Chapter 3
After he hung up with Amanda, Lee gathered his things once again and trudged back over to the airport bar, still feeling defeated. He placed his luggage on the seat beside him. Afterwards, he somberly looked over at the bartender as he plopped himself down onto his same perch from earlier. The bartender just stared at him as Lee shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, looks like I'm stuck here for the duration. I'll take another whiskey, please, and could you also bring over a menu?" Lee commented.
The bartender nodded his understanding and replied, "Dah."
4247 Maplewood Drive, Arlington, Virginia
Meanwhile, back in Arlington, Amanda attempted to explain the whole situation to Dotty. Amanda tried to keep a brave front the entire time as they both sat at the kitchen island. Naturally, Dotty barraged her with a million questions, all the while complaining as well. As Amanda waited for her mother to finish, she sat there shaking her head while she pinched the bridge of her nose.
Since Amanda couldn't envision any end in sight with her mother's rambling, she finally jumped in, "Mother, please! I know you're upset. I am too! But there is really nothing we can do to change it at this point. Lee is trying his best to make it home in time for everything."
Dotty suddenly raised up, moved over to the counter to pour herself another cup of coffee and asked, "Darling, do you want some more coffee?"
Amanda weakly smiled, "No, thank you, Mother. I should get going in a couple of minutes. I just wanted to make sure you're alright before I leave."
Dotty angrily replied, "Darn it, I really want to strangle Billy Melrose. He makes me so mad! This is all his fault for sending Lee halfway around the world right before Christmas. I just knew something like this would happen. He should've sent someone else. Doesn't he realize Lee has people who love him, now? Besides, this is our first Christmas as a family. Boy, he makes me so angry!"
Amanda tried to appease Dotty, "I know, Mother. From what I could tell, Lee's taking this pretty hard; he was quite emotional with me on the phone. No one could've predicted this would happen. Like I told Lee, we just have to try and keep a positive thought because it is the season of miracles. As far as Billy is concerned, I'm sure he feels awfully bad and guilty about this. He's not a bad man, Mother. He was only doing his job. Let's just keep our fingers crossed and say a few prayers."
Dotty quickly blurted out, "Oh my, what are we going to tell the boys? This is going to break their hearts."
Amanda sighed, "Don't worry, Mother. We will tell them the truth and try to keep up their spirits somehow. We will just have to make sure they stay occupied. Listen, I would love to talk more about this, but I have to head to work, or I will be late."
Dotty gave Amanda a weak smile and replied, "Alright, dear, I understand. You head off to work. I'll tell the boys when they get home and find some busy work for them. Have a nice day, my sweet girl. I love you and drive safely!"
Amanda stood up and headed over to Dotty. When she reached her, Amanda pulled Dotty in for a warm embrace. "Thank you, Mother! I love you, too! Don't worry, everything will work out. Tell the boys I love them and will see them later. You and Aunt Lillian have a great day."
Amanda stepped away, strode across the room and put on her coat. She grabbed her keys along with her purse, waved and walked out the back door.
Once she made it to the Wagoneer, she opened the door and slid into the seat. She started the car up and headed down the driveway. After she turned onto the street, she drove a few blocks and pulled over to the curb. It was only then; she allowed her emotions to flow freely as the dam broke. She hadn't wanted to upset Dotty any more than she already was. She needed some time to have her own breakdown in private.
Amanda sat there for several minutes as she gave in to her emotions and let it all out. She cried and yelled as her face dropped into her hands. After she was spent, she picked up her head, grabbed a few tissues from her purse then began to wipe her face and eyes.
Once she appeared to be presentable again and felt a little calmer, she spoke aloud to herself, "Alright, Amanda, that is quite enough. You need to take your own advice and buck up. Like I told Mother and Lee, everything will work out. It just has to! I need to remain strong for everybody, and I won't give up hope. Tis' the season. I love you, Lee! I know we will be together and have the best Christmas ever."
At that, she glanced at herself in the mirror one last time, sniffled and placed the car in drive. She carefully and slowly pulled back onto the road and headed off to work filled with grit and determination.
Sheremetyevo International Airport-Khimki, Russia
Several hours later, Lee paid his bar tab, thanked and tipped the bartender, and started to make his way towards the gate for his flight. It was eleven o'clock and he hoped they would be able to take off on time. He noticed the snow had died down significantly. It was only flurrying and even the winds were a lot lighter as well.
He made his way over to the Belavia Airlines check-in counter and placed his bags down before he got the attention of the agent who was there. Lee handed him his standby ticket and waited as the man checked his computer.
When the agent looked up at him from his seat, Lee spoke first, "Has the airport been reopened yet?"
The agent grinned and responded with an extremely thick accent, "Dah, they just reopened it about twenty minutes ago."
Lee sighed with relief as he thought, At least that's half the battle anyway. Lee tiredly smiled as he asked his next question, "I know I am on standby status but, what are my chances of getting a seat on this flight? I really need to get back to America."
"One moment, sir, and let me check."
Lee stood there as he ran his fingers through his hair and waited while the man typed into his computer. His patience was nearly gone, but then, he remembered Amanda's words, so he tried to remain calm and think positively.
A few seconds later, Lee peered down when the agent cleared his throat. "Mr. Stetson, it appears your chances are excellent. With this terrible storm, it looks like many of our passengers have canceled their tickets. And, there are only four other people on standby."
Suddenly, Lee felt a little lighter as if he was getting his second wind. He grinned, "Thank God! You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you."
The man smiled back and remarked, "I'm glad I could help. Why don't you have a seat and I will be starting the boarding process in about fifteen minutes."
"Thanks again. Merry Christmas!"
Lee walked over to the waiting area and felt a little happier. While he sat there, he couldn't help but think maybe Amanda was right. Maybe, it was the time for miracles. All he knew was, hopefully he would be making his way closer and closer to home within the next hour.
True to his word, fifteen minutes later, the agent began calling for the passengers to start boarding. Once everyone else was on the plane, the agent called over the five standby passengers. He had good news for all of them. After several minutes the five travelers were checked in and were happily heading down the gangway to the plane.
After Lee stowed his luggage in the overhead compartments, he slid into his seat. He got himself situated and buckled his seatbelt. The plane was only about two-thirds full, which enabled him to be lucky enough to have the whole row to himself. He laid his head back, closed his eyes and waited for the plane to leave the gate.
Lee mumbled out loud, "I love you, Manda! I will be home soon, I promise."
Almost thirty minutes passed by, and Lee was becoming increasingly more impatient and anxious. He glanced down at his watch and saw it read half past midnight. The muscles in his cheeks began to twitch wildly again. He thought to himself, We should already be in the air, Dammit!
He no sooner finished contemplating that when the pilot came over the speaker and announced, "Sorry, folks, for the delay. I was just informed the airport is still in the process of clearing off its largest runway. The tower explained we will be able to head over to the taxiway in about ten to fifteen minutes. So, sit back, relax, and we will have you on your way shortly. Thank you for your understanding and patience."
Lee grunted and threw his head back again, irritably. Within twenty minutes of the announcement, the plane was headed for the runway. They still needed to wait for their turn, but finally, the plane made it into the air. Utterly exhausted, Lee slept the whole way to Stockholm.
By the time they landed and disembarked, Lee's next flight left in approximately two hours for Prague. This gave him just enough time to eat something, freshen up, and change his clothes. He was pleasantly surprised when his connecting flight boarded on time.
Prague-Ruzyne International Airport, Czechoslovakia
The plane landed without any major delays. After Lee checked his watch, he realized it was much too early to call Amanda, so he took advantage of the time and wandered through the many shops within the airport terminal. He was in search of something truly special for his wife. He'd struck gold in a tiny little specialty shop that was filled with unique Christmas ornaments and tchotchkes. After Lee made his purchase, he decided to continue to check out a few more stores for other possible gifts. He spent so much time shopping, he'd completely lost track of time. And when it finally dawned on him he still needed to call Amanda, it was quite obvious he would have to phone the Agency to speak to her because she should've already been at work.
Unfortunately, when he called there, she wasn't in the office. He spoke with Billy and found out she was in the field with Francine and wouldn't be back until much later. Billy also informed Lee he didn't have to worry about their debriefing session until the day after Christmas before leaving for Disney World. He felt it was the least he could do.
After Lee's conversation with Billy concluded, he was able to set up his last two connecting flights going to Lisbon and London. However, much to his dismay, the only flight he could get out of London was on British Airways on standby. Which meant he probably would be missing all the festivities the family always did on Christmas Eve unless he could grab an earlier flight when he landed in Lisbon. So, he would keep his fingers crossed that something would change for the better. For now, he was devastated as he knew the family would be as well. He was so upset; it actually brought a couple of tears to his eyes.
Completely dejected, Lee decided to call home anyway. He reached Dotty and gave her an update on his status. He told her he would speak to them again when he could. Dotty didn't take the news of his timetable too well but tried to remain optimistic that things might change. He told her over and over not to hold anything over for him. She kept insisting they would wait to do everything until he got back, but he didn't want to upset the boys and his family's traditions. The last thing he did was pass along all his love to everyone. He was heartbroken as he slammed the receiver back into its place and ran his fingers through his hair. Needless to say, he was quite disappointed when he couldn't reach his wife. He really needed to hear her voice and cheery disposition. God, I really miss you, Manda!
Lee was able to squeeze in another short nap with his remaining time before he needed to board for his next flight. Naturally, there was another long delay, but he was grateful he was lucky enough to snag a seat on the flight to Lisbon. Finally, they were in the air to his next destination. He wasted no time and slept the whole flight.
The flight to Lisbon was much too short for Lee's liking because he needed more sleep. When he landed, he was alerted his connecting flight to London was canceled due to more weather issues. By the time he found another ticket counter, he was beyond frustrated to find out the earliest flight he could get to London was about fifteen hours away. At this point, his body was aching, exhausted and in desperate need of a real bed. He was a mess physically and emotionally. And the damn airport was the last place he wanted to be stuck at, the day before Christmas Eve.