Page 70

“I know, but it’s only temporary. We’ll be back together again soon.”

She sniffled. “Okay.”

Lifting her chin to meet my eyes, I said, “P.S. I love you.”

She could tell from my expression that there was more to that sentiment than just me stating the obvious.

“A Beatles song?”

“Yes. But that one really matches this life moment, probably more than any of them.”

“I love you, Carter.”

“I love you, Perky. Promise me we’ll talk on the phone and figure out when we’ll be back together next.”

“I promise.”

“I’m gonna be thinking about you the whole flight. You know that, right?”

She playfully grabbed my collar. “You’d better be.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“Sing a song for me, Captain.”

“You can guarantee that.” I hugged her one last time, squeezing her tightly. “Fuck. I can’t let go.”

She pushed back and wiped her eyes before waving me away. “Go. You’ll be late.”

I started on my way through security. When I turned around, she was still standing in the same spot watching me. I blew her a kiss before continuing down the hall. Right before I was about to turn the corner, I turned back one last time, but she was gone.

When the jet hit cruising altitude that night, I saw something I’d never seen while flying before: a shooting star. I took it as a sign that things were going to work out.

Don’t let me down, Perky.

I picked up the intercom.

“Good evening, Ladies and Gentleman. This is your Supreme Commander, otherwise known as Captain Clynes. I’d like to take a moment to welcome you onto this beautiful Boeing 757. Our flying time from Miami to Caracas is approximately three hours and thirty minutes. We anticipate a smooth ride with little to no bumps. So, sit back and relax. Again, welcome aboard International Airlines Flight 553 to Caracas, Venezuela. As I often like to do to welcome my passengers aboard, here’s a little rendition of a Beatles song that’s fitting for tonight—fitting because I’ve entrusted my heart to someone whom I left back at the airport. She’s taking it with her to Texas. I’m sure some of you can relate to this feeling. So, the song for tonight is called, Don’t Let Me Down.”

MY MOTHER REEKED of alcohol as she spoke into my face, “You can’t be serious!”

I’d made the mistake of filling her in on my trip to prepare her for the possibility that nothing would be going according to plan anymore. My mother had always strongly encouraged me to go ahead with the insemination in Germany, mostly for her own selfish reasons.

“I normally wouldn’t be telling you any of this, especially not when you’re half-drunk, but given the circumstances, you need to know where my head is at and that the Germany plans may not happen.”

“And what are those poor guys supposed to do now that you’ve changed your mind?”

“I haven’t closed the door one hundred percent, but I never promised them anything. I haven’t even met them in person, and I’m not the last woman on Earth with a womb. They would find another way.”

“Yeah, well, you’re gonna lose them as an option if you keep stringing them along.”

“Do you think I don’t know that? I spoke to them this morning and told them I would let them know my decision no later than next week.”

“You’re gonna end up with no one, and we’re gonna end up destitute!”

My blood was boiling. “Is that all you care about?”

My mother pointed her finger at me. “I shouldn’t have to worry about what I’m entitled to. Your whacky grandfather put us in this position—not me.”