5 PM in Chicago, Father Decides with Puppy-Dog Eyes (American Travelogue 8)

It's just past 5 PM in Chicago.
That's just past 7 AM in Japan time.
Since I left home a little before noon yesterday,
I'm pretty sure I woke up around 8 AM.
That means I've been awake for a full day, with almost no sleep.

My cognitive abilities are significantly impaired,
and even simple decisions like whether or not to drink water
felt like things I couldn't do
without putting in a real effort.

In that state,
it is impossible to instantly choose between
the 7 AM flight or the 10 AM flight tomorrow morning.

A 7 AM flight means
I have to be at the airport by 6 AM at the latest.
If it were just me, waking up at 5 AM would be easy,
but considering the kids' preparations, that means waking up at 4 AM...

If I sleep soundly tonight, will I be able to wake up at 4 AM tomorrow?

With the 10 AM flight,
I'd arrive in Cleveland around noon.
If I have to rent a car and such from there,
I might not be able to finish visiting all the places I planned.

No, given this situation,
finishing all the planned visits
is impossible no matter how I look at it.
In that case, should I choose the 10 AM flight
so I can sleep well and take things slowly?

Anyway, I can't decide on my own,
so I try asking the kids.
But,
even when asked, the kids can't make a decision either.
Well, that makes sense,
they have too little information and experience to judge.

I want to sleep in.

Being honest with myself right now,
I asked for the 10 AM flight.

"OK," said the ground staff lady.
Click-clack, click-clack.
Click-clack, click-clack.

Right, it's for four seats, so,
it might take a little time.

Click-clack, click-clack.
Huh?
Did she just turn both palms upward?
Did she sigh again?

"I'm sorry, just two minutes ago,
both flights became full."

Are you serious!
Is this a system that even knows the exact time they became full?
Two minutes ago sounds a bit suspicious, but I'm sure
she wants to say, "I tried my best, but it's because you guys were hesitating."

It means that even in these kinds of troubles,
quick decision-making is important.
I'm starting to feel crushed by the pressure again.

"So, what should I do?"
Without blaming the lady,
I asked while consciously making my eyes look like a lost puppy.

"I know it sounds ridiculous, but
there are two options.
A 6 AM flight to Cleveland via Charlotte,
or a 7 AM flight to Cleveland via Washington D.C.
There are no direct flights tomorrow."

Charlotte?
Sounds cold. (That's definitely sherbet, right?)
But for some reason, I feel like it was a bit further south.

Washington D.C. feels like going too far and then coming back.

Either way,
it's one of those situations where you end up traveling unnecessarily and wasting time.

Thinking 'good grief,' but
not wanting to repeat the previous mistake, I decided immediately.
'The one that arrives earlier.'
'OK, then via Charlotte it is.'

And just like that, an unplanned destination was added.
Charlotte.

Where on earth is that!

Even so,
I was hesitant because I thought 7 o'clock was too early,
but to think I'd end up on an even earlier flight...
What will happen to my sleep?
My anxiety just kept growing.

(To be continued)

To [American Travelogue 9]

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#PanicDisorder #Charlotte