The storm clouds dissipated just in time. It was going to be a lovely evening. Maybe the best one he'd had yet on The Flying Levin.
When he'd arrived in Greece, he'd finally made the calls to his family that he'd been putting off for so long. He'd called his mother first, who was disappointed he wasn't returning to Isreal. Then he spoke to his niece who assured him she would come visit as soon as she could convince her grandmother to allow it.
Finally, he'd called his ex-wife.
He wasn't really sure what he'd expected when he told her he'd quit Mossad, but it certainly wasn't the knowing tone that she responded with. "Eyal," she had said, "I had a feeling this day would come. Something changed in you over the last couple years."
"Changed?" he'd questioned with a laugh.
"Yes, Eyal. You've become, again, the man that I fell in love with years ago at University."
"I'm sorry," he said, the guilt swelling in him.
"It's okay. We've made peace with everything and we've both moved on," she'd said knowingly. "There are only two reasons I can think of that would cause you to quit, and since Avi is just fine it must be because you've found love."
"I-," he gasped, taken aback.
"She's brought light back into you. That's why you've changed… it's been good to see."
He sighed.
"Oh," she'd said, surprised. "Haven't you told her?"
"It's… complicated."
"Oh, Eyal," she'd sighed. "You know that saying: 'If you love something, set it free; if it comes backs it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was.'? I truly believe in that. No matter how… complicated it all is, if it is meant to be, it will be. You are a good man, Eyal. Don't forget that. She'd be crazy not to love you."
He'd smiled to himself. "I hope so. Thank you," he'd said before asking her to send his love to Avi.
He'd made that call months ago and each time he'd called since, she'd ask if Annie had called. Each time the answer was no, including the call he'd made earlier in the week to wish his son a happy early birthday.
"Have faith," his ex-wife had said. Faith. Sometimes it was hard to have faith. He just hoped… hoped that she was okay.
For the first day in a week the rain had finally stopped falling and the clouds had suddenly been swept away. Whatever had swept the clouds away had seemed to sweep away the dark mood he'd been feeling for the last couple days. Suddenly, he found himself smiling and humming to himself as he got out of bed that morning.
He had gone out that afternoon to pick up supplies and found himself feeling a bit nostalgic. And when he felt nostalgic, he needed a Sazerac.
He walked down the long dock to the slip where his boat was docked, a bottle of rye in one hand and groceries from the market in the other. For a moment he had the fleeting paranoia that he was being followed. He paused, just before stepping aboard to check his surroundings. Nothing was out of place. He shook his head and reminded himself that no one had come for him the last five months. It was probably time to stop worrying.
But the nagging feeling that someone was watching still danced in the back of his mind as he stepped aboard The Flying Levin. Maybe that Sazerac would calm his suddenly heightened nerves.
He had just finished pouring himself a drink and was about to head out of the cabin onto the deck to watch the sunset when his phone started vibrating in his pocket. He pulled the phone out and glanced that the name on the screen before answering.
"It's been a long time, Neshama," he said with a smile. "Are you ready for that sunset? You're just in time."
"It's good to hear your voice," Annie spoke quietly.
"How…" he trailed off when he heard it; soft footfalls on the deck outside the cabin door. He reached into the drawer under the counter where the bottle of rye sat. "Annie, hold on a second," he said setting the phone down.
He steadied the gun and reached for the door, taking aim. When he pulled the door open he nearly dropped the gun in surprise. What he saw was definitely not what he was expecting.
"Knock, knock," Annie said, standing in front of him wearing jeans, tennis shoes, and a long sleeved grey t-shirt covered in patches of dirt. Her blonde hair was pulled up on with loose strands curling around her face. She looked at him, eyes wild. "Eyal, I need your help."
Even though this story is over, for now, have no fear... I have more Annie/Eyal stories to tell. If you enjoyed "Broken Pieces" and want to read my next (completely original) Annie/Eyal story please visit my story Run For Your Life (Please note, it is an M-rated story).