by White, Karey
Despite the anxiety I felt, I kept on course and forty minutes later, a valet took my car and I walked in the front doors of City Hall.
I was standing beside a podium set up inside the front doors, showing my invitation to a large man in a suit, when I heard my name. “Charlotte, is that you?”
I turned to see who it was.
“Roberta. Hello.”
“It is you. How are you, dear?”
Roberta Aldsworth looked stunning in a taupe lace skirt and silk jacket. She took my hands in hers and kissed me on the cheek. Not the over-the-shoulder air kiss I was expecting. Her lips actually touched my skin.
“I’m sorry.” I don’t know if she had actually left lipstick there, but she swiped it with her thumb and then briefly put both hands on my cheeks. “I’m just so happy to see you.”
Roberta stepped back and looked me up and down. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you. So do you. I’m sorry I missed the wedding. There was an accident on the bridge. I sat there for more than an hour.”
“You poor thing. The wedding was lovely.” Roberta looked at her watch and then linked her arm through mine and guided me to a beautiful table at the edge of the room. “I didn’t think we’d see you tonight. Kyle said something about you moving to Scotland.”
“Oh, no. That was a vacation. I didn’t move there. But I have moved to Kansas City.”
“What took you to Kansas City?”
“A friend of mine moved there, and I was ready for a change. I’m working for Hallmark.”
“Of course you are.”
The room was crowded with beautiful people in beautiful clothes. It was even more impressive than the Mercy House benefit had been. I craned my neck, trying to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom.
Roberta noticed and said, “They’re with the photographer getting a few pictures. They’ll be back in soon.”
I admired the table where we sat. It was one of dozens of tables covered with silver and crystal and blush-colored ranunculus. Of course it was as resplendent as I had expected it to be.
“Everything is lovely,” I said. “Of course, I expected it to be with you and Wyatt involved.”
“She did most of it. She’s a talented young woman.” Roberta didn’t seem eager to leave, but I glanced around to see if anyone had noticed that I was monopolizing the mother of the groom. I felt a little of the anxiousness that had been my constant companion after the reporter had lied and twisted my words. This world of the Aldsworths had felt so perilous.
“Charlotte, tell me how you’ve been.”
I started to speak, but a chant calling for Kyle and Wyatt had started on the other side of the room. “You should go,” I said quickly. “I’d hate for you to miss their entrance.”
We stood and looked the direction of the voices. Roberta stopped and turned back to me. “I’ve wanted to tell you how much I admire you, Charlotte. You’re a beautiful and unselfish young woman and I’m honored to have had the chance to know you.”
I wanted to thank her, but my throat tightened and I didn’t trust myself to speak.
“I hope you find more happiness than you can hold,” she continued and pulled me into another hug. “It was wonderful of you to come.”
“Roberta?” She paused and turned back to me. “Thank you for being so kind to me.”
She smiled. “It was easy.”
I watched Kyle’s mother gracefully weave her way through the guests to be at the front of the room. She leaned over and whispered something in Donald’s ear, and he smiled down at her. I couldn’t see all of Kyle’s brothers, but Alex was standing at the bottom of the stairs with a curvy blonde.
I stood by the table and watched as Kyle and Wyatt appeared at the top of the wide stairway. Guests cheered as they joyfully raised their held hands in the air, smiles on their faces.
Of course it was all fit for royalty. Kyle was handsome and Wyatt was gorgeous. The tuxedo was impeccable and the skirt of the bias-cut dress draped gracefully over the top three or four stairs, making Wyatt look impossibly tall and elegant. Thousands of beads made the dress sparkle, even from the back of the room. The immense room twinkled and glowed beneath them. I couldn’t help but picture how different my wedding would be—a small chapel, my groom in a well-cut suit, me in a simple dress. The only thing sparkling would be the stained glass sending liquid color onto the floor around us. The crowd of thousands would be replaced with just our families and a few close friends.
Kyle and Wyatt shared a passionate kiss as their loyal subjects cheered, and then they started down the stairs.
And then a strange thing happened. Suddenly I didn’t know why I was here. I thought about myself at all the other weddings I had attended and wondered why I had felt the need to be there. What had been the strange compulsion that had driven me to attend every wedding I had been invited to? Had I wanted to see the discomfort on the grooms’ faces? Had I wanted to see the evidence that they knew I’d been slighted? Did I want them to know I forgave them so they’d be grateful and realize they shouldn’t have let me slip away?
All those times I had thought I was attending their weddings for them. Now I realized it had probably been for me, so I could feel the sting of betrayal one last time before I closed the chapter. It was crazy. No wonder Angus wanted me to stay away. He hadn’t wanted me to suffer any more.
Kyle and Wyatt were no longer on the stairs. I wasn’t sure where they were, but it no longer mattered. I turned and walked back the way I had come. I handed my valet ticket to the man at the podium who called for my car.
I felt good. I didn’t need to see Kyle and Wyatt. I didn’t need to congratulate them or put their minds at ease. I didn’t need any apologies or sympathetic looks. I didn’t feel sad or slighted or hurt. I felt buoyant and optimistic and happy.
I wished Angus was here, but not because I wanted or needed our usual therapy session. That wasn’t it at all.
I just wanted Angus.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. It was Will.
“I just pulled up your flight information and it says you haven’t left the airport yet.”
I looked out the tiny airplane window at the blue, San Francisco sky. “Nope. We’re still sitting here on the runway. They’ve delayed our flight by an hour. Something about a storm in Kansas City that I guess we’re trying to miss.”
“And they’re not letting you off the plane?”
A baby howled a few rows back and I felt sorry for the parents. “No. Everyone’s getting a little antsy.”
“I guess antsy is better than a stormy plane crash.”
“Thank you, Will. I love hearing the words ‘stormy plane crash’ when I’m sitting on the runway waiting to take off into stormy weather.”
“Sorry, sis. But it’s true. I’d rather you wait there than be thrown around in the turbulence caused by gale-force winds that ripped part of one of the wings off and disrupted the balance of the plane, sending it into a spin that required an emergency crash landing somewhere high in the Rocky Mountains, where rescue is difficult and the passengers that live have to feed on their dearly departed flight companions in order to survive.”
I laughed. “You’re a sick man, William Emerson.”
“I know. How soon are you taking off?”
“Pretty soon, I think.”
“Have they told you what time you’ll be landing in Kansas City?”
“No, but we’re an hour late taking off so I imagine we’ll be an hour late landing.”
“That’s if you take off on time. Would you let me know? Call me or text me.”
“Um, why are you so interested in my flight?” His curiosity seemed excessive.
“Why wouldn’t I be? My wonderful sister is on board that flight.”
“Oh, brother.”
“I just want to let Mom know. She always worries.”
That made sense. “Tell her we’re fine and I’ll call her when I land.”
“Love ya, Chuck. It was go
od to see you.”
I smiled when I tapped the end button. A crew of baggage handlers were loading an airplane not far away. They had a portable conveyer belt that moved large bags right into the belly of the giant plane. Were they going somewhere warm? If so, I wanted to switch flights. Even though I was now the proud owner of moon boots and a parka, I wasn’t excited to go back to snow and winter weather.
“Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain. I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience, but we’re going to be holding tight another forty minutes or so which will, of course, affect our arrival time in Kansas City. Please see one of our flight attendants if you have a question about connecting flights out of Kansas City. Here at Skyways Airlines, we’re committed to providing you with a quality flying experience. Please remain seated while we continue to prepare for takeoff.”
I texted Will.
ME: ANOTHER FORTY MINUTE DELAY. THIS IS FUN!
WILL: GLAD IT’S YOU AND NOT ME. KEEP US POSTED.
Forty minutes came and went, and with every passing minute, the cabin became more restless. It had been more than an hour since the captain’s last announcement.
ME: I’M AFRAID THEY MIGHT HAVE A RIOT ON THEIR HANDS IF THEY DON’T TAKE OFF OR LET US OFF THE PLANE.
WILL: YOU HAVEN’T LEFT YET?
ME: NOPE. JUST SITTING HERE RELAXING WITH MY KNEES NEAR MY CHIN.
WILL WOULD UNDERSTAND THE DISCOMFORT AN AIRPLANE SEAT POSED FOR TALL PEOPLE.
WILL: MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET OFF AND FIND ANOTHER FLIGHT.
ME: IT’S TEMPTING.
WILL: LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU FINALLY TAKE OFF.
Almost two and a half hours after our scheduled departure time, the captain announced we were ready to take off.
ME: I’VE GOT TO TURN MY PHONE OFF. THE CAPTAIN SAYS WE’RE READY TO ROLL.
WILL: BE SAFE. LOVE YOU.
I rested my head against the side of the plane and watched California disappear until I fell asleep.
My screaming, pretzeled legs woke me up a couple of hours later. I knew if I didn’t get up and stretch them I might not be able to walk when we landed, so I reluctantly disturbed the two people between me and the aisle and made my way to the cramped restroom. I flexed and stretched my legs as I waited my turn. I felt considerably better when I returned to my seat.
Darkness had settled on the world while I had slept, and with it a cloud of uneasiness. Despite living there for more than two months, I still didn’t really know Kansas City. It was one thing to take a cab to my apartment in the daylight. A cab ride in the dark made me a little apprehensive.
“Ladies and gentleman, this is Captain Van Ness. Because of today’s bad weather, air traffic is a bit backed up. We’ll be circling the greater Kansas City area while we await our turn to land. Don’t worry. This should be a minor delay, and we’re in no danger of running low on fuel.” He chuckled a little before he continued. “Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened. Thank you.”
The groans and grumbling started before he finished. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have laughed if he’d known how unhappy most of the passengers were.
I don’t know how long we circled the city. My phone was in my bag, conveniently stowed beneath the seat in front of me. The man in the seat behind me counted our rotations. Every time we passed over Arrowhead Stadium, he added a number. He made it to five before we began our descent.
A freezing draft blew through the jet bridge. I shivered. I would need to get my parka out of my suitcase before I went out to call a taxi.
We moved as a slow, tired herd toward the escalators that would lead us to the luggage carousels. In front of me, a woman tried to wrangle in her three children who were releasing the energy they’d had to keep in check for the last seven hours.
I stepped on the escalator and let my eyes wander over the room. There were hugs and squeals of delight as loved ones greeted each other.
A couple of people, obviously drivers, held signs with names on them. One said Spears, and I wondered if I had just flown with Britney Spears. Not likely.
A tall man held a sign that said, “My Girlfriend.” Ah, that was cute in a cheesy, awkward sort of way. Lucky girl.
And then I looked at his face. It was Angus and he was smiling. At me.
I’m not sure what my face did, but it must not have been pretty, because Angus laughed.
I stopped when I reached the bottom of the escalator. A couple of people bumped into me and then a man with an unpleasant voice said, “Hey lady, get out of the way, would ya?”
I moved out of the way, my eyes not leaving Angus. I couldn’t read the sign anymore because he was holding out his arms and walking to meet me.
And then Angus pulled me into his arms.
It could have been a dream, except that if I had been dreaming, my bag would have magically disappeared instead of the corner painfully jabbing me in the ribs. It must have been poking Angus, too, because he leaned away, moved the bag around to my back, and then pulled me back into his arms.
He smelled a little like surgery in an Indian restaurant by the beach on a rainy day. It was wonderful and I never wanted to smell anything else.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Giving you a ride home.”
I pulled back a little. “Why? I was planning to take a cab.”
“Isn’t this what good boyfriends do?” His arms were still around my waist as I studied his face.
The crowd had moved on and we were as alone as we would ever be in a large international airport.
“Angus, what are you saying?” I whispered.
“That I’m sorry.” He pulled me close again, and his lips met mine in the sweetest kiss I’d ever had. It didn’t matter that we were at an airport. It didn’t matter that there were still a few people passing by us. The kiss was slow and warm and gentle. “We should go get your bags.” he said when our lips finally parted. He hugged me again, his cheek against mine.
“There’s only one.” I picked up the hand-written sign that had fallen to the floor and tucked it under my arm. We held hands as we walked slowly to the luggage carousel. My suitcase looked lonely and neglected as it circled its way toward us.
Angus didn’t let go of my hand as he lugged it off the conveyor. We walked in silence through the airport and out into the dark, cold air. We boarded a shuttle, the bright, artificial lights harsh and jarring. I glanced at Angus and found him smiling at me. He pulled me close and kissed my cheek before he rested his head against mine.
I didn’t want to talk. I was afraid to. What if I broke this fragile spell and Angus sternly told me I should get back on the plane and go home?
“We get off here,” Angus said at the third stop. The car wasn’t far from the drop off and Angus opened my door and then threw my bag into the back seat. “Sorry the car’s so cold,” he said as he turned up the heat and adjusted the vents. “It’s been sitting out here for hours.”
“You’ve been here a long time?”
“I didn’t dare leave. I was afraid I’d miss you. Will let me know your flight had been delayed.”
I smiled. “Will knows about this?”
“I had to have someone tell me your plans.”
No wonder Will had been so interested in when the plane finally took off.
Angus turned in his seat, rubbed his hands together to warm them, and then took my hands in his. He looked at our hands when he started to speak.
“I’ve been an idiot and I’m sorry. You gave me a huge gift when you came out here, and I was afraid if I accepted it, I’d be setting myself up for disappointment or you’d end up hating me for making you leave everything behind. If we messed things up, we’d lose our friendship forever. But that’s like saying I’d rather hang on tight and be satisfied with a piece of chocolate chip pie instead of letting go and having the whole bakery.”
I started laughing. “Thank you for making it relatable for me. You probably wanted to say you were hanging on tight to the barbe
cued rib when you wanted the whole pig farm.”
Angus laughed. “See? We get each other. Why would we want to look for someone else?”
I hadn’t known I was going to cry, but a tear made a surprise escape down my cheek, and I couldn’t stand not kissing him a moment longer. I took his face in both my hands and kissed him the way I had wanted to when I came home from Scotland, the way I’d wanted to when I came to Kansas City.
Angus pulled me close, his arm around my waist. It was so different than any of our other kisses. Aleena wasn’t waiting for Angus in the yard. I wasn’t trying to convince Angus to stay in San Francisco. There was no desperation or confusion, only confidence and trust. Years of longing and hope and friendship and love came together in one long, perfect kiss.
My phone started chirping.
Angus groaned against my mouth. “They’re probably wondering if you landed safely.”
Angus backed out of the parking place while I answered Will’s call.
“Hi, Will. I’m here.”
“Good. Any news?”
“Let’s see, is there any news?” Angus squeezed my hand. “I don’t ever want to fly again if there’s bad weather. That was a nightmare. We circled Kansas City five times.”
“That must have been rough.”
“It’s really cold here. The captain said the current temperature in Kansas City is three degrees. I don’t think I’ve ever been somewhere this cold before. The cab driver must be wearing three coats.” Angus grinned.
“Cab driver?” Will sounded confused.
“How did you think I was getting home?” I asked.
“Right. Yeah. A cab. I guess I just hadn’t thought it through.”
I laughed. “Angus says hi, Will.”
Will laughed, too. “All right. You got me. Were you surprised?”
