Youthful

A conversation in the Chicago airport after borrowing a cell phone to tell my parents that my flight was delayed at least two hours:

"Do you mind my asking how old you are?"

"Twenty. I'm going home after my sophomore year of college."

"Oh, because you look about my daughter's age, and she's fourteen. I was wondering, 'Is this girl old enough to fly alone?'"

"Oh, really? Haha."

"It's a good thing - you'll appreciate it some day."

"So I've heard."

If I had a buck for every time I've had this conversation, I think I could fly back to Chicago on the dividends.

Note to self: when flying, take out the hair ribbon and wear make-up.