He couldn't believe he had allowed him to get on that plane - to even walk out the door as he headed off, a smile decorating his young face, eyes hopeful and excitement which didn't allow him to keep still.

He couldn't believe he was doing this again.

"You'll..make sure to call us when you get there…right, Shortman?"

"Of course, grandpa! Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it!"

Those same words had sucked the very air from his lungs as he watched him leave, recalling the other moment ten years ago so vividly that it still sent a great ache through his chest.

The door had closed then, his grandson practically racing away to join the others for the trip. After the winning announcement, it was ALL Arnold could talk about for weeks while preparations were being set up.

"I'll finally be able to do it, grandpa! I'll go into that jungle and find out what happened to them!
With this map, I'll be that much closer to finding them. I'll do it, you'll see!
Grandpa, we'll all be together again!"

Any time the trip was brought up - items that needed to be packed, landmarks on the map that had that had been researched, routes that he could take in case the map had been slightly outdated - he would go into a new frenzy.

While Phil could only smile, nod, and continue to encourage him, even while worry had plagued his old heart.

Because he didn't want to lose another family member to that God forsaken jungle! He had already lost his son to their expansive terrain - he didn't want to lose his grandson too.

A soft touch to his bony arm had kept him steady, forlorn eyes turning to the concerned eyes of his wife as she watched him empathically.

"..I don't know if I can do this again, Pookie.." he whispered, the boarding house now a quiet space where the loudest noise inside of it was the ticking clock in the living room - reminding him constantly of the passage of time.

Gertie merely wrapped him frame in her arms with a loving gentleness, offering him the same support she always did. "I know, Phil…I know.."

A silent conversation passed between the two of them then. They knew that all they could do now was hope, pray, wait.

To be continued…