How had I thought I’d hide my anxiety about flying for the first time from Sal? The airport was so much louder and brighter than I’d imagined. Sal took care of checking us in and I followed his lead with going through security. My heart was hammering in my chest as the businessman behind me shoved his tray onto the belt impatiently as I hurriedly took off my boots. Had I known I was going to have to basically take all my clothes off, I would have worn sneakers and forgone the belt. Sal turned to glare at the guy practically breathing down my neck and guided me in front of him protectively. “You go first, babe,” he said in my ear. “Thanks,” I muttered, eyeing the metal detector skeptically. Oh, shit, please don’t let me set it off! I walked forward in my socked feet toward the impatient looking TSA agent who waved me through. No alarms sounded, and I took a much needed deep breath. I snatched up my bag, shoes, and belt and moved away from the chaos of bodies to a nearby seat.
