Only Ocean

Part 5 • Edmond

Edmond Baileys POV.
Day 1, early morning

"I think the red tie will look nice..." my wife told me while holding it up. "I'm already wearing a blue one," I said even though it came out of more of an annoyed grunt. "I understand. I'll just leave you be then..." Doris said fixing her yellow floral dress.

Before she left the room she turned around "it's not on right." She said and then closed the door with a soft click. The white room full of the morning's sunlight illuminated my face in the mirror I was looking into while trying to fix my tie. I should have just asked Doris to do it for me.

I couldn't help but draw my eyes to the picture of Lily on the drawer. It has collected dust over the years. I missed her and rarely thought about my daughter. I wondered how she was doing in Tampa Florida. She must love it there. She has always wanted to go ever since she was a little girl. My little girl. I never spoke much or showed my wife or daughter how much I loved them, but they knew I did. Or at least I always assumed so. Doris and I only had one child. We were both very young. Dumb and in love. We got hitched at 19 and had Lily at 22. We have always wanted a big family and Lily was a miracle. But after 4 miscarriages, we shut down for some time. Or at least I did for as long as I could remember.

I remember when I was a younger man, I would pick up Lily and dance around the kitchen with her and Doris. The old radio would play Doobie brothers or the Beatles. Lily would laugh when I would toss her in the air and catch her when our favorite part in the song played. Doris would always scold me for that in case I ever dropped her, but I never did.

Lily... never visited after she left 17 years ago. She never contacted either. But if she came back now. I'd still be happy. I couldn't help but wonder if she had a family already. Maybe I was a grandfather. I could have had grandchildren already and I would have no idea. Or maybe... I had a son in law.

I needed to stop going down memory lane for a second so I looked away from the only photo Doris kept of her and continued my attack on my tie that wouldn't cooperate.

Once I finally got my tie on right, I went to my briefcase and opened it. All the paperwork was still in there along with everything I needed for the meeting. I let the top fall and it closed.

Grabbing my briefcase I made my way into the kitchen. I could smell the breakfast Doris made all the way from the doorway.

Upon entering I saw my wife waiting at the table for me. She gave me a smile that I didn't return.

We ate the food in silence.

•••

Sitting on the plane was almost routine for me. I went to Brazil once a month for work. I was an accountant for a big manufacturing company. They paid for me to attend Brazil once a month and go to the meetings on who should give us what and how much it should cost, etcetera.

I have worked at the same job for 34 years. My life never changed, it was always the same thing every day and that was how I liked it.

Maybe that's why Lily left. She needed excitement Doris and I couldn't let her have.

I couldn't help those sad thoughts from sliding their own way in. But my thoughts were stopped by sudden turbulence.

I held onto the seat for a second then let go and leaned back again.

I took out my crossword and looked it over for what seemed to be the hundredth time.

I found the word: rumble going across. Irony. I then found the word: proclivity going down.

I sighed and put the crossword away and stared out the window again. I lifted my gaze up when I felt some movements next to me.

I saw a man sitting next to me. I couldn't help but wonder why was he here. I ignored him and turned my attention back to the small window.

•••