All Chapters of Safe Flight, Captain: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

“Captain Tanner, your passengers are waiting for you.” George Tanner froze. The wind coming through the restaurant doorway swayed the roses in George’s hands. He met my gaze and bided his time before uttering, “What did you call me, Millie?” I stayed silent. Tammy Cotwold’s whimpers ensued on the other end of the line. “George, Liam won’t stop crying for his father. I can’t calm him down. He even locked himself in the bathroom…” George clutched the phone while swallowing hard. He turned to me. I looked him in the eye. This was the very restaurant we came to right after getting our marriage license seven years ago. He had reserved a table by the window. George wanted to make up for the seventh wedding anniversary that he had missed. According to him, he wanted to slip the wedding ring back onto my finger. However, he had already reached for the car keys. This scenario was no different from the last and the ones before. George would drop everything and lea

Punctuality wasn’t George’s strongest suit with me. His call came through at a quarter past nine. “Tammy passed out. “I need to get her to the hospital. “Give me half an hour.” I stood in the lobby. In my hand, I clutched the ticket number. The numbers on the digital display shifted quickly. Couples emerged from the service desks. Some cried. Others had big grins on their faces. The clerk called out, “Next. Number 38.” I glanced at the ticket in my grip. It was number 39. I spoke into the phone, “I’m done waiting.” George panicked. “Millie, Tammy’s unconscious.” “Dial the emergency line.” “What did you say?” “You can always call an ambulance.” I uttered with composure, “You’re a pilot, not her personal paramedic.” He spoke in hushed tones, “Don’t say things you’re going to regret later.” Before I could say anything more, Tammy’s frail voice drifted from the line. “Just leave me, George.“Millie’s been waiting for you. She’s going to be ups

Thirteen days into my petition for a divorce, Tammy sent me a photo. The photograph showed George sitting by Liam’s bed. He held a flight manual in his hands. Liam was fast asleep in his arms. Tammy added a caption. “He’s so caring. You just don’t know how to show vulnerability and lean on him.” I typed, “Oh.” Tammy was quick to shoot back a response. “Millie, are you honestly going to go through with the divorce?“You should know better than anyone that women are just waiting for a chance with someone like George.” After much thought, I texted back, “I wish you luck in line.” Her messages stopped there. I took a screenshot of her messages and sent them to my attorney. My attorney responded with a voice note, “Keep them safe. “If she continues to harass you, the evidence will come in handy later.” I replied, “Got it.” Just as I set my phone down, my boss, Abe Foster, tapped on my desk. “Millie, you’re coming with me to meet a client this afternoon.” I

I went to the nursery with George. It wasn’t out of sympathy. I simply heard the boy’s weeping in the background. When we pulled up outside the nursery, the police were already there. Tammy sat inside the car. Locked in Tammy’s embrace, Liam looked flushed. The car windows were rolled up completely. She, phone in hand, shouted, “Get over here, George!“I’ll open the door once you come over.” George made a mad dash to the car. “Have you lost it, Tammy?” She grinned. Her face was covered in tears and snot. “How else was I supposed to get you here? “You blocked my number. “I’m suspended from being in the air because of you. “You’re trying to get back together with Millie.“What was I supposed to do?” George yelled at her, “Just open the door.” Tammy held Liam tight. “I’ll need your word. “You must promise to care for us like before. “Promise that you won’t go with her.” Liam’s voice went hoarse from all the crying. “Mommy, it’s hot. “I want