The conclusion of the story!
We finally get to the airport, and I start to breathe a little. Because of a miracle beyond comprehension, I pull up to the curb at EXACTLY 7 am, and Cynthia jumps out of the car running, hoping beyond hope she can somehow make the plane. Bruce jumps out too, and Marylynn and I once again go to park the car. We did not hear any screaming, so we assumed that she had made it, and were very relieved. Marylynn's flight did not leave until 9:15, so she went to the restroom. I had Cynthia's big bags, and was sitting on a bench waiting.
All of a sudden, I see Cynthia! I call out to her and she comes toward me, smiling. She had missed the 7am plane, but was out on the 9:15 flight, which would land in Houston about the same time! She hugs me and thanks me again. She goes to check in, and check her big bags, and Marylynn comes back. I told her that Cynthia was still here, and she nearly falls over. But, since Cynthia was in a good mood now, so were we! Marylynn goes to check in for her flight, and I wait for the two of them. I am still in shock, and now I get to contemplate the idea of two hours with Cynthia Clawson! Cynthia and Marylynn come back, and Cynthia went to call her husband and tell him she was still on her way.
Marylynn and I just sat and looked at each other for a few minutes, then moved our things to a set of more comfortable chairs a few feet away. Cynthia walked back a few minutes later, and we called her over. Cynthia flops down on the row of chairs, almost laying down with her head in my lap. Two seconds later, she pops up and says, "I'm hungry!" So, still in shock, we walk across the hall to the restaurant. Cynthia and Marylynn had biscuits and gravy, Cynthia had orange juice and Marylynn had coffee. I had a pastry with chocolate (which I did not eat) and Coke. I sat right beside her, and Marylynn sat across from her.
We talked for a very long time about just about everything! From her kids, to her mom and Marylynn's mom, music, to artists. I found out that she has been to Gainesville before, and I just about had a fit! She had actually been in my town! But it was before I knew about her, so it was ok :O) I told her that I had almost seen her in Auburn, Alabama in May, but could not go because I broke my foot! We talked until Marylynn and Cynthia had to go to their gates. Cynthia took a couple of pictures with us, then she asked me if I wanted to go with her to her plane! Like she really needed to ask me twice!!!
Cynthia and I at the airport, right before she went to her plane
Marylynn and Cynthia, right before we split up at the airport
So, I hugged Marylynn goodbye, and she headed to her gate, and Cynthia and I slowly walked to her gate. We talked a little more, and she told me she would be in Florida again in March (!!!!!!!!!!!!) We hugged goodbye, and I watched her board her plane, then I floated back to the parking garage. Well, that is about the end of my adventure, our adventure. And, to paraphrase the words of Judy Gunn, "Wanna go next time??"