Budapest 4:03 A.M.
The tunnel is a long stretch leading to the Budapest Ferihegy International Airport. As I exit the mouth of it, white light streams through the skylights and I know there's no turning back. He's there amid the sea of bustling faces like a lone buoy in a raging storm. Wearing a gray turtle neck and knee length black leather trench coat he leans against a white cement pillar trying to hide a growing smile. I force my melting limbs towards him struggling to tame my wildly beating heart. No such luck. Then my left breast pocket vibrates. Riley takes my red duffle bag in hand patiently looking at my shaking pocket. Hastily, I claw my fingers through the cotton material grasping the damn thing. AUSTIN scrolls through the tiny screen followed by a picture I snapped of him when we went to Yellow Stone for vacation after freshman year.
"Sorry," I mouth to Riley as I swivel around pressing the OK button. "Yeah?" I say breathlessly into the phone. The last time I talked to him was when he was just getting out of surgery for a slipped disc in his spine over three weeks ago.
"Hey I'm using the calling card you got me," He says with a smile in his throat.
"Oh great," I muse glancing quickly back at Riley who was busying himself by stabbing the plastic wand into the screen of his palm pilot. "Look," I say quickly cutting off Austin about some new antibiotic they were giving him, "this isn't really the time. I just got into Hungary. I, uh, I'll call you from the hotel, 'k?"
"Um, sure." His voice went flat all enthusiasm cast aside. But I barely notice it as I watch Riley stare at me curiously then quickly glance towards the runways. "Love you," He murmurs softly from the other side of the world. I'm sorry I just can't…
"You too, babe. Bye". I click End feeling an incision ripping itself into a Jack O' Lantern smile right inside my stomach.
"Ready?" Riley asks holding up the duffle bag.
"Unfortunately."
We make it halfway across the parking lot till Riley stops throwing down my bag. His whole back tightens before his shoulders slump. He suddenly turns stuffing both hands inside his pockets.
"Sam, I've got to know before we go any further". I can't tell whether he means further across the parking lot or further into our hidden passion. I guess both suffice in this case.
"Know what?" My voice shakes as I desperately try to stay locked up in the hidden cellar of truths. He takes a step closer his boots toe to toe with mine.
"Do you love him?" He asks cupping my shoulders with his broad hands. Hands I knew so well in my half-wanted dreams.
"I, uh…" I wasn't expecting this. Well, I was. But not here. Not right now. Maybe not ever if it was all for nothing. I look down sudden realizing hot tears as they slide themselves inside the cracks of frown finding the pores of my tongue.
"Samantha," He whispers balancing his index finger under my chin. He lifts my head, his eyes devouring my own. I can't run anymore. "Do you still love Austin?"