Today’s work involved a new departure, one that had less to do with excitement than Pamela’s. Pamela is doing well, by the way, touring London often with Lyle by her side. For now I am reserving judgment of the two of them. I left them to their own devices today, however, in favor of a pair who needed me more.
“So I don’t want you calling me until tonight, okay?” Morgan said to Brooke as they walked into the airport.
Brooke was surprised. “What? Why not?”
“Because you’re going to be settling in to your offices and going to meetings about the study and doing all kinds of exciting things,” Morgan said. “I don’t want you to be distracted from doing an amazing job.”
This made Brooke laugh. It was the first time she had since the two of them had left their apartment, though Morgan had done her best to keep their spirits up on the way to the airport. “It’s nice that you’re that confident in me.”
“Of course I am. As your girlfriend I am contractually obligated to assume you’ll kill it at work, just like you’re required to come to my plays and tell me how much I don’t suck in them.” Then she stopped, remembering that Brooke would not be able to come to any plays for some time.
Brooke saw the stricken look on her face and turned to her, pressing her forehead against Morgan’s. “You never suck,” she said. “And I’ve told your buddy Robbie to film every single thing you’re in so I won’t miss a thing. I’ll even be able to watch in real time sometimes.”
Morgan smiled, tears in her eyes. Then she threw her arms around Brooke, and they held one another in the busy lobby.
“I’m scared,” Morgan whispered to Brooke.
“Me, too,” Brooke replied.
Throughout the morning, I had been bolstering them as much as I could, but it was clear now that more was needed. So I closed the two of them in my wings and flooded them with as much warmth and love as I had to give.
“All will be well,” I whispered. “Your bond is strong and true, and the distance will only ensure that you fly back to one another. All will be well.”
It did not wash away their fear entirely; nothing will do that but time. But it brought light to their hearts, so that Morgan could whisper a joke in Brooke’s ear. Their laughter made it bearable to let go of one another.
“So, tonight, then,” Brooke said, catching a glimpse of her team. Her supervisor, Steve, waved to her, but then he noticed Morgan and turned discreetly away. “I’ll call you when I’m settled into my uncomfortable temporary lodgings. I suppose I’m allowed to not love those?”
“Oh, you can be as unhappy as you like in the bed that doesn’t have me in it,” Morgan said playfully, but with some seriousness in her heart. “In fact, I insist on it.”
“I think I can promise that.” She gave Morgan one more kiss, and then took a moment to stare into her eyes.
“Better go,” Morgan said reluctantly, without looking away. “You’ll miss your boarding call.”
Brooke nodded and let Morgan go. “Talk to you tonight.” She turned away and wheeled her luggage a few feet away, then glanced back. “Only sixty-three days until my weekend off!”
Morgan could only smile, holding back tears. She will be counting those days.
As Brooke walked away, however, she found some of her courage again and called out, “So I’d say ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’[1] but I’d hate to be cliché, so…”
Several people laughed, overhearing, and Brooke looked back with a bright smile that Morgan has held in her heart ever since. “But clichés become clichés for a reason, love,” she replied. She blew Morgan a kiss and made herself walk over to join the team.
With a sigh, Morgan turned around and left the airport.
I have checked in with both of them throughout the day. It was harder for Morgan, who had to go about her usual day with the emptiness and quiet left by Brooke’s absence. At least Brooke had work to distract her. As soon as the team landed in Chicago, they were swept away to the university where they would be based, to settle into their housing and offices and make plans for the coming weeks. The work kept her busy until late afternoon, when they were released to get comfortable in their housing.
Flushed with excitement over the study, Brooke returned to her dormitory. She has one room to herself, a large, nicely furnished room that looks out over the lake. Looking out her window and thinking how nice the view was, Brooke closed the door behind her and burst into tears.
Sometimes comfort is less important than letting someone feel their grief. I kept Brooke company for a while, leaving only for a moment to pass a quick message.
Usually, when I speak to my humans, I don’t get an answer, but this time the message did have a reply. Morgan did not need much convincing to believe that Brooke needed to hear from her.
Just as Brooke’s tears were winding down, her phone chimed. She sat up hastily, not wanting Morgan to know about her tears, but it was only a text message. In it was a picture from Morgan, a picture of pigeons taking off from the sidewalk.
Following the picture was another message: If these rats can fly, then you are capable of amazing things. Go spread your wings, love.
Brooke laughed and cried a little bit more. Then she called Morgan, and I stayed with both of them as they talked, settling into their new normal.
It will be a long separation, it’s true, but they have the tools they need. And I will be with them, through and through.
[1] This, of course, is quoted from “Romeo and Juliet”. I have not yet had the opportunity to see the play performed, but I eagerly hope for such a chance.