I was amazed when Bailey showed up at LaGuardia. He was catching a flight into Salt Lake and squeezed into the last chair at the gate which was right by me. He grunted and snuffled and then asked a question, “Did you have any trouble getting through security?”
“They did rumble through my suitcase a bit,” I said, “but they were very polite. They offered to help me repack.”
Bailey shook his head and said, “I had no idea that honey was a liquid”. “They confiscated my honey bear and even my honey combs. They said it was a gel and that there was a powder residue in the bag. I told them it was bee pollen but they took it anyway and said something about an agricultural byproduct.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “Would you like a candy bar?“
Bailey said, “Thanks, but I don’t like to eat anything but honey when I fly. I get uncomfortable squeezed into those little airplane seats and the flight attendants always give me the eye.”
“Well they will be handing out little teeny tiny bags of peanuts. If you’re lucky, they’ll give you two,” I said.
Bailey doubled over laughing at that comment. He said he could use them as ear plugs.
When his shoulders stopped shaking I said, “I was a bit surprised to see you out in the middle of January at the Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Conference. Bailey said, “It’s been a warm winter so I’ve been restless and just felt like being out and about. Speaking of that I think I’ll stretch my legs.” He hefted himself out of the chair with some effort and walked out to the main concourse. I never saw him come back nor get on the plane. I wasn’t even sure he made the flight.
Sweet hat, Bailey!