Chapter Fifty: Exit to France:

At four in the morning, I sat waiting in Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. I looked at my watch. She should by coming here in two hours. One of my realtor friends will be showing a potential renter of my apartment at ten o’clock today. I already had breakfast this morning and most my things are being shipped to France before I am. Only thing missing was her.

I happened to look up beside me and see an old man sitting next to me. I gave him a small wave when he turned and saw me.

“Yo,” I muttered.

“Where are you headed, son?” he asked.

“France,” I replied. The old man nodded as if he was impressed.

“Nice,” he said.

“You can say that,” I said, “Where are you going?”

“Nowhere, really,” the old man said, “I just come and go as I please.” I nodded as that statement brought back so many memories.

“Lucky,” I muttered. The old man took a sip of his beer and shook his head.

“Naw, it’s too tiring,” he said. I made an odd face at him.

“What do you mean?” I asked. He set the half-empty bottle down at his feet.

“You have to keep moving,” he pointed out, “I’m too old for that now. I just want to settle down and rest my bones, you know?”

“I suppose,” I said. The airport around us slowly came to life for the morning. The employee all walked around to their work stations to begin. One of them pushed a cart of luggage by us.

“Say,” the old man said, “What are you headed to France for?” I gave him a small smile.

“My publishing company is shipping me out there for two years,” I replied.

“You’re a writer?” he asked. I pressed my lips together and nodded.

“You can say that,” I muttered.

“What do you write?” the old man asked, “Non-fiction? Fiction? Historical?” I frowned at him before I came out and said it.

“Promise you won’t get offended?” I asked.

“Now, how can I promise something like that if I don’t know what it is?” he asked, “You could give me you answer and I would get offend anyway and break my promise.” I sat back nodding.

“Good point,” I remarked, “Fair enough. I write porn.” The old man let off a low whistle.

“Dirty stories?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. He snickered as he smiled at my answer.

“Well now,” he said little a mischievous schoolboy. I gave him a rather funny look on my face.

“I thought you were too old for anything,” I said. That old man smirked at me.

“Hey, I said I was old, not dead,” he corrected. I sat there and put up my hands, silent. By this time, more people started to show up in the airport. I searched among them for her. I hope she can get here just fine. I gave her the right directions and I doubt that she would get cold feet. She would’ve called ahead of time if she did. Nah, I think she’s fine. I just need to give her a little more time.

“So tell me,” the old man said, interrupting my thoughts. I looked to see him staring intently at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Who are you going to France with or are you alone on this trip?” he asked.

“Actually, I’m meeting with someone who is supposed to go with me,” I said.

“May I ask who?” the old man asked, “I’m sorry if I come off being too nosy.” I waved him off.

“No, no,” I said, “You’re fine. I’m meeting with a lady friend. So should be here in a couple of moments.”

“She your girlfriend?” he asked.

“Nothing like that,” I said, “She’s too young for me.” Suddenly, I noticed the old man looking ahead of us and pointing.

“Is that her?” he asked, “She looks really pretty.” I looked up to see Bekkah hurrying to my direction with her pink suitcase. I rose to my feet to greet her.

“Bekkah!” I called to get her attention, “You made it!”

“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said as she hugged me, “It’s so hard to get a taxi this early in the morning.”

“That’s okay,” I told her. I happened to glance behind me to see the old man giving me the thumbs-up. I rolled my eyes and let go of Bekkah.

“Ready to go?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said. I took her by the hand and led her to plane as out flight was being called. A security guard stopped and searched us before we boarded.

“What is your relation to this man?” she asked Bekkah.

“I am his niece,” she answered as I taught her to. The guard raised an eyebrow at her as she frowned.

“Is that right?” she asked, “We have had quite a few problems with human trafficking of young girls overseas.” I began to worry when Bekkah frowned back at her. I feared that someone along the way would get the wrong idea about us leaving the country like this.

“Listen here,” she said in a shock tone, “My uncle took me in when my parents died in Katrina! I may have been stupid enough to run away from home and move in with a lowlife boyfriend, but I’ve learned my lesson now. At least my uncle is giving me a chance to start over my life on this trip! I find it very rude you accuse him of such filth. My boyfriend made me work in a strip club, so I’ve seen scumbag and my uncle is not one of them!” The security guard put up her hands.

“Okay,” she said, “I’m sorry to bother you.” Bekkah put her hands on her hips as the security guard moved onto the next passenger behind us.

“You okay?” I whispered in my ward’s ear. Bekkah turned around with a huge smile on her face.

“I’m fine,” she said, “Let’s get going.” It took me a while to piece together the scene that unfolded before. However, I brushed it away and nodded.

“Yeah,” I said. Bekkah was the first to enter plane. I followed behind with a slight smile on my face. I think I’m going to enjoy these next two years with her. Hell, many more if things turn out like they are supposed to.

La Fin