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Goerke's Corner part three
I'd left early enough for the airport that I hadn't eaten. I noticed they had fresh donuts at the convenience store where I stopped to get fuel. Two of those and a pint of milk would stop my stomach from grumbling. I was nervous and wondered if my concerns were warranted. She hadn't given me a reason to think I wouldn't be received with enthusiasm so why was I playing this game in my head. After all, I'm a Marine damn it. Get your head up and your shoulders back.
My F-150 Super cab had plenty of room in the back seats for the girls and enough space in the bed for however much luggage they had. That truck had been my one indulgence when I retired and now, I was glad I had opted for the Super cab feature. I had asked Hilda if I would need a booster seat for the five-year-old. She told me I was good without one. I knew that I was going to be an hour or more early, time which I planned to have the truck washed and vacuumed. I was in dress jeans, a short sleeve polo shirt and casual cloth loafers. I wanted everything perfect.
From outside the customs area I watched as people deplaned. After first class got off it was families. I watched with anticipation hoping I wouldn't somehow miss them. I watched three or four families deplane and then I saw them walking down the ramp. My heart was beating fast and my breathing was shallow. I watched with anticipation as they cleared customs.
Coming towards me was a woman around five foot seven or eight with a slim waist, long legs and a shapely body holding the hands of two little girls as cute as their mother. I thought she looked pretty in the few photos I had received. She was an absolute knockout in person.
A smile crossed her face when she saw me. I took that as an invitation to approach and greet her. I was both scared and excited. In my 21 years in the Marines I have been in more than a few tense situations. I had never experienced the feelings I was having at that moment. I was damned near standing at attention when I reached forth my hand to shake hers and introduce myself. She let go of the older one's hand, pushed mine aside and gave me a hug. A long hug, almost as if she was relieved the day was over.
Stepping back she said, "Hi Rob. It's been a very long time, hasn't it? Thanks for coming to get us. We don't have a lot of luggage, but it will definitely fill the trunk."
She held the girls to her hip on either side and nodded to the older. "This is Johanna, we call her Jo. The younger one is named Heidi. Girls, this is Mr. Rob, the man I've been telling you about for some time. He's come to pick us up."
I bent and gently shook their hands. Both smiled and appeared comfortable. I gestured toward the baggage claim area.
"Let's get your bags. Did you want to stop for lunch on the way?"
Slipping her arm through mine she walked stride for stride with me, the girls walking a few steps ahead. Walking by the restrooms both girls gave their mother that panicked look as if to say 'I gotta pee'.
She let go of my arm and gently told me, "Wait here, be right back."
I was leaning against the wall waiting for them thinking to myself that things were going well. All three seemed comfortable with me, I loved the attention Greta was showing me. I remembered what Hilda had told me, that Greta needed to know she was important. I am determined to make sure of that. I would make sure she knew I saw her as my number one priority.
As they walked from the lady's room I stepped forward ready to escort Greta. She and Johanna were hand in hand with Heidi right behind. Before I knew what was happening Greta and Jo had turned and were walking toward the baggage claim. I looked at little Heidi, she smiled, took my hand and started off behind her mom. The little imp wasn't going to need to crawl on my lap and call me daddy to win my heart. In less than 20 minutes she already owned it.
When we approached the carousel Greta motioned for us to go to it while she grabbed a luggage cart. In the heat of the moment I hadn't actually looked all that closely at Greta. From the backside I liked what I saw: nice figure, just enough butt to be inviting, a slender waist and long dark brown hair. I suddenly realized both girls had their mother's hair color. In a flash she was back standing next to me.
"How long was the drive for you Rob?" She asked.
"Just over three hours. How long was your flight? Five, six hours?"
She sighed, "Yeah a little over six hours. Thankfully I brought lots of things for the girls to do while we were in the air. I'm pretty sure they'll fall asleep as soon as we start driving. Ooo, I see the first of our luggage."
I stepped ahead of her, "Point it out and I'll get it."
"No, no. I can do it." She replied.
Chivalry took over, "It might be 1999 and close to the 21
st
century, but there's no way I'm going to stand by and watch you lift heavy luggage. You point, I'll fetch."
Her smile went from ear to ear as she softly mouthed 'thank you' and pointed to two bags. Ten minutes later the cart was full and we were on the way to the parking facility. Once again it was Greta and Jo walking together while Heidi 'helped' me push the cart. Standing in front of me between my arms and her hands on the push bar with mine next to hers she was actually more in the way than a help. I grinned, my first lesson on how to be a dad. Greta glanced back, chuckled, and winked at me.
The girls thought the third door on the truck was, to put it in their vernacular, 'Like totally cool'. With the luggage loaded and the four of us ready to hit the road I asked.
"Do you want to stop for lunch on the way? You'll need to tell me where you live."
Greta turned, "Are you hungry girls?"
Both shouted, "Pancakes."
With that settled I made my way out of the city stopping at a diner on the outskirts of town. As the girls plowed into their bounty Greta and I picked at our food around conversation. Simple small talk. When I asked about directions to her home she told me she wasn't going home.
