Chapter 30
Thursday Morning, Before Thanksgiving Week
Overhead, clouds remained gray and a gentle rain continued over Miami. However, despite the muggy inclement weather, people continued about their daily activities like ants in a colony.
Their queen had made her orders known, so irregardless of any pending obstacles – what was instructed was supposed to be accomplished, unless you happened to accidentally get killed in the process.
Inside Miami’s International Airport, cars seem to arrive and leave in a seven day a week, twenty-four hour continual stream. Next to them, a nonstop row of taxis filled Lane 2.
After several minutes of inching in line, Gaines Davis was able to temporarily park his Ford in front of the terminal’s main entrance, and Maria and Victoria Vargas opened their rear doors, so they could head for an empty spot in the main walkway.
There, the two ladies would wait until Gaines had a chance to climb out the front door and get their luggage.
Moments later, after Gaines had grabbed their bags out of the trunk and sat them next to them, he attempted to smile; although saying good-bye was never easy, especially when you’re facing uncertainly regarding if and when you would ever see each other.
Victoria acknowledged his gesture by returning a small grin.
Gaines, even though he appreciated her efforts, disregarded her fallacious cheerfulness the moment he noticed tears welting up in her gorgeous dark-brown eyes.
One had even managed to course down her cheek, causing the makeup she had spent so much time applying, to run.
“Both Lisa and I are going to miss you, Victoria,” he said as they approached each other and shared a long affectionate hug. “Perhaps next time, you, Maria, and Rudolf can come to the U.S. for good. Rudolf, you know, is definitely old enough to retire. And I’m sure Fernando and Carlos would be able to handle everything, so there’s no real need for you to deal with the day-to-day hassles of running a chain of jewelry stores anymore. … You and Rudolf deserve a nice retirement.”
“You’re probably right,” Victoria said as Maria looked on. “But leaving one’s lifelong profession wouldn’t be easy. Not to mention, you know the aggravation of trying to get a Resident Visa in this country. The process would take years.”
Gaines briefly paused before he responded, and as he did, a seagull cawed directly overhead as if to remind them that time was for saying good-byes was short, and they need to get going.
“Perhaps I can do something to shorten the time a bit. I believe I do have a few connections inside Immigration that might help.”
Both Maria and Victoria gazed at him and laughed.
“I hope it wouldn’t be like the connection you were suppose to have with the Black Market?” Maria commented. “I’m sure Mom is never going to forget that adventure."
Gaines cheeks rapidly blushed. “No. It wouldn’t be anything like that fiasco,” he said. “But you do have to admit that regardless of the unexpected trouble we encountered, Victoria did get the money she needed. Isn’t that what counts?”
“In this particular case, yes,” Victoria answered. “But look at the price we paid. Not only did we almost get ourselves killed, there’s still the possibility those hoodlums might come after you. ... You might want to serious consider selling your mini-farm and moving out of state, Gaines - if for no other reason, do it for Lisa and Donna’s sake. Their lives could easily be in serious danger.”
“I’ll give it a thought. Okay?”
Victoria smiled, even though she felt deep down inside that he mostly likely wouldn’t, and the three of shared a round of traditional Latin good-bye hugs and kisses. Gaines then returned to his Ford Fusion and Maria and Victoria proceeded to drag their heavy suitcases toward the airport's glass framed doors.
Friday Afternoon, Before Thanksgiving Week
“Am I too late?” Chad asked the American Airline stewardess as he dashed pass numerous empty seats in Gate 12’s waiting area. “Have I missed Flight 1536?”
“In another ten seconds you would have,” the thirty-something brunette named Gayle said as he breathlessly reached the ticket counter. “Let me quickly call the pilot and let him know we have one more passenger who needs to board.
“Thanks.” Chad flashed a smile as she picked up the phone.
Upon reaching the end of the long, narrow terminal passageway, he discovered the 747’s door was still open, and one of Flight 1536’s flight attendants was waiting inside.
“Welcome to American Airlines Flight 1536 to Santigo, Chile,” she said as the young man stepped inside. “Could I see your boarding pass, please?”
Chad paused and glanced to his right in order to make sure his carry-on was still hanging by his side.
“Sure.” he said upon seeing the tan and aquamarine strap wrapped over his shoulder. “It should be right here. It was one of the last things I packed before leaving my dorm.”
“Your dorm?” Ms. Atwater asked, looking slightly surprised.
“Yes,” Chad said, yanking the zipper open and presenting his ticket and boarding pass. “I’m a Freshman at Florida International University.”
Susan gave him a broad smile. “That’s nice, she said, returning the paperwork to him after giving it a quick glance. “I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving vacation. … Now, if you’ll please find seat B in Row 57, we should be taking off shortly. … You'll find it located fairly close to the rear of the plane.”
Chad looked up and returned her grin, then stuck his boarding pass just inside his faux leather bag.
As he walked down the narrow right aisle, Chad noticed the plane appeared to be quite full. Only a few vacant seats could be found after one passed First Class. And even in the Coach section, the few seats available were located either in the middle of the center row, or between the window and aisle seat on the far sides.
Unfortunately though, the primary person he was looking for during his minutes long journey was nowhere in sight.
“Could Maria and her mother changed flights at the last minute?” Chad wondered, taking seat 57-B after stuffing his oversized tote bag in the overhead compartment. “They were supposed to have been here, on this exact flight. … I wonder if something unexpected happened?”
Steely Dan’s “Rickki Don’t Lose That Number” loudly blared throughout the nearly empty courtyard in front of the Florida International Student Lounge. Normally, being a Friday evening, this locale and its surroundings would be filled wall-to-wall with students. But due to it being the Friday evening starting a weeklong Thanksgiving holiday – the place looked almost abandoned.
Here and there, a student or two and sometimes three either sat a table inside of the lounge or were testing their dexterity via one of the numerous pinball machines. However, most of them tonight were busy either chowing down on fast food, or were engaged in a loud conversation while they listened to whatever was playing on the dime a play or quarter for three plays jukebox.
“Do you think Chad’s plane has left yet?” Eric asked, even though he highly suspected what Mike’s response was going to be.
Mike glanced at the quarter pound cheeseburger and fries sitting in front of him and gave his boyfriend a silent yes.
Eric frowned. No doubt, he wasn’t feeling very happy and the song currently filling everyone’s ears definitely didn’t help.
“Are you starting to think our becoming one was a mistake?” Mike asked, just before taking a large bite out of his burger.
Eric smiled and shook his head. “No. I’m not considering leaving you, if that’s what you’re really asking.”
Mike displayed a small quivering grin. “That’s nice to know. ... After all, since you and Chad were together all during your teenage years; I was beginning to think that with him saying good-bye and leaving for Chile, you might have changed your mind and had decided to try to find him.”
Eric chuckled and pulled his country bumpkin boyfriend close, and they shared a romantic kiss. “No sweetheart. I don’t think I’d ever leave you. You’re very special to me. However, there is something I got a feeling about, and we really need to take care of it - and fast.
Mike looked puzzled, and he raised an eyebrow and leaned slightly backwards. “What could it possibly be? Nothing regarding …”
“Chad.” Eric answered, looking serious. “I definitely believe the kid’s made a one helluva foolish mistake, and we’ve got to stop him.”
Mike stared at Eric for a second, and took another bite out of his burger. “Oh?” he said, after chewing it a dozen times. “Why? Regardless of the fact that Chad’s happened to fall madly in love with Maria, but doesn’t want to outright admit it. Why should we worry? From what I understand, the boy’s known for years that he’s gay, so there’s no possibly way things could ever turn serious.”
Eric raised his head and laughed. “Boy. You sure are naive, Mike. Haven’t you ever heard of a gay guy falling in love and getting married to a female friend before?”
Mike shook his head. “No. It’s something that never dawned on me.”
“Well. Unfortunately, it happens from time to time ... and it usually ends up being a disaster.”
Eric then stopped to see if anyone had walked close enough to overhear their conversation.
Upon not seeing anyone, he resumed. “I’m afraid, my friend, that knowing Chad the way I do ... that’s exactly what the kid’s got in mind, even though he probably doesn’t realize it.”
“Oh?” Mike grabbed his straw and took a drink from his soda. “How can you be so sure? Not to mention, even if it all of it was true, what in the hell do you think we can do about it – fly to Chile and save him?”
Eric’s eyes shifted southward. “Well. ... What do you think?”