Cold and Snow
Looking out of the airplanes window I was amazed that the Pilot knew where we were going. The darkness filled everything but with my fear of the unknown I could not help pressing my cheek against the cold coming from the double thick window while stretching my vision as far ahead of the wings as I could with hopes to see anything. My first time leaving the sanctuary of my parents house and striking out to make my own life and my own adventures. The man I talked to on the phone would be waiting for me somewhere close by and I could feel the tightening of my stomach even more now that the Pilot has announced the decent into Anchorage International Airport. A man that I have never met before except a quick interview on the phone and another quick conversation as he told me the secretary has made arrangements for my treasures to be picked up at my parents house. The last conversation was about a week ago explaining the flight from Syracuse Airport to the Alaskan wilderness.
I never knew much about Alaska except that it was my dream to find a way to visit the State farthest north in the country that I love. My mind raced with images of trailers in the woods with broken down cars, Pickup trucks with weapons hanging off the back window and every house with a Dog run with 10 Husky’s and a sled next to it. I knew very little of the area and knew that the this was the chance of a life time so I had to take it. I had no idea where I would sleep tonight or how I would be able to afford the food I would love to get in my body as soon as I landed and the knot in my stomach left me. The idea that someone would pay me to fly out to Alaska and pay for my living expenses just so I could join their security team amazed me, I wasn’t going to say I didn’t know what I was doing but there had to be bigger and smarter men out there than me at a wimpy 6 feet high holding 185 lbs but looking like 150. I could not intimidate anyone by my looks but thankfully I had the arrogance needed and was able to show that though my movements and actions. I was afraid this man that was meeting me at the airport would see me and say, “Well this was a mistake, here is the return plane ticket.” What would happen if there wasn’t even a return plane ticket, I would be stranded in this world I knew nothing about. I could see myself finding a small restaurant that I could wash dishes at just long enough to afford my embarrassing trip home to explain to my parents that I was a failure and I should have gone to college like they explained many times.
Finally, lights out the window, how did the pilot of this bus with wings find this place and why were there so many people on this flight. They must all be on their way out of the country, I have heard a lot of Russian accents while we were boarding and figured Anchorage was the best place to catch a plane leaving the country. The golden glow coming from the city around us allowed me to believe Anchorage was a city although I couldn’t see much though the blizzard and darkness surrounding the plane as the tires collided with the runway. I loved to fly but I hated landings. How could anything on wheels catch some traction with this much snow on the ground images flashed of the airplane sliding past the runways and sinking into the snow breaking the landing gear, the inflatable slides coming out so the rescue teams could pick us up and take us to the terminal. I finally felt the turn that told me the pilot had total control and was cleared by the tower to take us on to the gate where I would meet the man that has given me this great opportunity to live where most people will never see, the last frontier, Alaska.
The first time the whole flight the fasten seatbelt light was turned off was quickly followed by an announcement from the woman that 15 years ago was probably the most beautiful Air Crew for the airline, however after years of jet lag and disgruntled customers made the wrinkles on her face more pronounced than they should be. “Welcome to Anchorage Alaska, Please check the seat in front of you and the overhead to make sure you have all your belongings,” she announced. “Local time is 10:00 pm and the local temperature is 10 degree’s,” she continued with a more announcements about connecting flights and wishing us a great stay in Anchorage.
I grabbed the bag that I had under the seat in front of me then quickly got up to grab my bag from the over head then waited slowly while everyone else filed up the aisle to make their way to the building the plane was now connected to. There was now a mixture of excitement and fear that lined the know in my stomach, how would I recognize this man? I have never seen him, I did have an image of the man that I created from the sound of his voice but that was never an accurate portrayal of the actual person. I described myself to him when he gave me the travel itinerary over the phone and he explained he would be wearing a hat that had the name of the security company on it. The fear that he would not be there or that he would see me and would take his hat off with disappointment while deserting me in this strange land. I finally made it out the aircraft doors and up the walkway to the gate and sure enough there was a man about 6′4 standing above the crowd and wearing a black hat that just said AJ Security. His sign confirmed that he was there for me, “Boaz Davidson” is almost illegible writing. I walked directly up to him and questioned, “Mr. Tapia?”
“Boaz, so glad you made it, I am excited to get you settled in and get you to work as soon as possible. Do you have any bags to pick up?”
“No sir, this is all I came with,” I stated while raising the two bags a few inches to emphasis the lack of belongings I have collected in my short 18 years.
“We never received any confirmation that the movers picked up your belongings from you house in New York, did everything get packed ok?”
“I canceled the appointment sir, I have everything right here,” I could feel my face redden a little as I said that. Leaving high school and realizing that all I owed was a small black and white TV and a bunch of Kathy Ireland and Alyssa Milano Posters I decided that this was all I would need so I didn’t see any need for a mover. I was kind of depressed when I packed all my treasures into to carry on bags but figured with the amount that this man offered me I would be starting from scratch anyway and could save for a color TV in a month or two.
We quickly walked to the man’s Chevy Z71 and climbed into the cab, “Well you made it here just in time for the first snowfall of the winter” You will not see green grass for the next 6 months at least. Welcome to Alaska.”
We moved though the city sliding though corners like this was the normal way to drive, I was amazed at how Mr. Tapia could counter steer the truck without spilling a single drop of his coffee while steering with a single hand. I looked at the snow covered streets and realized that this really was a city, buildings lining both sides of every road with snow banks on every corner I could tell that I would have to get new landmarks to find my way once the snow melted. Everything was brown and white and looked dirty from the dirt pulled off the streets with the snow. After about 10 minutes Mr. Tapia pulled into a parking lot next to a 5 story building. “Welcome to your new home,” he said while putting the gears in park and turning the key off. He then handed me a group of keys on a chain that said “I love New York” and was in the shape of an apple. “Never forget where your are from, that is the reason you are the man you are,” he said to me and stepped out of the car. We walked into the building and passed the elevators to the stairway on the other side. “I am not as young as you I need to take every chance I can get to exercise, you don’t mind taking the stairs?” He asked me as he grabbed the bigger of the two bags I was holding.
“Of course not,” I said trying to act like I wasn’t drained from the 12 hour trip I just took and followed him up the stairs praying that I was on the second floor.
At the last landing Mr. Tapia opened the door for me while I tried to hide the heavy breathing, feeling as though I had to show that like him that was no more of a workout than walking to the mailbox back home. Walking down the hall he asked me for my keys and explained to me what each of the three keys were for. One was for the door, another for the storage area in the basement and the third was the for the office. He unlocked the door and lead the way in, “My wife came by and put some food and drinks in the fridge for you this afternoon, I will be by at 7am to pick you up for work tomorrow. There is an alarm clock next to the bed for you. Do you need anything else before I take off?”
“I think I am all set as I looked at the studio apartment, everything was one room, It was not that large but a perfect size for me. One corner had two Large windows with a queen bed between them and looked very attractive with the flannel blankets and pillow cases. I was not sure if I was more excited to get to the fridge or the bed first. “Excellent,” I exclaimed as my eyes scanned the whole apartment and noticed the corner with the weight bench and various sized dumbbells.
“A lot of your job is going to be working out and projecting the confidence in stressful situations. I need to head out but dress for a work out tomorrow morning, you will meet everyone at the gym after I show you the main office.”
“Sounds great, thank you this place is wonderful.”
“Wait until the morning when you can see out the windows, it is an amazing view. Have a great night.” Mr. Tapia said as he shook my hand then turned and shut the door behind him.
I walked to the fridge and pulled out the egg carton and searched for a pan that I could cook in, made myself a 4 egg omelet with ham, cheese and tomatoes and sat on the love seat in front of the Television while I ate. After unpacking the two bags and setting up the pictures of my parents, three brothers and Niece on the entertainment center I set my alarm and fell asleep as my head hit the soft pillows.
