Just breath, Chloe told herself, as she leaned back against the airplane seat headrest. She inhaled in through her nose and out of her mouth, like her therapist had taught her. As the plane took off down the runway, she could already feel a panic attack was imminent. She felt that familiar feeling of floating above her body like a balloon. Living with OCD and panic disorder, Chloe was accustomed to uncomfortable and often unfounded fears, but flying had never before been one of them. Not until now. Then again she never thought she would be flying on a plane during a pandemic, Southwest from New York to Orlando.

Chloe was dreading arriving in Florida, where Covid-19 was running rampant. She was doing it for her grandma, who had selfishly raised her while both her parents worked, and needed her now. Calm down, you got this, Chloe willed herself to believe these lies, and she almost did until the man next to her erupted in a fit of sneezing and coughing.

Chloe cracked her eyes open to see Sir Sneezy peel down his mask, thick snot like a snail's slime dripping from his nose to land on his shirt. Repulsed, Chloe cringed and the man shot her a dirty look as he took out a handkerchief (who would use such a germ factory during a pandemic) and blew his nose noisily into it before stuffing it in his jacket pocket. Then without sanitizing his hands, he reached out to the storage pocket in the seat in front of them, and grabbed the airline menu. He caught her stare and held it out to her gruffly. " Hey, you want this?" Chloe furiously shook her head 'no' and leaned back as the man went into another jarring coughing fit.

It wasn't the flight itself that had her nerves on edge, it was situations like this. What if he has covid? What if I get it and get Grandma sick? What if she dies and it's my fault? Chloe knew her thoughts were spiraling faster than the plane had jetted down the runway, but she couldn't help it. Her chest felt like an elephant's rear end was crushing it. She could feel her heart beating erratically as though it was struggling to escape that excruciating weight.

" Excuse me, miss? Are you alright?" The soothing male tone caused Chloe's eyes to fly open. The man in the aisle across from her had leaned over, still maintaining a respectful distance between them. The part of the young man's face not obscured by his mask was handsome, and his espresso eyes were warm and full of concern. 

" Ahh, I-" Chloe stammered, forgetting how to speak and she felt her face burn with shame.

His dark eyes crinkled and Chloe imagined he was smiling behind his mask. " We could switch seats, if you like? No use being uncomfortable for an entire flight."

" Thank you," Chloe sighed gratefully, struck by the stranger's kindness.

After switching seats, the man continued to talk to her and just listening to his reassuring voice provided the distraction she needed to calm down. She found out her savior's name was Gavin, he was twenty-three just like her, and had graduated nursing school and was heading to Orlando to start his first nursing job.

" You're very brave, working as a nurse at a time like this," Chloe mused.

Gavin's eyes crinkled. " I don't always feel brave, but I really want to help others. I had severe asthma as a kid and spent a lot of time in the hospital. The nurses were the ones who were always there for me."

Chloe nodded, and shared how her own piano teacher as a girl had inspired her career as an elementary school music teacher.

" So Chloe, why are you heading to Orlando?" Gavin asked curiously.

Chloe released a breath. " My grandma just had a knee replacement. I know it's not an ideal time to travel, but she has done so much for me. I want to be there for her recovery."

" That's very admirable," Gavin said softly." I'm sure you will be a great comfort to her." Chloe certainly hoped so, and somehow talking with this stranger had assuaged her anxiety.

The two spent the rest of the flight in lively conversation, laughing, and sharing travel stories. Before she knew it, the plane was landing in Orlando and Chloe was dragging her luggage off the plane and waving good-bye to Gavin and wishing him good luck with his nursing career. If only she had the courage to ask for his number before they departed.

                                                                                            ***

Several hours later, Chloe was pulling her rental car into her grandma's retirement community, heart thrumming with anticipation. She knocked on the door and heard her grandma's voice calling out that she would be right there. The door swung open and Chloe gasped; it was Gavin, clad in a navy blue nurse uniform, a stethoscope swinging from his neck.

Grandma approached slowly, leaning on her walker, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her granddaughter and the attractive male nurse. " Chloe, have you met my nurse Gavin?"

Gavin's eyes sparkled above his mask. " It's a funny story, but we've already met."

" Well, I would be delighted to hear all about it over some tea," Grandma said, raising an eyebrow. " Gavin, be a dear and go put the kettle on."

Gavin winked at Chloe and she felt her cheeks burn. " Sure thing." He headed towards the kitchen and Chloe watched her grandma's eyes follow the man's retreating form.

Grandma licked her lips saucily. " Oh dear, they sent a cute one this time and I can tell he's going to have a wonderful bedside manner."

" Grandma!" Chloe cried.

Grandma chuckled heartily and it felt good to hear her laugh. " What? I can look even if I can't touch."

Chloe had to admit her grandma did have impeccable taste.