Chapter Two
A/N: See disclaimers in Chapter One
The song used in Henry's chapter is "Get Here" by Oleta Adams.
Henry
You can reach my by railway, you can reach me by Trailway
You can reach me by airplane, you can reach me with your mind
You can reach my by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man
I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can.
I board the plane in Tucson, storing my carry-on above the row of seats as I climb into the row, sitting in the window seat. As I look out the window at the baggage handlers throwing luggage onto the loading ramp, I sigh with relief at the fact that Charlie had finally been honest with me and confessed what I'd been secretly wondering about for the past few weeks.
Her baby isn't mine!!
At first I wanted to scream in frustration and anger. How could she?? I left everything behind that meant anything to me. My job, my friends...Betty.
Betty had been the hardest to leave by far.
That last day I saw her, that kiss we shared on the bridge, was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I had to walk away from her and not look back. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to leave her, EVER. I sigh again as I look around, watching other passengers boarding the plane. So much has happened over the past few months, I wonder if I even have a chance with Betty. I haven't spoken to her since I left, the distance separating us too painful to breach with just a phone call. I just want to see her again, hold her against me and never let her go again.
The plane is only about half full, leaving me with two empty seats next to me. I can relax and think about getting back to New York and to Betty without trying to engage in meaningless chatter with another person. I sigh as I hear the flight attendants beginning the departure procedure.
You can reach me by sailboat, climb a tree and swing rope to rope
Take a sled and slide down the slope, into these arms of mine
You can jump on a speedy colt, cross the border in a blaze of hope
I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can.
I buckle my seat belt as the Captain announces that we're almost ready for takeoff. I can hear the ramp to the plane retracting as the flight attendants check all the passengers, making sure we're all securely buckled in. I hear the engines start to rev up, as the plane slowly pushes back from the gate. I watch as the Tucson skyline comes into view as we slowly reverse towards the runway. Betty, I think as the plane slowly rolls out, I'm coming back to you. Please don't tell me it's too late for us.
There are hills and mountains, between us
always something to get over
if I had my way, surely you would be closer
I need you closer
My hands tighten against the armrests of my seat as the plane accelerates down the runway. I feel the drop in my stomach as the plane clears the runway and suddenly I'm airborne, flying back to New York and my life.
My life with Betty, I hope.
The flight attendant comes by with the beverage cart, asking if I would like something to drink. I accept a soda with thanks, the cold beverage feeling wonderful against my parched throat. I'm still at least three hours away from New York and Betty but my hands are trembling and sweaty and my throat is dry, as if she's sitting right next to me.
I felt bad leaving Charlie in Tucson, only because she's all alone right now. Hopefully Gabe will be the kind of honorable man she was looking for in me and will go out to visit her and help her when the baby comes. I turn my thoughts back to Betty, the last image of her dark hair flowing around her shoulders and her beautiful dark eyes watching me walk away. I almost want to push the plane forward sitting here in my seat as the in-flight movie comes on. I can't concentrate on anything but Betty right now. Getting back to her is foremost in my mind, holding her and kissing her senseless.
You can windsurf into my life, take me up on a carpet ride
You can make it in a big balloon, but you better make it soon
You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man
I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can
I must have drifted off to sleep, because the next thing I hear is the Captain announcing the final approach to New York. My seat belt is still buckled as the flight attendants begin to seat themselves, readying for the approach to JFK. As the plane turns and approaches New York City, I can only think of one thing.
I'm home Betty...I'm coming back to you.
I don't care how you get here...get here if you can.