Wednesday 6:30 pm ET
Onboard the plane, where I just got the best night's sleep I've had in months, I find myself waking up, but not to the beep-beep-beep of my digital alarm clock. I'm not sure what it is, but it's very pleasant to wake up too. As I sit up and stretch I'm staring at Ginger and Cobain across from me sitting on two of the swivel chairs, smiling at me. Cobain, who normally doesn't have much to say, asks me "Good nights sleep John Cole?"
"Yes Cobain, it was very restful and relaxing. I must say, though my stomach is getting noisy, I slept better than I have in several months. I guess it has to do with sleeping in a bedroom that costs several million for a change."
Cobain continues as I look around the cabin but I don't see Commander or Ms Cali, "Take care of any personal needs, and we will meet you for breakfast at the buffet. Commander says we depart for Washington DC at 10:00 am. Our appointment is for 11:45, and we will not be late."
Ginger finishes Cobain's thought, "You may change into work clothes after breakfast. You will find a robe behind that door," indicating the carry-on closet. "See you inside". With that they both head to the stairs as the steward opens the door for them.
I get up and find the robe then head for the grooming area to ready myself for breakfast. When I get to the buffet I get the same shocked and surprised look about myself as yesterday. I scan the buffet and see stuff I haven't seen in years such as corn fritters, Eggs Benedict, stuffed french toast, along with fruit I have never seen. Stuff like Star Fruit, kumquats, persimmons, and more. I also see stuff I'm quite familiar with like sausage-mild, medium, and hot, bacon cooked to order, city and country ham, steak-again cooked to order, pork chops, and Georgia fried chicken. On the other side they have waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, fresh grits-not instant, eggs any style cooked when ordered.
Between me and that wonderful buffet is a line of cats and kittens followed by our flight crew, and my seven traveling companions. Once I get to the tables I am once again handed my tray with plates, bowl, and silverware. As I go down the line I get Eggs Benedict, grits, bacon cooked medium, country ham, biscuits with sausage gravy, fresh fruits, and coffee with cream but no sugar ready and waiting for me. With my meal in hand I head over to the same table as yesterday where I join my team plus one beautiful grey tabby. Commander introduces her and that's when I realize how familiar she is to me and why. She's the little kitten I met at the lab in Alamogordo, New Mexico. I finally found out her name. It's Nalah.
Nalah lifts up her head and comes across the table to sit down in front of my plates. "John Cole, it is so nice to once again see, and formally meet the man with great fingers for tummy rubs."
To Be Cat-inued