Flying Backwards Read Free Page B

really far away.” Eleanor’s statement resounded in her mind. Far away, escape my life…
    “Well, if you got married, you could honeymoon somewhere really far away.” That made sense to Victoria, but Eleanor was thinking about a solo trip.
    Eleanor wanted to be away from it all–her stale relationship, her boring job and demanding family, the house that never really felt like her home, and herself… She wanted to be someone else. But she looked at her sister and changed the subject. “Right. So anyway, are you going to need help with the Cooper wedding?”
    Victoria was easily diverted by questions about the Cooper wedding. “ Yes we can use your help.”
    “Well, you can count on me.” I’m not going anywhere , Eleanor thought.
    Eleanor made her vow but wondered how exactly she was going to accomplish it. She did not have to wait long for the metaphorical ball to get rolling. The Monday evening after her birthday, Phillip sat looking at her across their dinner table. Intently he said, “I have something to tell you.” Eleanor noticed he looked excited. “Remember how I mentioned opportunities in Boston for some of the software I’m working on? Well, we had a meeting today, and it looks like we are definitely going forward with the company’s relocation to Boston.”
    Eleanor didn’t respond, so Phillip went on. “Now I know this would be a big change for us. You’d still have your position if we want to think about making this move.” No matter how much he wanted to go, he was offering her the option for them to stay in Pennsylvania, she realized. She’d never lived outside of York County. She lived with her parents while she attended college and eventually moved in with Phillip. Boston seemed far, but that was not what bothered her.
    “When is this happening?” True, this was not new and shocking news; there had been rumors, but the idea was life altering.
    “By the first of the year. They’ve already signed a lease in Boston.”
    Neither of them had touched the food on their plates.
    “What do you want to do?” Eleanor asked, but she already knew his answer. His work was his life. And his work was moving to Boston.
    “This would be an amazing opportunity for me. Open so many doors.” He paused. “You’ll be my wife, Eleanor. I want you to be happy with whatever we decide together,” he said sincerely.
    Wow, what can I say? This was his livelihood. Any time not spent with her and her family, he spent working on his projects. A good wife would support her husband. This was a no-brainer. She attempted a joke. “Do you think we’ll pick up a Boston accent?” How could she say no?
    He chuckled and blew out the breath he’d been holding. “I promise we’ll make this work. It will be great. Oh, and we can definitely come back here for the wedding. And we’ll get a place with plenty of extra room for your family to come and stay.”
    Oh yeah, came the afterthought, the wedding and my family. She was a little numb.
    Eleanor convinced Phillip to wait a bit before telling her family. She thought they needed to figure out more details first. He readily agreed. He was just thrilled she said yes.
    For the rest of the week, Eleanor seemed to go through the motions at work. Phillip stayed and worked late several nights, excited to untangle the kinks out of his projects before the big move.
    The other office staff, Laura, was told of the impending relocation. She had the want ads open on the lunchroom table, and for the fun of it Eleanor thumbed through them. She speculated about what else she could do besides office work. Maybe she could pursue something more interesting once she was settled in Boston. She only meant to get some ideas…
    There in black and white was an ad for an open interview for Meade Airlines, seeking to hire flight attendants. The interviews were being held next Wednesday at a hotel in downtown Philadelphia.
    Hmm…‌I could travel to exotic places. I could go far away and