Joseph A. Noga
Where “Angelhair” ends “Until Then” begins. Time and events may have separated these three people but once more Fate intervenes to re-unite them along one common path.
Cowboy, for many years, has been seeking to rid the personal demons which still torment his every moment. Fate again speaks and he believes has provided him the answer. He must correct old mistakes.
This can only be made possible one way and this one way involves……two others. Three lives must become one again. This his game which never ended must begin anew and anew it does. “Until Then” will Cowboy only find peace, or so he hopes.
This is the authors second published book. Its storyline follows the lives and events of the characters created in his first -----“Angelhair”. His next book, of a different subject matter, is currently a work in progress.
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The rhythmic beat of the el train as it roared past the old apartment house neared deafening decibels. So close were the tracks one could actually reach out and touch the cars as they sped by. The room shook for the few seconds it took the train to come and go. As silence reclaimed the din left from this loud metal beast, his whistle began to replace this silence. The song reflected his good mood. It was a happy song from an old musical.
“Oh what a beautiful morning
Oh what a beautiful day
Hum, hum, hum, hum, hum, hum, hum, hum,
Hum, hum, hum, hum, hum, hum, hum-m!”
The words forgotten were hummed.
Giving the room one final glance he wanted to make sure all his belongings had been packed. It was moving day. “Got it all!” he said aloud, the whistling now stopped.
Reaching down the man grabbed the handle of his one packed suitcase. Its’ weight was lighter than expected. He carried not much more than clothing and accessories. He had no real need to collect material items. This apartment for him was but a way station. Time spent here, but a pause in lifes journey. Catching a glimpse of himself in the dresser top mirror he grinned. A wink he gave to his reflection.
“Let’s go!” this re-born traveler shouted playfully to this image. A wide smile replaced the grin on his face.
“Time for ole Cowboy here to get moving!”
Cowboy had lived in a self-imposed exile. The loss of his freedom those years ago an ever present reminder of lifes most precious gift. Never would he be caged again, he promised himself. Closing the door behind as he left, this room became another bit of past memory to be added to the collection. Cowboys days of solitude and seclusion officially came to an end. He had decided to place himself into society once more. A cold wind from this mornings air slapped across Cowboys face as he exited the building. Placing his bag down, with both hands he readjusted his coats collar for warmth. Without gesturing a taxi stopped. The luggage on the sidewalk beside him hinted his intent. Placing the suitcase then himself inside the taxi Cowboy made his destination known. “To the airport please.” No further attempts at small talk or conversation passed between these two men. Cowboys mind was elsewhere. His thoughts set solely upon the events in which he soon would be involved.
Ding Ding
“Attention passengers! We will shortly be arriving at Pittsburgh International Airport. Please put away all reading material and fasten your seatbelts. I hope you have enjoyed your flight. Thank you and please come fly with us again.”
The captains brief message re awoke Cowboy to the present. The in-flight view his window seat afforded him had placed him elsewhere than 20,000 feet above the earth. Trance like he was re walking himself down memory lane. With Fate he strolled. Their united re emergence had them facing, staring into each others eyes. At this very moment Cowboy knew Fates reason for his past.
He understood just as clearly her purpose for his future.
Cowboys self-imposed exile from life he saw was just that, a self-imposed exile from life. It meant no more than that. Time had passed but he had not progressed on. This time spent in search of reason, direction, purpose, he knew had only been successful in creating stagnation. Growth he recognized required change. Change was the key to this personal riddle of his life. To move forward he must go backward. His future still lie tied into his past. This is what Fate was showing him. This is what Fate was letting him know. This one tie, this one bond to the past which was keeping him from reaching Fates outstretched hand to him-----------Angelhair! Cowboy smiled in recognition to this fact. He may be short of holding hands with Fate, but he saw her to be so clearly pointing the way. The flight over, Cowboy once more stood upon terra firma. With a renewed energy he began this new search in an all too familiar quest.
“Ah Fate!” he said smiling.
“Ah.................Angelhair!”
“Until then.”
“Say cheese!”
“Cheeeeeeese!!!” Stephanie replied obediently. “How many pictures are you going to take Dad?” she asked.
“Just one more dear, Ok?” Eric humorously pleaded his case.
“Ok Dad.” Steph answered. A growing impatience punctuated her words. Eric recognized this but smiled. His twenty-two year old was acting like his one time ten year old.
“What’s so funny Dad?” Steph asked him as she noticed an oddly familiar grin growing on his face.
“Nothing!” Eric quickly answered. “Now hold your diploma up. Say cheese!”
“Cheeeeese!!!” Steph again replied, this time with a toothy grin.
“Ok, we’re done.” Eric told her as the last camera flash exploded. “Thank you!” he added.
“Good.” Steph said. “Thank God!”
Yes thank God Eric thought to himself. He could feel his love surge within as he gazed at his beautiful daughter. It is only because of God that she is and that this is possible he knew. Yes, thank God, his heart repeated.
“Then it’s still alright with you that I go out and celebrate with the girls tonight Dad?” Steph asked. “Dad?”
“Sure dear!” Eric answered her. “This is your day. You earned it.”
“Thanks Dad. I love you!” she said. “We’ll have our celebration tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah, tomorrow.” Eric told her.
“Thanks Dad.” Steph said with a kiss to his cheek added on. “I love you! Coming!!!” Stephanie yelled towards her girlfriends. “Wait up!!” Spinning around she headed off in their direction. Eric watched her run. Her hand waving good-bye to him he heard her yell one more time “I love you Dad! See you tomorrow!” She soon disappeared into the sea of fellow graduates.
