Eric kept “beeping” as he attempted to walk through the security gate at the Los Angeles Airport. The female guard started smiling after his third try because even with all of his keys, change, and wallet out of his pants, he still beeped loudly. Finally the woman took her metal wand and made Eric raise his arms upwards, the metal detector scanning his body when it declared a tone over his crotch.

“I’ve told you for years that’s a lethal weapon, Eric.” I whispered, smiling. He smirked over at me as the guard realized it was his belt buckle. She motioned him ahead.

“You didn’t need to do this,” I said, handing him the small yellow bucket with his keys, change, and wallet.

“I wanted to see you off.”

“Really? Is that all?” I was silent until I realized I couldn’t just let the conversation end there. “I think you wanted to see who else would be on this plane; to see who these people were.”

His silent response told me volumes and confirmed my suspicion: Eric was curious.

We approached the terminal and waiting at the gate in the swarms of travelers was a group of highly colorful and energetic P.O.G. members, all enthusiastically talking about the upcoming “conference.” Eric was silent, taking them in, as Robert approached.

“Hello, Drew,” quipped Robert, shaking my hand.

He turned to my scowled husband. “You must be Eric?”

“Uh…yes,” mumbled Eric, shaking Robert’s firm grip, obviously stunned by his handsome profile. “Nice to meet you.”

“I’m so glad we were able to work this out. We get Drew’s fabulous meals, and he gets a free conference– and a better understanding of his true-self.”

“Oh sure,” grunted Eric. “True-self.”

The boarding announcement chimed and everyone moved forward. I turned to Eric who looked like a deer in headlights, clearly wanting to say something.

“Nice to meet you Eric,” said Robert. “I'll see you on the plane, Drew.” He stepped away, leaving us alone.

There was a long pause, as Eric remained staring at the departing crowd, until finally he whispered “Drew, please, I know how much this means to you, but I’m asking you not to do this.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know. It’s just…I’m getting a very bad feeling about this.”

“Even if you don’t agree with it, please support me in this, Eric. I don’t understand what you’re so afraid of.”

He was silent. Clearly he didn’t know either. “It’s just a hunch, Drew.”

They announced the final boarding call for the flight. I turned to leave when Eric grabbed my arm, “Drew, I’m serious.”

“Eric, I have a flight to catch. I love you.”

I kissed him good-bye and moved to the gate, my boarding pass in hand. Just as I approached the attendant, I turned around. I saw Eric was still there, looking at me, his face full of confusion.

“Thank you,” barked the gate attendant, taking my boarding pass and motioning for me to continue. I mouthed to Eric, “I’ll call you.” He simply nodded, clearly upset.

I continued down the gangway, approaching the cluster of people at the plane entrance, asking myself if I did the right thing? Could I have handled that differently? Did Eric see something I didn’t?

“Hey, Drew,” quipped Robert, “Where are you sitting?”

“15B.”

“Hey, I’m 15A, how ‘bout that? You know, there are NO coincidences.”

I smiled but in the pit of my stomach, as I sat down in my window seat with Robert behind me, suddenly I felt nervous. Was this a coincidence or was I being completely manipulated?