My Heart's in Havana

Chapter Two

I was walking towards the plane that would take me off to Radcliff. Turning back I saw my dad and Suzie waving goodbye. I saw the stewardess ushering everyone up the steps and into the plane. Then something caught my ear, "Last Call for Flight 229 to Havana, Cuba; Nonstop." I stood between the two planes. I could just hide behind Radcliff, hide under the bed or I could see Javier again, I could work through the knots. I glanced back at my family. I was going to be exactly who I wanted to be. Then, I made a mad dash for the plane, hopping in just as it was leaving.

I got to my seat and looked through the window at my mother waving frantically, hoping that this would somehow bring the plane back down so I would go to Radcliff and she could somehow save some small part of her dream country club world that was evaporating right in front of her eyes. Although I was too far away, something told me Suzie was smiling and soon, so was I. Staring out the window, I wondered how Javier was and what he was doing. It had been a few months... when suddenly, a wave of nausea hit me. I don't usually get sick on planes, but then...

Javier awoke, sweating and panting. He had a dream with Katey, his Katey bonita, dancing with him. Katey was smiling and happy when suddenly she ran away from him. He called after her but she kept running. "Katey! Come back!" Javier shouted after her, but she kept running. "Katey!"

Then he woke up. It was a strange dream. It was still fairly dark outside with a little light streaming in through the open window. He looked across his room and saw his little nephew in his crib, sleeping. Javier got up and rubbed his eyes. Dawn just began to break with orange and pink flooding the small room. Pulling on a shirt, he walked through the dim empty house. His mother had probably headed out already. As Javier walked down the alley he thought about his beloved Katey waiting for him but couldn't shake the foreboding feeling sending chills down his spine.

I awoke from my uncomfortable sleep when the intercom announced, "Hello passengers of Flight 229 to Havana, Cuba nonstop. We are soon to arrive in beautiful city of Havana. Thank you for traveling with American Airlines. We hoped you enjoyed the flight." Then it was repeated in Spanish.

I sat upright and looked around me. Many of the passengers were still absorbed in their own little worlds and the funny thing was, all of them were Cuban. I felt out of place and began to wonder if this was such a good idea. How was I going to find Javier? Oh, God. Sometimes, I don't think things through. This was definitely one of those times. I rubbed my temples, attempting to fight down panic and think logically. Okay. I would figure this out. I vaguely remembered where the hotel was, if it was still there. I sort of remembered where Javier's house was, starting from the hotel. Okay, I can do this. I wondered what Javier would say when I get there. I hoped he'd be happy to see me. I didn't hope, I knew-I knew he would. Thinking of him, my heart expanded and my stomach churned. I pictured his arms wrapped around me, his lips on mine.

The large Cuban man looked over at me as my blush spread across my cheeks, letting my day-dream continue.

I shook myself out of it. Soon I would be there and I wouldn't have to dream about him.

"Javier!" Carlos shouted, grabbing him by the shoulder before he walked through the gate. "I need to speak with you. Come with me to the airport."

"The airport?" Javier repeated. "What's at the airport?"

"Just come with me, brother." Carlos retorted. Javier rolled his eyes but followed him to the bus.

The crowded bus seemed to be the perfect place to speak to Javier, according to Carlos, because he began to speak in a low voice. Darting his eyes back and forth, Carlos told Javier that they were "doing business" with someone at the airport.

"Carlos..." Javier knew Carlos was up to one of his shady "business" ventures again.

"We're just picking up a package, Javier! Don't worry little brother, you always worry, worry, worry!" Carlos chuckled.

"No, Carlos, it's not funny. Bad things can... No. Bad things WILL happen to us if this turns sour..." Javier began to message his temples.

"Nothing will happen, we'll be fine. Better than fine! We'll be that much richer!" Carlos laughed at the ingenuity of his plan as Javier just shook his head and stared out the window hoping to get it over with soon.

"With Fidel Castro as our leader, we shouldn't need to such things," Javier thought