02-03-2026, 01:02 PM
Grace hadn't meant to over here Eve and her friends conversation. She just happened to be cleaning up nearby. Eve was leaving. Grace had known it would be the case sometime, but not so soon. Her first intuition was to interrupt and say her goodbyes, but Grace was leaving too. She actually had a flight to catch. She was getting out of the United States and all the fear that was here now and starting over in the CCD. It had become more important since the announced border closure. If she didn't make it out, Grace would be locked in. Grace could touch base with Eve later. She was with a friend right now, and she was technically still working.
JFK was as insane as it always was. Grace made it though all the TSA bullshit and then headed to her gate and was promptly informed that the flight was overbooked. Frustration, anger, and sadness filled the people there, Grace included. They asked for volunteers. Everyone on this flight was keen to get out before the border closed. No one volunteered. So they began to bump people from the flight. Grace's heart sank when she heard her name. Of course she'd be getting a refund (and more). They had no more outgoing flights. She'd rather have the flight than the money. She was stuck here.
Grace left the airport feeling scared. The joy of the New Year was wearing off, and she was beginning to feel the oppressive nature of the fear of uncertainty in the city again. Her mind went back to Eve. Eve was leaving on a private plane. Maybe Eve could help. Grace felt bad about that. She didn't want to use her friend. She knew deep down asking her friend for help wouldn't be that. It would just be asking for help, but it didn't stop the thought from coming.
She sat down on a bench and pulled out her wallet. She could just send a text and ask, but no - Eve was her friend and deserved a face to face request. She composed a message.
Eve. I need to talk to you - in person. I need help. Can you meet me at Amarinta's Gallery later. Please.
The text would show some of her desperation. She had nowhere to go, so she just went to a 24 hour cafe near the gallery and waited. Later she would go to the gallery to wait for Eve's arrival. She hoped Eve would help. This was her only chance to get out, and for her own sanity, she needed to.
JFK was as insane as it always was. Grace made it though all the TSA bullshit and then headed to her gate and was promptly informed that the flight was overbooked. Frustration, anger, and sadness filled the people there, Grace included. They asked for volunteers. Everyone on this flight was keen to get out before the border closed. No one volunteered. So they began to bump people from the flight. Grace's heart sank when she heard her name. Of course she'd be getting a refund (and more). They had no more outgoing flights. She'd rather have the flight than the money. She was stuck here.
Grace left the airport feeling scared. The joy of the New Year was wearing off, and she was beginning to feel the oppressive nature of the fear of uncertainty in the city again. Her mind went back to Eve. Eve was leaving on a private plane. Maybe Eve could help. Grace felt bad about that. She didn't want to use her friend. She knew deep down asking her friend for help wouldn't be that. It would just be asking for help, but it didn't stop the thought from coming.
She sat down on a bench and pulled out her wallet. She could just send a text and ask, but no - Eve was her friend and deserved a face to face request. She composed a message.
Eve. I need to talk to you - in person. I need help. Can you meet me at Amarinta's Gallery later. Please.
The text would show some of her desperation. She had nowhere to go, so she just went to a 24 hour cafe near the gallery and waited. Later she would go to the gallery to wait for Eve's arrival. She hoped Eve would help. This was her only chance to get out, and for her own sanity, she needed to.