Future Flights

By Betty Gossell and Karen Pickens

Picking up where ¬ e Boarding Pass left off , Future Flights revisits each of the stories shared in the original novel and the eight people who sat in seat 19F that particular day in June, 2017. With some stories set immediately after the events in the first novel and others much later, readers will find the answers to most (if not all) of t

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: May 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781643673950

Betty Gossell and Karen Pickens

BETTY GOSSELL spent most of her working life as a traveling healthcare consultant. She has been on hundreds of flights, including international. She enjoys writing and has loved working on this series with her daughter Karen. KAREN PICKENS is a busy wife and mother, and thrilled to co-author this book with her mother Betty. Karen's first airplane trip was when she was just four months old, and like her mother, has been on at least 100 flights, including two trips to Italy.

Book preview

Excitement for a Sequel to The Boarding Pass 

I loved the first book but kept wanting to know ‘the rest of the story’ so I’m thrilled that a sequel is in progress!! Mary B.

Anxious to see where the journeys end. Suspense of the return. Didn’t put the first book down till I finished it. Susan H.

I loved the first book but now I desire to be ‘a fly on the plane’ to see where the story goes! Julia P.

"I’m SO EXCITED to hear about a sequel! I couldn’t put The Boarding Pass down – I can’t wait to read more!" Sarah B.

The first book peaked my imagination on what these people in 19F did when they reached their destination. Ready and anxious to find out the rest of the story!! Mary Sue R.

I can’t wait for the sequel! It’s like hearing your favorite new show is coming back for another season! Karen H.

So anxious! My library needs it! Wanda G.

I loved this book. I’m excited for the sequel! Patty E.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and can’t wait to read more about each passenger. I haven’t been reading much over the years due to some vision problems, but I sure enjoyed The Boarding Pass." Lorri M.

FUTURE

FLIGHTS

Second Installment of the Boarding Pass Series

Betty Gossell and Karen Pickens

Future Flights

Copyright © 2019 by Betty Gossell and Karen Pickens. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of URLink Print and Media.

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Published in the United States of America

ISBN 978-1-64367-396-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64367-395-0 (Digital)

03.05.19

Other Books by Betty Gossell and Karen Pickens

The Boarding Pass–2017

Dedication

I certainly never dreamed we would be here again, finishing our second book together. Writing may be a solidary endeavor, but it’s much more pleasant when done with the blessing of those most important to you.

To my family and friends, whose excitement and support for the original Boarding Pass exceeded all expectations, and whose encouragement helped so much with this sequel. Thanks for always being there for me, pushing me and loving me;

To my co-workers (past and present) with whom I share a love of travel and infinite travel stories–your support and encouragement mean the world to me;

And to my amazing daughter Karen, who continues to inspire me daily with your talent and enthusiasm. I have enjoyed sharing so many journeys with you – both in the air and through life, and now through our words. Thanks for always being the light of my life. I love you more!

—Betty Gossell

This time around, I have to thank my friends and family who supported the first book and begged us for more. I was all for leaving the endings open for personal interpretation, but our characters did have more to say, so I’m thankful that you wanted to listen;

To my husband Chris, who is grounded while I’m up in the air–you somehow manage to be steady and surprising all at once, and I love you for that. Thanks for holding things together while I’m lost in my writing. Your support means the world to me;

To my precious Lilah Joy–I borrowed a little bit of our story for this book, so I hope you don’t mind. Never forget how special you are to me, and how happy I am that God chose you to be mine;

And of course, to my loving mother–you’ve taken this little idea of ours and really given it life. While I was dreaming and procrastinating, you were making those vague ideas real, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I love you more!

—Karen Pickens

Contents

Foreword

Prologue: Jean

Chapter 1: ADD to FRA (Kristen)

Chapter 2: ATL to JFK (Ana Maria)

Chapter 3: MEM to STL (Will)

Chapter 4: DFW to CVG (Jean)

Chapter 5: FRA to JFK (Joel)

Chapter 6: ATL to DEL (Dr. Patesh Narong)

Chapter 7: ORD to LAX (Mac)

Chapter 8: ORD to DSM (Lisa)

Epilogue: Jean Robert’ LaFontaine (JR)

Foreword

The funny thing about stories is that they don’t always end the way we would like, or on the timetable of our choosing. Some situations wrap up rather quickly, while others take years to come to fruition. And what may look like an ending to some, is actually a beginning to others. Answers to our problems often come in bits and pieces, and it is up to each of us to recognize which is a resolution, which is just a stepping stone, and which is a detour. We may have it all figured out in our heads, knowing the answer we are looking for, but life has a way of springing surprising events on us, forcing us to choose a path different from what we had originally planned.

Looking back, however, we are often able to see where the path took an unexpected turn, where one seemingly insignificant choice affected the outcome more than we ever could have imagined. Real living is a series of thousands of small decisions, each one adding a new line onto the story of our life.

-Betty Gossell

Prologue

Jean

Sitting in her First Class seat and enjoying a warm cup of coffee, Jean gazed out the window at the tarmac of DFW airport. She watched in dismay as sleet and freezing rain pelted the side of her plane, and she thought back to another flight long ago when she was feeling hot and miserable; so unhappy with her life and her life choices. It was hard to believe that flight was less than two years ago–so much had changed in her life since then.

She was now living in a new city, working at a job she loved, and going to school on the weekends. Her hand touched the sapphire necklace resting at the base of her throat and she giggled like a young girl. Glancing at the romance novel in her lap, a broad smile spread across her freshly-painted lips. Who could have imagined that she would be here today?

Chapter One

ADD to FRA (Kristen)

Kristen Sullivan reached up and twisted at the air vent above her. Just as it had been the last three times she’d checked it, it was maxed out. The flow was strong and cool against her fingertips, but by the time it reached her face, it just wasn’t sufficient to soothe her clammy skin. A wave of nausea rolled over her, and she fought to keep her breath steady.

Beside her, in the aisle seat, Kristen’s husband Joel reached up to aim his own air vent in her direction. She grinned at him gratefully, trying not to let on that it wasn’t much help, but as always, he could read her easily.

Still queasy? Joel asked in his sweet baritone voice.

Kristen ran a hand over her stomach, wishing there was