Part 611
Dark silence filled the house as Sarah slept peacefully on Becca’s couch. She had been so tired that she hadn’t heard Becca and the children leave but now her dreams began to take control. Thoughts of being in Howie’s arms were invaded by memories of the previous Halloween scaring her awake.
As if stuck with a pin, Sarah sat bolt upright, sweat dripping from her face. Looking around in confusion, she tried to figure out where she was only to be startled once again by the ringing of her cell phone.
“God, I hate that,” she mumbled as she looked the caller ID….Howard Dorough. Answering, she said, “How do you do that?”
“Do what, ‘Angel’?” he asked with a laugh.
“Always know when I need you the most.”
“Magic." He could hear the fear in her voice and was a little concerned but he hoped he had hidden it from her. "What’s wrong?”
“I just had a dream about last Halloween.”
“Where are you?”
“At Becca’s. She took the kids Trick or Treating so I could take a nap.”
“’Angel’, are you doing too much?”
“No…I just haven’t been able to sleep,” she said softly. “Please tell me you’ll be home tonight.”
“I’m on my way, ‘Angel’,” he said lovingly. “I should be able to make it by the end of the party at the center. That’s why I called. You’ll be in my arms tonight.”
Sarah sighed as the front door closed. “They’re back, ‘D’. I’ll see you soon.”
“I love you, ‘Angel’.”
“I love you too, ‘D’….VERY much.”
Hanging up, Howie looked at Kevin, “It’s all set.”
“Cool. We’ll be at the Center before she gets there and you can surprise her.”
Howie grabbed his carry-on bag and followed the other four to the plane. He was just as anxious to get home to his family as Sarah was to have him home because he’d missed her more than he’d ever imagined possible. Each night that he had talked to her, he’d had to fight with all his will to keep her from hearing the tears in his voice as he tried to soothe her tears. In just over an hour, he’d be home and he’d be able to feel her body against his.