18 Hours Together

"Yes... Oh, yes!" You get the reference. We cling to each other.

My phone goes off - another alarm. "Time to go," I say softly.

---

One last kiss as I let you off at the airport entrance; I'd walk you to your gate, but they won't let me into the loading area anyway. Besides, as always, I have a gun in my pocket. Legal, but they don't appreciate them at airports even so.

"I love you, Shirley."

You smile at me. "You're very precious to me, Charles. You always will be."

I grin at you. "Close enough, my love. I get you."

You smile. "You always do." One more, and then you turn and are gone.

I watch you walk into the airport, then go and park.

I'm standing by the window a little while later, watching your plane disappear into the distance to the east. "Goodbye, my darling, my love," I whisper under my breath. "I'll never see you again. But I will love you forever."

I lift a hand. "Go with God, my love. I'll always be here, waiting."

And I went back to my car and drove home.