Monday 2nd February 2009 started like every other day @ Chez WBG’s – waking up (always a good start!), breakfast – the early morning affectionate chat, typically 0600 and beyond, a time of the day when we were close – we enjoyed each others company as we drank our tea / coffee, talked about the day ahead, plans for ‘tomorrow’ and all the other issues that a couple, in love, talk about. All too soon it was time for WBG to go to work – it was a sad event, one amongst many that day (and the next), when I shooed WBG away from the house, off the porch and to her car. Of course there were kisses, hugs and cuddles (as every day be it going to work or returning home), WBG drove away and I was able to, sadly, continue with my packing, tidying and preparing dinner (though, actually, we were to finish off leftovers from yesterday). In the early evening WBG returned, her work completed, we ate, loaded the car and, from my point of view, had a last look at Chez WBG, under the stars, before we set off for the long journey to Dallas. It was time to say goodbye.
We drove for the first few miles with little being said – we were both deep in our own sad thoughts. I knew that I was in love with WBG and I knew that she was in love with me. We both knew that, ahead of us, there was a long period of uncertainty, with our personal, domestic, arrangements to which we had to attend and, already, we were identifying dates for my return. We soon hit the main highway / freeway (whatever) – luckily I was able to read the map and the miles disappeared behind us. We had agreed that we would stay at the Marriott Hotel, in Bedford, the same as we had done when I first arrived (so long ago). We expected to arrive by 2300 or so but our actual arrival was later than that – maybe midnight before we arrived. We checked in and it wasn’t long before we were in bed, in each others arms and …. soon it was light outside / morning. In slow time we were up and about, taking advantage of the free coffee, packing everything away, a sense of deep sadness upon us both – through we tried not to show it.
Departure from Dallas Fort Worth was approx. 1800 and I had to check in at least two hours earlier. The day was bright, the sun was shining, the air was warm and we were ready for checking out. With hours to spare we had decided to go to the movies
– a local cinema only charged $0.50 today (Tuesday) and we aimed to go see the latest James Bond movie. We were hungry and, prior to the movie commencing, decided that we would get something to eat – Denny’s of course! Searching on the hotels public use PC we identified the nearest Denny’s when, we discovered, last minute surprise, the standard, all day breakfast was available for free!! Burning rubber we arrived at Denny’s (Airport Freeway) …. and joined the queue.
The waiting time was about 45 minutes we were told and in fact that’s what it took. In the meantime we sat outside, in the sun, directly under the flight path of aircraft coming in to Dallas Fort Worth – we didn’t say anything – we didn’t need to – we both felt that our minutes together were ticking away. With brave faces we ate our meal, served by a pleasant woman who identified that I was from England – she struggled with my (gruff, manly, Yorkshire) accent and told me that I was a mess – OK – it’s not the first time! With 
bulging stomachs we departed and made our way to the airport car park. WBG didn’t have any problems parking, I recovered my case etc and we, trying to remain positive, walked over to the airport check in. This was quickly completed and then we were counting down the last minutes (quite a few of them actually). So, what did we do? Well, we walked from one end of the airport to the other and then back again finally deciding to sit down, coincidentally outside the reception gates (from where I had arrived all those weeks ago). We watched others arriving and smiled when we saw passengers arriving, probably from (the frozen) UK, wearing heavy coats, maybe a scarf and quickly removing these as they were met by the warm Texan air. Inevitably our time was drawing to a close and with heavy hearts we stood up and made ready to separate but not before asking another passenger to take our photograph – I treasure the photograph. It was time to say our final goodbye (until my subsequent return).
Standing outside the security barrier we turned to face each other and, the same as when we had first met, our arms went round each other, we looked at each other and, as now, our eyes filled with tears. WBG placed her head on my shoulder and I could feel, nay, I shared the anguish that we both felt. 
Nothing was said and, eventually, we had to look at each other – red, swollen eyes, tears down cheeks – faces a mess! We said, what lovers throughout time had said, we promised to write, Skype and more (and we have kept to this – email / Skype / telephone calls every single day since that day). With a final, sob, hands through hair, a re-assuring hug, cuddle and a kiss, a deep, affectionate, loving, sincere – what else might I add kiss? We, sadly, separated and I had to face the walk to the security gates – at all times, as I was ‘processed’, WBG & I looked at each other, a wave, throwing a kiss, our sense of anguish becoming more pronounced as the distance between us increased. My heart was thumping and I so wanted to stay or even jump over the barriers and drag WBG away with me. Alas, this was not to be. The airport security staff were very good – I am sure that they often see this and I was not hurried or put under pressure but, sadly, the moment came when, with a last, longing, loving look, a re-assuring wave, blowing a kiss, our eyes filling …. we were apart and out of sight. I really felt for WBG who, in a highly emotional state, had a long drive back to an empty house – how I wish I could have been there to meet her as was the usual. enjoyable, routine
From then on it was a sad walk to the departure gate where we, other UK bound passengers, sat and watched the clock until we were called forward and processed through the gate to the 777. I was on my way back to stress, vindictive people, a messed up house, messed up ex-wife and messed up daughter. It was with abject self pity that I made my way on to the ‘plane. A last look backward in the vain hope that I would see WBG and I was shown to my seat. I was leaving my gorgeous, darling, caring, sensitive and loving WBG.
Arriving at my seat, I sat down, closed my eyes and, silently, wept.
[Footnote: Yesterday, when this blog post was published I had the music / playlist automatically play one of our favourite songs - ‘Time to say Goodbye’. Today, Wednesday, I have disabled the automatic playing of this song – do feel free to click on the title (or any other music that I subsequently add – Peace.]
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