Summer Seasonings
At
The House of Four Seasons
By Atonia Walpole
Part 4:
The funeral was at 2:00 the next day and when the service was over they walked out to the graveyard for the internment. Toni was beside her Auntie and Max with his brothers behind them.
It was a touching send off for a grand lady. That evening Jack took them out to dinner to a restaurant he’d been told about down in the bar. He decided to be Auntie’s escort for the evening and she was quite taken with him.
“You may have lost a season,” Max whispered in her ear.
Toni smiled, “I may have. He can be very charming.”
“There’s a little problem with the flights,” Max began. “Our flight was to go out tomorrow morning. However, when I booked Auntie’s the only seats were on the eleven fifteen flight and I thought that a bit late for her so I thought I’d change ours so we may fly back with her day after tomorrow.”
“Max, that’s the fifth day.”
“I understand that, Toni, but what would you have me do? We’ll make it love, one way or another. I thought you should know.”
Terry leaned over, “Is there a problem with the flight?”
Max repeated what he’d told Toni.
“Why don’t you take your flight tomorrow? I’ll see her home.”
“Terry, don’t you take any chances.”
“No worries, luv. I’ve no deadline to meet.”
“You’d better clear it with John and Jack,” Max advised.
Toni heard her Auntie’s laughter and smiled over at Jack, who must have told her something very funny.
Later that night Toni was getting some of her packing done and the men were talking.
“What time is the flight?” Jack asked.
“It leaves at 10:20 and arrives at around twelve. I don’t remember the exact time,” Max replied.
“I don’t think so, Terry. You’ll want to see her home. That’s cutting it too close, man.” John shook his head.
“I’ve got all day Friday, right?” Terry looked to Jack.
“Yes, actually you do but should there be a problem anywhere down the line you could be in trouble. As I understand it, these flights do not always take off or land on time.”
“That’s true, Jack. They might even get bumped.”
“Bumped? What is bumped, John?”
“You don’t get on your flight, get put off to the next one.”
“So I need a day. Somebody give me another day.”
“Toni is the only one that can do that, and she might need it herself. What if she gets…bumped?
“We can’t transfer a day?” asked Max. “One of you?”
“Where’s the damn handbook?” John flopped down on the sofa.
“Handbook?” Max turned.
“Yeah, tells you how this magic works. We ought to have one.”
“I’m beginning to agree.” Max sat down beside him.
“Somebody has to leave tonight…right?” Terry asked, looking at Jack.
“I’ll go. I got nothing to do here.” John ran his hand over his face. “I’d rather Jack stay and see everybody gets off.”
“That’s good of you, mate.” Terry turned to him.
“Yeah, that’s me, the good guy. So how do we go about this?”
Jack smiled, “I like the way you figure things out between you. John, you give yours to Toni and she gives it to Terry. That should give you an extra day. Pray you don’t need it.”
Max sighed and closed his eyes. “I’ll be so glad to get home.”
Toni was standing in the doorway to the bedroom. “You’re all so sure this is going to work?”
“It should, my dear. John is going to leave tonight,” Jack answered her.
“Before anybody goes anywhere I want to say how much I appreciate what you’ve done, and the support and love you’ve given me. This has not been an easy time for me.”
“That’s what we’re here for, my pet. If you’re ready, John?”
“Not a moment to lose, right?” John got off the couch, glancing at Jack, who was suppressing a smile and with Terry moved over to Toni. “I love you, babe.” He kissed her and Terry moved her to his lips and collected all the magic there might have been there.
“See ya guys.” John walked out the door.
“Is that magic you’re feeling there, Terry, or something else?” Max asked.
“Oh, it’s magic…um, guess I get a real bed tonight.” He smiled and walked into the bedroom.
“I know you’ll be glad to get her home, Max. Be patient,” Jack advised.
“This is me being patient.” Max got off the sofa and followed Toni into their bedroom.
Jack wandered over to the windows that looked out over the city of Richmond. He felt for Max. This was a week out of his season that he was basically sharing. It had also been a good test to see how they worked together and got along. Max took care of details, Terry took responsibility and John sacrificed for the good of all. What had he done himself except to sit back and observe and advise?
Tomorrow Toni had an appointment with her grandmother’s attorney regarding the will and after that Max and Toni would be taken to the airport and put on a plane for Boston. He would stay with Terry until he was on a plane with Auntie and then his presence would no longer be needed.
As expected, her grandmother’s estate was left in its entirety to Toni. There was no time to go and see the house or to do anything. After leaving the attorney’s office, Terry drove them to the airport. They found it in an uproar. Max went over to talk to a ticket agent and came back with a serious look on his face.
“There was a bomb at Logan. All flights are cancelled.”
“All flights? Can’t we get in somewhere else, Max? Toni wanted to know.
“No, it’s suspected terrorism. We’re grounded.”
“For how long?” Terry asked.
“Until further notice…we’re in trouble.”