LeavingUS

   Finally, after what seemed an eternity, we were in LA and the search for a hotel began. By now, it was very late and Mac was cautious, looking for a hotel in a safe area. I don't think he wanted to have to answer to Mike if anything should happen to me! We asked at a gas station for directions, these were given along with the name of a suitable hotel. After I checked in, Mac helped me with my bags before leaving to go to his daughters for the night. I was told to rest well, another day of sightseeing was planned. Mac intended to show me as much as possible before I caught my late afternoon flight back to NZ.

     I made my nightly contact with Mike, this would be the last night I talked with him before leaving. My sadness was almost overwhelming as I hung up the phone. While leaving Mike in NJ had been hard, it was almost as hard now. Tonight, at least I was still in the same country as him, this time tomorrow, I would be flying back to NZ, again putting that huge distance between us. I consoled myself with the knowledge that it wasn't to be that way for much longer. Christmas, six months away, was our goal to be together.

    The remainder of the evening was spent preparing for the next day. Sorting through my bags, I came across chocolate. As it had been sitting in a car for 2 days in scorching heat, the original shape was unrecognizable. My grandchildren missed out on this treat as into the bin it went. With bags packed, ticket and passport in an accessible place, I was now ready to sleep. I awoke to the noise of traffic rushing past. Finding that the hotel didn't have a restaurant, (I sure can pick 'em!), I ventured across the road to a small diner. Returning with a bagel and coffee, I waited for Mac, hoping he would remember just where it was that he had left me. Just in case, I had determined that I could make my way to the airport without much of a hassle.

    Mac, with Jake in tow, arrived and again, though this would be the last time, my bags were stowed in the boot and we set off. This was to be another day that hindsight would be a great thing! Beverly Hills was first on Mac's list. Nothing like I expected it to be. Who, in their right mind, would want to live in houses crammed on the side of a hill?? Forgetting the views, they live with narrow roads, extremely so in some places, with back doors almost opening into the traffic. People paid a lot of money to live here??? Continuing on, Mac commented that the gas was running low. Glancing over, I saw the light was showing, horror when Mac informed me that it had been showing for quite some time! By now, we were heading out to a more isolated area, the chance of stumbling on a gas station was getting rather slim. Mac decided that he should turn around, and that is just what he did, making a swift turn into a driveway in front of oncoming traffic. At my scream, he assured me that he had plenty of room to make the turn. I asked what determined "plenty of room??". From my perspective, it would have needed to have been more than the inch or so that I saw between me and the car heading towards us, specially since that car would make contact with my side of the vehicle!! Before going any further, I extracted a promise from Mac that he wouldn't repeat that manouvre again. While Mac promised, he later informed me that he wasn't too sure if Quark, the daring and mischievous side of Mac, was making the same promise. Fortunately, Quark was kept in check as the rest of the drive was pleasant with no further incidents.

    We went along the coast, passing the Paul Getty Museum on the way. No use stopping there, it was closed until 2002!! Towards Santa Barbara we drove, pulling the car to the side of the road to admire the views before   turning around and heading back. On the retun trip we had allowed time for a visit to the Santa Monica Pier, where, while wandering along looking at the sights, we were approached by security asking us to leave. The reason for this request was standing quietly, wagging his tail as kiddies came to pet him. Unknown to us, dogs were banned from the pier, leashed or unleashed. No amount of discussion would sway those in authority so we left. Once off the pier, we stopped at a small sidewalk caf� for a late lunch before driving to the airport.

    For the last time, (well, until I landed in NZ), my bags were taken out of a car boot and loaded onto a cart. I checked in and Mac I and went for coffee. Soon time to go and while bidding Mac goodbye and thanking him for the great sightseeing tour, I informed him that he had the distinction of being the only person, while driving, to make me scream!! I think Quark was hiding, and grinning, behind Mac's sheepish look.

    Locating a phone, I made my last call to Mike. What a day to be leaving, the 10th of June, Mike's birthday! Boarding the flight wasn't what I wanted to do......leaving wasn't easy! Promising to let Mike know when I had arrived safely in NZ, I hung up the phone and headed for the plane. During the long flight home, I reflected on my travels. I didn't regret a moment of it, (well, maybe I could have done without that little driving episode with Mac...lol). My faith in both my instincts and people was well founded, each chat friend being exactly as I expected and our meeting had cemented those friendships. Meeting Mike meant that my life was also going to change dramatically. As soon as it could be accomplished, I would be returning to start a new life with him. I didn't know then just how soon it would be! On the 23rd September, 1999, I returned to the States, walked off the plane and into Mike's arms........together, a new chapter in our lives was to begin.