Waiting

 

Waiting                   

By John W. Vander Velden

 

Alex arrived a full hour before the plane’s scheduled return.  The flight delayed.  He had plenty of time to think.

Few words shared the day Michelle had left.  “A family thing,” all she had said.  “Would you take me to the airport?” Her only question. 

Silent the drive, as Michelle stared out the windshield.  Alex’s mind so full of questions, unasked, fearful of answers unprepared to hear.  Today Alex could not go to the gate.  The hours passed slowly.  Times he paced.  Times he found a seat -- the wait uncomfortable. 

His mind filled with doubt.  Over the years things had changed.  Surely to be expected.  An evolution of their relationship.  A space formed -- a distance between man and wife -- a distance which grew with time.  Unnoticed at its beginning, but now a chasm where outstretched arms seemed unable to bridge. 

When had it become his world…her world? 

For a place, their world, no longer existed. 

The days parted were not many but seemed a time infinite.  Alex’s mind, numb to those around him, ineffective at his work, filled with fear throughout long days and nearly unending nights. 

Now as he stared at the word – delayed -- Alex trembled.  Surely mistakes had been made, much blame lay upon him. 

Once more pacing – fearful – tense -- time frozen it seemed. 

Others arrived, others greeted.  Alex watched as a soldier, tearfully embraced upon returning from where ever.  That woman had waited, waited for the man in uniform. 

Now Alex waited. 

What caused the delay?  Weather?  Mechanical? 

Those questions compounded his anxiety as, looking toward the concourse, as he watched others.  His eyes searched the nameless, wondering if among them Michelle could be found. 

Where was her plane? 

Would she be among others returning -- others returning with open arms and smiling faces. 

Still Alex waited, long minutes meld into another hour. 

Could it be -- in the distance between so many others?  Alex recognized Michelle’s walk, how she held her head.  He swallowed, gasped a short breath, his eyes damp.  Striding forward, with unconfident steps, against the throng, yet never removing her from his vision. 

When Michelle noticed him, a trembling smile came to his lips.  Alex now rushed forward. 

Michelle stood frozen a moment, looking away unable to match his gaze.  When once again she faced him, tears flowed, as she held arms open to Alex’s approach.

Michelle sobbing, “You waited…” Came the muffled words as she quaked within his embrace….

 

(411 Words) 4-16-2012