Reflecting Ride Home

Outside the bitter frigid air resided surrounding puffy fluffy clouds, creating a dream like setting, distributing a unique message sent from the heavens. Independent athletic model leader Milan peered into space, observing the blue and white canvas credentialing a yellow blazing spotlight, brightening the surroundings.

“We are ready to begin our descent back to earth,” the professional caring pilot issued a timely decision, warning Milan and the other souls aboard, ‘tighten your safety belts’, “would you please bring your seat into its upright position? We are preparing landing gear.”

Only a few minutes elapsed, and a large rumble sounded from beneath, alerting the passengers, ‘you are back firmly grounded’.

“Such a nice week and a half,” Milan pondered, “I will write it off as a working competitive vacation. But at what expense?”

Milan’s life climatic road fork appeared when one small difference determined traveling with a suitcase containing souvenir hardware or just an acknowledgement tee shirt, saying ‘I was there’. Purchased with a Visa at the tourist trinket shop ‘claiming fantasy trip remembrance’.

“One microscopic moment,” she proclaimed describing the close razor thin photogenic picture, assigning her short stick side duties.

Relishing, the final minutes as the plane taxied, collecting all her international documents, embracing sweet home aroma, despite reality reminding the dedicated, entertaining, sporting performer exactly what happened prologued someone declaring, ‘may the bettor icon win’.

Coming off the field Milan made her editorial opinion heard, stating a fact which she believed to be true. “I am the boss around here,” she lectured her teammates during a cooling down break preceding finishing the job.

Taking control, feeling confident, time clicked away, and the girls kicked around their winning projection. Until a choreographed style breakaway changed the landscape, staying concentrated, keeping pace with her wing player, conjuring godly grace, bestowing Milan enough screaming breath, “I have it, give me the opportunity.” Split second thinking prevented any judgmental subjective commentary, disallowing sacrificing the unbelievable fantastic feat.

Finding the goal and obtaining the score, Milan knew she did her personal best. Once it went inside the net Milan stared at the young decision maker, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she advised recognizing fear in the volunteer’s eyes hinting ‘stay quiet and let any undetectable details disappear’.

Instantly, celebratory hands raised, and hugs engulfed the scene and Milan embraced the winning enthusiasm.

“It was a microscopic error that if it did not exist,” Milan grabbed her knapsack from the overhead compartment, “I got that,” she told a nice gentlemen who offered genuine assistance.

Looking beat and spent she left the airplane with a gracious smile, “bettor luck next time,” a flight attendant told her positively grinning, keeping Milan presenting a human appearance.

Walking through the airport all commitments fulfilled, including grabbing her own luggage off the carousel conveyor convenience invention, “can I get that? For you?” A valet attendee doing their job inquired.

Wanting to save a couple bucks, she kindly declined the situation, usually expecting a financial tip exchange. Proceeding towards ground transportation, hailing a cab, all by herself, memories of the argument resurfaced.

Cortina, rooting his girlfriend’s physical achievement noticed Milan’s disturbing facial expression, as her drill sergeant personality reached new heights. “How many times did she say ‘I’,” he thought cheering the score find its home.

Later that evening the two publicly saluted the final victory, realizing the big prestigious tournament, only a few weeks away.

Grimacing, Cortina heard the letter ‘I’ come out of Milan’s mouth more times than he wished and wondered if better offerings were possible.

“I really enjoyed dinner, tonight,” Milan told him.

“It was buy one get one free, Milan,” Cortina mentioned, “tonight there is something we need resolution before you leave.”

“You know I have a media interview first thing in the morning,” Milan reminded Cortina, “and I do need my beauty rest.”

“Milan,” Cortina softly spoke, “you can do all this, you do not need me.”

Her well reported successes empowered Milan to carry on dispensing the Achilles heel honesty, resulting a long-term friendship ending. Despite that tragedy, her pursuing excellence obsession defense mechanism, ignored the painful episode.

“It was the same old conversation,” Milan recounted monitoring the paid driver pull into her residency, “I know it was the number one early morning talk show, but”

“But maybe she should have smoothed the miscommunication out with Cortina, first,” she thought slipping the cabbie cash formally confirming all services rendered.

Early evening dusk invaded above, and Milan found her house key hiding where she with Cortina mutually agreed.

Apartment quiet, nothing changed, Milan followed the memorized path, discovering the kitchen, flipping the switch revealing the artistic comical coffee mug that provided last ditch pick me up fix before departing upon her gold medal journey excursion, expecting fame and fortune granted when declared winners received royal treatment.

Apparently, a small addition rested upon the counter and Milan opened an envelope guarding a few spice containers lined up, ready for a direct hit.

While reading the typewritten note Milan invaded the refrigerator, surprised seeing restaurant take out containers, filling the shelves, each one receiving a post it date attached.

Then she noticed the letter “I” missing throughout the correspondence.

“Remember that typewriter we shared in college,” an unseen voice reminded Milan.

“The one where ‘I’ key jammed?”

“That’s the one,” responded the mysterious figure, “well I found it and,”

“Wrote a letter like you did when we were in college,” she saw Cortina emerge and digested the final line requesting the truth, “U love me?”

“What happened?” He began the internal relationship investigation, “you are home early.”

“We were knocked out and everything ended with sudden death conclusion,” Milan answered, “you were not covering me.”

“Well, there are leftovers,” Cortina notified her, “our buy one get one free tradition we did in college I continued, watching you on television.”

“That is very sweet, Cortina,” Milan peered into his eyes., “I,” she halted a pause, “can you forgive me?”

“Of course,” Cortina relaxed, “I can.”

Laughing Milan took the dish called Monday and threw it into the microwave, “I am famished the food commons,”

“Had tackle box bait,” Cortina smirked.

“How did you know?”

“I am your true wingman,” Cortina stated, “and now I know, since you did not get hooked by another fisherman’s morsel tease.”

Now that the social security check completed Milan no longer felt alone, “I do not have to worry about scoring goals for another four years.”

“Actually, two, Milan” Cortina corrected.

“What do you mean?”

“You just have to do the winter time variety,” Cortina clarified.

“Can’t we experience those by a nice fireplace and,”

“Employ others to supply the romantic atmosphere,” Cortina added to the idea before the two locked lips creating a treasured memory worth millions.