Chapter 27

But it wasn’t really the same. He had changed. He no longer thought of himself as an over the hill, has-been of a schoolteacher whom no one would ever want to love. Italy had changed that; Tonio had changed that. So, as he bade Myrna goodbye so she could connect with her flight to Alabama, he could honestly respond positively to her request that he stay in touch, and maybe they could travel together again sometime.

As he made his way to the baggage claim, there was a spring in his step. He whistled and nodded at passers-by. He even unabashedly turned to take a quick look at an extraordinary set of buns that passed him on the concourse, sucking air through his teeth.

I know what Myrna would be saying about now, he thought with a soft laugh. He waited for his luggage, and when it came in sight, he deftly lifted it off the carousel and began to make his way out of the terminal.

“Hey, sir. Mister. Excuse me,” came a deep, melodic male voice. “I think you picked up my bag by mistake?”