Kou would be watching television with Oliver curled on her lap, and the gas fireplace would be roaring. Gregg looked up and down the street and heard loud C-130 engines running in the distance. He felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket and took off his thick glove to better handle it. “Hello,” he said.
“I hear you’re settling into the good life in Alaska,” said Marron.
“It’s all right. How’s your ankle?” asked Gregg.
“I’m mobile and back in business. Do you remember how to contact me?”
“Tweet, ‘You can’t go home,’” replied Gregg.
“Correct. You might need help one day, and don’t ever hesitate to contact me,” said Marron, who finished the call.
Gregg opened the door and stepped into his home. “Happy birthday, Daddy,” said Miki and Kou. They stood at the top of the stairs and both were smiling from ear to ear.
“I’d forgotten. Wow, thank you,” he said.
Kou hopped down the stairs and took his hand. “Come on and open your presents,” she said.
He picked her up and carried her up the three steps. She screamed and pretended to hit his back until he placed her down beside Miki. “It’s nice to see you both smile,” Gregg said.
“Let’s go eat,” replied Miki and walked toward the kitchen.
Kou hugged her father once more and escorted him to the table and left him on his own to run and hug their cat. He looked around the small condominium and watched the snow blow by their front window while silently wondering if life would ever feel normal again.
About the Author
Gordon is a Winnipeg born Canadian who’s spent most of his life in Japan. He's worked as an English teacher, a market entry consultant with a focus on the medical and sporting goods industries, and as a sales director for a corporation with multiple product lines.
He’s presently working on the second novel of a series initiated with The Courier, and its protagonist, Gregg Westwood.
Gordon leans on his experiences built around decades working and traveling in Asia. He’s trained at several karate dojos, run full marathons, and skied black diamond hills in the Japanese Alps.
He played American football at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and started in the Canadian championship game known as the Vanier Cup. Gordon is a member of Psi Upsilon Fraternity, Sinim Masonic Lodge, and the Tokyo Valley of the AASR.
When he's not writing or working out, you'll find him with his wife Mako at their favorite local bistro.
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