I thought my big business trip to LA would be just another day, but a mysterious request from the pilot turned everything I knew about my past upside down. The truth he revealed would change my future in ways I never anticipated. My flight to Los Angeles was meant to be smooth, but what transpired during that two-hour journey transformed my life forever. Before I dive into that, let me explain why I was headed to LA that day.
I work as an architect at a prominent construction firm, which is my dream job. It wasn’t luck that got me here; it was my dedication and the countless sleepless nights spent honing my skills in college. Recently, my boss offered me the chance to present a significant project to some of our top investors in Los Angeles. This was a major opportunity that could lead to a long-awaited promotion, so I eagerly accepted.
My employer gave me the opportunity to show some of our best investors in Los Angeles a big project. I enthusiastically accepted because it was a significant opportunity that might result in a long-awaited promotion.
I was immensely appreciative of this opportunity, particularly because it allowed me to honor my mother, Melissa. She has raised me as a single parent and is my best friend. She always urged me to follow my aspirations, even though she told me my father had died before I was born. She gave me a hard hug and exclaimed, “Go get ’em, sweetie!” when I told her about my appointment in Los Angeles. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
The airport went very quickly, and I was soon sitting comfortably on the A pleasant flight attendant named Bethany came up to me a few minutes into the flight with a drink tray and said, “Can I get you something to sip on?” She smiled and said, “Just orange juice, please.” I raised my hand to accept the glass, but as I did, Bethany noticed the birthmark on my wrist. “I’m sorry, could I please see your passport?” she asked abruptly, which seemed strange to me, but I didn’t want to argue, so I handed it over. She looked it over carefully and then nodded, saying, “Just a standard protocol check. Thank you!” She then went back to my seat.
What could I possibly need to hear from the pilot? Why was it unable to wait until after our landing? I didn’t want to risk missing my connection because I had a crucial meeting on the line. But because of Bethany’s persistence, I thought this was important.
I braced myself and waited for the pilot as the plane touched down and people started to leave. When the cabin was completely empty, a tall, graying-haired man walked in and met my eyes. I was so shocked that I dropped my jacket and purse; I knew him from old pictures my mother had given me. Her childhood friend Steve was here, but he didn’t seem pleased to see me. He gave me a tight hug while tears ran down his cheeks.
“I don’t know what Melissa told you, Courtney, but this is the truth,” Steve added. “She left my life just as I was about to go to aviation school, and I didn’t even know she was pregnant until years after you were born.” “Courtney,” he choked out, looking at me with red-rimmed eyes, then gently took my hand to reveal a matching birthmark on his wrist. “Wait, what?” I cried, my eyes wide. “My father? But Mom said…” I wondered.
I had a strong need to approach my mother at that same time. I needed to know why she had lied to me and why she had left Steve. I took out my phone and gave her a brief call. “Why didn’t you tell me about Steve at all, Mom?” I put her on speaker so Steve could hear my demand. “What kept you from telling me this?”
“Steve? Sweetheart, what do you mean? Avoiding the truth, she questioned. “Please stop, Mom!” Angrily, I rolled my eyes. Steve and I met on the plane just now. He’s with me here. Now please tell me everything. I require answers. He needs clarification! There was a moment of silence before Mom spoke. She started to speak, her voice trembling with emotion.
She went on, “I left without telling him because I couldn’t let him do that.” I believed I was acting morally, but now I realize how badly it has harmed us all. Steve listened with tears running down his cheeks. “I loved you so much, Melissa,” he choked out. For you and our child, I would have done anything. Why did you not believe me?
“Steve? Oh my. Mom let out a gasp. “I… I believed I was keeping you safe. I felt afraid. I sincerely apologize. My mind was racing. My mother had been lying to me about my father’s fate for years, and now he was here, a total stranger, sharing his heart with us. It was too much to handle.