by Murray Pura
“You did. No matter how hard I fought it I started getting feelings for you. And people close to me reminded me Moses was in heaven and was no longer connected to me the way I wanted to stay connected to him. I wasn’t his bride. I wasn’t even a date. Or a woman. He was like an angel and had moved on to other things. So it was up to me to have a life down here. Or not.” Her fingers returned to his dog-tag chain. “I closed both eyes and jumped.” She looked into his eyes. “I wanted you to come to me last night on the beach.”
“I…I wasn’t ready…not with Batman and Wizard and Juggler as an audience—”
“Are you ready now?”
He untwined her strand of blond hair. “Yeah.”
“Four o’clock?”
“Four o’clock.”
She tugged on his dog tags and smiled. “Promise?”
“Cross my heart and hope to die.”
“No. Not that, please. Just come in one piece.”
Throughout the day she felt a mixture of euphoria and guilt.
At four o’clock when he showed up, she was leaning against the side of Flapjack’s hut. Not sure if she was doing the right thing, she got into the jeep without a smile or a greeting. Clenching her hands in her lap she said nothing while Raven drove.
“It’s okay,” he finally said. “We don’t have to do this. I can take you home.”
She glanced at him. “Is that what you want?”
“No. It’s not what I want. But what I want is for you to be here with me, not somewhere else. Things have moved too quickly for both of us. I’ll take you home.”
He took the turnoff toward her neighborhood.
Her lips were tight. “Turn around.”
“Beck—”
“Turn around.”
“You don’t have to jump into the deep end your first time back in the water after a drowning.”
“You did.”
“I did?”
“What happened this morning, Christian? Spins, dives, barrel rolls, treetop flying. All the things you’ve been afraid of doing since your brother died. You didn’t ease into it. You dove in head first.”
“Because I knew I might not do it if I didn’t throw everything into it.”
“It’s the same for me. I know it is. I’ll die a slow death if I don’t love again. Turn around.”
“What about Juggler and Wizard and Batman? And Lockjaw and Whistler will want to get in on it once they find out.”
She smiled her small smile. “They’ll get their dates.”
“And me?”
“You’re in a different category. Stop and turn around, Thunderbird, or I’ll take back the controls.”
He did a U-turn and got back on the main road.
She leaned her head against the seat. “Where are you taking me?”
“Nanakuli.”
She looked over at him. “Are you serious?”
“I like it there.”
“So we’re going to walk the beach, is that it?”
“Well, if it’s not taking it faster than it already is, I’d kind of hoped I could get you swimming.”
“Really? Wouldn’t I need a swimsuit for that?”
“Sure, but—”
“I don’t normally pack one along with my flight jacket.”
“I didn’t think you would.”
She raised her golden eyebrows. “So? Are you planning to have a beach wedding and then take me into the water as is?”
“Not yet.” He patted the seat. “The PX carries swimsuits for women. So guys can buy them for their sweethearts. Or the brass for their wives. Look under your seat.”
She kept her eyes on him. “You bought me a swimsuit? How would you know my size?”
“I guessed.”
“You guessed?” Her eyes flared. “Did Wizard and Lockjaw lend you a hand?”
“Take it easy, Becky—”
“I am taking it easy. Just answer the question.”
“No one lent me a hand. Not even the nice lady at the counter. I really did guess.”
“I really did guess. How could you do that when you’ve only seen me in a flight jacket four sizes too big?”
“I’ve—” He stopped while he turned off the main road. “I’ve watched you walk out to the Piper for weeks. Walk right at me.”
Blood rushed into Becky’s face. “I thought you didn’t notice.”
“All part of my tough-guy act. Didn’t you feel it?”
She slapped his arm. “Shut up, Thunderbird.” She put on her Ray-Bans and stared straight ahead. “I felt it all right.”
When they reached Nanakuli she stood up in the jeep before Raven brought it to a stop. “I like what I see.”
“Those are seven-foot waves.”
“I’ve been an island girl since I was sixteen. I can handle it.”
Once Raven parked she took the paper bag from under her seat and darted into the bushes. “Stay in the jeep until I call you.”
When she did call it was not from the bushes. “Thunderbird! Come on in! The water’s great!”
He came down to the beach. She was in the surf up to her neck, letting the waves break over her and cover her in foam.
“How do you like the swimsuit?” he asked.
“It’s a little snug but I love it. You have good taste.”
“I can’t see it. Come out of the water.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m too shy, that’s why not. You have to come in.”
Raven had his trunks on under his uniform. He removed the uniform quickly, folded it, and put a stone on top. Then he ran up to the edge of the waves and dove in as a large one crashed onto the sand, hurling spray. When he came up he could not see her but suddenly a hand grabbed his and she surfaced beside him, grinning and blinking the saltwater out of her eyes.
“I want to see the swimsuit,” he said.
“Is that all you have on your mind?”
“I’ve never bought one for a woman before.”
“Go stand on the shore then. I’ll come to you.”
Raven waded out to the surf line and turned to face her. At first she remained in the white boil of the waves with the water as high as her throat. Then she began to walk out, water and foam sliding off her arms and chest and stomach. The swimsuit was a black two-piece with a white pikake flower embroidered on the bottom piece and another on the top. She walked like she walked on the airfield, with a soft roll to her shoulders and her hips. He watched fascinated as she emerged, her skin glistening as the sun struck her, her long legs breaking free of the surf. She tossed her head when she reached him so that the spray scattered over his face and eyes. Then she put her arms around his neck.
“Hey. Thunderbird.”
“What?”
“Kiss me.”
He leaned forward to her and kissed her gently. He pulled back…and then took her close to him and kissed her again, this time with more confidence. She whispered something in his ear but he couldn’t hear it. He kissed her again, lifting her in his arms and carrying her into the waves. The sea broke over them and she ran her hands and fingers over his face and hair and back as the foam streamed off their shoulders and arms.
“Are you still scared?” he asked.
A wave smashed into them. Her fingers went to his mouth. “Yes. But I don’t want to stop if that’s what you’re asking.”
“It’s not what I’m asking.”
“What are you asking then?”
“If we can keep going until the sun drops behind the mountains and the stars come out.”
“That’s a long time.”
“Can you handle it?”
“Am I scrawny?” she asked, smiling as the water roared all around them, her fingers still playing with his lips.
“No.”
“Ugly?”
“No.”
“A snot-nosed kid?”
“No.”
“Then maybe I should be asking if you can handle me. Can you
?”
“How am I doing so far?”
She stopped smiling, silver water drops beading on her face. “You’re taking the heart out of me. And putting it somewhere else. Somewhere safe. And I like it.” She pulled his head toward her with both of her hands locked together and covered his mouth with her own, putting all her strength and spirit into the kiss. In a few moments he didn’t feel the ocean surge against his legs and chest anymore or hear the breaking of the waves against their bodies.
SIXTEEN
Has it become serious?”
“Yes.”
Ruth looked up from her quilting. “Have you told your mother and father?”
Becky traced a pattern on the tabletop with her finger. “I’ve told them a little.”
“And how are you feeling about it?”
“Sometimes I’m up. Sometimes I’m down. But—”
“But?”
“I want to keep going. I really care for him.”
“And how does he treat you?”
Becky smiled. “I feel cherished.”
Ruth returned the smile. “And how long has it been serious?”
“Since he kissed me. Two weeks ago.”
“Have you given Moses back to God then?”
“I think of him. I love him. But I’ve taken what you and Bishop Zook said to heart. Some days it’s easier to let go of him than others, though.” She looked out the window at the sunset. “Now and then Raven reminds me of him—the gentleness.”
“What about what was damming this Raven up inside? Has he come to terms with that?”
“Yes.”
“Did you help him? Did you pray for him?”
“Yes.”
“I noticed him at church last Sunday. He is a handsome young man and appears to be polite. And he attended to what Pastor Thor had to say.” She made a stitch. “Are those men with him pilots also?”
“Most of them. The one in whites is with the Coast Guard.”
“They all seemed friendly enough with you.”
“I like them. They’re good guys.”
“You must introduce me sometime. Your mother was talking about having some of them over for Thanksgiving.”
“They’d love that.”
Ruth sniffed. “There’s nothing like good solid Amish fare for a man.” She held up the corner of the quilt she was working on. “Hm.” She put it back down and smoothed it out. “You’re still helping this Raven hone his flying skills?”
“Not anymore. He doesn’t know it but tomorrow morning things take on a new twist.”
“Oh? And what is that?”
“I’ll tell you after tomorrow.” Becky stood and stretched. “I’m turning in. Four o’clock always comes too fast for me. Gute nacht.”
“Gute nacht, my dear.”
Raven was waiting for Becky by Flapjack’s office when her father dropped her off.
“That old jeep of your dad’s is still putting in a day’s work, eh?”
“It is.” She placed a kiss on his cheek. He gathered her up in his arms, lifted her off the ground, and kissed her on the lips, holding the kiss for a long minute.
“Hey.” She laughed. “Since when do you kiss me like that at six in the morning?”
“I missed you.”
Her green cat eyes gleamed as she smoothed back his blond hair. “And I missed you. But we weren’t apart that long.”
“Even a minute can be an agony.”
She arched her eyebrows. “Agony? Have you been reading Shakespeare?”
“Just the Bible. Same kind of English, isn’t it?”
“Pretty much.” She hugged him. “I love how you feel in my arms. Especially when you have your flight jacket on.”
“Exactly how do I feel, Becky?”
“Just right.” She kissed him quickly on the lips. “Now tell me why you’re standing here instead of waiting out by the plane?”
“Well…you walk out to me every morning—and I’m watching you—and I got to thinking—suppose the walk makes her uncomfortable—you know, my eyes on you the whole time and all that—”
“All that? You nut.” She hugged him again, harder this time. “I loved the feeling it gave me before you ever took me in your arms. What kind of feeling do you think it gives me now?”
“I just didn’t want you to feel embarrassed by anything I did.”
“I’m not. I feel special when you look at me. I can see what’s in your eyes.”
“What’s that?”
“Me.” She mussed his hair. “Wizard would kill a person for doing this to his hair.” She started to pat it down again. “Anyway. You’d better get out to the Piper.”
“Aren’t you coming?”
“Not today. You don’t need me anymore, hotshot.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve got the stunts under your belt.”
“Beck—”
She put her hands on both sides of his face. “Hey. It’s been great. It brought us together. Now you have to do what a combat pilot does all on your own.” She went on her tiptoes and kissed his forehead. “Except you won’t be alone up there today, Thunderbird. Watch your back.”
He gave her a puzzled look, his eyebrows coming together. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m not supposed to tell you. But, after all, I am your girl, right?”
“You are.”
“So check with Flapjack before you go up.”
Glancing back at her he opened the door to Flapjack’s office. Lockjaw was in the chair.
“Yo, Thunderbird. Whassup?”
Raven stared at him. “What are you doing here?”
“They asked me to cover.”
“Where’s Flapjack?”
“Search me.”
Raven closed the door and turned back to Becky. He shook his head and grinned.
“You’re worth fighting for,” he said.
“Yeah? Well, that’s what you’ll be doing in the air a few minutes from now.”
“Okay, beautiful, what’s going on?”
“Flapjack is coming up after you. He’ll be on your tail.”
“Flapjack. Is that it?”
“No. My dad’s going to be on your case too.”
“Your dad. Jude Whetstone. The ace. People talk about him the way they talk about Eddie Rickenbacker. He was that good.”
“He’s still that good. Watch yourself.”
The early color in the sky lit his blue eyes. It made her smile.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Nothing’s funny. You’re gorgeous, that’s all.”
“Sure I am.” He looked toward his Piper. As he did he noticed two other J-3s warming up on the runway. “Is that them?”
“It is.”
“Baron von Richthofen and his Flying Circus?”
“Yup.”
“Wish me well.”
“Of course.” She suddenly wrapped her arms around him and gave him a fast and hard kiss. “You’ve come a long way. Now keep going. God bless you, Christian Scott Raven.”
“It’s just a game. There’s no war.”
Her eyes were a dark jungle green, the kind of green he saw when he hiked back into the thick growth of Oahu’s forests. “People are dying by the millions, Raven. In Europe. In Russia. In China. There’s a war. You’re supposed to save them. Remember? You’re a fighter pilot. Promise me you’ll save them.”
“Aren’t you going just a little bit overboard?”
“Ask my brother. He watched pregnant women get raped and their newborns bayoneted.”
“Beck—”
“You’re my man now. Aren’t you?”
“Sure, Beck, but—”
“Save them.”
He ran a thumb gently over her dark blond eyebrows. “You have so much beauty inside and out. How can a guy say no to you?” He began to head across the runway. “I miss your walk to the J-3 already.”
“I’ll do other walks for you, Thunderbird.”
“Where and when?”
“I’ll start when you come in for your landing.”
“You’re going to come to me?” he turned and walked backward a moment, grinning.
She hugged her leather jacket around her. “I’ll run.”
Lockjaw came out of the office once Raven took off. No sooner was Raven up than the two Pipers that had been waiting lifted and headed after him. Raven went for height and Jude and Flapjack split apart, one going to Raven’s left, the other to his right.
Lockjaw grunted. “They take all this stuff with the Japanese seriously, don’t they?”
Becky hugged herself more tightly. “So long as they remember it’s a training exercise, not the real thing.”
Lockjaw popped several Chiclets into his mouth. “Babe, every time you go up it’s the real thing.” He glanced at her. “Don’t worry. He knows how to take care of himself.”
“I just…I just don’t want him to come in too low…hit buildings or trees by mistake—”
“He won’t.”
“Twisting and turning to get away from two war pilots? How do you know?”
“He has a better reason to land than he’s ever had before.” Lockjaw grinned and chewed. “Lucky stiff.”
Despite her anxiety Becky couldn’t hold back her smile. “You’re crazy, Lockjaw.”
“That’s what Mom always says.”
It began. Jude, in Piper number five, went at Raven head on. When Raven dove to avoid him Flapjack pounced on his back. Raven swung left and right and finally barrel rolled, flew upside down, then looped around on Flapjack’s tail and would not be shaken off until Jude bore down on him from above. Raven dove sharply to treetop level, and Becky was sure she saw palm fronds spin into the air, snapped lose by the turbulence. He was closely followed by Jude while Flapjack maneuvered to get above him for an attack once he pulled up. But Raven fooled them both, actually touching his wheels down on an open field, the dust flying, while Jude ripped past overhead, then jumping up onto Jude’s tail, gaining height rapidly, finally breaking away to dive on Flapjack, who suddenly found himself a thousand feet below Raven.
Lockjaw popped more Chiclets. “Your boyfriend seems to be holding his own. But now comes the tough part.”
Becky slipped her eyes onto him. “What are you talking about?”
“They didn’t tell you because they knew you’d tell him. Surprise.” He jerked upward with his chin.
