Security

It always starts smoothly. Keagan was given and "expedited" tag with no explanation. 

We clumsily put our stuff in bins. We're out of practice. We had it down to a science last summer. 

I realized that my fitbit, hooked to my bra, needed to be removed. I was as covert and casual as I could be, reaching gracefull into my shirt. 

Up ahead, Keagan was told his baggage needed a further check and that because he was "expedited", he didn't need to take off his shoes. Although they were already off. 

I was pulled aside because I had a $20 bill that had been laundered with my pants. So, I hadn't actually emptied my pockets.  I remembered the fitbit, but still had my pockets patted down. And my armpits, for good measure. 

Then, she put a cotton square in some sort of contraption and pulled me over a machine. She swabbed my hand saying, "This is why everything means everything out of your pockets."  She declared me free of explosive dust. 

Keagan was still standing looking stressed at his luggage. 

I left my personal tsa agent to go see about Keagan. 

But "Wait, Ma'am!"  Seamus was standing there, mortified and mystified. "We need an adult to witness his pat down."  She again asked Seamus if he was wearing a chain. She ran her hands over his front and back and was declared clean. 

Back to Keagan. We had to stand opposite our baggage with a low partition separating us. 

 "Ahhh, here it is!"  The agent triumphantly held up a jar of peanut butter. Keagan didn't even know I had packed it. The agent was sympathetic and asked if we wanted to give it to a returning traveler.   I declined. At this point, we were all embarrassed. 

Off to a fabulous start. We board in 20 minutes.