by L. C White
“It’s not uncommon to leave the last page blank. The end is only a new beginning,” she says, holding out the box to me. “This is for you.”
I close the cover of my diary, and reach up to take the box. Frowning, I open, smelling maple syrup and bacon. I smile, narrowing my eyelids on the contents. Pancakes. There’s a small message written on the inside of the lid.
Amber, the next time you eat pancakes, it will be me serving them to you.
I’m waiting x
“Did you make these?” I ask Evelin.
“Yes. I was given step by step instructions over the phone.” Her eyes spool as she smiles. “So, how are you feeling about entering the land of the living again?”
“Nervous.”
“Well Amber, all I have to say, is that you should give yourself a break. You’re a lot stronger than you think. You have a solid safety net in that man of yours. You take care of him, and each other. Your ride out of here, is on its way. Be prepared for the noise.” She walks back to the Wellness Center as I grin ear to ear, looking down at the pancakes.
I pull a cold rasher of streaky bacon coated in syrup from the box and nibble, as the branches of the willow tree swoop ferociously in a blast of summer air. A loud noise occurs right above me. I squint up to the sky, nearly dropping the box as a military helicopter hovers overhead, and lands on the open lawn. Excitement swells in my chest and my pulse soars. The plan was that Jimmy would be driving the long journey to Havana, and this is not the plan.
I quickly jump up to my feet, clutching my diary and the box of pancakes, as I jog across the lawn.
The door opens and out jumps James Scott. I frown, wondering where Dwayne is. I know he’s still a wanted man, but I was kind of hoping he was here now, because I don’t think I can wait any longer.
I watch Evelin handing over my suitcase that was packed and ready in the reception area. I grab hold of James’s arm as he slides it into the back.
“Where’s Dwayne,” I yell over the thundering roar of the rotating blades, trying to keep my hair out of my eyes.
“He’s waiting for you. Come on,” he shouts, smiling. “The Commander is going to start charging a fare if he has to wait any longer.”
I look into the cockpit, to see Commander Weathers greeting me with a nod of his head.
I hurry toward Evelin and throw my arms around her tightly, sniveling back a sob. She squeezes me, rubbing my back as James walks behind her, holding out a set of earphones to me.
I draw back, offering her a silent thank you, and slide the earphones over my head.
“Ready?” James asks, helping me through the downdraft as I climb up into the back.
“Yes,” I yell in a squeal.
***
Dwayne
I know this isn’t a wedding, but I’m guessing the emotions are kind of the same. Jeez, I thought I was stronger than this. I used to dish out orders to strong men. Speak at formal events in front of high ranking officers. But seeing the woman I love again, knowing how far she’s come, is screwing my head up. It feels like I’m meeting her for the first time after years, all over again. I want everything to be perfect for her, because she deserves it more than anyone else.
For over a month I’ve lived here, and I’m just starting to get used to how relaxed everything is. It’s a busy bustling town, but some areas, like the private beach house I’m renting on Corina Bay, are peaceful and secure. I’ve had no trouble. No one has questioned who I am. And the crimes that I didn’t commit, haven’t come back to haunt me. I’m unsure if I will ever return to my old life in San Francisco. Now I’m unsure I even want to. Each day, as I’ve fixed up the beach house to keep my mind occupied, I’ve got used to the idea that maybe this is how it’s supposed to be. Amber and I together, finally free of the past and the mistakes we’ve made.
The radio on the communications case crackles and hisses. I quickly march to the dresser and lift it out from the holder.
“Dwayne… come in… Dwayne, can you hear me?” James’s voice breaks up.
I twist the aerial knob, pressing the respond button on the side with my mouth to the receiver.
“Yeah, I hear you,” I reply.
“The package will be dropped in precisely four minutes,” his voice echoes. “Be ready to collect.”
I smirk at the sarcasm in his tone. “I’m ready. Over and out.”
I slide the phone back into the case as an anxious breath enters my body. Fuck. I’m so damn nervous. My fingers brush through my hair as I gulp away the apprehension.
“This is it,” I utter to myself, as I head out into the evening sunset.
***
I make my way down the beach as the pink sun sets on the oceans horizon. The chopper flies overhead and begins to descend in a clearing behind the palm trees. My muscles tense up as the urge to run gathers a momentum in my legs. I listen as the sound of the chopper blades slow to a stop. My eyes scan the verge of the trees, waiting to see her, and she appears.
She walks across the white sand, leaving James standing in the background. I can’t fuckin breathe, and don’t think my heart will beat correctly until she’s where she should be, in my arms.
She picks up pace, and I can’t wait any longer. I begin to jog as she runs. She’s sobbing and smiling simultaneously, gasping as she throws her arms around my neck, jumping up to wrap her body around mine. We don’t speak. We can’t. This moment is everything. Not just a memory. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I have her in my arms, kissing her with nothing dark trying to tear us apart.
We both heave in air and I sniff away a tear. She feels healthier. Warmer. She feels fuckin perfect. Her hands press against my cheeks as our glistening eyes take each other in.
“Welcome home, Amber.” My nose brushes against hers.
Her head comes down to rest in the curve of my neck. I gesture a thank you at James, and carry her toward the beach house.
“I love you, Dwayne.” She breathes into my neck.
I smile, gripping her body tighter. “I love you too, Amber. This is it for you. You’re never going back, because I’ll never let you go.”
The End
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