Page 37 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“No problem. Not like he’s nineteen or something. You should send me his picture,” she suggested.

“I don’t have one,” I replied. I didn’t even have one of Orion.

“Damn. Can you get me one?” she asked.

“And how am I going to do that? Just walk up and say, ‘Hey Mayson, can I take your picture and send it to my friend who wants to know if you’re hot or not’? Because I think that would be...awkward.” I stated.

“I’d do it for you if you asked me to,” she replied.

“There’s not much you won’t do. But if the opportunity arises, then I will take a photo and send it to you. Is that good enough?” I sure in hell hoped so, because I wasn’t about to seek him out just for her.

“Guess it’s going to have to be. But remember, I have been watching your son for you. Not that I’m trying to guilt you into anything, but just stating a fact,” she said in a teasing tone.

“Fine. I promise that next time I see him, I will get a picture. But none of that matters unless you’re really going to come to Tabiq to visit me,” I reminded her.

“Well, if Mayson is hot, then maybe I will be more motivated to take that long-ass flight,” she giggled. “Hey, his show is almost over. I better go and start those cookies just in case he needs them. Do you want me to call you back once he goes to bed?”

“No. I will be at work. Kathy, thanks again for everything. I never could’ve done this without you.”

“Yeah. I know. You owe me. So, if Mayson doesn’t work out, you’ll just have to keep looking,” she joked.

I laughed. “Finding you a man could be a full-time job. Hope it pays well.”

“Sorry. You’re going to have to do it pro bono,” she laughed and ended the call.

Now neither of them wanted to talk to me. That’s fine. I had no problem going to work early. I just needed to let the reception desk know and they would have a ride waiting for me. After a quick call, they said it would be ready in five minutes. Talk about service. Did New Hope cater to all their guests like this or just the ones that the President was footing the bill for? It really didn’t matter because shortly I would have my own place and if I was lucky, I’d have my own transportation as well.

That gave me something else to work on besides spending my time daydreaming about Orion.

When I got outside, the black SUV drove up to the door and I climbed in the back seat. Surprisingly, it was Bennett in the driver’s seat.

“Good morning Ms. Davison. You’re up early,” he said.

“Please, call me Raya. And yes, I am. I was on the phone with my son.”

“How is he?” Bennett asked.

Funny, he didn’t sound shocked that I had one. Since he was head of security, he probably knew more about me than I wanted him to.

“He’s doing good. Not missing me as much as I’d like him to,” I admitted.

He laughed. “They never do. Zoey and I have two teenagers. Pearl is about sixteen. All she does now is talk on the phone to her friends. And our son Simon is almost fourteen. Not being with his friends is torture. Or so he makes it sound like it. I think it is harder on Zoey with me gone, then on the kids.”

“So, it’s not just me?” I asked.

“Not at all.”

I knew that, but it still felt good to hear it.

“I found a place for us. It won’t be long before Joey joins me. Just not sure about him flying here all on his own. I mean, he just turned ten. It’s a long flight and he’d need to change planes. Maybe I should ask for a few days off to go and get him myself,” I said, thinking out loud rather than actually talking to Bennett.

“Zoey and the kids are coming to Tabiq in a few days. Joey would be welcome to travel with them if you’d like.”

“That is so kind of you, but I don’t want your wife to have to keep track of him for me. They have people on the planes who do that I think,” I said, unsure as we had never traveled apart.

“It would not be an issue. It’s actually probably going to be easier for Joey to fly private than on a commercial flight. And he could hang out with my kids. They just play games or sleep the entire way.”

“They don’t fly commercial? Because no way can I afford first class, never mind private,” I explained to him.

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