becoming a Blair.
Snow clung to the bottom of the glass windows lining the back wall behind the airport bar. Beyond the windows, bitter winter wind whipped snow back and forth across the tarmac. A thick, grey sky hung heavy in the air, typical for the Midwest this time of year.
I had thought about this moment for the last few months, never really sure if I would actually go through with it. The decision happened quite suddenly, and with more of shrug of the shoulders and a why not? attitude then the well thought out decision it should have been.
I was about to marry a man I hadn’t laid eyes on in 5 years.
I shoved my bodyweight into the crash bar on the industrial strength door that led to the exit at the bottom of the stairwell. Even though summer still lingered heavy in the South, the sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time I made my way outside. The heavy door clicked shut behind me as I noticed a plume of cigarette smoke hanging in the thick, humid air.
Ignoring the obvious figure to my left, I reached down to check the time on my phone. Awkward in unfamiliar company, I was hoping my ride would be here soon.
“Hi, Katie”.
With just over 14 months in the military, I had lost touch with hearing my first name. Surprised at the sound, I jerked my head to the left to meet the eyes of a man I’d never seen before. He took another long drag off his cigarette.
The ice in his rocks glass gently rattled as he took a sip of amber liquid. A stream of condensation broke free from the bottom rim of the glass and landed softly on the heather grey house shoes on his feet.
Keeping his gaze but without sounding too curious, “How do you know my name?”
“I heard about you.” He exhaled another giant plume of smoke in my direction.
Slightly flattered, yet highly annoyed, I scoffed under my breath while wafting the smoke from my face. Headlights caught my eyes as the tires of my ride slowly come to a stop on the side street where the barracks was located.
Without another word, I step from the makeshift patio at the side of the building and head towards the side street.
“My name’s Blair,” he calls as I swing open the door to the navy blue Grand Cherokee and hop in the back seat.