A golden sun began to set bringing a close to the last day of summer. Steven and Helen decided that they were not going to waste any of the time that GOD hade given them for their second time around so they spent the day at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. As they drove I-294, they could both see that getting home would take longer than the forty-five minutes it took them to get there. Helen, who hadn't fully recovered from the amputation, sat in the passenger seat and looked at Steven as he drove.
"I love you Steven." Helen said as she reached for his hand.
"I love you too baby."
"I just realized what most people miss in relationships."
"Yeah, what is that?" Steven asked as he turned the radio on.
"People miss the part of dependability."
"Well I think most people know or at least think that they can depend
on the person that is in their lives."
"That is not what I mean."
"Well what are you talking about?" Steven asked as he rubbed his
wife's leg.
"What I mean is I know that I can depend on you for the one most
important thing that we will ever need in life. That is to love me.
Steven," Helen said as she reached over to kiss him on his cheek, "I can
depend on you to love me for the rest of my life."
"You sure can. And after you're dead and gone, you can count on me
to remarry," Steven said as they both laughed.
"Remarry? You won't be able to move when I'm gone."
"Baby, when you leave this world, there really won't be much more
worth living for."
"Thank you baby."
"Truly, I have received love from you that has given more to me than I
have ever given to anyone in life. I thank you for loving me all these
years."
Steven and Helen road in verbal silence as they listened to the Charlie
Parker and Miles Davis CD, that began their life together.
Allen arrived at LAX close to 8:00 pm to a surprise gathering of the
fellas as well as Cupid and Charles' significant others in tow. Allen
looked in disbelief as he saw the unthinkable. His boys with women and
smiles! Allen walked toward the fellas, who were standing near the
baggage claim and opened his arms. First, to Charles and Cupid, then to
Calorie, Walter and finally Gigolo. Charles and Cupid introduced Allen to
their ladies who gave him a welcome hug.
"Man it's good to see you guys," Allen said as he reached for his
luggage that was circling on the carousel in baggage claim.
"It's good to see you too," Charles said as the rest of the fellas agreed.
"It's a little better for some of us than others," Gigolo said recalling the
time he had missed spending with Allen.
"I missed you too dog. I just needed a little understanding from you."
Allen said as he embraced his friend again.
"I understand my brotha. I understand," Gigolo said as he and Allen
remove themselves from one another's bosom.