Read Online S'wanee: A Paranoid Thriller by Don Winston - Free Book Online Page A

with a polite, quiet family work the self-service kiosk and then took his own luggage to the counter when called. Marcie stared mournfully at the Hasidic mother’s wig and whispered in Cody’s ear, “I would never shave my head for a man. Especially that one.”
    The security line started at the bottom of the escalators across from Nathan’s Famous. Cody turned to hug his mother.
    “What are you doing?” she barked, stopping the embrace. “I’m coming to the gate.”
    “You can’t without a ticket,” Cody explained.
    Marcie rolled her eyes and pulled a piece of paper from her Coach bag. “I know how it works,” she said. “I bought this last week. Full fare.”
    “You’re coming with me?” Cody asked in momentary panic.
    “To the
gate
, yes,” she said, shepherding him toward the security line. “I’m taking my son to the
gate
on his way to
college.
I’m not dropping him off at security.”
    She slipped off her Burberry trench, revealing her white Clinique lab coat underneath. “I’ll refund the ticket on the way out. Have you never heard of this, Mr. Genius Bar?”
    “You’ll be late for work,” Cody said.
    “Let ‘em fire me.” She shrugged, inching through the line in her stocking feet. “Get out your ID.”
    She locked her arm in his, strutting proudly down the long windowed corridor toward the gates, beaming her megawatt smile. She ignored a well-dressed executive at the shoe shine. Outside the weather was drearier, and all the jets were parked.
    Her mood started to darken once they reached the massive flying saucer gate area and saw his flight was delayed like all the others.
    “Mom, you don’t need to stay,” Cody assured her an hour later. “I’m fine.”
    “I’m not leaving until you do,” Marcie snapped, oblivious to the crowds around them. She was rubbing her hands nervously. “I thought this would be quick and painless. This isn’t easy, Cody. It’s not easy letting you go.”
    Thirty minutes later, she said, “This is a bad idea. You shouldn’t fly today. Let’s go home.”
    “The weather’s clearing,” Cody replied, pointing toward the city.
    Marcie abruptly bolted up. “I can’t sit here.” She paced the flying saucer until a table opened up by the cappuccino stand in the center. Cody sat next to her.
    “You can’t smoke in here,” he said as she pulled her American Spirits from her bag.
    “I can hold it, can’t I?” Marcie said, rubbing the back of her neck. “I know airports, Cody. I spent years in them.”
    One of the flights started to board. A couple tried to join them at their table. “These are taken,” she said, pulling the chairs closer. The couple left.
    Another flight boarded. The flying saucer was rumbling to life.
    “I’ll call as soon as I land,” Cody said, trying to calm his mother.
    “And from the car, too,” she said. “And when you get to this place.”
    Marcie took a used napkin off the table and dabbed her neck. She still clutched her unlit cigarette.
    Cody’s flight was called for preboarding.
    Marcie suddenly gasped for breath. Unable to catch one, she clutched her throat, drowning.
    Marcie was hyperventilating.
    “Mom, what’s wrong?” Cody asked, alarmed.
    Marcie didn’t answer, shaking her head, desperate.
    “Mom!”
    “I’m so scared!” she burst out, still gasping. “I’m just so scared!” She gulped loudly, trying to swallow. People were starting to notice.
    “Mom, do you need a doctor?”
    “Why did I agree to this?” Marcie grabbed his arm. “I don’t know this place. I don’t know where you’re going. And I’m so scared for you!”
    Her face was red, her eyes wild.
    “I don’t know what’s happening to me. It’s so dark in here!”
    She was heaving now, spastically. She clutched the edge of the table with both hands. She swooped her head down close to the surface. She focused her eyes.
    “It’s a panic attack, Cody,” she said. “I’ve read about them. I’m panicking.”
    Marcie