Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. Chapter 06 - Parting Chance Morning came too soon for both. Duncan had left a wake up call, but that was a real misnomer! He hadn't been able to shut his eyes for more than an hour or two all night. And he hadn't been able to sleep then. In the bathroom he nicked himself shaving, couldn't find his styptic pencil, then bled profusely through the toilet paper he used to stem the flow. Knowing he was grumpy Duncan vowed to hold his tongue. He may never see Helen again and he wanted her to have kind thoughts of him in the years to come. Helen's morning didn't go any better. She showered, blow-dried her hair, then found herself in the midst of the worst "bad hair" day she ever experienced. She was barely dressed when Duncan rapped on the door between the rooms. The two committed themselves to be pleasing companions over breakfast, despite the start to the morning. Instead, striving not to be cranky, they were silent during the meal. As breakfast wore on each began understanding their companion wasn't happy about parting. Back in the motel they left the connecting doors open as they assembled their things and packed. When finished Duncan carried his luggage into Helen's room, setting it just inside the door. "Anything you want me to sit on so you can close it?" he quipped as he slouched onto a chair by the window. Helen had just snapped her suitcase closed. "Too late, my hero. And everything fit," was her soft reply. Then she dropped into the other chair. "Going to be a lonely drive the rest of the way." Duncan started to say something, then shut his mouth. "Duncan, let's leave it where it is, OK?" she asked. "Somehow I can't feel what we've done has been cheating on Gerry. But he certainly wouldn't feel the same way. I can't explain it, but us... These few days... It seems like I've stepped outside my life. I will probably be miserable about this later." "Helen, please God! I don't want you feeling bad about yourself. You are a married woman... Damn it! Nothing that happened was intended. And I don't know now how we could have prevented it. That sounds weak, but it's the way I feel." They were silent a while longer, then Duncan asked, "What route are you following today? Are you still going to Lake Chelan?" "Yes, Duncan. Maybe Gerry will come home and join me. It's already rented and he would expect to find me there. We were going to take the little state road from here to Highway 2, so I'll do the same. Then I'll follow 2 and cross the Columbia just North of Wenatchee. From there I'll just follow the river North. I expect to take my time, but I'll be in Chelan by mid afternoon easy. I'll be in the condo and settled by dinner time." "Do you want to walk around Ritzville again before we leave?" asked Duncan. "You know I'd like to, Duncan. But, I can't. It's better if we can just cut this off. I AM married, and I DO love my husband. What we feel is special, but how would you feel if Jamie were in my position? Please, make it easy for both of us and just... end it here." Duncan was silent, knowing he had nothing to say. What she wanted was the only way. "Helen, let's load the cars and I'll follow you to the edge of town. I'll need to fill up before I leave, so we can say goodbye there. OK?" Helen nodded and they walked together to the vehicles. He followed her as she drove through town. Just outside the city limits Helen stopped and got out of the BMW. Duncan stopped behind her, then climbed out for their last words. Standing together, neither could think of anything to say. Finally Duncan opened his arms and Helen stepped in for a last hug. She leaned her face against his shoulder and he rested his cheek atop her head. There they stood for a minute. Then Helen stepped back, kissed her fingertips, then reached to place the kiss on his lips. Duncan saw the tears brimming in her eyes as she turned back to her car. He stood watching her drive away. Before she disappeared around a bend in the road, unwanted tears were running down his cheeks. Long minutes after Helen disappeared he stood there before climbing back into his RV. Backing around he returned to town and "their" café. He parked and went inside, sitting at the counter to enjoy a cup of coffee with Clarice. He spent a bittersweet hour chatting, with her and several other residents he and Helen had met the past few days. Even Chester stopped by for coffee. When he couldn't delay any longer he said goodbye. After gassing up he followed Helen north. He planned to follow her route 'til he crossed the Columbia. She had his cell phone number and promised to call when she was settled to give him the phone number where she was staying. If she had trouble she could give him a call, and if she had car trouble he would be on the road behind her. He knew it was a hopeless plan. Lightening didn't strike twice. Driving slowly, it was mid-afternoon before he was in Wenatchee. He had time to drive home to Seattle over Stevens Pass before full dark. But he temporized. He was hungry, though he really wasn't. Traffic would be bad in Monroe, where the road leveled as it left the mountains. He needed gas even though the gauge read over half full. So he stopped and got a hotel room. Carrying his cell phone he walked to a restaurant near his room for an early dinner. Back in the hotel he tried to watch television, with the usual boring results. When he tried to read Duncan couldn't concentrate, giving up in frustration after half an hour. When the rooms walls began to close in on him he went for a walk with his camera. He found several interesting shots and took them. Instead of calming, that made him miss Helen even more as he wondered what she would have seen to photograph he had missed. Giving even that up Duncan returned to the hotel. After a long hot shower he went to bed where he tossed and turned. The next morning Duncan had breakfast in the same restaurant where he ate the night before. Then he climbed back into his RV and drove home, over the pass.