A Continuum: Tyre and Phoenix

By Lynn M. Dixon

It is the third novella about Tyre and Phoenix, a college professor and librarian, respectively. I have worked in both of these fields, and I feel that this novel will entertain and enlighten those who try to balance the work world and romance! I currently live in Evanston, Illinois, which is a great place to think and write.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490762401

Lynn M. Dixon

Lynn M. Dixon lives in Chicago. She has published two other works with Trafford: A Golden Leaf in Time and Traveling Streams.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Back to the Real World

Tyre and Phoenix stood at the Kahului Airport getting ready to board a non-stop flight to Chicago. They needed to get home and fall back into their routines. They had frolicked in the sun, bonded and told one another intimate secrets as they became as one- a true husband and wife unit.

Sometimes, it was as if they read one another’s thoughts. Words were not always necessary. As they left Maui behind, they felt fortified as they knew that the real world was waiting for their re-entry. The comfort levels between them had grown and each found that they were sharing private thoughts that they had not even thought of in years.

When their flight was called, they walked quietly and headed toward the gate. Once seated, Tyre and Phoenix simply looked at each other and smiled, knowing that they had each made a great choice in choosing a partner. Tyre said, How are you feeling, wife?

Fine, dear husband, she responded.

They both leaned back in their seats and held hands as the plane took off and ascended. They looked out of the window at the waters of Hawaii. They would always have fond memories of Maui and the wonderful honeymoon. They closed their eyes as the plane climbed and each held private pictures that played vividly across the screens of their minds. They remembered the spa treatments, the sun bathing on the beach, the great food, and Hawaiian drinks and the intimate moments as they got to know each other better as they became one.

The flight gave Tyre and Phoenix the opportunity to ease back into the fast-paced world of the big city. The further they continued on the flight, the more they started putting the tropical memories in their rear view mirrors and the reality of the concrete world of tall skyscrapers came slowly into view.

When their flight landed at O’Hare Airport, they looked at each other and together said, Ready? Both said, Yep, at the same time as they unfastened their seatbelts. They still had a week left on their vacation schedules. This would give them time to clean out Phoenix’s apartment so she could move into his place. It was great that he had the foresight to have those two extra rooms to give them a little wiggle room.

The quick movement of the people at the airport reminded them that it was truly on! Back to the future! Phoenix and Tyre headed to the luggage terminal. They kept looking over at each other as they moved at a faster pace. Each glimpse made them laugh. They both held private moments and precious memories.

They went straight down to the terminal to retrieve their luggage. A little retail therapy required the purchase of a new, extra piece of luggage, but the treasures were well worth it. They both had a few new items and some for their parents as well. Maui was not a place they expected to get to every year, so the keepsakes were invaluable.

Their luggage came down in a reasonable amount of time. Once the luggage was loaded into Tyre’s SUV, they headed towards Chicago. Tyre backed out of the space and said, Are you safely buckled in, My Lady?

Si, senor, she responded.

You know we make a good team. We are like the Dynamic Duo. You are Batman. I’m Robin, he said.

Phoenix said, Okay. I won’t lead you astray.

They headed out of the garage and towards the big city of Chicago.

Chapter 2

Heading Home

As Tyre drove south on the Kennedy Expressway towards his place off of North Avenue, he thought of the tasks ahead. Merging the two apartments was something that took a designed plan.

Just as the reality was taking root, Herb Kent, the Chicago deejay, came across the airways with his silky, smooth voice. He looked over at Phoenix and he smiled. She smiled back. They were truly home now and doubly anchored and equally yoked.

Roberta Flack started singing The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. The car was totally still on the inside and the only sound, other than Flack’s voice, was the beat of their hearts in unison. Tyre quietly opened the sunroof to let the early afternoon Sunday sun in and Phoenix quietly toyed with her new rings with admiration. There were no words needed.

Herb Kent changed the tempo and put on James Brown’s The Big Payback. Tyre picked up his speed and rhythm and put on his Chicago edge to assertively flow with the high-paced traffic. They both bobbed their heads in tune with the beat.

They looked at each other and laughed out loud and sang the chorus, The Big Payback! They got a little louder as they had a mini party along with the show-stopping James Brown, better known as JB. Tyre thought of people like his old nemesis Hank or the Reign of Terror with Flora and he felt like screaming, But look at me now!

Phoenix thought of the haters she had left behind at the library in the South and the failed relationships of the past. She looked down at her beautiful diamond and band and then at her adorable new hubby, and chimed in, The Big Payback.

Together they sang "Da de, da dah; da de da dah, The Big Payback. They danced in their seats and Tyre exited at North Avenue, moving full steam ahead.

They pulled up at Tyre’s place, exhausted, but happy for such a wondrous honeymoon. Tyre said, "Here. Take the keys and go on up and rest your pretty little head. I will bring up the luggage.

Merci beaucoup, monsieur, Phoenix responded.

She took the elevator up to his spacious condo. She opened the door and she liked the way the sun came in through the windows. It was as if she could see rainbows and prisms reflecting off of the glasses on the table. Good omen, she sighed.

This gave her time to a make a plan as to how her things would merge with his. She stood and studied every nook and cranny. She walked through every room taking an inventory. Ideas started to flow. She went back into the living room and pulled out some paper and pen. She started making lists.

When Tyre opened the door which she had left unlocked, he saw her and smiled.

My dear wife, why am I not surprised to see you in this mode? Tyre asked when he saw her writing.

She looked up from her the page and flashed him a million dollar smile. She responded, "I have a design for how we can merge our things.

D’accord. He agreed. I’d like to see it when we get settled," he closed, as he rolled their luggage into the walk-in closet.

Chapter 3

Discarding and Savoring

The movers would be at Phoenix’s apartment on that Thursday. They had four full days to decide what would stay and what would be tossed from the two places.

They were clear on one thing. A new bed was the first order of business and they agreed that would try Crate and Barrel’s. They also agreed that the two extra rooms would be for their individual office and library spaces to be decorated individually. They would compromise on