Chapter 98
I drove downtown as the sun began to peek through the dark blue sky, bringing on the day. Soon, I pulled to a stop in front of my office. I left my suitcase in the car and took my briefcase with me. My watch said it was eight o'clock, so Abigail, my secretary, should be in.
I walked in, and Abigail was sitting at her desk. Her dark brown hair was pulled up into a chic ponytail and she wore a business suit. My secretary before had retired and I had hired Abigail to replace her a few years ago. Then, she had just graduated from college and I wanted to help her out. Over the years, she looked at me with interest upon occasion, but I had never responded. After a while, she gave up and things were strictly professional between us. But I considered her a friend as well as a colleague, even though we never spoke personally.
"Abigail, I need you to cancel my appointments," I said as I walked past her to my office, and she followed. This was our usual morning routine. "I'll be gone for a few days, so cancel all of my appointments until Tuesday and then take today off." Then, I realized that it was the day after Thanksgiving as my eyebrows pulled together in concern. "What are you doing here, by the way?"
Her eyes flew open wide as she stopped writing on the legal pad in her hand. "What do you mean, sir?"
I let out a deep breath. "It's the day after Thanksgiving! You should be home with your family."
She suppressed a smile. "Well, I knew you would be here. And when the boss works, so do I."
I laughed. "No wonder you're such a good secretary," I teased. "Do this for me, and then don't come back to the office until Tuesday morning. Agreed?"
She smiled. "Agreed."
I explained a few other important things to her, and then looked at my watch. "I don't have much time, but if you need me, you have my cell phone number."
She laughed. "Sir, if you don't mind me saying this, I hope you're planning to relax while you're away. There will be time to save the city when you return."
I laughed at her boldness, but ignored her suggestion and went on to the business at hand. After we squared away some last minute details, I hurried out the door to my car, and within minutes, I was at LaGuardia Airport. I checked in and gave my suitcase to the attendant, and then hurried to the gate.
"Now boarding flight 727 for Nashville at Gate 17," the attendant called out over the loudspeaker.
I waited and then handed my ticket to the attendant, who tore it off and gave me back the stub.
My heart pounded within my chest as I rushed down the jetway to the plane and settled into first class, knowing I was one step closer to seeing Alyssa again.
***
The plane took off promptly at twelve noon and landed on time at Nashville International Airport at one-thirty in the afternoon. As I departed the plane, I found it exhilarating to be back in Nashville again.
After renting a car, I slid my suitcase into the trunk, suddenly in a hurry to become acquainted with my old stomping grounds again. Since Alyssa's death, I hadn't been able to bring myself to come back to Nashville, even to visit. But now that she was alive I just hoped that it was her that I saw and not just someone who looked like her, but I refused to think of that. For the first time in years, I finally had hope and I wasn't ready to let go of it yet.
Almost of its own accord, my car drove past Sommerset Apartments. It seemed like a lifetime ago when I had been there last, and, in a way, it was. One thing was certain, I was another person when I lived there. More carefree. Now, I often felt stifled, somehow, even though I had done a lot of good in my years in politics. So far, the progress and my contributions had been limited, but I looked forward to doing more. But, now that I may have found Alyssa, that, too, might change.
A mixture of anger and elation filled my heart as I drove past first my old apartment that I had shared with my friends, and then, almost on its own accord, my car drove past Alyssa's old apartment. In my mind's eye, I could see Alyssa's VW Bug parked in front. On a whim, I stopped in front of her old apartment. Of course, she probably didn't still live there, but it was the best and most obvious place to start.
I stopped and walked up the stairs of her apartment as shivers ran over my body. So many memories flooded into my mind that they were almost an assault. Knocking on the door, I felt overwhelmed as I waited. No one came. I knocked again and my heart beat within my chest as I heard light footsteps approach on the other side.
When the door opened, my breath caught when I took in the blonde-streaked hair of the young woman while her head was down, reminding me so much of Alyssa that it was staggering. But when she looked up, my heart sank.
"May I help you, sir?" the young woman asked as she looked up from her book.
I shook my head as I took a step back. "I used to live in these apartments years ago, and a friend of mine lived here. I was hoping that she still did."
The woman smiled as she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but she doesn't. I moved in two years ago."
I nodded. "Thank you," I said, as I stepped away. "I'm sorry to have taken up your time."
She smiled. "No. Not at all. Think nothing of it." As she was about to close the door, she added, "Oh! And I hope you find your friend!"
I forced a smile. "Thank you."
I regained my composure as I stepped down the sidewalk toward my car. As I slid into the driver's seat, I wondered if I would find her. But I was beginning to see that finding her would be much like finding a needle in a haystack.
