I mulled over all the fresh information I'd gained from Amanda regarding my father and siblings while I waited for the plane to taxi onto the runway, hoping to keep my mind off the impending take off which had my nerves on edge. I wasn't afraid of flying—since I'd never done it before—but the thought of hurtling down a runway and then lifting into the air in a steel tube was both terrifying and exciting at the same time. I just hoped I could keep my breakfast down during take-off.

I fastened my seat belt when the stewardess came by and pulled my headphones out of my bag. Once I...