindy