Taxi

2. No goodbyes

"Is this the last package?" the woman who was standing near the taxi asked, with a grumpy face.

"Uh... Yeah! That's all," her son answered while coming out of the house.

"Let's go, then! Make sure you haven't forgotten anything, I won't have them shipped to you."

Without looking at her son, she closed the trunk, so sharply Samtou gasped in pain. They all got in, the mother in front and the son in the backseat with the rest of the things.

The ride to the airport was silent. The mother kept her eyes outside the window, without loosing her grumpiness off a single second, while the son spent all the time on his phone.

For a mother and son who were about to part ways, for quite some time given the amount of luggage, they were not very expressive. No matter how introverted they were, one would expect more warmth, because these were their last moments together, but they behaved like one was just going to the market.

They arrived at the airport, and Samtou helped them unload their things, and watched them go in, as neutral as before.

Samtou suddenly felt the need to see Cassie, so he quickly parked his car and went to the airport post agency.

She was busy serving a customer, her bright smile on. Samtou didn't intend to stay, he just wanted to see her, even from afar. But she saw him, and gestured for him to wait there.

A few minutes later, after serving two more people, she stepped out and came to him.

"Hey, Sam!" she joyfully greeted him with her signature smile, unaware of the turmoil of emotions she caused in Samtou's heart. "How are you? What are you doing here? Did you miss me already?"

"Morning, Miss Cassie!" Samtou rubbed his palms against his old jean to take off the sweat, and tried his best to not let her see how close to the truth she scored. "I just dropped some clients off, and... I didn't want to disturb you, I was going to leave right away!"

"Without saying hello? That wouldn't have been nice!" She frowned in an attempt to look angry, which, to Samtou, looked even cuter. "But since you're here already, wanna grab something to eat?"

"I don't want to disturb you at work-"

"It's my break right now, you're not disturbing at all! C'mon! There's a place with an amazing attiéké close by. It's my treat!"

It was by far Samtou's best meal in months. Not because he usually lived on sandwiches while working, nor because it was an excellent attiéké, but because he shared it with Cassie.

And when he returned to the airport, he was so happy he didn't care if the parking fee was enormous. Spending time with Cassie was priceless.

Right outside the airport, Samtou saw the woman he drove to the airport, slowly walking by herself. Her grumpy expression was now replaced by a nostalgic look.

Samtou considered stopping by to propose to drive her back, but changed his mind when he saw her quickly wiping some tears off her cheeks. Samtou thought the woman could use some time alone. And a smile stretched his lips as 'No goodbyes' by Fitz and the Tantrums started playing.