Avery Bennett, a single mother

Alexa gazed at her phone as she waited for the plane to lift off. Suddenly a tall thin woman approached carrying a duffle bag as her long dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes.

*The image above is AI generated and is meant to represent what Avery looks like. All prompts used are 18 and older. All characters are 18 and older

Alexa couldn’t gauge her age as she looked up. “Hello, that’s my seat over there, sweetie,” the woman said.

Alexa stood up and allowed the woman to pass her as she loaded the duffle bag in the overhead and revealed a small backpack in her hand. She then sat down in her seat and Alexa sat down in hers. “Oh man, my little girl just started going to college. I remember when she used to be your age,” she said. “My name is Avery.”

Alexa blushed. “Oh no, I’m not… I’m 22 just graduated from college,” Alexa blushed.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed. I’m so used to having a little girl that I guess I just have my mom mode still on. Her name’s Claire. Just turned 18. Got accepted into Carnegie. I’m so proud of her,” Avery said.

“I went to Queens College. I’m from New York,” Alexa said.

“Oh that’s wonderful. I’m going back home. Just finished helping her settle and now we’re back to California,” Avery said.

Alexa gripped the seat as the plane began to pull out. Avery noticed and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t like planes,” Alexa said. “B-but I have to do this. I have a job interview…”

“Shhh, it’s okay. Just think of something else. Tell me what’s your name?” Avery said.

“Alexa Johnson,” Alexa answered.

“Okay, can I call you Lexi?” Avery asked which Alexa nodded. “Okay, Lexi. Breathe for me. In and out. 1 2 3. Think about a time that really made you happy. Maybe the moment you finally graduated college or the moment when you landed that job interview which by the way is a big deal. You should be proud, excited, happy. There’s so much potential. You can do this.”

Alexa closed her eyes as Avery kept speaking. Alexa focused on Avery’s voice, following her instructions. “Thank you,” Alexa said as the plane was finally up in the air, but the seatbelt sign still on.

“My daughter is also afraid of planes,” Avery smiled. “You learn some tricks when you’re the only one running things.”

“Oh… what happened to…”

“He… left,” Avery said calmly. “Thought it was best to never see his little girl. Picked up his bags and left before I was even 6 months in.”

“I’m so sorry,” Alexa said.

“I’ve had amazing help from my own father and my mother,” Avery smiled. “I couldn’t have done it without them, and now look at that, my daughter is in college, and everything is alright.”

“That’s so amazing,” Alexa said. “I bet it feels great being a mom.”

“Stressful sometimes, but yeah,” Avery said. “It does. You have someone to give the world to.”

“Excuse me, would you like something from the cart?” A flight attendant asked as she pushed up with the cart of drinks and food.

“I’ll have coffee with some cream,” Avery said.

“And what would you like, sweetie?” The flight attendant asked.

Alexa debated in her head as she gazed at the drinks.