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airplanes, either.
    The cousins had more than an hour to wait until their flight boarded. Renie seemed steadier on her feet, and was leading the way to the correct terminal. But halfway there, she stopped.
    â€œWhere’s the bar?” she inquired, gazing all around her.
    â€œThey aren’t open this early,” Judith replied.
    â€œYes,” Renie said in a certain voice. “At least one bar should be open. Passengers who’ve just flown in from Singapore or Barcelona don’t care what time it is here.”
    â€œWhy don’t we sit so you can go back to sleep?” Judith suggested.
    â€œI need another hit,” Renie declared.
    â€œNo, you don’t,” Judith shot back as she grabbed Renie’s arm. “Slow down. I can’t keep up with you.”
    â€œYou’re as bad as Bill,” Renie grumbled. “Okay, we’ll sit. But first, let’s get some Moonbeam’s coffee. There’s a kiosk right over there.”
    That sounded harmless to Judith, especially since she could use a caffeine jolt. It should also sober up Renie—except that might not be a good idea.
    Renie, however, chose a decaf blend. After stopping at a news shop to pick up a couple of magazines, the cousins proceeded to their designated waiting area. As usual, Judith found the people who were gathering around them more interesting than the magazine articles: a mother coping with twins who were just beginning to walk; a Greek Orthodox priest with a beard as fine as angel hair; an unhappy teenage couple who apparently were going to go separate ways; and a burly man who looked like a lumberjack but was reading Bon Appétit .
    It wasn’t until almost half an hour had passed that Judith noticed Renie humming to herself and sliding around in her chair.
    â€œYou haven’t finished your coffee,” Judith pointed out as Renie took another sip.
    â€œSure have,” Renie replied happily.
    Judith peered into the paper cup and sniffed. “That’s booze!” she snarled at her wayward cousin. “You put booze in your coffee!”
    Renie tapped the train case at her side. “Backup,” she murmured. “For spoilsports like you and Bill. Hmm-mmhmm…”
    Judith surrendered. “You’ll be sorry. You’ll be sick on the flight.”
    â€œSo? I won’t care,” Renie replied.
    â€œIt’s illegal to bring liquor aboard a plane,” Judith pointed out.
    â€œI’ll finish it before we board,” Renie countered. “Then I’ll buy more when the beverage cart comes by.”
    â€œNo, you won’t.” Judith reached down and snatched Renie’s wallet out of her big black purse.
    â€œHey!” Renie cried. “Put that back!”
    â€œNo.” Judith put the wallet in her own handbag and zipped it shut. “If you don’t stop being a jackass, I’m going to turn in my ticket and go home. I mean it. This is no way to start a vacation.”
    Renie focused her eyes and stared at her cousin. “You’re serious.”
    â€œYes.”
    Renie continued staring at Judith. Finally she sighed. “Okay. I’ll be good. But I’ll be terrified.”
    â€œSo will I,” Judith said.
    â€œI wonder how Bill and Joe will like being widowers.”
    â€œShut up.”
    â€œMaybe we should take out that insurance they sell to passengers.”
    â€œShut up.”
    â€œMaybe I should buy more gum. My ears really pop, especially on landing. If we land.”
    â€œShut up.”
    At last, Renie did. She didn’t say another word until the boarding call was announced. It was Judith who broke the silence after they got on the plane and were searching for their seats.
    â€œYou have the one by the window,” Judith said. “Do you want me to sit there so you don’t have to look out?”
    â€œI like to,” Renie replied. “Then I know where I’m