A close connection

It was the last day of the wettest May on record. It rained so much, that you could cover the entire state of Texas with 8 inches of water. And now my plane was being delayed by the lightning. I was concerned that the delay would make me miss my connecting flight at LAX to Redmond. I was surprising my folks, by dropping in on them, I had not been “home” in 7 years. We were finally on our way about an hour and half behind schedule. I had the window seat, a retired black gentleman, wearing a brown suit, was in the middle seat. We spoke a bit, he was on his way back home, retired from the City of LA and still lives there. I was only half way listening to him. He, said that he was moved to this flight from a later flight, and he didn’t say why they moved him up. We made it to Los Angeles with 30 minutes to spear. We were assured that the connecting flights knew that we were coming. When I got off the plane, I was not sure where I was suppose to go. I noticed the gentleman who was seated next to me, he was waiting to show me how to get to the other terminal. We walked a little ways, he directed me on which way to go. I thanked him and scurried off. I made it to my gate 10 minutes before the plane was suppose to depart. I saw that the gate attendant walked away before I got there. I got her attention and asked if I had time to use the restroom. She looked surprised and said “I am closing this gate right now”. Well, I guess I will have to hold it and got on the plane. Storing my camera bag in the upper storage, sitting down, the steward closed the plane door. Now that is what I call a little too close for me, if the gentleman had not helped me, saving me only minutes. I would have missed the only flight to Redmond that day. Was he an angel? I think so.