Georgia Summer

by Heather Colleen

  “Well, son, the best things that happen in life usually aren’t planned,” her dad said gently.

  Silence followed as Landon digested his words.

  Figuring this was as good a time as any to now interrupt, Georgia pushed the screen door open and went outside, forcing a smile as she refilled their empty coffee mugs again.

  ✽✽✽

  Georgia had almost finished cleaning up the kitchen when she heard both Landon and her dad stand up, the swing creaking as it released their weight. Peeking her head out of the kitchen, Georgia could see through the living room window to the front porch.

  Landon and her dad were standing, facing each other. Their voices were lowered, and her dad’s head dipped slightly so that he could hear Landon better. Truth be told though, Georgia couldn’t care less what they were talking about, as her mind was consumed with Landon leaving. She returned to the kitchen sink and rinsed out the rag she had been using to clean the countertops.

  She heard the screen door open and her dad’s voice called out, “Georgia! Landon here’s fixin’ to leave shortly.”

  Georgia sighed, dropping the rag back into the sink. She dried her hands quickly on the dishtowel and went back out to the porch where the two of them were standing.

  They looked far more at ease now after having spoken for the last couple of hours. Even Landon looked relaxed, his hands in his pockets as he watched Georgia emerge from the house.

  “I was just telling your dad,” Landon began.

  Georgia looked at him anxiously.

  “That I was hoping you would drive me to the airport tomorrow. Would that be okay?”

  “Of course,” she answered. “I’d love to.” Georgia tried to hide her pleasure of driving Landon. It wasn’t a friend that Landon wanted to drive him to the airport for his final send-off, or his mom, or a relative. It was Georgia that he wanted to spend his last bit of time with before leaving.

  “Why don’t you drop by here on your way off?” Georgia’s dad suggested.

  Georgia fought back a smile as she shifted her gaze to her dad. It was clear that her dad’s fondness for Landon had gone from nonexistent to thriving over the last couple of hours.

  “Sure. I’d be glad to.” Landon smiled at her dad.

  It was quiet for a moment as the three of them looked at each other, unsure as to what to say next.

  Realizing that Georgia and Landon probably wanted a moment alone, Georgia’s dad finally spoke, “Well, Landon, it was good talkin’ with you. Thanks for comin’ by.” He extended his hand to Landon.

  Landon took it and shook it firmly. “And thank you, Sheriff…for hearing me out. And for giving me another chance,” Landon said solemnly, an undertone of gratitude in his voice.

  Georgia’s dad nodded. “I guess we both gave each other another chance, didn’t we?” His eyes twinkled as he looked back at Landon. He glanced at his daughter, and Georgia smiled appreciatively at her dad. Clearing his throat, her dad went back inside with Millie.

  Georgia watched her dad go inside and waited for the door to shut behind him and Millie. Satisfied that he was now out of earshot, Georgia turned to Landon, a knowing smile playing across her lips. “You two had a lot to talk about,” she said coyly.

  Landon smiled at Georgia. “Well, a lot has happened, Georgia Summer.”

  “You always gonna call me by my full name?” she asked, putting her hand on her hip.

  Landon’s eyes danced with laughter. “Always and forever, Georgia Summer.”

  Georgia shook her head and chuckled. Crossing her arms over her chest, she looked out from the porch, admiring the magnolias. Her smile faded as she became lost in thought. She desperately wished that she and Landon had more time together. She wouldn’t see him for at least another eight months, and who knew if even that was guaranteed? “That’s a very long time, isn’t it?” she asked softly.

  Landon watched Georgia, and the way the light breeze gently lifted her hair off the nape of her neck. He knew what she was thinking, and he wished too that they had more time together, and that eight months wasn’t such a long time to be apart. “It is,” he agreed quietly.

  Just then, the coo of a mourning dove could be heard, its sad song filling the air. Hidden away in the magnolias, the dove’s sorrowful tune was inescapable as Georgia and Landon stood there on the porch together, the silence between them as empty and long as the miles that were soon to replace it.

  Georgia reached over and slipped her hand into Landon’s, holding it tightly as they listened to the dove’s mournful song.

  Chapter 32

  Goodbye

  “Hey, dad?” Georgia called from the top of the stairs. She was upstairs getting ready.

  “Yeah, Georg?” her dad called from the living room. He lowered the Sunday paper as he looked up at her.

  “Can you let me know when Landon gets here?”

  “Will do,” he replied, turning the page of his paper.

  “Thanks,” she called back to him as she turned to walk down the hall to her room. She heard her dad get up with his paper and walk to the front door. Georgia stopped and turned back around to look at her dad again. “He won’t be here for another twenty or thirty minutes, dad,” she explained as he began to open the door.

  Her dad stopped, still holding the door open. “Oh.” He sounded surprised. “Well, I’ll wait outside then. It’s not too hot out there now.”

  Georgia struggled to not smile. It seemed her dad was also looking forward to seeing Landon. “Suit yourself,” she called over her shoulder, walking back to her room.

  In her room, Georgia brushed out her long, dark hair before pulling it up into a ponytail. She dressed in her white capris and a navy blue, sleeveless, collared button-up shirt. She had just finished lacing up her white sneakers when she heard her dad call to her.

  “Georgia!” he yelled loudly from the porch.

  “Coming!” Georgia yelled back to him. She glanced at her reflection once more in the bathroom before going downstairs. As she descended the stairs, she could see her dad through the window talking to Landon on the front porch, Landon’s camo duffle bag at his feet. Georgia swallowed nervously.

  She stopped and watched Landon through the window. His hair was shorter than usual, and he was freshly shaven. As he spoke to Georgia’s dad, he smiled here and there in the conversation, but she could tell he seemed nervous, not like the self-assured, stoic Landon she had met barely a week ago.

  Georgia looked down at the last step of the stairs, mired in her thoughts. One step forward and she could never go back to this moment where Landon was still here and the past week’s events were still tangible, and not yet a fading memory. How she wished she could go back to the beginning of this last week, or somehow stop Landon from leaving altogether.

  Sighing, Georgia took the last step down the stairs, knowing she couldn’t prevent what was to come. As she stepped outside, both her dad and Landon turned to look at her, but Georgia only had eyes for Landon.

  Landon watched her, studying her face to see how she was feeling. Georgia smiled at him, but he could tell it was forced, and that she was trying her hardest to keep it together for him. Landon felt his heart soften as he watched her trying to be brave. It broke his heart knowing that his leaving would undoubtedly cause her pain.

  “Hello,” Georgia said, attempting to sound cheerful. She came up to Landon’s side, averting her eyes from his camo uniform and duffel bag.

  “Hey, Georgia. You ready to go?” Landon asked, an edge of tension to his voice. He looked anxiously from Georgia to her dad.

  Georgia nodded. “We’ll take my car.” She looked at her parked car in the driveway. She had hardly driven it all summer. Not knowing what else to say, Georgia reached down for Landon’s bag, but Landon quickly grabbed it, pulling it from her reach.

  “You think I’d let you carry my bag?” he joked.

  Georgia smiled at him briefly, not wanting to look at him for too long. She knew she was just one ten
der look away from crying today. She turned her attention to her dad. “Well, dad. I’ll see you later tonight.”

  “You drive safely now, ya hear?” Her dad reached over and rubbed her arm. He knew today would be hard for Georgia.

  “Well, Sheriff, guess this is goodbye,” Landon said, extending his hand out to Georgia’s dad.

  Georgia’s dad took it and shook his hand warmly. Then, surprising them all, he abruptly pulled Landon in closer and hugged him, clapping him on the back.

  Georgia looked at Landon’s face from over her dad’s shoulder. His surprised expression mirrored her own.

  “You be safe, Landon,” her dad said quietly. He then pulled away and awkwardly shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “I will, sir. I promise,” Landon said solemnly.

  Her dad nodded stiffly at Landon. “You two better get goin'. Wouldn’t want you to miss your flight.” He took a step back.

  Landon slung his bag over his shoulder and took Georgia’s hand. “Goodbye, Sheriff. I’ll see you next year.” He looked up at the sheriff as he adjusted the bag on his shoulder.

  “You take care now,” Sheriff Summer said.

  “Bye, dad,” Georgia called over her shoulder as they walked down the porch steps together.

  “See you later, Georg,” her dad called back. He walked over to the front of the porch and leaned against the railing, watching them.

  Landon tossed his bag in the backseat before they got in the car. As Georgia turned on her car and they pulled out of the driveway, her dad held up his hand and waved at them.

  Landon rolled down his window and stuck his hand out. He waved back at her dad as they drove away until they could see him no longer, the tall magnolias obstructing their view.

  ✽✽✽

  The drive went by alarmingly fast, and all too soon they were driving into the parking structure at the airport.

  “You don’t have to walk me in, you know. You can drop me off at the curb,” Landon said gently. As much as he didn’t want to say goodbye to Georgia, he was also mindful that prolonging their goodbye would be even more painful for both of them.

  “Nonsense,” she responded curtly. She glanced over at him, giving him a thin smile. “I’m walking you in.” Her voice was determined.

  Landon reached over and put his hand on her leg, his fingers outstretched on her slim thigh. Georgia turned the wheel and pulled into a parking spot. She turned off the car and began to get out, but Landon stopped her.

  “Here,” he said. He took a small, rectangular piece of paper out from his pocket and handed it to her.

  “What’s this?” Georgia asked, letting go of the car door handle and taking the paper from Landon. She turned it over to see that it wasn’t a small piece of paper, but rather a picture of Landon dressed formally in his Dress Blues with an American flag behind him. Georgia ran her fingers over the picture, admiring how handsome Landon looked.

  “So you don’t forget about me,” Landon said softly.

  Georgia looked up at him. How could she ever forget about him? She leaned over and kissed Landon on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  Landon nodded and got out of the car.

  Georgia slipped the picture into the breast pocket of her shirt where it would be safe.

  As they walked up to the automatic double door entrance of the airport, Georgia kept her eyes down. She didn’t want to see all the families saying goodbye along the curb, or other lovers parting ways. She held Landon’s hand tightly with both of her hands, wishing that she could somehow slow time down.

  Landon led them through the entrance and over to the check-in desk. As the check-in agent collected his documents and verified his seat on the plane, Georgia glanced up at Landon. He looked so serious and mature in his uniform, his chiseled jaw locked into place. She remembered him laughing in Sage River as she splashed him, and the way his grey blue eyes seemed to sparkle as he laughed.

  The Landon she had gotten to know over the past week was far more lighthearted and young. But now, she hardly recognized the man that stood before her. He wasn’t just a small town boy anymore, but a Marine in uniform. He was someone that had experienced war and seen far more strife than she could have ever imagined. Georgia felt an unexpected surge of pride as she held Landon’s hand and looked up at him, her blue eyes bright with admiration and gratitude for what he was doing.

  “Here you go, sir,” the woman said as she handed Landon his boarding pass. “You’ll need to go through security, which is just over to your left and up those stairs,” she said, gesturing over to the stairs. “And thank you for your service,” the woman added, smiling at Landon.

  Landon nodded at her. “Thank you, ma’am.” He took his boarding pass from her outstretched hand. Picking up his bag again, Landon and Georgia walked over to where the woman had pointed them.

  “I’ll come up with you,” Georgia said. She could feel the sinking pit in her stomach taking root and growing as their goodbye loomed closer.

  “Okay,” Landon said, swallowing nervously.

  They walked up the steps hand in hand, their feet heavy. Georgia wondered if she might be sick. She felt like a brick had been dropped into her stomach, and her eyes were already welling with tears.

  As they reached the top of the stairs, they nearly ran into the end of the line that had formed from people waiting to go through security. They stepped over to the side, away from the line where there was less congestion.

  “Well, this is it,” Georgia said softly, her voice wavering.

  Landon took a deep breath and set his bag down beside him, trying his hardest to remain strong.

  Georgia looked up at Landon, and saw that his eyes were misting with tears, too. She reached up with her hand and touched the side of Landon’s face.

  He sighed and closed his eyes, resting his cheek against the soft palm of her hand.

  “It’s okay, Landon. It’s going to be fine,” she reassured him, trying to keep her voice steady.

  Landon opened his eyes and pulled Georgia in close, close to his heart where he would keep her forever. He held her there for several moments, and Georgia could feel the tears streaming down her face as she held onto him tightly and twisted her hands into the jacket of his uniform.

  Pulling back from his chest, Georgia stood on her toes to kiss him. Landon placed his hands on the sides of her face, his fingers caressing her soft skin as he kissed her deeply, savoring their kiss one last time.

  When they finally pulled away from each other, Georgia hastily wiped the tears from her cheeks. She knew the other people in line were watching them, but she didn’t care. Nothing mattered anymore, except for Landon. She looked up at him. “I love you. I’ll love you forever, no matter what happens.”

  “I love you too, Georgia Summer,” Landon said. He sniffed, trying to clear his eyes as she swam before him. “I’ll see you in eight months. I promise.” He paused. “Will you write to me?” he asked suddenly.

  Georgia nodded. “I’ll write to you,” she promised.

  “My mom will have my address.”

  An announcer came on over the intercom, interrupting their goodbye. “Good afternoon. This is the pre-boarding announcement for Flight 375. At this time, we would like to invite passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance to board…”

  Georgia looked up at Landon. “That’s your flight, isn’t it?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

  Landon nodded, looking in the direction of the security checkpoint.

  Georgia bent down and picked up Landon’s bag. She handed it to him. “You’d better get going.” She glanced in the direction of the line.

  Landon slung the bag again over his shoulder and held out his hand to Georgia. The line had shortened considerably now as most people had gone through security.

  Georgia took his hand and walked over with him to the end of the line. She felt like her heart was breaking now as she waited, and she couldn’t handle the pain anymore. “L
andon,” she said as they reached the end of the line. She lifted Landon’s hand to her lips and kissed it. “I can’t…I have to go now.” She looked anxiously at the shrinking line ahead of them. If she waited until Landon reached the front where she would have no choice but to let him go, it would be even worse than saying goodbye now.

  Landon swallowed the rock in his throat and looked down at Georgia. He knew it was time to say goodbye now, too. Georgia squeezed his hand as he bent down to kiss her on the cheek.

  “I love you,” she whispered as she let go of his hand. She took a step back.

  “I love you, too.”

  Georgia turned away quickly and began to walk. She couldn’t bear to look at Landon anymore.

  He watched her as she swiftly went down the steps and out the automatic double doors, his heart breaking.

  Outside the airport, Georgia waited to cross the busy street so she could return to the parking lot. She rubbed her forehead anxiously. She felt like she was running away from the only good thing she had in her life right now, and the pain was excruciating. She wiped the tears away from her cheeks and tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

  “Ma’am? Are you all right?” a curbside agent asked.

  Georgia turned to look at the young man who had walked over to her. He looked concerned, and Georgia realized that she probably appeared quite distraught as she stood there on the curb, clearly upset. “I’m fine.” She forced a smile towards him. “Thank you…I-I-I just…” Georgia stammered, trying to find the right words. Her eyes roamed over to the double door entrance from where she had just come. Maybe it wasn’t too late, she thought to herself. “I just forgot something, is all,” she said quickly as she began to walk back towards the entrance, completely forgetting about the curbside agent.

  Georgia soon reached the doors and they opened automatically. She walked through them briskly before breaking into a run, racing up the stairs to the security line. As she reached the top of the stairs, she felt quite winded, but her shortness of breath didn’t stop her. She jogged past the line of people, looking around frantically. She finally spotted Landon as she reached the front of the security line. He was just about to go through the metal detector, and his bag was already on the conveyor belt.