Gale can feel the entire row of plastic seats shake in time to the bounce of his feet. The keys clang and jingle together in his hands as he twirls them around his fingers.
She promised him two weeks.
She took two months.
No one could blame him for being on edge, especially when patience is not one of his virtues.
Taking a deep breath, Gale plants his feet flat on the ground and leans back against the padded chair. Arms crossed over his chest, he closes his eyes as he thinks of everything else but passing time.
A smile crosses his taut face as his mind drifts to earlier events in the day. This morning was the last day he took that ugly, thick tipped, red Sharpy and made an 'X' through the blank, white box on his calendar. Nothing had felt more satisfying.
Opening his eyes, slowly, Gale can feel the weight of his relaxed body. Glancing briefly at his watch it reads 10:16pm.
Ten more minutes. Ten more minutes until his Madge bounces down that escalator into his waiting arms. He'll lift her high above his head, look into her baby blue eyes and lower her down into a kiss.
He has missed the fullness of her lips, that opened with the gentlest coax of his tongue. Gale found out that no matter what she eats, there is the everlasting taste of strawberries on her tongue.
He has missed the way her silky smooth blonde hair cascades in waves down her bare back and her bangs curl under her chin when they laid in bed together.
He has missed running his fingers down that slight curve in her spine while feeling her shiver and squirm. Once they had enough, he would kiss the beauty mark on the back of her neck. She always felt so cool beneath his touch, leaning into it every time he graced her with his sandpaper hands.
He has missed the way she would moan as his kisses fluttered down her neck. While his fingers busily trace the hem of her panties before hooking under the band and slipping them down her thighs, below her knees and sliding them down to her ankles. God, she's beautiful!
Beknownst to Gale, he licks his lips.
Lifting his heavy, hooded lids he checks his watch.
10:28pm.
Scanning the sea of people coming down that escalator, greeting each other with hugs and kisses, Gale frowns. She should definitely be here by now. Where was she? Was her flight delayed? Will he have to wait another day to see her? He wouldn't know what he'd do if it did!
"Have a nice day dream?" the rich tones of her voice ring like bells in his ears. Whipping his head over his shoulder, it is as if the stars aligned themselves just for him. There she stands, in his forest green swim team hoodie with her hair wrapped around itself in a bun atop her head. And those large, gorgeous blue eyes of her twinkle so brilliantly.
His chest grows tight and his body rigid as his vision of bright, shining Madge blurs. Gale can barely make out the smile on her face once she wraps her arms around him, tightly.
Resting his hands on her back, pulling her close and holding her steady, Gale can feel the rapid rise and fall of her body.
The two of them have been apart for much longer stretches of time, but neither had been as emotional then as they are right now.
Channeling his strength, Gale hoists Madge up in the air. Instead of lowering her into a kiss, she simply latches her legs around his hips and drapes her arms around his neck.
"Hello, beautiful," he says, placing a kiss on her wet cheek. "How's it going?"