It’s Saturday.
Finally.
I’ve been keeping this secret for too long.
Rick will be home today.
He’s traded HLTAs with another member of the crew. We’ve made the decision to keep it under wraps and surprise the kids. For the last week I’ve been walking around like the Cheshire cat – I’m not sure I’m so good at keeping this secret.
His flight gets in at 2030. I look at the clock – sigh – just 11 more hours to go. I feel like I’m going to burst.
I had my hair done on Friday morning. I’ve been to Mulder’s – some gorgeous t-bone steaks are sitting in my refrigerator, special request from the sandbox.
We’ve rented a hotel room for tonight. My friend is coming over to stay with the kids. I’ve stripped and made the beds, packed my bags twice and have managed to get into the bath. Another quick glance at the clock reveals only 6 more hours to go.
This must be what the old lady felt like when she swallowed a bird. I’m still grinning.
I still have to pick up some wine, Red Bull – another request, and a fruit tray. T-Lynn and the kids will be here soon. I’m giggling…
T-Lynn sends me off with a “Have fun” and I grin even wider, if possible. “Oh, I plan on it” I hear myself reply with a laugh.
I don’t think the drive in has ever taken this long. Time is both rushing and standing still. It’s almost a surreal feeling – like being dropped down the rabbit hole.
My giddy feelings of euphoria must be contagious. I’ve got the lady at the front desk grinning for me as well. We’re on the fourth floor. Normally I hate the confines of an elevator – today it’s not even a blip on the radar.
Room 416. I stand in front of the door and take a deep breath. It’s real.
My hands are full as I try to juggle bottles of wine, my bag, my boots, a fruit tray and Lord knows what else as I attempt to open the door with the swipe card thing. It’s a miracle the whole lot didn’t wind up on the floor.
The door opens. The room is big. A mini-suite with a bar fridge, sitting area, fireplace, king sized bed, I giggle again. What the heck is wrong with me? – Am I twelve?
The bathroom is massive, with a Jacuzzi tub made for two. I’ve bought candles and I set them up around the edges.
Time to get ready.
Only an hour until his plane lands.
I take my time on my make-up. It isn’t something I wear everyday. I want to look extra special for him. I’ve lost weight since he left. Will he notice?
“Stop worrying,” my brain tells me. “The man loves you. And he’s been living in the middle of a wasteland with 10,000 other army guys – you at least look cuter than they do.”
I shake my head and zip up my boots. It’s a half hour until his plane lands. It’s only 15 minutes, more or less, from the hotel to the airport. I’m nervous.
As I walk through the lobby the front desk chick gives me a low whistle. I hope Rick concurs.
I drive too fast. I always do. It’s worse when I’m excited or nervous. I make it to the airport in 10 minutes. I can see his plane on approach.
The butterflies in my stomach have turned into giant birds. My heart is pounding. They’ve changed the parking area since he left and I circle the place twice before I figure out where I have to be.
I walk in just in time to see the Jazz plane land and taxi up to the terminal. My face hurts from grinning.
I can see the passengers disembark. They’re entering the terminal and finding their loved ones. No sign of my man.
Five minutes. Ten. Then there he is!
He’s dark. He looks tired. He looks like the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. My heart leaps. I lose sight of him for a minute behind two businessmen who seem to be having an argument. I fight the urge to clothesline them and instead step around them.
He’s standing in front of me. He’s smiling. He’s blurry. Tears have jumped into my eyes. And he reaches for me. I’m in his arms. I breathe in the scent of him. I can hear his heart.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Day 71
Finally.
I’ve been keeping this secret for too long.
Rick will be home today.
He’s traded HLTAs with another member of the crew. We’ve made the decision to keep it under wraps and surprise the kids. For the last week I’ve been walking around like the Cheshire cat – I’m not sure I’m so good at keeping this secret.
His flight gets in at 2030. I look at the clock – sigh – just 11 more hours to go. I feel like I’m going to burst.
I had my hair done on Friday morning. I’ve been to Mulder’s – some gorgeous t-bone steaks are sitting in my refrigerator, special request from the sandbox.
We’ve rented a hotel room for tonight. My friend is coming over to stay with the kids. I’ve stripped and made the beds, packed my bags twice and have managed to get into the bath. Another quick glance at the clock reveals only 6 more hours to go.
This must be what the old lady felt like when she swallowed a bird. I’m still grinning.
I still have to pick up some wine, Red Bull – another request, and a fruit tray. T-Lynn and the kids will be here soon. I’m giggling…
T-Lynn sends me off with a “Have fun” and I grin even wider, if possible. “Oh, I plan on it” I hear myself reply with a laugh.
I don’t think the drive in has ever taken this long. Time is both rushing and standing still. It’s almost a surreal feeling – like being dropped down the rabbit hole.
My giddy feelings of euphoria must be contagious. I’ve got the lady at the front desk grinning for me as well. We’re on the fourth floor. Normally I hate the confines of an elevator – today it’s not even a blip on the radar.
Room 416. I stand in front of the door and take a deep breath. It’s real.
My hands are full as I try to juggle bottles of wine, my bag, my boots, a fruit tray and Lord knows what else as I attempt to open the door with the swipe card thing. It’s a miracle the whole lot didn’t wind up on the floor.
The door opens. The room is big. A mini-suite with a bar fridge, sitting area, fireplace, king sized bed, I giggle again. What the heck is wrong with me? – Am I twelve?
The bathroom is massive, with a Jacuzzi tub made for two. I’ve bought candles and I set them up around the edges.
Time to get ready.
Only an hour until his plane lands.
I take my time on my make-up. It isn’t something I wear everyday. I want to look extra special for him. I’ve lost weight since he left. Will he notice?
“Stop worrying,” my brain tells me. “The man loves you. And he’s been living in the middle of a wasteland with 10,000 other army guys – you at least look cuter than they do.”
I shake my head and zip up my boots. It’s a half hour until his plane lands. It’s only 15 minutes, more or less, from the hotel to the airport. I’m nervous.
As I walk through the lobby the front desk chick gives me a low whistle. I hope Rick concurs.
I drive too fast. I always do. It’s worse when I’m excited or nervous. I make it to the airport in 10 minutes. I can see his plane on approach.
The butterflies in my stomach have turned into giant birds. My heart is pounding. They’ve changed the parking area since he left and I circle the place twice before I figure out where I have to be.
I walk in just in time to see the Jazz plane land and taxi up to the terminal. My face hurts from grinning.
I can see the passengers disembark. They’re entering the terminal and finding their loved ones. No sign of my man.
Five minutes. Ten. Then there he is!
He’s dark. He looks tired. He looks like the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. My heart leaps. I lose sight of him for a minute behind two businessmen who seem to be having an argument. I fight the urge to clothesline them and instead step around them.
He’s standing in front of me. He’s smiling. He’s blurry. Tears have jumped into my eyes. And he reaches for me. I’m in his arms. I breathe in the scent of him. I can hear his heart.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Day 71
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