I will survive...with my friends
She stood there watching the flames lick at the remains of what was once a
plane, the cold, brisk wind of November nipping at her back. It hurt, she knew
it, and it wasn't just her that was hurting. She knew the pain had been as real
for him as it had been for her, as it had been for everyone else involved as
well.
Turning, she disappeared into the crowd that had gathered around to watch the
rescue workers. Climbing into a taxi waiting on the other side of the terminal,
she directed the driver to take her to a certain hotel, then sat back and stared
out the window, letting tears slowly drip down the side of her face.
It had been the last thing she expected. The last thing anyone in their
department had expected. And it hurt more inside…she should have been on that
plane as well, but had backed out at the last minute when she found out some
work that had to be done.
He was extremely unhappy at her backing out; he hated going any place by
himself. He hadn't always been that way; he had fought in the war and had been a
great solider. But once he had met her, his life had changed and his only
concern from then on had been her safety and to stay with her at all times. His
eyes had pleaded with her to go with him. He didn't want to ever leave her
behind. But she refused, saying that the work she had to do was much too
important.
A tear slid down her cheek as she watched the other cars pass by. They never
yelled at each other, he just pleaded silently with her with the look in his
eyes, those big beautiful green eyes. With a shake of her head she looked away
from the window and down at the wedding band on her hand. More tears welled in
her eyes and threatened to spill again, she quickly covered her face with her
hands as they made good on their threat.
The taxi arrived at the designated hotel and waited. Drying her eyes, she
climbed out and paid the driver. She then turned and looked up at the building,
wrapped her arms around her waist and walked in quickly to get out of the cold
wind.
Several familiar faces were in the lobby when she walked in, they all looked at
her sadly, already knowing the pain she felt. Gentle arms encircled her in hugs
and guided her over to a place to sit. Soothing words spilled out of mouths in
an attempt to help her come to terms with what had happened. Tears only came
more quickly with the guilt she was feeling, "I should have been there with
him!" She blurted out as she sobbed.
The arms of the man sitting next to her wrapped around her again in a comforting
hug. "Iie…iie…don't think that…because if you were gone, who would take care of
her?"
She looked up to where he was pointing. In front of her stood a friend holding a
little baby, only three months old. Her eyes welled up with tears as the woman
holding the baby gently handed the infant to her. She cradled the child in her
arms and smiled slightly, tears still coursing down her face. "Hai…hai…you are
right…I still have her, and she still has me. We're all each other have now…"
The man sitting next to her looked up at the women standing and sitting around.
All the faces were sad and he knew now was not the time to try to lighten things
up with jokes. For once, it was time for the sadness…and the sadness needed time
to pass. Laying a hand on her shoulder, "You still have us…"
She looked up at the sincere look on his face, then looked around at the other
faces who were all nodding in agreement. "Yes, I still have you all…" She looked
back at the man and smiled, "Thank you…Duo…"
08/02/2002