Eradicate the panic

Jack is a salesman. A man who knows his craft. He's cunning, shrewd and eager to make money. He's been in this line of work for over 25 years. Jack and his ex-wife had a daughter named Amber. He lost contact with Amber after the divorce, which is going on 20 years now. One of Jack's biggest fears is flying. Helicopter, Airplane, Jet, it doesn't matter. No flying! He's been on a jet once in his life. The one time was as a child (which is where the fear began). When his ex-wife divorced Jack, which was due to his neglect of his family, he decided to move to Los Angeles California. There Jack was able to get a job transfer, which was in his benefit. A lucrative move with additional incentives.

An anxious, anxiety filled man with an issue taking OTC medication for heartburn and acid reflux. He wasn't the best husband or father. The demands and stress from his job forced Jack to be on the road most of the year. Jack and Amber grew further & further apart until two years after the divorce when Amber was 6, his communication just stopped. Jack had no real reason why it stopped but it just did. Jack had some photo's of Amber when she was a baby till about 5. He kept them in his nightstand. Deep down Jack still thinks of her and once every so often thinks of calling her but never moves forward with the idea. He also thinks if his ex mentions him or if she has seen any photo's of the two of them together.

One day Jack's boss Bob called him into his office for a meeting. Bob said, "Jack your my best man. I'm asking you to fly to the New York office to meet & greet clients that are flying in from England". Jack grabbed his bosses shoulder's and said, "Please Bob pick someone else". Bob said, "Jack this is a great opportunity for you. If this all goes well, you'll be rewarded handsomely". Jack still insisted to get someone else. Bob then leaned over the desk, into Bob's face and said with a stern voice, "Jack you're going! That's an order!! The flight leaves tomorrow morning at 9:00am." Jack had an expression as though he's seen a ghost. He gathered up his papers & briefcase and said, "OK Bob, I will go. This will be the last time I see you. Goodbye". Bob thought it was strange that he said this but vaguely recalls a long time ago Jack mentioning his fear of flying.

That evening Jack knew that if he doesn't make this flight he'll be fired. Jack also knew that if he goes he will die. In his mind he continued to psych himself out, placing a band-aid over this foreboding dread.

The next morning Jack was up on time, bag packed, with a taxi waiting in front of his place. Jack arrived on time at the airport. He had his carry-on and briefcase. The company always flies their employees first class. Jack was assigned a window seat which he didn't want. It was difficult enough for him to board the jet, let alone sit near the window. He thought to himself whoever sits near me, I'm going to ask them if they wouldn't mind switching seats.
Jack was a wreck. He was jittery, sweating and full of grief. He closed his eyes for a few seconds to regain composure. When his eyes opened, a young attractive girl no more then 25 years old was standing right beside his seat. Jack nervously asked her if she wouldn't mind switching seats. She said with uneasiness, "I'm sorry but I'm afraid to fly. It took enough courage for me to travel to California for the week. We all drove from NY to California in a bus. I stayed a week, but now I need to fly home". Jack understood and kept his seat. Jack then asked, "Where do you live in NY"? The girl replied, "Valley Stream Long Island". With a surprise look Jack said, "No kidding? I use to live in Elmont". The girl said, "Small world, I lived there during my childhood up until a a few years back". Jack asked, "What street?" When the girl said the street and mentioned nearby landmarks, Jack was in awe. When the girl asked him for his name and Jack revealed it, she began to get upset. When she revealed her name was Amber and lived at that address, he began to cry. Jack apologized endlessly for neglecting her and not being there for her birthdays and holidays. Amber wasn't a person to hold grudges. She realized there's two sides to every story. She leaned over towards her father and gave him a warm hug. He returned the embrace with a kiss on her forehead. "I Love You", said Jack. Holding back the tears that were still running down his face. The jet began to take off. Jack said to Amber, "Hold my hand Amber. I will never let you go ever again". As the jet began to ascend, their grip on each other's hands were firm and clammy.

Flying higher and higher the jet finally reached an altitude of 25,000 feet. All warning lights and the approval from the captain to unbuckle their seat belts, gave a sense of relief and happiness for father & daughter. They realized they had a lot of catching up to do and wounds to heal. The two weren't afraid anymore. Not of flying or anything else. They had each other and that's all that ever mattered.