No sooner had the announcement ended than the plane shook. Emily’s heart raced. She started to stand to check on Ethan, but a stern voice came from behind:
“Ma’am, please sit down. You must stay seated during turbulence.”
The flight attendant was trying to guide her back, but Emily protested: “My son’s in the bathroom, I need to get to him.”
“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine,” the attendant assured her.
Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Ethan emerged. After a few steps, he slowed, then hurried back, visibly shaken. Reaching their row, he was pale and frightened.
“Mom,” he whispered, trembling.
“Did the turbulence scare you? It’s just a little shaking, nothing dangerous,” Emily said, trying to soothe him. But Ethan seemed not to hear.
“Mom… Dad’s on the plane with some lady,” he said quietly.
Emily froze.
“Sweetie, you must be mistaken,” she replied quickly, letting him slide into his seat.
“No, it was him! His hair’s different, but it’s definitely Dad,” Ethan insisted. Emily struggled to stay calm.
“You’re probably tired. Why don’t you rest?”
But Ethan pressed: “You don’t believe me?”
“I believe you, but lots of people look alike,” she said, trying to sound confident.
Inside, her world was spinning. “How could this be?” she thought, desperately convincing herself Ethan was wrong. It would be easy to check, but she couldn’t bring herself to look. The thought of seeing someone who looked like her late husband terrified her. For the rest of the flight, she stayed still, avoiding even glancing at the aisle.
An hour and a half later, the plane began its descent and landed safely twenty minutes after that. Passengers rushed to grab their bags. Emily took her time, disliking the chaos. But then, someone in a front row stood to retrieve their luggage—and she saw him. The man looked strikingly like James. His face was fuller, his hairstyle different, but… that mole by his chin.
“It’s impossible,” Emily thought, unable to look away. “No, it’s a dream, a ridiculous coincidence. I can’t believe this!”
The man donned his wide-brimmed hat, took a blonde woman by the hand, and joined the aisle. The hat obscured his face, and Emily, lips pressed tight, decided to stay put. She waited until most passengers had left to avoid crossing paths with him.
As they exited the plane, Emily spotted an airline employee at a check-in counter. Though the woman was handling another flight, Emily approached.
“Excuse me, can I ask you something?” she began.
“I’m sorry, I’m busy with another flight,” the employee replied politely.
“I know, but it’s urgent,” Emily lowered her voice. “I think my husband, who disappeared years ago, was on this flight.”
The employee glanced at Emily, then at Ethan. Something softened in her expression, and she bent the rules. Tapping at her screen, she asked, “Last name, first name?”
“Wilson, James Michael,” Emily replied, holding her breath.
“I’m sorry, no passenger by that name was on this flight,” the employee said, glancing at the screen.
“Thank you,” Emily whispered, relieved. She took Ethan’s hand and headed to baggage claim.
As the suitcases rolled by, Emily caught a glimpse of the man in the hat. He’d already grabbed his luggage and, hand-in-hand with his companion, was heading for the exit. “Thank God it’s not him. But that mole… No, it’s just a coincidence. Focus on the vacation,” she told herself.
They took a taxi to their hotel. The spacious room with a sea view instantly charmed Emily. She stepped onto the balcony, breathed in the salty air, and mentally released her worries.
The first three days were perfect—sunny weather, free beach chairs, the sound of waves, and Ethan’s laughter. The only disturbance was occasional shouting from the room next door, where a man and woman argued nightly. But even that didn’t ruin Emily’s enjoyment or her ability to sleep after busy days.
On the fourth evening, Emily stepped onto the balcony for fresh air. She overheard her noisy neighbors below.
“Can you, for once, think about something other than money?” the man snapped.
“What, I’m supposed to think about something else? Provide for me first, then demand more!” the woman shot back sharply.
Emily hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the man’s familiar tone caught her attention.
“Are you mocking me? I brought you to a decent resort, and it’s still not enough! You want the Bahamas, Hawaii!” he continued.
“This place is a dump! Don’t you see? It’s a four-star roach motel!” the woman laughed loudly.