First Class Farewell Read Online Free Page A

things away, her mind drifted over the past few
years and the happiness she felt.
    Still madly in love with her husband, Janie thanked God
every day for meeting him in the Portland airport all those years ago. Their
life had been blessed with two beautiful and healthy children, a lovely home,
and a comfortable life. She acknowledged her blessings and was grateful for
them.
    As she peeled potatoes for dinner, Janie couldn’t help but
smile. Life was simply marvelous. The telephone rang and interrupted her
thoughts. Wiping her hands on a tea towel, she smiled as she saw her in-law’s
name appear on the Caller I.D.
    “Hello.”
    “Janie?”
    “Oh, Liko. Hello.”
    But as she heard the words come through the phone, the smile
disappeared from her face and she suddenly felt ill.
    “Matt!” she screamed, with her hand covering the phone.
“God, no!” she cried. “Matt!”

3.
Mark & Katy
    Typically, Thursdays were Katy’s favorite day of the week.
Monday was the day Mark spent at the office. Tuesdays and Wednesdays were the
days that Katy volunteered at the women’s shelter. But Thursday was the day
that began the long weekend that she fiercely protected as family time. Whether
it was just her and Mark, or with Derek, or Shelby, or the whole family, Katy
loved the promise of Thursdays and the weekend.
    “You’re married to an old man,” Mark chuckled as he swung
his legs over the side of the bed and sat up. “I sound like a bowl of Rice
Krispies when I move.”
    “I’ll take some snap, crackle and pop,” Katy grinned. “A hot
shower will warm up those joints. I’ll even join you.”
    “Well, that’s an offer I’m not going to refuse,” Mark
replied. “Get your ass out of bed and go and start the water then, woman!”
    Katy threw her head back and laughed loudly. “If you want me
to do your bidding, that’s definitely the wrong way to go about it.”
    Mark grinned. “How about this then? Once the water is warm
and my muscles are loosened, I’ll make you scream with pleasure,” he said with
a low growl.
    “That, my dear husband, will get me out of bed and starting
the shower,” she giggled as she leapt from the bed and ran to the bathroom.
    *****
    Even though they had recently celebrated their eighth
wedding anniversary, Mark and Katy still acted like newlyweds. They held hands
constantly and Mark was not afraid to show public displays of affection with
his wife. They were very much in love and deeply committed to one another and
they still enjoyed spending time together. The day’s itinerary confirmed that
fact.
    After a bowl of cereal and a piece of whole wheat toast,
they loaded a picnic basket into the trunk of their car, strapped their bikes
onto the roof rack and left the city for a bike trail in Connecticut. The drive
took only about an hour and a half and then they had helmets on and they were
off. The morning air was still a tad cool but the exercise put color in their
cheeks as they climbed hills and whizzed down the other side. After a couple of
hours of wondrous fun, they arrived back at the car. With a blanket and their
lunch, under a tall tree made a perfect spot for a cozy picnic.
    Bottles of cold water provided instant relief for their
parched throats and with her legs crossed, Katy proceeded to serve lunch.
Broccoli salad and hummus with pita chips were first out of the basket,
followed by croissants filled with creamy chicken salad. Mark uncorked the
bottle of Pino Grigio and Katy unwrapped the glasses wrapped in linen napkins
for their protection.
    As they ate, they recalled their favorite parts of the trail
they’d just ridden and reviewed the map and decided on the trail they would
take after lunch. They’d picked the hardest one for their first ride and would
take on one not nearly as difficult for their afternoon exercise before heading
back to the city and dinner at The Bourbon.
    “You can go in front this time,” Mark said as he scooped a
blob of the smooth hummus onto a