By Megan Dortch
She is exhausted; everyone can tell if they just look at her. She slowly walks behind a double stroller carrying infant twin boys, one sound asleep and the other whining. A toddler stumbles around, trying to gain the attention of either his brothers or mother. The father walks behind another stroller with a young boy who does not speak, move or respond to actions or words.
Their flight has been delayed for five hours now and the hysteria is setting in on both of the parents but the mother especially. The toddler hovers in the long entrance to the airplane, curious and eager to talk to anyone who will give him attention.
The pilot tells him to stand back as the airplane is not ready to board yet. A few minutes later the toddler enters the long entrance and a stuartist escorts him back to his family as the mother audibly sighs and scolds him. At this time, the infant twin boys start to cry out for reasons that the mother does not understand. A woman sitting near her offers some reassurance saying "I remember when my twins were that young. What one wanted, the other didn't and I felt like I never had grip on them." The struggling mother smiled weakly and added "Yes, especially with four."
The pilot announced that families were able to pre-board the airplane at this point and the woman took a deep breath, stood up, squared her shoulders and walked onto the plane to get her family ready with every little thing they could possibly need for the short 57 minute flight to Providence, Rhode Island.
She barely sat down the entire 57 minutes. She was consoling her crying twins as she knew she could do nothing about the cabin pressure. The toddler yelled for attention from both parents and the stuartists. The mother went from one section of seats to the other, making sure the children were occupied with toys and binkies.
They waited until everyone was off the airplane before they gathered their things and slowly made their way to their destination.
I can't imagine, how frustrated the mother was. I know we've all been on the flight with the screaming kid. It nice to get an insight on what could be going through the mother's mind. Nice job. I liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteI had to look up the word 'stuartist' , I think you meant stewardess ? But other than that good job. It stressed me out a little imagining what the mom was going through and thats the whole purpose of a good narrative- to make you feel something.
ReplyDeleteHoly lord, I can't imagine having that many kids. Good luck to the mother but great job, Megan.
ReplyDeleteNice job! It was entertaining to read and I loved all of the descriptive words you used. The discussion we had about headlines in class today made me realize that yours doesn't have a verb, but that's the only thing that stood out! :)
ReplyDeleteVery descriptive and thought out! Even though your title doesn't have a verb, I think it is great!
ReplyDeleteI like your story! Mother is so great. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI love the descriptive detail you used to describe how the woman is feeling throughout the flight. I feel for this woman! The title is very blunt and to the point, which I like. I like the quotes as well, they show her character and gives insight into what her life is like on a daily basis, which is just as stressful as this plane ride.
ReplyDeleteA few spelling errors and I don't think flight attendants are called stewardesses anymore, but over all you did a good job.
ReplyDelete