by Zach Neal
Was this how it happened?
It seemed awfully fast.
“Okay.” He had a wife waiting at home, after all, and then there was Aleisha and other girls like her.
Nothing would ever be the same again though.
He also knew that he wouldn’t go after her—more’s the pity. He had his own courage and his own cowardice, and what rotten luck a man had sometimes…
“I’m sorry.”
“No you’re not.”
She saw the worry in his eyes.
“I’ll be okay.” Pulling his face down, she planted a wet one on his lips, leaving his hat and hair askew, lipstick on his face.
Turning, she walked over and got into the passenger side.
Yeah, but what about me?
Waving gaily, everyone was happy. The guards on the gate lifted the bar. She waved and blew him a kiss, a kiss for all of them really and with that, Digby-Jones put it in gear and moved off. The small band of Tuaregs across the road, rifles in their hands as always, spurred up, faces dark and impassive as Digby-Jones turned left, heading back to the centre of town.
He put it in top gear and let the clutch out.
Turning, he looked at Alice.
“So. How was it?”
A dreamy smile crossed her face.
“Yes. It was really something.”
“I mean the flight, Mrs. Saunders.”
Her laugh tinkled out on the soft morning air.
“So did I, Mister Digby-Jones. So did I. Why? Whatever did you think I meant?”
He took a good look and then shook his head.
“Argh. Women.” He’d never had the nerve to try, and over time the relationship had gelled, to remain perfectly professional for evermore.
Somewhat to his chagrin.
She laughed again and he sighed, deeply.
With a bit of luck, they could find a hotel room. He would set things up and develop his photographs. They both had their portables and enough paper. There was a telegraph office in town.
If nothing else, he had his story, she had hers, and tomorrow was another day.
End
About Zach Neal
Zach Neal has been writing ever since he can remember. A forestry management professional, he prefers the outdoors to the office. He lives in the Halton Hills overlooking the Greater Toronto Area. He studied at the University of Toronto. Zach’s a single father of two healthy and energetic children. Zach’s boys, Aaron and Jason, mean everything to him.
> Zach Neal <
