one-way flight

Your husband was a pilot and was often away from home. His flights lasted several days, and on his rare weekends, he often spent quiet time, citing fatigue. You tried not to ask unnecessary questions, convincing yourself that trust was more important than anxious thoughts.

But your three-year-old daughter missed her dad. Every time she heard the sound of a plane, she ran to the window and asked if he was coming back. One day, you decided to surprise him: you packed a small bag, took your daughter's favorite toy, and went with her to the airport before his flight.

You imagined your husband's joy, how he would scoop up your daughter, and then hug you tightly. The whole way, the girl kept repeating:

— Will Dad be glad to see us?

“Of course,” you smiled, although inside you felt a strange uneasiness.

You found him at the service entrance. But he wasn't alone. A young woman in a flight attendant uniform stood next to him. They were standing too close, and her husband looked at her with a tenderness you hadn't seen in his eyes for a long time. He said something quietly, and she laughed, touching his arm.

You stopped, unable to take a step. Your daughter pulled you forward, noticing a familiar figure.

"Daddy!" she cried joyfully.

The husband turned around abruptly. The smile vanished from his face, he turned pale and froze.

"What are you doing here?" he squeezed out.

You squeezed your daughter's hand tighter and calmly answered:

— We came to surprise you.

The woman looked away, as if suddenly realizing she was in the middle of someone else's family secret. The daughter looked at her father, expecting him to come over, hug her, and tell her how much he missed her. But her husband didn't move.

"Dad, aren't you happy?" she asked quietly.

The question rang louder than any accusation. Your husband took a step, but you stopped him with a look. Everything hurt inside, but you didn't allow yourself to cry next to your daughter.