CARTER'S DUTY: WILLIAM CARTER
III
Chapter 23 - By Christopher Patrick Lydon
The plane had landed, and the three friends had disembarked
into the airport. And Will realized with a start that for the first time in
nearly eight years he was home. They were still in the terminal, but it was
still England. He was home.
He stood with his shoulders slumped staring out of a window
at the rain soaked world beyond. So many years of living abroad, so much time,
so much of his life had just slipped by him that to actually be there again
was surreal.
"This is it," Andrew said standing beside him with
his hands in his pockets, "The end of the road."
Will turned, his eyes welling up as he tried to keep from breaking
down in the airport, "You know I have to do this..." he said firmly.
"Why?" Andrew said staring at him, "To do what?
You took this job to help me through University, but what now? You're five
thousand miles away from home, and why? Because you think this is what I want?"
Will set his bag down, watching as Brody commandeered a payphone
and started to make calls behind them. "We need the money Andrew, I can't
say no..."
"You can." Andrew said firmly, "Or I can."
"What do you mean?" Will said looking at the man he
loved, the man he had traveled five thousand miles to support, the man who
had come after him...
Andrew's eyes were red and swollen, as a tear ran down his face,
"Some times two people who are in love don't realize when they are hurting
each other. You've put your own life on hold for me, and... I never wanted
you to do that. I can't let you put your dreams on hold for me. I love you
too much for that."
"But..." Will began, struggling for words.
"No buts," Andrew said sadly, "I can't let you
put me ahead of your own life any more, not like this. But you're going to
keep doing it as long as we're together."
Will swallowed, "I know..." he said softly. It had
been said at long last, admitted. He'd put Andrew first, ahead of his own
needs and as time ground on he had began to resent Andrew for it. It didn't
change the love he felt, but it tainted it. It soured the things he felt,
the purity of the emotions.
He reached out and drew Andrew tightly in an embrace; both knowing
all too well it was the end. Finally they had both admitted it.
Andrew drew back, wiping his eyes as he looked around, "I
have to figure out how to buy a ticket home... I should..."
Will nodded as Andrew started off, watching him bob through
the crowd, knowing Andrew just needed some time alone. Realizing that he did
too.
Brody was watching him with concerned eyes, holding up the phone
and gesturing for Will to take it.
"Hello?" Will stated, staring after Andrew, swallowing
back his emotion.
"Mister Carter," Robert Avery's voice was a surprise,
and Will glanced at Brody in surprise, "I understand that you are considering
taking a job in the United Kingdom."
"You could say that," Will replied glancing about
him at the airport.
"I'd like to make you a counter offer," Avery said
confidently, "One a little closer to home."
Will turned to the phone and rested a hand on top of it, "I'm
sorry what?"
"I need a director of Human Resources for my Toronto office,
and after meeting you and looking over your resume, I think you are the man
I need for that post."
"I..." Will said in surprise, "I don't know what
to say."
"Say yes Mister Carter," Avery said firmly, "You
start Monday, our offices are located on Bay Street..." Will jotted down
the address in stunned silence as he looked at Brody, when he finally said
good-bye and hung up the phone he shook his head, "How?"
Brody smiled, "I have mad skills." He clapped a hand
on Will's shoulder, "It's still going to be a move for you, but Toronto's
not that far away."
Will glanced in the direction Andrew had gone, it was good news,
but didn't change anything between them. It would be the career opportunity
of a lifetime, but with Andrew still in school... They both had different
dreams, Will had the chance of a career and a new life... and Andrew had his
own future. Given time maybe they would become the same again.
He swallowed, for the time being at least they could look forward
to a flight back to Canada together.
THE END
