Gunner
I heard Dad on the phone as I walked to the kitchen. He was talking to someone in a hushed voice, and jumped when he saw me.
“I’ll have to call you back.”
He hung up. “Morning, son.”
“Good morning… Who were you talking to?”
“A new person we hired for the company.”
“Then why did you jump and hang up?”
“No reason.”
I squinted my eyes. “Mhm.”
He scoffed. “Go get your bags, we have to leave soon.”
I sat them by the front door and drank some coffee. My head was swirling in sadness and confusion.
A knock came to the door, and I rushed to answer it. Desiderio greeted me with a smile.
“Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” Dad answered, “Thanks for taking us.”
He grabbed my bags and we walked to his car. We placed them in the trunk and made our way to the airport.
He walked us to our gate and stayed until we were called to board. We stood and looked at each other briefly before collapsing into each other’s embrace.
We stood there until Dad patted my shoulder.
“We have to board, son. Say your good-bye and meet me at the counter.”
Our eyes filled with tears as we did.
“I’ll never forget you, Desiderio.”
“I’ll never forget you, Gunner. As sure as the sun rises with each new day, my love for you will never fade.”
We shared one final kiss before I grabbed my bag.
“I love you, Desiderio.”
“I love you, Gunner.”
I waved as I walked to the counter. The woman smiled as I gave her my ticket and headed down the tube.
We got seated, and I looked out the window, hoping to see him one last time.
“It’ll be okay, Gunner.” Dad tried to cheer me up.
“I’m never going to forget him.” I whimpered.
After the announcements, the captains drove to the runway. Before I was ready, we sped off and flew into the clouds. Once there, I lowly sobbed.
Everything in me was aching, and nothing could ease the pain.
“I will always love you, my Sol de Havana.”