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“I hadthree. Marshmallows would’ve been easier,” E commented. “We were always good at Chubby Bunny. But damn,” she smiled, “I’ll never forget the look on Aunt Jenny’s face when she came back in.”
Now I cackled, recalling how I had braced for a scolding. “I know!” I hooped. Nosey Nancy twitched at my exclamation. “I was so scared she was going to be mad, but do you remember what she said?”
The lightheartedness that was on E’s face melted faster than the chocolate we had used. Before she could say anything, I bleated a laugh. It sounded like a machine gun. The man across the aisle looked at me funny but I just shrugged my shoulders at him.
“She said,” I continued, “and I quote, ‘It looks like you two were named appropriately. You may not be working an assembly line in a chocolate factory, but you—Lucy and Ethel—are the spitting image of them if I ever saw one!’” Aunt Jenny had removed a hand from her hip and pointed at us individually as she addressed us by our names.
At that moment, I noticed Liam turn, eyebrows raised, connecting the dots.
Beet red, crimson,bloodred…it was hard to tell which shade E had just turned, but you get the idea. She was seething. And it was all directed at me.
“Lucy!” she hissed, grabbing my arm. “I can’t believe you! You’re NEVER SUPPOSED TO SAY MY REAL NAME IN PUBLIC!!” She hadn’t raised her voice, hoping to God to stop the attention that had turned our way, but her whispering deserved a place in history for its delivery. It was quiet in nature, but the tone was louder than an angry alley cat.
“Oww,” I whined when she slugged me in the upper arm. I rubbed the spot absentmindedly. “I’m sorry, it was part of the story…”
The book, or her shield as I was dubbing it, slid back into place, obstructing her face. She was done talking.
I stole a glance at Liam and gave him anuh ohlook. He returned it with a gesture of pointing to E and then his eyes, letting me know what I already knew: she was watching me and would get me back.
Things had settled down for a bit, E effectively ignoring me, the passengers around me engaged in soft chatter, and me playing with the hem of my shirt.
It started inaudible at first, my humming. I was making a very conscious effort to keep to myself and stay quiet. E hadn’t given me any more looks, so I was doing a decent job.
“…turn around…”
She lowered her book by an inch, unable to discern what I was doing.
I whispered. “…Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you’re never comin’ round…”
The book was now on her lap and I could feel her neck craning my way in horror, like she was in slow motion.
But I couldn’t stop. “…Turn around…every now and then I get a little bit tired of listenin’ to the sound of my tears…”
She wasn’t just looking at me, she had now positioned herself in her seat to face me completely.
My voice grew stronger. “…Turn around…” This time, the man behind me harmonized along. “…Every now and then I get a little bit terrified and then I see the look in your eyes…”
E’s eyes were now the size of saucers.
And then the man behind me, stepped it up a notch, matching the same volume as me. “Turn around, bright eyes…” His voice was rather pleasant, almost pitch-perfect.
“Every now and then I fall apart,” I continued.
Two more people joined. “Turn around, bright eyes…”
E was not the only one looking at me now.
How could I disappoint my new audience? I was a downhill snowball that was gaining momentum. “Every now and then I fall apart!” I belted.
By the time we had hit the next chorus, everyone but E was singing along. Liam stood, acting as an impromptu conductor. “Just the ladies now!” he ordered.
I didn’t have to look at E to see the mortification on her face. But it stayed that way for the duration of our impromptu first-class sing along.
Nearing the end, the cabin collectively and accurately put all their emotion into the last few lines. And then it was over. Sadly.
Liam clapped his hands, the sound echoing. “Who knew karaoke at thirty-thousand feet was so fun!?” He might have had more fun than me.
I stood, toasting him with my water bottle. “Care to lead us in Sweet Caroline?” I thundered as an afterthought.
