“I know, but…” My voice trails off in a rare show of insecurity.
Lou pulls out of my arms to lean against my desk. Her next statement shows me exactly why she’s been so invaluable to me for so many years. “You have a love that resuscitated itself after so much heartache. Do you know the only thing it needs now?” When I shake my head, she leans into my space and whispers, “Air. Now, set things in motion so you can give it that.” She marches out of the office.
And I get back to work. Within moments, there’s a second ping. It’s the contact information for the auction in Montana.
For days, I’ve been dodging Kara’s FaceTime calls, though I’ve talked to her every chance I’ve had. It’s been pure torture not to shout the news about the business and the bracelet to her, but I’ve been determined to surprise her.
Now, five days after the darkness never seemed like it was going to lift, I’m about to touch down in the land of the sun.
Twelve hours after I took off from Seattle, I’m impatiently waiting for the tower in St. Augustine to clear me when my headset crackles with, “Cleared to land, runway 2, Juliette Sierra Foxtrot 206.”
“Affirmative,” I acknowledge the tower’s response before I turn in the direction of the runway gleaming in the Florida sunshine. All I want is to do is get out of this plane, get a car, and try to make it to Kara’s school before she leaves for the day. I want to hold my woman in my arms more than I want air. And then I want to hold my son so I can breathe. Then I’ll feel whole again.
Without much fanfare, I taxi the plane to the hangar. Then, after shutting down, I send Kevin a text.
Are you and Mom still at school?
Almost immediately, I get a reply. Hey Dad. Why, are you sending Mom flowers or something?
I answer, Something like that.
Yes, we’ll be here for about another hour.
Would it be possible to get to her classroom if you don’t have an appointment?
Not without a pass, Dad. Why?
Deciding to take him into confidence, I type, Because I just landed at the airport. How do I get in?
Frustration eats at me when I don’t immediately see little blue dots appear. While waiting, I pull suitcase after suitcase down. My phone starts to ring. Seeing a picture of me and Kevin appear, I warn him, “Son, it’s supposed to be a surprise.”
“I’m going to the front office to have you added to the list of people to come up and see Mom. I told her I left a book in my locker. You’re really here?” His emphasis on the last word causes me to pinch my nose. He’s out of breath, but he sounds so happy.
“Just wait until you hear what I have to tell you both.” My voice is choked.
Kevin’s yell might be able to be heard in Kara’s classroom. “It’s a surprise, son,” I remind him, as I fling bags over my shoulder.
“I’m on a different floor, Dad.” I smile at the excitement in his voice.
“Make sure she doesn’t leave. I’ve already checked; my rental is waiting right outside. I should be there in about twenty minutes.”
“You got it. Hey, Dad?”
“Yeah, son.”
“I can’t wait to hug you.” Kevin hangs up the phone.
But I freeze with mine to my ear. Slipping it into my pocket, I stack my bags and make my way into the blistering August summer heat. Unperturbed by it, I quickly locate my rental and throw my bags in before I answer my son aloud. “And I’m so glad to be home, I’m afraid how hard I’m going to hug you both.”
Pulling up my GPS so I can navigate to the school, I’m thankful I’m not in Seattle traffic. It’s time to go to grab hold of my family. And once I do, I’m never going to let them out of my arms.
All the way there, I can hear Jed cheering inside my head.
Kara
“Did you find your book, sweetheart?” I ask Kevin when he comes back to my room.
“Uh, no. I guess I put it in my bag after all.” He digs through his bag in the back of my classroom before pulling out a book thicker than an encyclopedia volume. He sighs, “I don’t know how I missed it.”
“I don’t either considering you gripe to me daily about my classroom not being closer