Love Finds A Way

         "George Air Force Base," called the driver of the twelve passenger airport shuttle van.  The girl collected her carry-on bag and climbed out.  She tipped the driver after he handed her the blue suitcase, and as the shuttle left, she looked around.

         "I guess the first thing is to locate a telephone,” she thought.
         Nineteen year-old Amy Callahan grasped the leather strap of her suitcase on wheels, and shouldering her carry-on, walked into the nearest building.  After obtaining instructions to a phone from a friendly airman, Amy wasted no time.  She located the pay phones, pulled a quarter from her pocket, and dialed a number.
            "Oh please be there," she silently prayed as she heard the first ring.  "Matt?  It's Amy...Just fine.  Listen, I'm here at the base...Yeah, I'm serious..."  She described the building she was in.  "You know where to find me?  I'll wait out front.  'Bye."
            Five minutes later, a tall blonde man strolled in.  "Amy?"
            "Matt!"  Quivering with excitement, Amy stood up from the chair where she'd been sitting.  "Is it really you?"

            “Oh my god…what are you doing here?”  Matt gathered her close in a bone crushing hug.  “I can’t believe you’re actually here!”

            “My family went to Florida, and the flight was overbooked, so I volunteered to stay for the next flight.  The airline gave me a free round-trip ticket to anywhere in the US, so I chose to come see you,” Amy explained, drawing away from him and smiling.

            Matt shook his head.  “Unbelievable,” he said, touching her face.  “Unbelievable.”  His lips descended on hers briefly, then bent down to take the suitcase in one hand and tucked Amy under the other.  They made an unusual scene:  Lieutenant Jonathan Matthew "Matt” Slagal stood six feet, two inches tall, and was thin and wiry.  Dressed in a pink shirt, white slacks, and  double-breasted white jacket, he was a sharp contrast to the conservatively dressed Amy, in a yellow camp shirt and khaki walking shorts.
            The pair had met in Arbordale, Indiana, while Matt was home on leave.  Born in Brookview, Illinois, Matt had his best friend set up a blind date for him.  Amy's roommate was dating the friend, so the two introduced them.  Their first date had been good, but then a series of misunderstandings had taken place.  After a couple of stormy scenes, they settled their differences, and when Matt left five days later, they'd promised to keep in touch.