Chapter Thirty-Two Judy
Chapter Thirty-Two
Judy
I find a pay phone and call the number that I know by heart.
I don’t worry about the party line. If Henry’s work schedule is the same as it’s always been, he won’t be home to listen in.
A man answers. Richard.
“Richard! It’s Judy Goodman.”
I never did change my last name back to my maiden one. I’ll be a Clayton soon enough.
“Judy!” he says. Richard has been a great conspirator in our plan to get me out of Henry’s clutches. I don’t know him well, but I appreciate him more than I can say.
“Is Ronelle at home? I don’t have much time and need to speak with her.”
“I’m sorry, Judy. She’s at the grocery store. Would you like for me to pass on a message?”
“Yes. Please tell her that I’m going to be at the Baltimore airport for an hour-and-a-half layover before flying on to Philadelphia. We’ll land at seven this evening. I know that’s a huge inconvenience, especially in her condition. But I wanted her to know I’d be so close. In case there is any way she’d want to come for a visit.”
Richard laughs. “I know my wife, Judy. Wild horses couldn’t keep her away. And she is the most can-do pregnant lady I’ve ever known. Tell me your flight information, and I’ll write everything down and pass it along to her. No promises. But I’m sure she’ll want to.”
“Tell her not to come if the roads are slick, though. I heard there might be some rain.”
“Just a sprinkle. And we need it.”
“Thank you. Thank you for everything, Richard.” I’m sure he knows what I mean.
“Judy,” he adds, “you did a good thing leaving.”
“I know.”
Beverly and I borrow uniforms from the office at San Juan, knowing that there are always some stashed for emergencies. Mine is a little loose, and Beverly’s is a little snug, but we both pass inspection. I turn in the mirror. It feels good to be back in a Pan Am uniform after all these months away. Better than good.
“Are you going to miss this?” Beverly asks me as we comb our hair.
“Yes and no. I’m looking forward to married life. Good married life. But I’ll miss the adventure.”
“I’m sure Joe will give you plenty of adventure.”
“I do hope you mean that in the travel sense, Beverly.”
She doubles over and laughs. “I did , but you came up with that one all on your own. I’m proud of you, Judy. My work is done here.”
I feel myself blushing. “Yes. Travel-wise , I’m sure that with Joe’s continued employment at Pan Am, we will have all the perks of travel.”
She rolls her eyes at me. I guess I’ve rubbed off on her too. “You’re no fun.”
“I am who I am.”
“And I love you for it.”
The flight is uneventful save for some turbulence upon landing. We can see storm clouds in the distance, and I find myself hoping that Ronelle stayed at home after all. This will be more than a sprinkle.
But I’m wrong.
“Ju-deeee!” I hear as I step into the terminal.
“Ronelle!” I run into the arms of my friend. Her bump is noticeable, but not yet large enough to triangulate our embrace. I hold on to her, me clutching her sweater, and her clutching my blazer as we stand like crying fools, passengers scattering around us.
“I’ve missed you,” I say without pulling away.
“I have every one of your postcards hanging up.” Ronelle steps back but keeps her hands on my shoulders. “At first, I taped them to the refrigerator, but I ran out of room. So now I string them up and hang them in my living room.”
“Richard doesn’t mind?”
“I think Richard loves them even more than I do, if that’s possible.” She laughs. “Every time one arrives, he pulls out the encyclopedia and reads all about the place. And then he makes notes in the book with a pencil about where he wants to take me.”
“Aw, that’s sweet.”
A voice comes over the loudspeaker.
“Paging Miss Goodman. Miss Judy Goodman. Please come to a service counter.”
Beverly walks up just then. “What’s that about?”
“I don’t know. I’ll go see.”
“Hi, I’m Beverly,” I hear her say to Ronelle as I walk away. I like the idea of them knowing each other.
I approach the counter. “I’m Judy Goodman.”
“There’s a call for you, Miss Goodman. Here you go.”
I pick up the receiver.
The caller is breathless. “Judy,” he huffs. “It’s Richard. I had to warn you. But since Ronelle had the car, I couldn’t go myself.”
“Warn me about what, Richard?”
“Henry knows. Henry knows where you are. And he’s heading your way.”
“What? How?”
“After Ronelle left, he rang my doorbell. He had a friend over whose car wouldn’t start, and he needed to borrow some jumper cables. He followed me to the garage. And he saw the note. Ronelle had dropped it when she was getting into the car. He saw your name on it. And your flight information. And he ran for his car and took off. I’d bet anything he’s heading to Baltimore.”
“When was this?”
“Forty minutes ago. It took me that long to get through to the airport. And the way he was screeching out of here, he’ll make good time.”
I don’t know what to say. I feel dizzy. I do not want to see Henry. But what can he do? We’re here at an airport with people everywhere. I have to be rational about this.
“Judy?” says Richard.
“I’m here.”
“Be careful. That man was angry.”