by Jim Dalton
Global Pilot: “Roger. Six-fifty-two, holding our current position.”
Controller: “Convair one-three-papa, Global is going to hold for you. Let me know when you reach the departure end of one-two right.”
Lucas: “Will do, one-three-papa.”
Controller: “Global six-fifty-two, what is your current position?”
Global Pilot: “Don’t know; we have the same problem as the Convair. I know we haven’t reached taxiway alpha yet.”
Controller: “OK, stay put. I’ll let you know when you can proceed.”
Global Pilot: “Six-fifty-two.”
“Lucas, where do you think we are?” Mike asked.
“Fuck. I don’t know, on a taxi strip?”
“I understand that. Think we will be able to see the end of the taxiway?”
“Mike, I don’t have a clue, but we don’t have an option but to continue. I’ve never heard of anyone just shutting down on a taxi strip, but I guess we could.”
“I guess, but what do we do then? We don’t even know where we are.”
“I suppose they could send a car out to find us. Mike, you ever see anything like this?”
“No, but hallelujah, I think we’ve reached the end!”
“Mike, I’ve got to tell you: I’m exhausted just taxiing to the runway.”
“Yeah, this is a terrible way to start a trip,” responded Mike.
At about the same time Mike declared them ready for departure, Global checked in over the outer marker on a final approach to land on the same runway Mike and Lucas intended to use.
“Lucas,” said Mike, “this should be interesting!”
“I’d like to see how he pulls this off. Tower, this is Convair one-three-papa. Captain says he has his courage up, so I guess we’re ready to go on one-two right.”
“Convair one-three-papa, hold short: landing traffic.”
“Hold short, one-three-papa,” replied Lucas. “Mike, he should be here in about a minute—want to place any bets on the outcome?”
“I don’t think so; I know how this approach will end.”
“Global three-twenty-nine executing a missed approach.”
As Global announced their missed approach, Mike and Lucas could barely see the bottom of the plane as it passed over the threshold of the runway. They could hear the engines spooling up to climb power.
“What do you think, Mike? Odds are the crew never saw any part of the runway.”
“Now that I would bet on,” murmured Mike.
Controller: “Roger Global three-twenty-nine. I show Indianapolis as your alternate, maintain your present heading and contact departure one-one-nine point-nine. Global three-twenty-nine—good day.”
Controller: “Convair one-three-papa: turn left three-six-zero, cleared for takeoff on runway one-two right.”
“One-three-papa,” Lucas said. “OK, Mike. I’ll call the numbers as usual, but I think we both need to watch for the centerline.”
“I’ll buy that. Let me get the landing lights on and see if that helps.” The lights turned on. “Wow, that’s too much glare, but I don’t see a choice. You?”
“No, let’s let her rip.”
With his right hand, Mike moved the throttles forward to takeoff power while Lucas followed the throttles with his left hand. As the power came up on both engines, the instruments seemed to move in unison. Everything came to life. Various warning lights went out while other lights came on, indicating that systems were functioning properly. The airplane began to accelerate quickly.
“OK, Mike, everything’s in the green and there’s forty-five knots.”
“Coming up on V1.”
Right after Lucas announced that V1 had been reached, a loud noise grabbed his attention. It was a noise that sounded like an engine backfiring.
“Mike we’re losing an engine,” announced Lucas.
The Convair continued to accelerate.
“MIKE, GODDAMN IT, WE’RE LOSING AN ENGINE,” yelled Lucas as he turned his attention away from the runway to look at Mike.
Mike responded by pulling the throttles of both engines and saying, “Lucas, pull the flaps—T handle.”
Mike applied heavy breaking and put both engines in full reverse. While Mike tried to bring their beast to a halt, Lucas held the wheel to prevent control damage from the changing air patterns. Lucas called the tower.
“Tower, one-three-papa is aborting!”
Controller: “One-three-papa, need the equipment?”
Lucas: “Negative—stand by, tower.”
“Lucas,” Mike said, “got any idea where we are? You see any markers?”
“None! We should have used about four thousand feet, so there should be lots of runway in front of us.”
Lucas: “Tower, one-three-papa.”
Controller: “One-three-papa, go ahead.”
Lucas: “One-three-papa: we were losing an engine and had to shut things down. We got her stopped, but we’re lost on the runway. If you can hold the traffic, we’re going to stay on the centerline and follow it to the end.”
Controller: “That’s approved, one-three-papa—give me a call when you clear the runway.”
One week later, Lucas could still vividly recall their slow, deliberate return to Gold Coast, still full of the precious cargo. That trip was to be Lucas’s last trip with State Side and he was disappointed that it ended as it did. He never found out what was wrong with the engine.
Lucas planned to take a little time off for graduation, and a little more to vacation before reporting to Global for his new job.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ready For Departure
The ceremony for summer graduates wasn’t as lavish as the one held in May for the regular graduating class, but it still had the requisite boring speakers. Lucas tuned the speakers out by thinking not only about his past, but about what his life looked like in the moment. He questioned the wisdom of spending his time reliving the past. Reflecting briefly on the past never hurt anyone, but to dwell on it made no sense to him.
It’s my future I should be thinking about, he said to himself. When I think of my future, I see a nearly blank canvas. I only have to decide what I want my future to look like. Therein lies the problem. I am smart enough to know that I have the ability to do whatever I want, and that my future will be the result of my actions. I won’t be able to blame anyone else if I screw things up.
I am graduating with my degree in psychology. I have a fantastic job that pays well and have an even better one waiting for me in a few weeks. I have a beautiful Corvette, fantastic boat, nice apartment: life is good. I don’t think I need to worry about my immediate future. Seems like my career is off to a good start.
As for my personal life, Heather has become an important part of it, but she is always preoccupied with my past, or who I am, or something like that. We have fantastic sex. She is beautiful, kind, and loving. I think she would do anything for me. But how can I give serious consideration to making a future with someone who won’t accept me for the person I am today? This business of wanting to know more about me is a puzzle; guess I’ll never understand it.
Then there’s my new job waiting for me. I start my training with Global in about four weeks. I will have a crazy schedule for at least six months, perhaps even a year or longer. I have always focused on one thing at a time. Lately it’s been school, then my job, and then Heather. I won’t have school to deal with, but the Global training and transition to another plane will require a lot of bookwork and time. At this point, I’m not sure I will have the time to give Heather the attention she wants, much less deserves. Is it right for me to ask Heather to sit tight and just wait for me to get my life organized? She could be dating other people. Who knows, she could fall madly in love with next person she meets. Besides, I still can’t stop thinking about Morgan. It pains me to think of having a serious relationship with another woman. Dating and sex is one thing, but Heather is looking for a long-term commitment and I can’t do that.
The way I felt when I lost Morgan was almost more than I could stand. I just can’t take that chance again. I owe it to Heather to be completely honest about my feelings. I just don’t see her understanding that my doubts are a result of thinking about what is best for her.
I’m not going to say anything to Heather today—I need to get this graduation behind me—but tomorrow is a different story. The first order of business is to be completely honest with Heather. The truth has always served me well, and I see no need to change that approach now. I will put my plan into motion tomorrow, but first I need to reflect on this to make sure I’m doing the right thing.
Immediately following the ceremony, Lucas found Mike and Heather mingling with the crowd of proud onlookers.
“Hey! Mike, Heather, the two of you apparently made it to the end.”
“Lucas, that was a nice graduation and you should feel proud of your accomplishment!” Heather gave Lucas a big hug and a kiss. “I know how much you put into your education while working a demanding, full-time job. Way to go!”
“Heather’s right,” said Mike. “You’ve worked hard for this, and I am so proud of you. Most people I know would’ve quit some time ago.” Turning toward Heather, Mike asked, “What are you two going to do to celebrate?”
“Don’t have any concrete plans,” Lucas said. “What would you like to do, Heather?”
“This is your day; you decide. Whatever you choose is fine by me.”
“For the first time in a long time, I don’t have any homework and I’m not on standby at the airport, so why don’t we go to that restaurant on top of the hotel downtown—the one that rotates? Can’t think of the name off hand, but we could have a nice meal and then go for a moonlit swim at my place.”
“I think that sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate,” responded Heather.
Mike extended a hand to Lucas for one last congratulatory comment, and then looking at Heather said, “You lovebirds have a nice evening, and don’t stay out too late!” He gave Heather a wink as he turned to walk away.
“Heather, I can’t believe this chapter in my life is finished. I feel a little at odds. I don’t have anything with which to occupy my thoughts.”
“Mr. Lucas,” she said in a playful voice, “I’ll give you something to occupy your thoughts tonight, and in the meantime, you just think about it.”
“Heather, you really tickle me. I’m glad we got together. But now we have a decision to make: do we go straight to dinner, or do I run you home now and pick you up later?”
“Can we go later? I would like to freshen up.”
“I’ll run you home, then we can both freshen up and I’ll pick you up at seven. Sound like a plan?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Heather, once home, was determined to make the evening special for both Lucas and herself. A quick shower seemed to be in order, followed by shaving her legs while sitting on the edge of the tub. Legs smooth as silk, her attention turned to her bikini area for a quick trim. All twenty nails received a touch-up with pearl-colored polish that complemented her outfit. Applying just the right amount of makeup—essential to make her complexion flawless—completed the process of putting her body in shape for the evening. The last step before donning her favorite miniskirt—a black silk skirt with a matching strapless top—was to select a pair of panties that would make her feel both elegant and just a little naughty. A black thong did the job. Sandals with rhinestones showed off her freshly painted toenails and completed her outfit.
As Heather slipped into her sandals, she heard her doorbell ring. Heather made her way to the front door. Opening the door, she found Lucas standing there like a date picking up his girl for the prom. He wore black shoes, gray slacks, and a blue blazer with a white shirt.
“Heather,” he said, “you’re elegant tonight! You’re beautiful, but of course you always are.”
“Well, thank you. Give me just a minute to throw a few things together and I’ll be ready.”
Heather retreated to the bedroom to get fresh underwear, a bikini, a toothbrush, and a pair of shorts and a blouse. She tossed her essentials into a small overnight case and returned to Lucas, who still stood near the door of her apartment.
“I’m ready if you are,” announced Heather as she approached her waiting date.
“Let’s do it.”
Lucas stepped out of the apartment and turned to face Heather as she stepped out and then turned back toward the closed door to lock it. Door secured, Lucas took Heather’s hand and led her to the right side of the car, where he opened the door and assisted Heather into the car.
Getting into a Corvette in a miniskirt isn’t any more difficult than if I were wearing shorts, Heather thought, but it can’t be done ladylike. I think I just gave Lucas a preview of dessert. Who cares? Hope he enjoyed it.
Belted in, Lucas and Heather motored their way to the city, where Lucas had made reservations for an eight o’clock dinner. Their restaurant was located on top of a hotel overlooking the city, including the Gateway Arch. The restaurant rotated, so it didn’t matter where they started their dinner, since they eventually saw the entire view. Both Lucas and Heather were in a festive mood.
“Heather, it doesn’t matter what you want for dinner or to drink,” Lucas said. “This is our night. You want it, we’ll get it.”
Lucas and Heather celebrated until the restaurant closed. There was no shortage of food or drink—especially drink. As Lucas and Heather began to exit the restaurant, it became apparent that Lucas was in no condition to drive. Being a responsible person, Lucas hailed a cab. In no time, the cab dropped Lucas and Heather off at Lucas’s apartment. Although not stumbling drunk, neither felt any pain and both remained in their party mood. It was nearing midnight, but the party went on.
“Heather, let me get a bottle of wine and let’s go swimming.”
“I would love to, but it looks like the pool is closed.”
“Nope, they just turn the lights out at eleven, I assume to discourage late-night partying.”
“Like we’re about to do.”
“Not exactly like we’re about to do. I think what they’re trying to discourage is more than a party of two. I don’t expect we’ll make much noise. In fact, I would just as soon not call any attention to our presence.”
“You’re forgetting one thing.”
“What’s that, Heather?”
“My swimsuit is in your car.”
“You’ll be OK. Let me go get that wine.”
“If you say so,” Heather said.
While waiting for Lucas to return, Heather stood there, surveying the area. Much as she had suspected, the complex was dead, with no signs of life anywhere. Even with the sounds of crickets, there was an eerie quiet on that dark, moonless night.
As Lucas emerged from the apartment, Heather could see that he had retrieved two bottles of wine instead of one, as well as two plastic wineglasses. A grocery bag hung from his right arm, and he’d draped a blanket over his head so that it almost covered his eyes.
Seeing that Lucas had his hands full, Heather darted to his aid and took away one bottle and the blanket. Not only was Lucas relieved to have help, he no longer looked so silly. Between the alcohol and the moonless sky, the two found it difficult to walk in a straight line, and the two supported each other as they made their way to the pool. Heather and Lucas were the only ones out, so the entire pool was theirs for the taking. It was late, dark, and quiet. Once there, the two dropped the blanket within a step or two of the water and, after being comfortably seated, spread their goodies out within arm’s reach. Heather checked the grocery bag and found that Lucas had brought cheese to go with their wine.
Lucas leaned on his right arm with his legs spread out within inches of Heather. Heather sat facing Lucas, with her legs crossed in front of her. Such a position required Heather’s skirt to be hiked to her waist, but it was dark and no one was around so she let it. With bottles tapped and wineglasses full, Lucas proposed a toast to t
he future.
They touched glasses and each said, “To the future.”
“What do you say, Heather: up for a little swim?”
“I would love to take a dip in the pool, but my suit is back at the hotel in your car.”
“Look around: there isn’t anyone here, and this is a dark night. I plan to go skinny-dipping. You can too.”
“That would be cool. Do you really think we can?”
“Watch me.”
Standing, Lucas released his belt, unzipped his pants, and pulled his slacks and underwear off in one motion. His socks were next, followed by his shirt. Sitting there naked, he raised his glass and said, “Your turn.” Then he took a sip of wine.
With Lucas’s encouragement, Heather pulled her blouse over her head and tossed it on the growing pile of clothes. Her bra followed her blouse. Heather leaned back to pull off her skirt and panties, then added them to the pile.
Sitting there naked, Heather raised her glass and said, “Here’s to us.” She also took a sip of wine.
Both were naked, both sipped their wine, and neither said anything. Heather was about three feet in front of Lucas. Her legs were crossed, with her knees nearly touching the pool deck. Lucas could only see her major features. Her breasts were distinguishable, but the rest of her body was cloaked in darkness.
Lucas’s feet were flat on the pool deck, with his knees together just under his chin. His features were also ill-defined, with only his dick protruding between his legs and pointing upward in an otherwise darkened atmosphere.
“Heather, how about that swim?”
“Let’s go,” responded Heather.
Lucas was first to his feet, so he reached down to assist Heather. The edge of the pool was only a few feet away, so the walk was short. Heather was the first one in the pool, followed by Lucas.
“Heather, I love to go skinny-dipping. I feel liberated with my business just hanging free and unencumbered.”
“I know what you mean; I think this is bringing the devil out in me. Incidentally, the last time I noticed, which was just before you got into the water, your dick wasn’t exactly hanging.”
