DFW

1) Cans

I sat down before I got to the security checkpoint. As the PA system periodically announced, you can't take fluids with you, and I'd just bought a hot cup of coffee.

A woman was sitting on a couch nearby. Her case was opened, and there were cans of pop beside it. She was peeling a banana. As people walked by she tried to give her cans away. A young girl took a Coke.

I chuckled. She offered me one, too, but I had my coffee to deal with.

2) iPod

They found a spot where they could sit next to each other with the stroller out of the path. The mom carried their baby girl, who was wide-eyed and soaking up all the activity in the terminal. The dad appeared helpless and more interested in listening to his music.

The mom handed the baby to the dad and walked off. He sat her briefly on his lap and then put her into the stroller and bopped her lovingly on the nose with some little fuzzy thing.

She reached for his shiny iPod. He handed it to her, and she took it in her little hands and then pulled it to her mouth. He grabbed it back and gave her the little fuzzy thing instead.

3) Scouting

Two salesmen sat waiting for an American Airlines flight. The older of the two was sharing his disgust at Southwest Airlines and how they just give you peanuts. It evidently didn't occur to him that American charges for snacks. Then he changed the subject.

He asked his friend about Joe. Joe was ok, the other man said. The first man asked how Joe and his wife were getting along.

Is he still scouting around? the first man asked.

Oh, no, the second man said. He doesn't do that anymore.

They were both quiet for a moment. Then the first man said to the second, Joe thought a lot of you.

4) Diamonds

Four women dressed in black sat in front of the window waiting for their plane. Their flight was delayed, because the crew had been delayed on another flight. One of the women was soon getting married.

Do you want a diamond?

Of course!

How big?

As big as possible.

A lengthy conversation ensued.

5) Soldiers

Five soldiers dressed in sand-colored fatigues sat in the terminal. A sergeant had earphones and that listening-to-music look on his face. A captain was engrossed in The Economist. Another officer at the far end was talking to a woman whose brother was being called back. These five were coming home.

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