It was Christmas Eve. Fog stuck to the tarmac at Lindbergh Field. Annie sat there on the white snow, on her knees with her hands in her pockets. She was shaking as she stared blankly at the ground in front of her. There was nothing else fro her to do. Maybe she'd just sit there forever.
It was a day and seven hours ago that she was in her mom's cozy living room surrounded by all of her little nieces and nephews putting ornaments on the Christmas tree. The adults were drinking red wine and hardily laughing while the kids sipped hot coca. Everything was just as it should be. Probably every other family in The Mountain Estates was doing the exact same thing. Everything was okay.
In the midst of all the cheery conversing, Annie slipped into the kitchen, opened her laptop and called Chris on Skype. When she saw his face appear on the screen as he answered her call all the way in Iraq, she let out a deep breath and smiled. "My girl gets even more beautiful everyday." They talked about their days just like any other married couple would and explained to each other the highs and lows. Annie reached out and touched the screen wishing she could kiss the handsome face in front of her. Everything was okay
"Baby I have to go and I wont be able to call you tomorrow." It was okay though. She knew the she would be able to talk to him the next day. Maybe not in person but as long as she could see his face, she knew everything was okay. "Before I go I have one more thing to tell you. Tomorrow I can't Skype but is it okay if I just hug and kiss you instead?"
For a minute she didn't know what he was telling her. But her eyes lit up just like the Christmas tree would and she screamed as she realized what he was saying.
"Chris is coming home!" She snatched up the laptop and ran to the living room. Annie announced to everyone, "Chris is coming home for Christmas!" The family cheered and raised their glasses. Everything was more than okay, it was perfect.
It was Christmas Eve and Annie got up really early to get ready so she would look perfect for Chris. She waved through the frost covered window of her jeep to her family. She then drove off through the thin layer of snow. Annie was headed to the airport and listening to Christmas music. Everything was okay.
But now, it was dark out. It was Christmas Eve. Fog stuck to the tarmac on Lindbergh Field. Annie was still sitting there hours later because Chris' flight never landed. Chris was not there. Nothing was okay.
P.S. I agree with her, I wrote about death in my short story.
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