CHASING LIFE (27 page)

Chapter
30

The peace Dave felt still lingered in his heart. The lightness in his chest made it easier to breathe. Leaving Paris was like leaving an intense relationship—so much had happened and so fast. He loved it, but vowed never to return. To come back again would be like digging up a monument to see what made it so special. He thought about stopping over in Hong Kong for a day or two. A catch-up with Sam and Carla would be fun. He dismissed the idea and decided a transit was better. That city was a crossroad for new beginnings, and he was well into his.

             
Dave heard his flight number announced and grabbed his carry on. It was packed with unsent postcards and memorabilia, all of it a last minute purchase blitz. Passengers stood up and formed a line for the boarding gates. This was his last flight to Melbourne. The journey was nearly over. His pass was stamped, and he made his way to the plane. Blinking lights and tarmac vehicles were all that could be seen in the darkness outside. It was perfect for a snooze, and he prayed no one chatty sat next to him.

             
He settled in his seat and breathed out a long breath. An older lady occupied the seat next to him and the final few passengers trickled in. The flight attendants made their rounds, checking seatbelts and making sure luggage was tightly secured. A familiar voice registered in Dave’s ears. There was a distinct drawl to it, very American, Southern. He raised his head and looked down the aisle. A man in his fifties or so, wearing a floral shirt and khaki pants was heading his way.

             
‘Earl!’ Dave called. The man looked in his direction and called back, laughing and bumping his way through the aisle. It was the same man he’d sat and gotten drunk with from his first flight.

             
‘Dave! Hah. When I said I might bump into you, I had no idea it’d be so soon.’ Earl looked at his boarding pass and up at the seat numbers. He managed to negotiate a seat exchange with the older lady and sat beside Dave. ‘Damn! Would you look at that? I’m sitting next to my drinking partner again.’

             
‘I can’t believe it.’ The men shook hands, momentarily lost for words at the coincidence.

             
‘This calls for a round of scotch, don’t you think?’

             
‘I think it’s only appropriate, Earl.’ Earl called the flight attendant over and ordered. They could squeeze in a drink while the plane was preparing for take-off.

             
‘That’s life my Aussie friend, take yourself out of the daily routine, and your whole world changes.’ A warm smile formed on Earl’s face, as if he were remembering a pleasant moment from a distant past.  Dave remembered that look from the last time they said goodbye.

The flight attendant came around with a tr
ay of drinks, and Dave’s phone started ringing. He’d forgotten to switch it off.

‘Please turn off your phone, sir.’ The man was polite but stern.

‘Of course, sorry.’ Dave took his phone out and was about to turn it off when he saw the caller’s name, Erin. It was as if the ringing itself had momentarily frozen him. His thumb moved slowly and ended the call. He then went through his phone contacts and deleted Erin’s number before switching it off.

‘You’re absolutely right, Earl
. Absolutely right. And here’s to leaving the past behind and creating a new adventures.’ He turned to take his drink, and they did cheers. Dave now understood him. Only a traveller could. The drinking, the light humour, the casual changes of mood that gave away a hint of a smile or expression of regret—he understood it all. Underneath those cracks peered an ocean of experiences and emotions, from moment to moment, each one with unexpected twists that led to unimaginable paths. Earl may still be chasing life, but at least he wasn’t standing still. With a smile on his face, he wondered what awaited him and Amy.

‘So where did you end up, my Aussie friend?’

‘From Hong Kong, I flew to Paris, believe it or not. Didn’t you say you were going there yourself?’

‘Yeah, I did. Had I known you were there I’d
have been sure to look you up.’

‘What
were you up to anyway?’

‘Well Dave, I
attended a very exclusive party in a chateau just outside of Paris. Let’s drink up, and I’ll tell you all about it.’

END