Taking my hand, he answered my question. “I have missed our walks.”
“Me too. I tried to go a few times to our park, but it wasn't the same. Too quiet, weird feeling, but this feels perfect.” I wrapped around his arm and put my head on his bicep. As we walked, a deep breath of fresh air and his bodywash’s scent helped relax the last residual tension I had built up over him coming home.
The week was great. We had our walks and campfires. We rented a paddleboat one afternoon and nearly flipped ourselves. We checked out the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm and Living Museum and saw a massive beaver nest in Beaver Marsh. We didn't jam pack our days, but we did spend every minute together.
One morning, I woke up just as the sun was rising. The water was like glass with mist rolling off. I saw a large eagle gliding in the air as if he was the only creature around. The soft pink of the eastern sky bled into the soft purple and deep blue of the western sky. The sun was just below the tree line creating a silhouetted scene.
I had been standing outside on the porch of the cabin and had left the door open, so I hadn't heard Colin get up and walk outside. It wasn't until he gently slid his arms around my waist that I registered him there.
“Isn't it gorgeous?”
“Yes, you are.”
I tilted my head back slightly to catch him in the corner of my vision. “I meant the scenery.”
“I know what you meant and you're right. It is beautiful. But the first sight I saw here was you, my love.” He kissed me on the side of my forehead.
“I think we should come here every year. Don't you?” I nestled into his embrace.
“Absolutely. Maybe we can renew our vows here for our fifth anniversary.” He squeezed me to him. I loved being in his arms. I could stay there forever.
“But for now, I say breakfast and cuddles.”
“Deal. After you, Mrs. Dawson.” His crooked smile let me know breakfast was not what he was thinking.
Damn do I love this man! Even looking like I rolled out of bed, a hot mess, he still finds me desirable and beautiful. I thought how lucky I was as I led him back inside and closed the door on the amazing creation outside.
*********
The time of the cabin didn't fly by, but it wasn't long enough either. Soon after getting back to reality, Colin had to pack up and don his ACUs and army combat uniform once again.
It's crazy; as kids and even as adults, two weeks seems like more than enough time, but it really isn't, especially when it'll be months before you see the other person again.
We walked hand-in-hand, fingers entwined, to security check at Killeen Regional Airport. I tried to will him to slow down. Just before he went through security, he stopped and pulled me to him. He dropped his bag and my hand, placing each of his on either side of my face, and kissed me like there was no tomorrow and we only had this one moment together. Time finally stood still. I held him with all my might.
When he finished, in a husky voice he whispered, “I love you, Joleene Nicole Dawson. See ya.” That was it. The tears I had successfully held off fell of their own accord.
“I love you, Colin. See ya,” I could barely whisper back. I just wanted to hold him forever, but he took a step back and grabbed his bag from the floor and turned. Just before he disappeared beyond security check he looked back with his crooked smile and steel-grey eyes and winked. Then he was gone.
July finished and melted into August. Colin called letting me know he made it safely to the sandbox. August came and went with no major hiccups. September rolled up unassumingly, hiding what was just beyond the horizon.
“You ok, girl?” Leyla shouted through the closed bathroom door at me.
“Yeah,” I managed as I finished emptying my stomach for the third time that day. I rinsed out my mouth and nearly gagged in the process, but managed to keep from hacking up anymore.
I walked out of the bathroom and Layla was standing there. “What's wrong?”
“I don't know. My stomach has been giving me fits all day. I'm probably coming down with something like I always do this time of year.”
“Maybe.” Layla just stood there looking at me, raising an eyebrow. “You sure?”
“Yeah. It's nothing.” I walked back to the living room and sat slowly down as if I was trying not to hurt myself.
Unfortunately, my butt never hit the cushions before I stood up and ran back into the bathroom.
“I'm gonna run and get you some crackers and a Sprite. You don't have any.”
I just leaned against the wall opposite the toilet, willing my stomach to stop rolling. I was hoping I was done so I could at least lie down. Eventually, I made it back to the couch and just laid my head back, taking deep breaths in hopes of settling myself and staving off a headache.
I hate getting sick. I was trying to focus on my breathing instead of the acrobatics my stomach was attempting. I'm probably going to have to call off tomorrow. I'll have Layla call Dale when she gets back. Damn. I hope she hurries. I could feel another round coming.
I heard Layla call out as I closed the bathroom door. When I came back out, she had a spread of various items on the coffee table, including crackers and a Sprite already opened and poured over ice with a straw—she knew me well. And there was one other item that confused me.
“Call it a hunch. Get something to
