Surprise Flight
by David Barth, October 1, 2008
Carol gave me a travel birthday present years ago to a secret location. She packed for me, so I didn't know if we were
going to a warm climate or to a cold area. She told me to take a Friday off. On the appointed day, we drove to the
airport. I had no idea where we were going, and I quizzed her, asking if we were going where it was cold or hot.
She wouldn't tell, and I really didn't want to know because I wanted it to be a surprise.
At the airport I didn't look at my boarding pass, and when we got to the gate, I didn't look up at the
sign. I just followed Carol onto the plane. We were sitting next to a guy, and I told him not to tell me where it was
going because I wanted it to be a surprise. He said he was from there, and it was a nice place. That didn't mean
anything, really. Someone from Armpit, Louisiana could say that. I covered my ears when the flight attendants made
announcements, but they speaker was so loud I couldn't help but hear that we were going to Burbank, California.
So I didn't get to step off the plane, not knowing where we were, but it was a fun weekend, just the
same.