Where Love Begins

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It’s like this — Stella and Jason meet on an airplane. A propeller plane, not a long flight. Stella was coming from Clara’s wedding. She caught the bridal bouquet, that’s probably why she’s so distraught; and she had to say goodbye to Clara, that’s why she’s feeling so forlorn. It was a beautiful wedding. From now on Stella is on her own. Jason was coming from a construction site. He was laying tiles, that’s why he’s so dusty. And he worked all night long, driving to the airport at the crack of dawn; that’s why he’s so tired. The job is finished; he’ll be looking for a new job. Fate, or whoever, has seated Stella next to Jason, row 7, seats A and C. Stella will save the boarding pass for many years. For many years. Jason is sitting by the window; the seat next to him is empty. Stella’s seat is on the aisle, but in spite of that she sits down next to Jason. She can’t help it.

Jason is tall and lean, unshaven; his black hair is grey because of the dust. He’s wearing a rough woollen jacket and dirty jeans. He looks at Stella as if she’d taken leave of her senses, looks at her angrily; she startles him. So direct, so unceremonious. Nothing that could have been dragged out. If Stella hadn’t caught Clara’s bridal bouquet — jasmine and lilacs, a luxuriant abundance tied with a silken ribbon — she wouldn’t be so breathless. Glowing cheeks, a shocking lack of detachment.

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