wisconsin part 2

The company was on top of getting a cab for me to get to the airport, and since they had been so perfectly timed for the last seven hours, I wasn't worried. I wasn't worried when my flight left at 5:50 and they didn't get me a cab until 4:45. I wasn't worried when we got stuck in traffic and then it was 5:15. I wasn't worried.. okay, I was worried when I got TO the airport at 5:35. Yep, I was worried then, and when the check-in desk for my made-up airline was empty, and when the kiosk told me I was too late to check in, and when the really grumpy lady who showed up told me I should have been there earlier and that I should really hurry.

So I run all the way through the airport, through security, to the very last gate (of course), up to the counter and wheeze "I'monthisflightcanIpleasegeton??" She replied, "We're not boarding," and all my hopes and dreams were dashed. But then she said, "No, I mean, the plane just got here." I was flooded with both love for this woman and extreme agitation at that horrible woman at check-in. 

Half an hour later, we board the plane and taxi out. Then they turned the plane off. Storming in Chicago. Turn plane on. Turn plane off. Turn plane on. You get the picture. An hour later, we finally set out for the grueling 60 minute flight.

By the time we arrived, I had most definitely missed my connection, but there was another flight to Salt Lake leaving in 10 minutes. So again, I'm running through a new airport, through terminal after terminal until I finally arrive at gate G10. Where I'm informed that no such flight to Salt Lake exists, but I've been courteously rebooked on the flight in 12 hours. 

BUT

I was in Chicago. Where some of my best friends in the whole world live. Friends I hadn't seen in years. And so, the first missed connection of my life was about to become the absolute most fortuitous event it could have ever been. 

to be continued again... (this is a really long story).