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Dominic
Ihad so many things swirling through my head as Karen and I made our way home. But we were both exhausted and just pulled our tired bodies from plane, to business class lounge, to plane. We didn't watch any movies; we didn't listen to any music. We just crashed and crashed hard.
Karen was a trooper, but I could see the dark color under her eyes, and I knew that she just needed rest. I must have looked pretty much the same, so I was glad that we had booked first class, non-stop seats between Dubai and Boston. Fourteen hours of pure sleep if you take out the slight interruptions for in-flight service. But we didn't even have the energy to celebrate or discuss much about the past week. I knew we would regroup after the weekend and if she wanted a few extra days off, she was welcome to it. She knew the drill, and she made sure to take care of herself. Our clinic was built on amazing professionals like her, and it made me so proud.
As our descent into Boston was announced, we were stirred from our sleep to prepare for landing.
"Did you sleep?" I asked Karen.
"Yeah, pretty well, actually. You?"
"Yeah. It was great."
"Thank you for booking these seats. The privacy and the ability to totally stretch out was a godsend. I think it was more comfortable than the beds we slept on in the hospital all week."
"Definitely was more comfortable than those beds," I chuckled.
"It sure is going to be great to be back."
"Yes, I can't wait. Do you have family coming to pick you up at the airport?"
"Yes, they should be there. I texted them before we left Dubai, so at least they know I'm on this flight."
"Were they worried about not hearing from you?"
"A little. I mean, they know what it's like when I go away on these things. But with a location like Somalia, they knew there was more at stake."
I looked down at my wrist where the scarf was still securely tied. I lifted it up.
"What do you think of this?"
She shook her head. "I honestly don't know what to make of it, but if it was our lucky charm and our protector, I'll take it."
"Yeah," I said, rotating my wrist. "It's just another world out there, isn't it?"
"Sure it. I'm glad to be back to my little, normal, boring life in Boston," she laughed.
"Oh, I wouldn't call your life boring, but I definitely know what you mean. Sometimes it's great to be boring." We both laughed.
"And Karen," I started, as she turned to face me. "I want to thank you for accompanying me on this mission. I can't think of a better person to have by my side."
"You're welcome. It was an honor, seriously. To see the difference we can make, well, it's just awe-inspiring."
I nodded. "I hope you will accept a bonus in your paycheck this week from me personally. I'm just so grateful."
She laughed. "I won't say no! Thank you, Dom. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome."
And as we landed, I also thought of another person that I'd like by my side. If she would have me back.
After clearing customs and grabbing our bags, I said goodbye to Karen as she greeted her family. Seeing them altogether and so happy to have her back was so heartwarming. Those are the kinds of people I wanted in my life.
I sighed. It was almost 9pm. Time for me to call a car to take me to my place and grab some more sleep.
"Hey! Bastard!" I turned around and there was Hugo, Austin, Seth, and Logan.
"Hey! Bastards!" Instead of the bro-hugs we gave each other, each of them gave me a full, tight hug. I could tell from their few words that they were happy to see me, but couldn't quite say it.
