Just Try It

Chapter 59- Return

Saturday, February 18th 12:45AM

Seymour Dojo and Fitness Center

Moe ran his hands through his hair as he paced. Sean and Libby had gone over every aspect of Sondra's plan, and Moe still hated it, even though it would solve every problem. When he looked over at Sean, he barely stopped himself from repeating all the ways it could go wrong again. No one needed to hear his arguments more than three times.

As Moe rubbed his bruised ribs, he absently noted that they were probably the same color of the bruise on Sean's cheek. When he had heard the plan, Moe had gone a little crazy. After one good hit, Sean had subdued him against the counter. Moe probably wouldn't even have been hurt if he hadn't struggle so hard to get loose. It was only after he calmed down, that Moe realized that Sean had let him get in the hit. Somehow, they both seemed calmer after the brief scuffle, so Moe was especially glad that Jamie had let them sort it out on their own.

Now, they just had to wait. That was the hardest part, in Moe's opinion. Sean had figured out approximately when Sondra would land in New Orleans, and the wait hadn't been nearly as bad when he knew Sondra was still in the air. These last twenty minutes had been awful though.  There were so many things that could go wrong. Finally, there was a beep from Sean's phone.

Moe crowded in to read the message over Sean's shoulder. If Sean had objected, Moe would have understood, but he just turned the screen so Moe could see a little better.

The picture of her mom and step dad explained a lot, but Moe wanted the words. When Sean scrolled down the message said, "At New Orleans. Purchased a return ticket. Will be in about 3:00AM. Thanks for Colton's number, but I won't need it. Will give my statement to Paul tomorrow. Give my love to everyone."

Moe sighed with relief and leaned against the counter as Sean read the message to the rest before slumping next to Moe. Both ignored the cheers as Moe and asked, "She really thought that Colton wouldn't be there?"

Sean grinned as he said, "I wonder if Colton has found her yet."

After a moment to get over her surprise, Sondra smiled up at Colton and said, "You found me."

In a low voice Colton chuckled and said, "You walked right past the officers, but I spotted you before the security gate. The face paint and Mardi Gras outfit aren't your usual look though.

"I didn't see you."

With a proud grin, Colton ruffled Sondra's wig and replied, "I might not be as good at hiding as Jamie and Bandit, but I still am pretty good."

Sondra's smile turned to a frown as she asked, "Are you going to turn me in? I would rather just make a statement to Paul when I get back. I want to limit my contact to officers that I know. I don't want it getting back to Tony, it is my only protection. "

With a frown, Colton shook his head and said, "That is a good precaution.  I'm just here to help you make your flight."

Sondra shared, "I'm glad to see you, but I was hoping that I wouldn't have to pull you away from your family."

Colton loud laugh surprised her, but not as much as when Colton said, "I'll be heading back in a few more days.  Besides, you didn't pull me away, darling. They all insisted on coming too. Meet my grandma." With that he stepped aside and Sondra saw a mass of more than twenty smiling people coming forward. An older lady led the way. She had white hair, and her dark skin had less wrinkles than Sondra would have expected from someone that had a grandson Colton's age. However, her smile and warm hug were just as Jamie had described.

Seymour Dojo, 12:55AM

Sean's phone beeped again, and Moe looked over expecting the worst. When Sean chuckled and turned it toward Moe, he could see that Colton was just saying, "We have her. She says she can get herself home, but she will be on flight AA4321."