flying, i hate it to my bones. not in a rational way. in a deep, primal way—this metal tube is a death trap, and i am a fool for trusting physics. i try to borrow calm from the flight attendants. i recite statistics like a mantra: turbulence is just air. you are more likely to die in a car crash. my brain nods. my body stiff, my hands clinging to the armrests like they’re the last remnants of sanity. i’ve tried everything: closing my eyes, breathing exercises, meditation whi