THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
“Just one more minute!” Brooks pleaded. “The head is crowning!”
The airline staff exchanged looks. They had a schedule. Fines for delays.
“Sir, we are closing the doors.”
Brooks was torn apart. Board the plane and see his daughter in two hours? Or stay on the line, miss the flight, and not see them for another 24 hours?
And then, something amazing happened.
The line of passengers froze.
The people standing at the gate had heard his pleas. They saw the tears on the face of the strong man in camouflage.
Nobody moved.
“Don’t close the doors!” a woman in line shouted. “Let him watch!”
“We aren’t going anywhere until she delivers!” a businessman in a suit added.
The passengers staged a mutiny of kindness. They intentionally fumbled for tickets. Dropped their bags. Stalled for time.
The airport staff understood the hint. They stopped rushing him.
A piercing scream erupted from the phone.
“Push, Haley!” Brooks yelled, his voice echoing through the terminal.
The passengers held their breath.
And then…
A cry. The loud, demanding cry of a new life.
His daughter, Millie, was born.