March 2025 Winner: The Cloud Line

The Cloud Line by Peter Rehn

I looked at the clouds over my grandson Jamie’s shoulder. We were flying home from my birthplace. His first visit since my father, Erik, passed.

“Can we ask the pilot to stop the plane?” Jamie asked.

“Why?” I asked.

“I want to see Erik. You said he went up to the clouds.”

“I’ll check,” I replied, retreating to the galley.

When I returned, I told him: “The pilot said no, or we’d be late.”

“That’s okay,” Jamie whispered. “I saw him. He waved, said hi.”

I nodded, blinking hard.

“Oh good,” I said, though time had slipped, just for a moment.