One Wish Left

CHAPTER 10: FRIENDS

On his way to his post in Concourse G, Jesse relished the view of O'Hare's aeroponic garden. He tried to carve out time to enjoy the garden whenever he was posted nearby, taking in the scents of dill, thyme, and cilantro as they wafted through the corridor. In the midst of the constant flow and hubbub, the garden was one place in the airport where time seemed to stand still. Today, Jesse had a hard time tearing himself away from the small oasis.

Finally, he made his way over to security where his friend and TSA agent Phil Cohen was on duty.

"You cleaned up the other night," Phil said as a greeting. "My wife is still mad at me for how much money I lost."

"I would apologize, but you know very well I've lost just as much money to you before. It all evens out," Jesse shrugged.

Phil gave him a doubtful look. "You did seem a bit—what's the word?—provoked the other night, though. Are you sure you aren't hung up on some girl?"

"She's not just some girl," Jesse gritted out before he could think to deny it.

Phil's eyes widened. "Holy shit. This is serious. And Bridges doesn't know?"

Jesse closed his eyes. Inhaling, he tried to call back the tranquility of the garden.

"Not yet." Jesse released his breath. "It's complicated."

Phil appeared thoughtful as he took his place by the full-body scanner. "Look, it's obviously a tense subject, and I don't want to push you. I mean, I don't want to lose any more money, if at all possible," he said with a laugh, "but if you need to talk, I'm here."

"Thanks, mate," Jesse replied.

He realized yet again how lucky he was to have this group of friends. Because he'd gotten used to keeping to himself after Brodie died, having support from friends like Phil was a bit unfamiliar to him. Sometimes he forgot that he could lean on them.

He really needed to talk to Sam.

Just then, his phone buzzed with a text—speak of the devil—from Sam announcing that they were doing happy hour at Bar Louie after their shift. Jesse texted him a thumbs up to confirm, planning to use the outing as his chance to fill the guys in on his situation. He was about to put his phone back in his pocket when it buzzed again, this time with a text from Laura.

Jesse's heart rate immediately increased at seeing her name flash across his screen. They'd exchanged numbers after their first meeting, and he'd been somewhat obsessing over when and if she would get in touch again.

But seeing her name on his phone reminded him that any time he and Laura had talked before, it had always been Brodie's name that would pop up, and he felt a fresh wave of sadness.

Grief was an undying bitch, and he gave it a mental slap across the face before opening his messages.

Would you be up for a family dinner this week? My mom is cooking Kieran's favorite. Wednesday at 7? -Laura

So she wanted him to meet Kieran already. That had to be a good sign, though he was a bit nervous that her mother would be there. He gently reminded himself that he was an adult and was perfectly capable of interacting with a grandmother. What could go wrong?

I'll be there. -J

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"Here, babe, you talk to him so I can concentrate," Brodie said, handing Laura his phone. He was trying to drive while following the directions he'd written down for their road trip. In honor of their first dating anniversary, Brodie was taking her to the Museum of Arts, History and Science in Evansville, Indiana, an hour and a half away from Marion.