NOT GIVING UP ON FOREVER

Chapter 78

Everyone had to retake a shower, and they moved out of the house late enough to risk being late for the check-in. Anna worried and complained that she wouldn't catch the plane. Teo reassured her that there were no unsolvable problems and that if she missed that plane, he would buy her a ticket for the next one, just not to make him nervous.

Ricardo and Leticia sat in the backseat, singing songs to ease the tension. Anna looked around, trying to remember once again all the streets, cafes, and pavements. Milan was in a turmoil of the day, and the company got into a traffic jam. They kept calm by singing to the guitar, and for the sake of it, Teo and Ricardo had to swap seats.

Finally, having reached the airport, Anna, Teo, Ricardo, and Leticia, in the style of a running late family scene from the movie "Home Alone," rushed to the registration desk and took place in the queue that seemed endless.

"See, you're not alone." Teo grinned, handing her a purse.

"Indeed!" Anna gasped, fixing her clothes and hair. "I'm all wet from sweat!"

"Mm," Teo said, hinting.

Anna hit him with her purse and smiled.

"That's not what you're thinking, young man."

"We're going for a smoke, okay?" Ricardo said, hugging Anna just in case.

"Hey, bro, don't stay too long. This line will pass quickly," Teo said disapprovingly.

"Don't worry, man. We will be fast."

Ricardo and Leticia did not smoke fast, though. Anna drooped. She realized that they would be late and she might not say goodbye to them. The thought made her angry and disappointed. They were both so dear to her.

"I don't understand why it was impossible just to wait a bit!" Anna protested with annoyance.

"Relax, they're coming," Teo tried to reassure her. "I'll walk you to the end."

They walked down the long corridor, and Teo was in vain, trying to reassure her that Ri and Leti were coming, but something had happened that no one could have imagined...