Tropical Storm by Stefanie Graham Page A

allow himself to get involved with her again. She had almost destroyed him once; she could easily do so again.He had to let her go.
    Cairo dropped to his knees and held his hand out to Shane. The child came immediately.
    Cairo stroked his curls with fondness and regret.
    “You and I got off to a rocky start, didn’t we little one?”
    Shane nodded.
    “But I must say,” Cairo continued softly. “That I have found a real friend in you. I will truly miss you when you’re gone.”
    Shane’s emerald eyes were wide.
    “If you’ll miss me, then ask us to stay, Cairo. I know if you asked us mommy would change her mind.” The boy’s expression was hopeful.
    Cairo looked up at Storm and theystared at each other for a long time, a million questions in their eyes. In the end, it was Storm who looked away.
    She then reached down and took her son’s hand.
    “Goodbye, Cairo.”
    Don’t go!
    Cairo wanted to shout it. But in the end, all he did was watch helplessly as the chartered taxi made a dusty trail down the dirtroad. He watched until it was out of sight. They were gone. Cairo stood and watched the vehicle until it was a speck on the horizon. He gazed on even after it was lost from sight.
    “Go after her.” Tyrone said from behind him.
    Stricken, Cairo could only stare at him.
    “Go after her.” Tyrone commanded. “Cairo, I know you better than anybody. You loved her then, you love her now and you will always love her. If you let her go, there will never be another chance. Can you live with that?”
    He stared at his cousin his mind trying to decipher his words. What was he talking about? How could he love Storm after all she had done to him; after all he had suffered because of her? He had sworn he would never forgive her. How could he go back on his vow now?
    “I can’t, Ty. Yes, I still have feelings for her, but I also hate her for what she did to me; the memory of her lies and manipulation are ingrained in my consciousness. The pain burns as hot nowas it did then.”
    “So does the passion.” Tyrone declared. “If the two of you could just see yourselves. When you’re together it’s like no one else exists. The hate is only there as a barrier to love, Cairo. Certainly you know that.”
    “It doesn’t matter what I know!” Cairo said angrily. “I can’t forgive her. I can’t trust anything she says. I can’t trust that she’s changed. I can’t!” What if she hurts me again? Only his heart could hear his thoughts.
    “Who are you trying to convince, Cairo, me or yourself?” His cousin asked softly. “You and Storm are grownups now.Her parents have no sway over either of you. If you don’t let go of the past it will trap you forever. Go to Storm: find her, touch her, love her and find out what’s the secret to this hold she has over you. The only way to deal with the past is to confront it.”
    The only way to deal with the past is to confront it . Cairo repeated his cousin’s words duringthe long torturous drive to Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport. He didn’t know when Storm’s flight was, but he had to get there in time. He fought the thick traffic the whole way, dodging bicyclists, and shuttle vans as he sped down the congested road.
    At the airport Cairo parked the car haphazardly in the taxi queue and jumped out. As always, the airport was a mass of chaos and confusion. There were throngs of people streaming out of the building hailing taxis, looking for loved ones and their luggage. The crisply uniformed porters tried to maintain some form of order. Cairo ran up to one of them, grabbing his arm.
    “What you want, mon ?” His impatience was obvious.
    “I’m looking for a woman.” Cairo began.
    The porter sucked his teeth hard. “So am I.” He said sarcastically before he started to move off.
    Cairo ran after him. “No, I’m looking for a specific woman. You couldn’t have missed her. She’s a blond, curly hair; tanned, tall, beautiful and traveling with a young