John and Isabella stood in front of the boarding gate, the two of them oblivious to the thousands of busy people surrounding them. It was just after four o'clock in the morning, with dawn still hours away from approaching. Dressed in a plain white sweater, blue jeans and running shoes, Isabella flashed John a sad smile. "I guess this is it," she told him softly. He nodded. The night before, he picked a rehab facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, realizing that it would probably be for the best if he left Florida for a while. Isabella understood; there were too many painful memories, too many familiar things. After rehab, he planned on spending some time with his family in Massachusetts. They were relieved when he had called the night before, to say he was finally getting help. His mother begged him to stay with her a while and John agreed. While he was sorting through all the hardship in his mind, he realized he wanted to be around family.
Even though it was an ungodly hour, John was in a good mood. Christmas night had been wonderful, the best he had experienced in a while. He was still profoundly touched that she would include him in such a personal night with her family, considering all the abuse he had heaped on her over the past few months. Her roommate and her family had made him feel welcomed and included, and for that he was eternally grateful. He couldn't even come up with the right words to express how much he appreciated Isabella's efforts over the past few months. When he told her he was leaving Florida, she immediately volunteered to drive him to the airport. She met him first thing, armed with two cups of coffee and a wide smile.
John put his hands on her shoulders. "Thank you, Bella. For everything," he told her. "You are amazing in every sense of the word." He meant that genuinely. He wondered how no man had scooped her up yet.
"I don't know about that," she confessed sheepishly, a soft pink blush creeping up her cheeks. "But thank you." She sighed. "I'm glad you're doing this, John. The land of the living needs you back." Tears began to sting behind their eyes. This morning Isabella was the strong one. The tears spilled out of John's eyes, catching him by surprise. "Live is beautiful, John. You need to figure that out."
He hugged her tightly. She was surprised he was so touchy-feely. John knew something was bothering Isabella, but she wasn't saying a word. She wanted all the attention to be focused on John getting better. Her own problems were on the backburner. But he could see it in her eyes that there was something very serious going on with her, problems that included her brother Trey going missing in Egypt, where he worked as an ambassador. John tried to pry on the way to the airport, but she changed the subject, instead asking him about the facility he was going to stay at.
"I'll be here when you get back," she whispered.
"Thanks, Bella. You'll do those things for me, right?" He had asked her to take in his mail and get rid of the shrine he had kept in his living room. She nodded, rubbing his back soothingly.
"Don't worry – I'll hold down the fort till you get back."
"Thanks, Bella. I owe you."
"Just get yourself better. That's the best thing you can do for me."
He hugged her even tighter, thinking about how lucky he was to find a friend like Isabella. She only wanted to help him and she never asked for anything in return. In all the time he had known her, she never did anything that would make him think that she was being exploited. John was very well aware that some people would run to the dirt sheets to spread the tale of his meteoric fall, reveling in his failures as a human being and leaking his mug shot. The road blocks at one time seemed too big to climb over, but now John was ready to try. All she wanted was what was best for him, and it touched him in ways he never thought possible.
She could hear his soft cries in her ears as he held her close, before the PA system came on, announcing that John's gate was boarding. He pulled back and gave her a smile, using a hand to wipe away the tears in his eyes. "I should be home in a month and a half."
"I'll see you then," she said softly, her voice beginning to crack. The relief she felt was overwhelming and indescribable. But the reality that he wasn't going to be around for her to take care of was leaving her with a void, a much-needed void, as much as she hated to admit it. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently, catching her by surprise. He walked away, through the arch, stopping to turn to her one last time before he boarded the plane. They waved to each other and then he was gone, out of her view. She walked through the crowd, to the giant window that overlooked the main area, where all the planes were parked. Quietly, she stood, fidgeting, watching him board the plane. She stayed until his plane was off in the air. She fought the urge to cry like a baby, deciding to go into a café located inside the airport for a coffee before she made the long and lonely drive home.
Ruby sent her a text while she was sitting at the table, sipping her cappuccino and picking at a scone she really didn't want. She sent a reply, telling her that John was on the plane and in the air. Ruby was sympathetic, but Isabella was determined to put on a brave front. He had become a friend she cared about, but she still had that feeling that she could have done more to help him. Ruby told her they were going to go out for dinner, Ruby's treat, which Isabella accepted. She knew it was going to be one of those days where she needed a pick-me-up. Once she finished her coffee, she left the airport.