Near Love Stories
by J. B. Hogan

"Goodbye, Charles," she said as they approached the outer door. Charles could go no further.

"Maggie," he said plaintively.

Maggie leaned against him and they embraced. He kissed her cheek. She pulled away, eyes filling with tears.

"Maggie," he whispered.

"Goodbye," she said, squaring her shoulders proudly. "Goodbye." She hurried out the door.

Charles stood there alone, watching the door through which she had gone. After a few moments, he went to the windows at the back of the room and looked out. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the outdoor sunlight, but then he saw her, waiting in line near the steps leading up into the plane. Her back was to him and he couldn't tell what she was feeling as she prepared to leave his life. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but was forced to admit to himself that he had made no physical effort to stop her from going.

For several minutes there seemed to be some kind of delay with the boarding, then he saw her climb up the stairs and, without looking back, enter the plane. He stared out at the runway, shielding his eyes from the glare off the window. In a few moments, the plane taxied to the end of the runway. After a brief pause, it began its takeoff. He watched it build up speed, lift off, and in a slow arc, turn and climb, up - away. Away from Boca Tierra. Away from him.

Charles looked past the San Sebastian skyline to the distant mountains of the El Grande range. Framed in the deep blue Caribbean sky, El Grande itself rose up green and majestic from the Boca Tierran countryside, clean and natural beyond the exhaust-smoke filled skies of the city. He watched Maggie's plane until it became a white speck and faded into the far sky. Taking a deep breath, Charles then turned and walked out of the terminal building and across the parking lot to his car. He had a long drive ahead of him.

-END-