December 16, 2025
the train ride from sundsvall to stockholm is four hours. he dislikes the train and dislikes stockholm and the big city people.
he waits in arlanda airport in stockholm for almost six hours. there’s the flight from stockholm to frankfurt which is about two hours. he waits in the airport in frankfurt for two hours. he has never been on a plane before. he isn’t sure if he minds flying or not.
then the flight from frankfurt to vancouver. that one is nine hours. he sleeps restlessly and refuses most food.
i watch his flight on a flight tracker app.
he sits in the airport in vancouver for two hours.
and then, finally, the flight from vancouver to kamloops. one hour.
twenty six hours.
im in the kamloops airport pacing and drinking shitty too warm black coffee. it’s thanksgiving and others gather in the airport to welcome wayward loved ones.
when he comes through that gate into kamloops he has a smile on his face and he walks lightly. i am awestruck by him. my first thought – “he doesn’t look angry” and i am surprised at this. he isn’t angry. he is calm and joyful even though he looks tired.
he does not see me in the crowd.
i run to him and grab his arm. he turns and smiles. he puts his arm around me.
we share our first kiss in the kamloops airport at baggage claim amongst the suitcases and trolleys and tired travellers wearing north face and lululemon.
he holds my hand in his and we are both intoxicated in the prescence of each other and we fumble for his suitcase.
we walk out into the crisp kamloops fall.
i take the reservation highway home.
we hold hands the whole way as he looks out the window and takes in the desert city.
sundsvall to kamloops.
twenty six hours.
all for me.
what a joy to feel so desired.
what a pleasure to have him look at me and see both a beginning and an end.
hospital vespers 