March Slice of Life No. 13.
I watch the jet bridge for Gate A28 move slowly like a giant arm toward us, latching onto our plane.
The seat belt sign blinks off with a ding. Buckle clicks in rapid fire follow. In a single automatic move — quick and sweeping — I rise from seat 4C, step into the aisle, reach upward, open the overhead bin, retrieve my roll-on-board, and place it in the aisle behind me. I briefly admire a shiny, pale pink hard-case roll-on-board still in the bin, next to the spot mine had been. I pick up my shoulder bag from my seat and stack it atop my roll-on-board.
My luggage is coal black. I like to wear my color, and today it’s my brick red boots and my favorite scarf, a red-black hounds-tooth check, that accent my black traveling ensemble.
I notice the brightness of the Phoenix sunlight streaming through our aircraft windows. At home the skies had been heavy gray with rain.
All around me, passengers are performing the deplaning dance — juggling for some aisle space, retrieving their bags from overhead bins, searching for their personal belongings in seat-back pockets. The man in front of me reaches for the shiny pale pink hard-case roll-on-board. Instinctively, I look to see who is sitting next to him, wondering who owns the pink bag, thinking of how quickly such a light-colored bag would be scuffed if it were mine. Setting the bag into his seat, the man turns slightly toward me and the lady who had slept the entire flight in seat 4D — the seat across the aisle from me, the seat behind the man. His words, spoken so all can hear, drop with finality — the kind that dares anyone to disagree. “My wife says it is copper.”
I look at the bag again. The other lady [Is it significant that he spoke to the only two women in first class? ] matter-of-factly responds, “It must be the light.”
I feel a grin spread across my face. I can’t help it. “Perhaps your wife subliminally wants a new bag,” I offer.
The word “pink” hangs unspoken in the air.
Passengers begin moving off the plane. The man places his coal black shoulder bag on top of his pale copper bag and moves toward the plane exit. I follow, still grinning, watching the color go from pink to copper to pink as the sunlight plays across it as we move from plane to jet bridge.
What do you say?
A. Pink.
B. Copper.
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It looks like rose gold to me! I am curious as to where she got this bag. I kinda like it!
Search “rose copper luggage” for online options.
Yup, it’s definitely pink. I love his attempt to convince otherwise. Your piece is great fun! Enjoy the sun in PHX!
Ah… sun! PHX was just a connection. I’m home and skies are heavy gray, but at least we are not battling storms like the east coast!
Yes for sure! We are finally seeing more of the sun here in MT. Spring is definitely around the corner!☀️
Great fun and love all the comments you have here! all over a color!! It is the same color as my phone a rose copper color – I didn’t want it because it looks pink. I am not a pink lady. – I feel for this guy but as arjeha says it is easy to find!
I say, how on earth do you fit enough books in a bag that small?…or, you know, clothes?
I’d say it is easy to spot this bag in a pile. My bag is a bright orange for just that reason.
Oh! If we are ever at the same baggage carousel, I will be able to spot you! 🙂
Sooooo pink! Hilarious! And a pretty tiny case, I might add. Love this, Alice.
Yes, it is a small bag. I have one this size and it always fits in the overhead or under the seat even in the small jets, so I never have to gate check it and then wait in the jet bridge for it when I deplane.
Hahahaha! Pink, definitely pink. Love this line: “The word “pink” hangs unspoken in the air.”
For me, that was what made the incident so memorable.
Love it and all that is implied! Great slice….of course it’s pink!
Looks like that rose gold color. I’m laughing because I have so many of these sneaky photos on my phone. Always thinking about a new carry on and of course, what color.
You probably have some good slices in those “sneaky photos.”
Def PINK. Maybe it was copper and faded….either way it gets the job done!
I thought pink the whole time, and then one point with the bright sun, it did look copper.
You crafted this slice beautifully, Alice! I was really curious about who that suitcase belonged to. To me, it looks like the rose gold of my phone. One thing is for sure, he’ll always be able to spot it in the sea of black luggage!
Thank you, Catherine. So true. I once had lovely steel (color) bags. I had no trouble spotting them, but they did show scuff marks and dirt.
Totally pink. The details you included made this such a joy to read. Love it!
Ha ha! Many men wear pink shirts – men should own pink!
Fun small moment. I like the inclusion of other colors- your outfit, the sun…
So true, Fran. My guys have worn pale pink shirts and looked great. In fact, I once read that one should wear a pale pink while fund raising as it is a color that promotes trust.
Definitely pink! lol What a great slice. I love all the details you included but also how much is unstated in this piece. Well done! (Can I say how delighted I am that you surreptitiously snapped a pic? lol)
Getting that pic was not easy… deplaning on uneven footing, pulling my bag, and I had to keep moving. I was afraid I would drop my phone and it would slide off the jet bridge to the tarmac below… but I took the risk. 🙂
So fun! I say pink.
Metallic pink…mos’ def! Fun post!!!