Matt checked the schedule display after reading his ticket. He scanned the display for the flight leaving for Moscow, Russia. Matt found the flight and saw it was about to depart! Without anything to carry, Matt quickly made his way through the terminal and aboard the plane, finding most seats already occupied by other people. Matt caught his breath while looking awkwardly for an open seat; walking slowly down the aisle and catching nearly everyone’s attention, Matt felt embarrassed for even accepting the stranger’s ticket. When Matt was about half-way down the aisle, he spotted the first open seat next to a large man with wide shoulders, a hard face, a dark mustache, a round gut, and tired eyes gently gazing out the window. Matt hesitated when he realized he would have to ask this man to sit next to him. A quick once-over of the rest of the cabin showed Matt that this was likely the only seat left. Because he could neither step off the plane nor continue down the aisle without embarrassing himself further, Matt cleared his throat to say, “Excuse me, er, could I – have this seat?” The bald man turned his eyes on Matt, those tired blue eyes that now lit up with vigor, penetrating Matt’s soul. That brief moment of harsh consideration froze Matt, but the man’s eyes quickly relaxed, and he nodded, “дa.” Matt happily stepped out of the center of attention and sat down, letting out his nervous breath. He glanced at the man, who had returned to staring out the window.
It wasn’t long before the chatter of the cabin was split momentarily by the pilot announcing that they were getting off the ground, and Matt was happy to be doing so. Just as his thoughts began to settle, Matt thought about his ticket, “Isn’t it weird that that man just gave me his ticket? I wonder what he was in such a rush about.” Matt sat patiently for about half an hour before he became impatient, “How long is this flight?,” he wondered, “I wish I brought a book or something. What am I even going to do when I get there? I don’t have anywhere to go.” Matt’s throat went dry upon realizing, “How am I going to get home?” Matt’s eyes darted left and right; his thoughts flew back and forth in a feverish panic. Could anyone help him? How far away is he going? God, how far is he already? Matt leaned over the man next to him to see out the window, seeing distant trees, roads, and houses fade into the distance. Of course, leaning right over him to peer out the window disturbed the man. Thinking that Matt was afraid of heights, he tried to calm him, “Do not worry, is just plane,” After saying this, a flight attendant walked up to Matt with a pen and pad, cheerfully asking, “Can I get you anything to drink?” Matt didn’t know what to say, so the big man next to him cut in, “Two vodkas,” turning to Matt, “Will help nerves.” Matt, though old enough to drink, was not the most experienced with vodka, but he didn’t want to upset the man next to him. He just nodded along, hoping the man wouldn’t be offended.
When their drinks came around, the man happily took his, thanking the attendant, “Спасибо,” Matt held onto his vodka, not drinking, “Drink. Will make you feel better,” Matt still hesitated, but he did take a little sip of it. When the vodka passed onto his tongue, Matt almost spit it right out! His lips pursed with effort to keep it down, and he swallowed with much strain written on his face. The man chuckled a harsh, low laugh, “Drink some more! Will taste better,” Matt looked into the man’s strong eyes which were now alive with laughter, finding something genuine that told Matt he should just keep drinking. Matt did as he was told, taking a more substantial swig of the vodka; not only did it go down easily, but it didn’t seem to taste as bad. Having earned Matt’s trust, Matt asked the man’s name, “Friend, my name is Nadim Andreyevich Fedorov, but you may call me Nadim,” With a smile at Nadim’s more lively, friendly mood, Matt easily drunk more of the vodka, which tasted more familiar with each sip.