Chapter 48

“I’ll call you,” she says. “We’ll talk every night.”

“I’d like that.”

“Take care of yourself.”

I hug her. “Have a safe trip.”

Paula turns and walks toward the terminal where a crowd of patrons are already boarding.

I amble over to where my father leans up against the customer service counter. “Dad?”

He turns around, bent over, cane in hand. “We had a wonderful time, son. I wish it were longer.”

I wish it were longer. The words shatter in my head like a grenade going off.

I stare into my father’s weary face. I cannot speak. I lean in to hug him.

I hear Philip behind me, reminding me that they’ve announced the last boarding call.

My mother plows through the thinning crowd for one final group hug.

The three of us stand around the busy airport terminal, crying, waving, and saying our goodbyes.

“I love you guys.” I hold my parents closely. I feel my father’s hand on my back. He is trying not to cry.

He wraps his arm over my shoulder. “We’re very proud of you, son.”