Chapter 1- Back to the Real World

They both leaned back in their seats and held hands as the plane took off and ascended. They looked out of the window at the waters of Hawaii. They would always have fond memories of Maui and the wonderful honeymoon. They closed their eyes as the plane climbed and each held private pictures that played vividly across the screens of their minds. They remembered the spa treatments, the sun bathing on the beach, the great food, and Hawaiian drinks and the intimate moments as they got to know each other better as they became one.

The flight gave Tyre and Phoenix the opportunity to ease back into the fast-paced world of the big city. The further they continued on the flight, the more they started putting the tropical memories in their rear view mirrors and the reality of the concrete world of tall skyscrapers came slowly into view.

When their flight landed at O’Hare Airport, they looked at each other and together said, “Ready?” Both said, “Yep,” at the same time as they unfastened their seatbelts. They still had a week left on their vacation schedules. This would give them time to clean out Phoenix’s apartment so she could move into his place. It was great that he had the foresight to have those two extra rooms to give them a little wiggle room.

November 7, 2026