Lucky

Part One here. Part Two here.
They’d told us a delay of an hour, and that’s when they got us on the plane. I knew I’d be cutting it close with the drugs but I also knew it’d be tough to back out now. I kept doing the math in my head and decided that there was still time. And then we sat on the runway for another hour before we took off. I’m sure that made all the difference.
But what could I do at that point? I couldn’t think of anything that would get me off the plane that wouldn’t involve being examined by a doctor. A quick examination would show that I wasn’t with child, but with duck. I couldn’t see any good outcome from there. I’d just have to see it through and hope for the best. I gave Lucky a rub and hoped that some of his name would rub off on me.
My seatmate wanted to chat, but I froze him with a look and stuck my nose in that book. Surprisingly, the book kept my attention and I started to forget all about my situation. That is until a little webbed foot fluttered against my belly. I quickly reached down to feel it. My seatmate took that for baby motion and cooed. I could tell she wanted to reach over and feel it for myself. She seemed to be getting ready to ask. I quickly got up and headed for the lavatory.
Once I got in there I could check on Lucky. Maybe give him another pill. Or would that be too dangerous? Was I just panicking? That foot movement didn’t have to mean that he was waking up did it? Maybe he was dreaming or something. Another motion quickly put that thought out of my mind.
There was a short line for the bathroom and that’s where I was defeated. My place in line put me right next to a woman who was clearly interested in my situation. She put her hand right on my belly and started to ask how much longer I had. I was too flustered to push her hand away. She looked thoughtful and said she thought she was feeling a knee or an elbow and then gave a little squeeze.
It wasn’t a knee of course. Or an elbow. It was poor Lucky’s head. This must have woken him up. From under my shirt came an indignant quack. This surprised the woman who drew her hand back quickly. It also drew the attention of everyone sitting around us and in line for the bathroom.
I tried to defuse the situation. “Well, that’s a new sound.” Just then Lucky decided that he didn’t want to be trapped in a harness under anyone’s shirt. He nipped me. I grabbed for my side and screamed.
You can guess where it went from there. A flight attendant was quickly summoned. A doctor was found. I tried to protest that I was fine. Lucky nipped me again and there was no convincing anyone. They had me lay down so the doctor could inspect what was going on. Between that motion and Lucky’s wriggling I could tell that he was getting loose. My shirt came up and everyone could see my shame.
Just then the damned duck kicked loose of the last strap. I tried to grab him so I could calm him down. He was quacking loudly and I’m sure the entire plane was trying to figure out if I was a terrorist.
Lucky took off and made one glorious flight down the length of the cabin. I can still picture him, his all white body and wings fluttering madly looking for an escape route. Of course there was none and he ended up hitting the first class curtain. This was probably best for everyone as he got all wrapped up in it.
I broke free and rushed forward. I quickly balled the curtain around him so that he couldn’t escape again. Out of nowhere an Air Marshall showed up. He was worried about bombs and weapons. As soon as he realized that I had a duck and that the duck would be no help in taking over a plane he was all right. I think saw me as the scared girl that I was. He moved me into a seat by myself and I sat there with the squirming bundle on my lap.
When we landed they took me off first. Airport security was at the gate and they escorted me to some private place deep in the airport. It started to sink in that I was in big trouble. I didn’t know what laws I’d broken but at the very least this was clearly against airline regulations. In between sobs I explained the situation as best I could.
What happened? Well, there’s one airline that I’m never allowed to fly again. They gave me a fine that wiped out my payment for escorting the duck. I begged the airline to keep it all quiet and they mostly did. A plane full of people witnessed Lucky’s big flight but it never became one of those weird news stories that everyone hears about. For about a week I dreaded the late night talk shows.
In the end, a spoiled boy got his duck. And I learned a lesson, never let sleeping ducks fly.