The Eternal Intern (Contemporary Romantic Comedy) (16 page)

“No, I just got here. So what’s up? You sounded very excited on the phone
,” her eyes were sparkling as if she was expecting great news.

“I got a job
,” I said waving my arms.

“Congratulations
,” her face light up as she hugged and kissed me.

“I will be reading the news for a small radio station. It’s nothing big but I believe it’s good for the future
,” I added.

Her soft and loving face expression made it hard for me to tell her the details. Her eyes were filled with hope.

“The station isn’t located in the area,” I slowly gave her one piece of information after the other.

“That’s cool
,” she responded smiling.

“So you
have to commute every morning?” she asked making it even harder for me.

“No, not exactly
,” I said taking a deep breath sitting down beside her. “It’s in Miami,” I said breathing heavy.

“Oh. I understand
,” her face turned green. She looked out to the river again watching the waves hitting against the wall.

“Loretta, I tried to find a job here
,” I held her lifeless hands, “But I got shit,” I complained.

“When are you leaving?
” she asked passionless still following the water with her eyes.

“I am not sure yet. I still have to organize the visa and the flight. But they want me to start as soon as possible
,” I said leaning into her trying to hug her.

Her stiff body rejected my attempts. At this
moment I knew I lost her again. But this time it was different. I tried everything to stay here but it didn’t work. I truly love her but she would leave me eventually if I would not take extreme measures to change this situation. I’d rather have us part with me giving her the feeling that I am an achiever than her leaving me because I am not able to accomplish anything. If I ever wanted us to be together again this would be my best chance. She will remember me as a winner not a loser. And only winners attract.

“I love you
,” I whispered into her ear.

“Do you? Who do you really love?
” she turned her head throwing an accusing look at me.

“We were happy and you went to Africa. I wasn’t able to take it and left you. But as soon as I saw you again
, I wasn’t able to resist you. Now that we are finally happy again you want to do the same to me?” she shook her head. “Not this time. I won’t let you to this to me again. I do not want to stand in your way. You need to do what you think is best for you and I need to do the same,” she added in disappointment.

I wasn’t able to answer. She was right, absolutely right. My
initial optimism faded. You have to be hard and tough to achieve something in life. But that wasn’t me. As my hand was resting on hers I realized that this could be the last time that I will feel her warmth.

I took a deep breath “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. But if everything goes well you can maybe follow me to the U.S.
,” I suggested.

“Are you crazy?
” she looked at me like I was out of my mind.

“I am happy here. I have my family here. My job. My future
,” she added angrily.

“Well
, I am just saying,” I didn’t know what else to say.

“I have to go now
,” she said pushing my hand away. “Please Pat, be happy,” she added as she got up from the bench, having one last look at the ducks swimming in the river.

As she walked away from me I was hoping for her to turn her head to give me one last look. She was becoming smaller and smaller on the horizon. Her head never turned. That was the last time I saw her.

I kept sitting on the bench. I cannot say for how many hours. As the sun disappeared and darkness fell over the city, I realized I was alone again. I chose this.

T
he weeks passed as I got everything organised for my big move. I left for the airport with my parents feeling that I won’t be back in a long time.

As I entered the termi
nal and found the right check in counter to go to, John and Sarah were standing next to it.

They became a couple after that night at the bar.

Their smile raised my mood as I approached them.

“Surprise
!!!” John said, pressing me against his chest.

“You didn’t think we would let you leave without saying goodbye
did you?” Sarah hugged me.  

“I never expected you here
,” I said touched about this surprise.

“As soon as you have some girls organized over there I’m coming
,” he grinned.

“No you won’t
,” Sarah hit his side with her elbow.

My parents
, John, and Sarah stayed for a little while with me at the airport. The time for me to leave was getting closer.

As I left for Africa
, I knew I would be coming back. Now, I didn’t know when I would be back. The feeling made me sad.

“Take care and call us as soon as you arrive
,” my mom said stroking my arm.

“
Mom. I am old enough. I’ll be OK,” I replied giving her a hug.

“I don’t care. You will always be my baby
.”

“Take it easy
,” my dad added.

“Thanks
, I will,” I responded looking at my parents.

The line at the security check got longer and longer as we were talking.

“I better get going,” I said.

“Take care over there
,” John said.

I regained my confidence and knew that I had a family and friends that loved me. Even though I lost Loretta, my dream girl, I was positive about the future.

As I went through the security check I saw everybody waving at me through the glass window.

I felt sad
, but excited about the next step in my life.

I
always get emotional being at gates waiting to board the plane. Sitting here knowing that I am about to leave this place created a mixture of loneliness and excitement within me. The business man sitting two benches away from me mustn’t have been feeling the same anxiousness as I did. He seemed too occupied reading his files. The kid that was running around the bench where his family sat was exactly opposite to me right now. He seemed enthusiastic about maybe taking the first flight in his life.

I was looking out at the runway. Several planes were being loaded with luggage.

As my eyes were focusing on the different airline names written on the planes, an elderly lady approached me from the side.

“Excuse me Sir. May I sit here?
,” she asked waking me up out of my lethargy.

She was
tapping her open hand on the seat right next to me.

“Sure. Please
,” I responded pulling my body up from the seat to sit straight again.

“Thank you
,” she said sitting down.

“I have to cry
, I am sorry,” she started to break into tears.

“What’s wrong?
” I asked concerned turning my body in her direction.

“My husband just dropped me off. It will be months until I see him again
,” she explained rubbing her index finger under her glasses to wipe the tears away.

“Well
, when you see him again you will appreciate each other more,” I tried to cheer her up.

“I know but I miss him so much
,” she said crying even harder.

S
uddenly my phone rang.

“I’m awfully sorry. I have to take this
,” I explained to the woman.

“Hello?
” I answered walking away from the waiting people at the gate.

“Hi Pat, it’s me
,” the voice replied.

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath as I heard the voice.

“I didn’t expect your call. It’s beautiful to hear your voice Loretta,” I felt the tension about my loss rising again.

“I just wanted to wish you a safe flight
,” her voice was powerless.  

“Thank you
,” I replied quietly sitting down on the floor.

“How are you?
” I added.

“I’m doing fine but I don’t think we should talk too much. I only wanted to wish you a good flight
,” she tried to end the conversation.

“Loretta, be honest. You didn’t call me only for that
,” I told her.

“I don’t know
,” she sounded lost.

“I have to go
,” her voice broke into a cry.

“Loretta
,” I tried to intervene.

“Loretta? Are you still there?”
.

Silence. Nothing. She hung up. I didn’t dare to call her back.

I felt like I have been here before.

TO ALL PASSENGERES FLYING ON MR. 98 TO MIAMI, USA PLEASE PROCEED TO GATE 13. WE ARE STARTING TO BOARD!!!

A true d
éjà-vu
moment.