Leaving, saying goodbye at the airport, the hug on the curb: "You'll be back soon - -that makes it easier." It's also easier knowing we can get together again after some time and pick up from where we left off. As I went to pick up my bags on the sidewalk, I turned to look back and she stood there, beautiful in a long, gray, long-sleeved sweater, long black skirt at the end of the beige car, hair, still damp, pulled back behind her ears but not a ponytail.