A Rough Spot
Written By (Barbara Ann Eubanks) [Copyright 2017]
Never had Thad and Molly experienced such turbulence. Molly, being typical Molly, showed more concern for those around her than for herself. Across the aisle sat a college student from Bermuda who was making her first trip to the U.S. to accept a swimming scholarship from Auburn University. She made little noise but the tears raining down her face and her vise-like grip on the armrest signaled her great fear. “Sweetie, would you like to hold my hand? Sometimes it helps just to hold on to someone. That and prayer help me. Why don’t I pray for all of us,” suggested Molly. “What is your name?” In a voice that quivered like Jell-O, the girl answered, “Maliki.” Maliki gladly took the hand Molly offered. In a soft voice, Molly began, “Father, we are in a really rough spot right now. It appears our plane may make a less than safe landing, but we put our trust in you. Hold Maliki tightly in your arms so she will feel safe and secure. Please help the couple in front of us with the small child.” One by one, she prayed for those around her, and for the flight crew, and finally, she prayed,
“God, I know you haven’t brought Thad and me this far unless you have a greater plan for our lives. Please hold us in the palm of your hand. But regardless, my faith is in you. May your will be done.” Her prayer had not gone unnoticed by all the people around her. ‘Amens’ echoed throughout the cabin. Another message from the captain interrupted the reverence of the moment. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Jacobs. I am going to be brutally honest with you because we are in this metal cocoon together. I don’t believe we can make it to Myrtle Beach through this storm on one crippled engine.
Purchase the book from http://WhosoeverPress.com. Therefore, I am about to attempt a landing on a strip nearby that is not designed for a plane of this size, but it will beat nothing. Therefore, I’m asking you – no, telling you – to take every precaution per the flight attendants’ instruction to brace for a rough landing, a very rough landing. We probably will run off the end of the strip, but I’m doing everything in my power to keep us as safe as possible. Now, call on a power mightier than mine.” Minutes later the plane swayed to the right and then back to the left. Jacobs tried with all his might to straighten the bird and make things as smooth as possible, but even with all his might, he failed in his attempt.
As they touched down, or better said – slammed down, on the small runway earth-shattering sounds of metal scraping roared over the screams. Sparks lit up the plane like a spot light. The impact forced the plane from one wing to the other, back and forth until pieces of the wings lined the path behind them. The captain didn’t lie. The landing was a teeth-shattering, plane-breaking one. Although passengers were buckled in and items were stored as instructed, pieces of metal sailed through the cabin as parts of the plane broke up on impact. Screams echoed throughout the plane, some from fright, but others from injuries. Many had bleeding gashes from flying objects, while others had greater damage. One flight attendant, with the help of a muscular volunteer, was able to get the inflatable slide activated, and she professionally instructed passengers to make their way, if possible, to that exit to deplane. “Molly, let’s move to the exit.” After a lack of an immediate response from her, Thad gave her a soft shake and repeated, “Molly, Molly.” He noticed she had not escaped airborne debris herself. A streak of blood on her forehead revealed she had also been struck by something. In a delayed response she said “Oh, yes, we need to make our way to the exit and see if we can help.”
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