What Love is

Chapter 16

Leon stayed silent while he, Jon and Maria's friends said their goodbyes to Maria at the airport. Around them were other teary goodbyes and happy greetings. A chorus of echoy clambering voices blazed through the large white complex. Flight announcements blared on muffled speakers and notices of cancellations and delays rang out.

People chatted and walked about the building. Couples holding hands, families bidding farewell to fathers.
Outside the large windows planes could be seen taking off and boarding.

"Email us as soon as you get there." Said Stormy, while tears ran down her cheeks and smile was stretched across her face.

"Of course...I'll do it as soon as I get off." Said Maria.

She looked at Leon, he was solemn. The time they spent together was too short.

Jon hugged her, "Be safe out there, beautiful."

She hugged him back,"I will...thanks."

Finally Leon approached her. Maria's feet were planted strong on the hard linoleum floor of the airport.
"I guess this is it." She said softly.
Leon said nothing, he just hugged her and sniffed her long braided hair.

"I love you." He whispered, he planted a few kisses on her cheek and squeezed her tight.

Maria hugged back, she could hug as tight as Leon but she tried as hard as she could. "I love you too", she whispered back.
Maria sniffed and tears slowly ran down her face.
Leon pulled himself away from her like he was ripping of a band aid.

Maria waved and quickly rushed into the terminal. Being sure not to look back.

The group headed back to the parking lot, but Leon stayed and watched Maria until he couldn't see her anymore. Jon pulled him away and they walked back to the car.

In the terminal, Maria got a call, she answered and spoke softly, "Yeah ?" She said.

"I've for everything ready...so just give text me when you're landing and I'll come pick you up." Spoke a male voice.

The voice wasn't Leon's. Maria posted her self in the terminal, her hand cupping her mouth as she spoke into the phone.

"Yeah...okay. Thanks for letting me stay with you." Said Maria.

"No problem... Like I said I changed...when you said you were heading this way I thought the least I could is let you stay with me for how shitty I treated you." Said the male voice.

"Yeah...I was worried too. I just found out that my aunt's in the hospital...so I don't think staying with my cousin would have went well." Said Maria.

"We'll have to see her when you get in." Said the voice.

"Yeah...but I think when I get there I just want to take a nap." Said Maria.

"Well, your bed is ready for when you land...I won't hold you up anymore." Said the voice.

"Yeah...thanks again, Randal."