I knew there'd be a long wait at the airport and I had accepted it as just another facet of life not within my ability to control. Usually, I'm a very impatient 'waiter.' Time always seems to creep by so slowly when you're watching the hands of the clock.

At any rate, I was prepared-armed with a copy of today's Times, a recent issue of the New Yorker, and a library book Gail had asked me to pick up for her. Within an hour, I had dispatched the newspaper to a nearby trash bin. Today's news seemed little different than yesterday, or the day before.

I turned to the New Yorker, flipping past the stories, looking for the cartoons. Even they seemed tired and humorless today. As I started to put the magazine down and pick up the book, I saw Gail walking toward me.

When she reached me, we kissed.

"Were you waiting long?" she asked.

"All my life," I said with a smile, "but it was worth it."