The Golden Years

Retired and Guilt Resolved

The taxi pulled away and Eddie stayed standing on the sidewalk looking up at his apartment building. His mood had been sour ever since the plane taxied out onto the runway, and he had watched through the window as Riley turned away, covering her face with her hands. Morosely, he plodded up the stairs and into the building, riding the elevator to his floor and going to his apartment.

Inside, he dropped his bags and sloughed into the kitchen, flopping down in a chair and closing his eyes. What the hell am I doing?

'Feeling sorry for yourself for no good reason, Eddie.'

His eyes popped open and he stared ahead without seeing, his thumb rubbing the band on his finger.

'We had a wonderful life together, and what happened to me was not your fault. You were a pillar of strength through the whole period of my illness. What we had won't change, Eddie, so there's no reason to feel guilty about moving on with your life. You deserve it. Don't waste what you have left, grieving. I'll still be with you in memories, and they'll always be there when you want them. So no feeling sorry. No guilt. Share the love you showed me and live the life you deserve.'

The voice stopped, and he felt tears running down his face. Standing, he wiped them away with the heels of his hands, and went to the sink for a glass of water.

"Dammit, Ellie, I might have been the clever detective but you were always smarter. I miss you so goddam much." He leaned, staring into the sink for a few moments then took out his phone and called the airport.

"What flights have you got going to Pueblo Flats asap? Any airline at all." He shifted from foot to foot waiting. "When? Two hours, I'll take it. One passenger, one way. Here's my card number. I don't care what it is, I'll take it. I'll be there in forty minutes."

He ran back through the hall, grabbed his bags by the door and flew down the stairs out into the street waving for a cab. When one stopped, he jumped in with his luggage, whipped out his souvenir badge and told the driver to step on it. At the airport he hurried through the departures to the desk, excitedly waving his ID and babbling about his phone reservation.

"Everything is in order, Mr. Banks," the attendant said, returning his passport, and an envelope with his boarding pass. "First class passengers are invited to wait in our Cockpit VIP Lounge until departure." She pointed the way and Eddie watched his bags disappear behind the counter before walking to the lounge.

He sat in a comfortable chair with a complimentary drink, drumming his fingers on the armrest.

"Excuse me, will I be able to make a phone call from the plane just before we land?"

"Certainly, sir, just speak to one of the crew attendants and they'll make the arrangements for you. And your flight is ready for boarding, if you would just follow me."

"Thanks."

Eddie stepped into the large cabin and handed his pass to the pretty young woman greeting him.

"Welcome aboard, Mr. Banks. This is your seat right here." She stood to the side, indicating the large, solitary seat. "Can I get you anything while we await take-off?"

"I don't know. First time flying first class."

She smiled prettily and walked back through the curtain at the front of the cabin. A moment later she returned with a tall glass of red liquid with a straw and a wedge of lime pinched on the rim. She also had a bowl of cashews, a headset, the day's daily paper, and a deck of cards.

"Some of our single travellers like to play solitaire." Her smile was sunny. "If you want any more just push the blue button over your head - it's all included, Mr. Banks."

"Wow, thank you."

"My pleasure, and if you need anything else, the same button."

"Anything else?"

The smile was professionally flirtatious, and Eddie had the courtesy to blush slightly.

The drink was a rum punch, and the cashews made up for his lack of food since getting home and leaving again. He went to the washroom at the back of the cabin, risking a peek through the curtain to the coach section, pausing at the sight of a hat over one of the seat backs. It looked familiar but he couldn't place it.

Back at his seat he pressed the button and discussed making his phone call prior to landing. Assured he would be told when, Eddie lay his head back, closed his eyes and snoozed.

The light touch on his arm woke him instantly, and Miss Pretty Smile told him it was time to make his call. It had taken a bit of coaxing but in the end he got his way and now all he could do was pray that it was the right move. The seat belt sign came on and he buckled up, nervous fingers pulling at his chin.

******

When the State Trooper had arrived at her house, telling her she had to be at the airport, Riley was totally confused, and demanded an explanation. Garcia only said, he had instructions to see that she was brought to the airport. Now she was standing in the arrivals area, beginning to seethe. When the passengers began exiting from customs her jaw dropped.

Eddied gimped down the short ramp and slowed when he saw her, his eyes probing hopefully for some sign of welcome. He walked to within a few feet and stopped, staring at her.

A few seconds passed, then her face lit up and she lunged forward.

"You big dope!"

They came together in a crash, arms and lips all joining. When they pulled back, Eddie saw Garcia move beside him.

"May I get your bags, Mr. Banks? I assume the destination is Mrs. Nursewood's."

"Well I'm not-"

"Absolutely, Officer. We're going home." Riley beamed.

Arms wrapped about one another, they followed the Trooper out to the patrol car right outside the door. Departing passengers swarmed passed and Eddie caught sight of the woman in the hat as she gave him a quick glance before disappearing in the crowd. The silly hat . . . now he remembered. He searched the crowd again but she was gone.

"Why the frown, regretting your actions already?"

"Huh, uh, no- no." He held the door as she got in, then gave another last look around before getting in beside her.

"Eddie, what have you done, it's only been several hours since you flew the other way?"

"A little bird told me I was making a huge mistake and I needed to correct it. You aren't sorry I came back are you?"

She shook her head and began crying, grasping his face and kissing him hard.

"This is a police vehicle folks, I'll have to ask you to refrain from public displays." Garcia grinned in the mirror.

END

Was he a bit paranoid at the end about the woman in the hat - or is there more to the story?

Maybe one of YOU could write that!