The Long Flight Home
      Chapter 5
 

A living man is blind and drinks his drop.
What matter if the ditches are impure?
What matter if I live it all once more?
Endure that toil of growing up;
The ignominy of boyhood; the distress
Of boyhood changing into man;
The unfinished man and his pain
Brought face to face with his own clumsiness;
--W.B. Yeats

Sheraton Grand Marquis Ballroom
Chicago

The keynote speakers words droned on and on in that flat pedantic style Danny had come to hate. Rolling his shoulders, and flexing his neck from side to side, he tried to shake the feeling of restlessness that had been slowly assailing him all evening. Glancing at his watch for what seemed the hundredth time this evening, he stifled a groan when he realized only an half an hour had passed since the last time he'd looked at it. Would this evening never end? As he watched his mother between half closed lids, he wondered what she was thinking. She reveled in these types of functions, always keeping on foot in polite society, while the other trod the dangerous ground of this chosen life. Danny had never really questioned his familial duties before, but a gnawing restlessness had begun to creep up on him. His life was well planned and ordered, but what if… He didn't finish the thought, as the buzzing of his pager alerted him to the fact of his life of responsibilities. With a gentle tap to his mother's arm he excused himself, pointing to his pager. Smiling lovingly at him, she nodded her head in ascent.

Danny immediately recognized the page as Pilar's cell phone number. His restlessness vanished. His little sister whom he adored was finally coming home for a long awaited visit. Pilar was wrapped up in all of his good memories. When the demands of the business had become too great, she had been an oasis for him. She was innocent of the family stain, and with all the strength he possessed, he would keep it that way. Her loving spirit and caring manner showed him that there was good in this world, and he clung to that.

Reaching a secluded seating area in the lobby, Danny quickly dialed Pilar's private number. He was so excited to have her home, and wished with all his heart that he hadn't had to be at this damned dinner. He would liked to have picked her up from the airport personally. Of course, mama had reminded him that duty to the family came first. She was content with the knowledge that Pilar would be home waiting for them with her cheerful, smiling face when their business in Chicago was finished. That apparently was enough for her, but not Danny. He wanted her "joie de vivre", he needed it! She soothed him with her zest for life, and it gave him the strength to carry on this life, if only for her, for the protection of an innocence he had long since lost.

Pilar answered her phone on the third ring, her voice full of humor and teasing. "You have reached 1-900- sexy babe, please leave your message at the sound of the beep". He could here her giggling, and couldn't help but smile. "Danny, is that you?, answer me", she demanded. He kept her waiting and wondering for a moment before he responded. He could just see her consternation. It made him smile all over again. "Yes, I'm here Pilar", he chuckled. "I take it your flight went smoothly, and you are on your way home with Jimmy?" "Yes, my carriage was here at the airport when I arrived, but my goodness, the coachman leaves something to be desired", she exclaimed! "You know how Jimmy is, Pilar, the automaton without a heart", he laughed. How Pilar loved Danny's rich laughter. She could not wait to get home. She had missed her banter with Danny. Her world was only truly complete when she was home. She wished Jimmy would drive faster, but it was better to be safe than sorry, she thought. What were a few more agonizing minutes in his company? Her giggle caused Danny to question her, and she coyly said, "oh, nothing, I'm just thinking naughty thoughts about Jimmy."

"Be careful what you say Pilar, I might think you have the hots for Jimmy", Danny laughed.

"Yes, I didn't want to tell you big brother, but Jimmy and I have pledged our undying love to one another, and we have eloped. I won't be home after all. Please tell Mama that I couldn't help myself! Jimmy is more man than I could possibly ever tire of. He's the complete package" Pilar said sarcastically.

"All right, Pilar, don't go that far pee-lease", Danny pleaded.

"Oh, I give. Actually I am on my way home, and I cannot wait to see you! I've missed you so much, Danny. More than you could know", she said wistfully.

"I've missed you too 'lar. As soon as I can, I am going to drag mother out of this boring dinner and come home. I've just about had it with these suffocating fund-raiser, pat me on the back, give me your money, then take a hike , politicians. I'd much rather hear about your adventures in Barcelona", Danny said with pent up frustration.
"Don't you worry big brother, I have many things to share with you. You will not be bored when I get done talking your ear off. You'll probably wish you hadn't asked", Pilar said with a large grin.

"I look forward to having my ear talked off. Wait up for me if you're not too tired", he half joked

.
"Don't worry about me not being too tired to see you. I am so excited, I'm bursting. This day has turned out to be very good indeed Danny. If you're nice to me, I'll share everything about my day in detail", she said silkily. I'll make sure to mention Michelle especially, she thought. Looking over at Michelle resting with her eyes closed, Pilar smiled a secret smile. Just you wait, both of you. You'll never know what hit you. You will be perfect for one another.

"Pilar, have you gone to sleep on me?", Danny queried down the phone line. Hello, hello? Earth to Pilar!! Shaking her thoughts, Pilar decided her plottings could wait for tomorrow at least, when she was more refreshed.

"I'm still here big brother. I'm just thinking", Pilar replied.

"Will wonders never cease", Danny teased. "I'd better get back to Mama, and hurry her along, or else we will never get home. If she starts working the room, I can add at least two more hours on to this evening", Danny joked.

"I know Danny. It's just so good to talk to you actually knowing that you are only a hundred miles away, and not a thousand", Pilar choked out.

"Hey, don't cry 'lar. I'll see you soon, I promise", Danny responded in a gentle voice.

"You know me, happy one minute, and weepy the next", Pilar smiled through her tears. "I love you Danny. When the plane landed and I found out it was raining and I couldn't look up at the sky and see our star, I got a little scared. Hearing your voice has made me feel better though. Hurry up and get home!! I want to give you a big hug!"
"O.K. already, then let me get off the phone", Danny smiled.

"I love you Danny", Pilar whispered.

"I love you too sweetie", he replied, feeling a surge of tenderness come over him.

"Tell Mama I can't wait to see her too, O.K.?", she pleaded.

"I will, I will. Now you be good. No antagonizing Jimmy. You know he hates that. I want you to come home in one piece", he joked.

"I promise to be on my best behavior, and no I do not have my fingers crossed", she laughed. "Good-bye big brother", she said wistfully.

"I'll see you soon" he replied.

As Danny pressed the end button he felt a twinge of something he couldn't define. Pilar's homecomings had always pulled at his heart. Placing his feelings aside, he strode back towards the ballroom. For some reason he stopped himself short, and turned around, walking towards the front entrance of the hotel. As the automatic doors swished open, he paused under the hotel portico. The storm that Pilar spoke of had not yet reached Chicago, and the night sky was just beginning to show signs of scuttling clouds. Looking to the east Danny easily located the star that Pilar could not see on this homecoming night. He stared at it for endless minutes before he slowly made his way back into the hotel, and his obligations.