Stephen had his bags at the door, and looked around his empty house. Normally, it would have (at least)  two Christmas trees, decorations everywhere and the smell of cooking coming from the kitchen. Donna had loved Christmas, and it was shocking that she had died on Christmas Day, just a year ago.

He sighed and took his luggage out front to wait for the cab. He would be going to his sister’s for Christmas which was a relief. Just to get out of the house – to not feel the loss every moment he was there.

A snowstorm had blown up in the morning, but the streets were fairly clear now. He had checked the plane schedule and all was on time. He had to get out of there.

He arrived at the airport and stood in line until an agent was available.

“Oh, I’m sorry sir, but gale force winds are occurring in Halifax and no flights will be taking off this evening.”

“Well, what do I do?”, he stuttered.

“Well, sir – we can put you up in a hotel for the night and you can check in the morning if anything is available”, the agent said.

“Well, I guess there’s no choice’, he laughed nervously, hiding his fear and disappointment. “Do you think there will be room on a flight tomorrow morning?”

“I couldn’t say, sir”.

He sighed. “Fine, how do I get to the hotel?”

“There’s a shuttle leaving for the Westin in 20 minutes”.

Stephen shuffled off with his baggage to the bus area.

Once in his room, he called his sister immediately.

“The only hope is getting on a flight tomorrow.”

The sadness in her voice was apparent. She wanted her brother with her for her own sake and his.

“Well, call me in the morning, and let me know what’s happening, ok?”

“Just keep your fingers crossed.”

He slept fitfully, not wanting to return to the dead house.

He called all night on the hour desperate to get a flight. At the break of dawn he was still looking for a flight and getting the same answers. Nothing was available.

“No, I’m sorry sir. The only flight with available seats is on Chistmas Day”. He wanted to cry.  A pause from the airline agent. “No WAIT!”,said the agent. “We JUST had a cancellation as we were speaking. I can get you to Halifax this afternoon.

He took down the flight information, his hands shaking. “Thank you, thank you so much”, he gushed.

He hung up the phone and punched the air. "YES!" He then lay back on the bed and sobbed.