When life exceeds fantasy, there is no desire to roll back over in the hope of re-entering the dream world. And yet, as I opened my eyes, it was a dream world. The room could easily have been that of some five star tuck away cabin, both in furnishings and scent. Where was I and who's hand is that laying across my naked flesh?
"Hello there sleepy head," a feminine voice called out to me in my dream. "Get up and share my shower with me."
The morning of a new day brought not only a replay of the night before, but also inspiration and a hopeful resolve. Over bagels and eggs, I shared my proposed plan with Dawn.
"Ya, that might work. At least we would be surrounded by others. I like that. And I do know someone who could keep an eye out and tell me if they see his name on an inbound flight. We could hand him his jewels and stamps and what not along with a prepaid ticket right back from wherever he flew in from. I think with you there as a witness to the whole thing would temper his response."
Those were two of the longest weeks in my life. Dawn returned to working her normal hours so as not to call any undue attention to herself. Though we waited for a phone call either to the house or to her place of employ, it never came. It seemed as if the fox was just as weary as the hunted were of displaying any hints of impropriety or inquisition because of it. It was a surreal moment in time that I could see was wearing on my new found friend.
Because of the nature of the beast, we had remained a couple. Either I was sleeping at her house or she at mine. I was embarrassed that my place was thread bare in amenities. But Dawn seemed happy to stay with me because it hid her away from that which reminded her of that which had sent the proverbial snowball down the hill and over the bridge --signing the house over to her daughter. Surprisingly, though not purposefully hiding the recent events from Audrey, it had gone unnoticed by her.
The day finally arrived. Dawn had been notified that Max was listed as being on the five-thirty wide body. I had made her breakfast but she hardly touched it. I was thankful it had come to fruition on a weekday. Work had kept her busy. However, even so, the drive to airport had her all twisted in knots, second guessing everything we had planned for about every response, even giving everything back to him, including the money. I let her ramble. She needed to talk it through and work what she could out of her system.
So here we found ourselves standing in the main corridor looking up at the board at arrivals and departures. Max's flight was on time. Due to all the security restrictions, we would be unable to directly watch for Max departing the plane. Dawn had informed me that he always traveled light, only bringing carry-on with him each time. No need to go below to baggage. He'd head straight for the car rental. A Lincoln Navigator had been reserved in his name. They only had the one and it was the same one that skidded to a halt that night on the bridge.
