Dateline Dayton – On the final Tuesday morning of our trip out West, we were up early to catch our flight to Atlanta. From there it was on to Dayton, home at last. I dropped off my wife, my sister and our luggage at the airport, while Willie, my brother-in-law, and I returned the rental car.

Since the car return was well away from the airport, I thought it would be best to have someone watching for signs. The only confusion came when we saw a big sign for Enterprise, separate from all other car rental returns.

After committing only one wrong turn, we went quickly through the checkout. In no time we were on the bus heading back to the airport.

Once we met up with our wives, we got in line to check in for our flight home. This time we would check both bags, dealing only with a small backpack. The lady issuing our boarding passes was from Dayton, and we exchanged neighborhood talk. She wanted to be back in Dayton, but because her husband enjoys hot weather, she doesn’t think that will happen.

Just a Little Off-Schedule

We left Las Vegas on time and arrived in Atlanta early, only to sit on the tarmac until a space opened up for us to unload. I sure don’t see the attraction of the Atlanta Airport or why my longtime company, National Cash Register,  moved there, lured by the airport. We were late getting in, even after arriving early, we were late leaving, having to wait for another tardy plane, and then we sat on the runway awhile waiting for our turn to take off. Couple this with trying to get to the airport in the Atlanta traffic, and I sure don’t see any advantage.

The pilot on our flight to Dayton had the pedal to the metal, but he was unable to make up the lost time and unfortunately we were late getting in. Our son had to make a few extra trips around the airport.

I returned to work on Wednesday, but Susan and Willie took an extra day off. That evening, however, Willie was having trouble breathing, went to the Emergency Room and eventually was admitted.

Willie was hospitalized three days, until Saturday afternoon. They would not release until him until Susan could show she had oxygen in their home. Sure wasn’t the kind of service we received at the Grand Canyon, but now we were back in the real world.

On Saturday, after breakfast, Pauline and I drove to Piqua to visit Willie. Later we planted flowers at the cemetery since Monday was going to be Memorial Day.

Since Willie was in the process of being released, we drove first to the cemetery to visit the plot of Pauline’s family. We were in for a shock. The urn, which has been a fixture on the gravesite for probably a hundred years, was missing.  Returning to town, we purchased a plastic replacement. It just doesn’t seem the same.

I flagged down a policeman and filed a report on the missing urn. He told us it was probably scrap by now. My sister said later that a lady had been caught stealing flowers from the cemetery. How low can you go?

When Willie got home, he looked much better than earlier in the week. Thinking back, it was strange Willie didn’t eat anything the last day we were on the road. Hopefully all of us are on the mend from our eleven-day trip.

Willie and I are planning to return to Last Vegas in January for the Silver Strike Tournament. Possibly even visit Reno. Sometime I am going to get there.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net