He took a breath and tilted his head putting a hand on the back of a chair. “Yeah, looks like you blew a main seal and she's locked up tighter than a drum now. You're two choices here are going to be a complete rebuild or a full engine swap-out.”
I cringed. Damn, my two worst case scenarios. I squinted an eye, still cringing like I was about to be hit. “Okay, so what's your estimate on each case?”
He looked to be in serious contemplation as he said, “A rebuild, I estimate you are looking at five to six weeks, and right around four weeks for a swap-out. I'd have to get it shipped in from back east.”
The time frame estimate was disheartening but he he didn't answer the real question. “No, I mean cost. What is it going to set me back?”
He seemed to get agitated at this, his voice raised a little, “Hey, no way. I'm not falling back into that, no cash exchanges here! I'm paying off my debt to Elliot here in exchange for that damn crazy eye girl clearing his marker to her! I'm doing this pro bono like we agreed! I need my sport plane back! So you want the rebuild or swap-out?”
What?! Debts? Markers? Crazy eye girl? What the hell has Crystal done? “Don't call her that!” I snapped, maybe a little too harshly at him. I obviously still felt protective over that amazing girl.
He held his hands up in mock defense. “Sorry, no offense intended. She's just had this marker hanging over Elliot's head for a couple years. He loves her to death, says she's a genuinely nice person, but that debt has been eating away at him. But whatever it is, it's worth him releasing my plane back to me, and I still owe him over a hundred k on it. This repair isn't worth even half of that. I just don't want him backing out of this deal.”
I was stunned, just what is she doing? My heart started beating again. God I miss her. I just can't play her game any more. I wish things could have been different... real. I snapped out of it when I realized Mac was waiting on an answer from me. “Ummm... the swap out is faster. Time is my enemy here. Is that... okay?”
He exhaled a breath of relief that I didn't know he was holding, his face relaxed visibly as he smiled and shook my hand vigorously. “Thanks, Jane! I'll get right on it. I can pull the engine today and order the replacement. Should be here in like twenty to twenty-five days. You mind if I keep the old engine to rebuild and recoup some cash?”
I shook my head, still amazed at what was happening. “That's fine... and, Mac?” He looked at me indicating I should continue with a slightly raised brow. I took a breath, “Thank you. And let Elliot know that everyone is even now.”
The biggest smile grew on his face as he turned around and marched back out to work on Violet. I sat down on the god-awful orange vinyl couch in the office and contemplated what had just happened. I'm still not sure.
I looked at her last text on my phone [ im glad u r ok ] and couldn't stop myself as I cried silently. All I could think about when Violet's engine was failing is that I had to get back, so I could have a chance to see Cryster again. That was my driving force.
A moment later my phone was ringing, I checked the caller ID, it was the tower. I answered it, “McKay. What? Ummm... okay. Uhhh, yeah, have them taxi to the hanger. Thanks!” Now what is going on? I walked out to the main hanger bay door and watched a Cessna 206 touch down on the tarmac and idle its way over to our hangar.
The scraggly haired young pilot cut the engine and spryly hopped down to the tarmac. He looked my way and nodded in recognition as he walked swiftly over to me with a tense look on his face.
“Jane McKay?” He asked. I nodded and accepted his handshake and his business card. He just started speaking to me like we were in the middle of a conversation, “Okay, there she is, just call when you are done with her and I'll come get her. Fuel and maintenance is on you as agreed. Let her know.” Then he turned and started walking off toward the gate.
I was getting whiplash. What the heck just happened? I looked at his card and called out to him, “Hey! Mike! What's going on here?”
He turned back and looked almost panicked. “Oh, no way! She can't back out now. She just squared things with my wife.”
I shook my head. “Mike, English! I'm a little confused here.”
He looked at me like I was trying to pull something over on him. “Miss James. She said her and Robin would be even if we lent you the plane while yours got repaired. Now as much as I like that girl and her crazy sister, we hate owing people. Robin jumped at this when she offered to clear the slate!”
I was stunned again, apparently that is going to be my natural state today. “You're... lending me... your plane?” He looked at me like it was a silly question then nodded and started walking toward the front gate again to where I could see a young woman waiting with a car.
He called back over his shoulder as he went, “Make sure to let Miss James know that we upheld our part of the bargain!” I nodded at his back, not that he could see it as he walked away. I didn't know what was happening just then.
What was this? Was she just trying to clear her conscience? Was this guilt? Or did she really care about me? Was she an angel? Did she really come from the heavens like I thought? I was so full of questions. I just looked at her text on the screen again and made my way back into the office to sit and think. I could still feel her lips on mine whenever I closed my eyes.
I was bored. My first instinct was to text Cryster. It just felt natural, and I had to stop myself from doing it multiple times absentmindedly the past couple months. I almost cried after I got her 'thank you' text after I snuck off to get Thomas Cabbot to her iFORk. I had almost convinced myself that I did it for the kids and not her until I got that message, it almost broke me.
I looked at the old HotRod magazines for a second and glanced around. With Violet down, God was I bored! I caught myself almost texting her again. “Argh!” I slapped my phone down on the table and pulled a throw pillow over my face and screamed into it. It was only four days! How did she get so far under my skin in that short amount of time? Then I resigned myself to being bored and just laid back and closed my eyes for a quick nap.
I woke up on the couch a couple hours later according to the wall clock, to a soft knocking. I looked over and sat up to see Mac standing in the doorway. He softly said, “Okay I have the engine loaded up now. I'll let you know when the new one is shipped.”
I smiled at him then had a thought and asked, “Think you could give me a hand for a minute, Mac?” He smiled and nodded.
I led him back out to Violet and had him help me push her to the back of the hangar and move the loaner plane in. “Thanks, Mac, you're a great guy.” This made him happy as he waved and got in his truck and drove off with Violet's heart strapped down to the bed of his truck.
The next few days were insane, I was booked up for the next four weeks with all the reservations that were called in and all the damn reporters wanting an interview. I was literally swamped with calls.
When I asked how they heard of McKay Air Tours, most cryptically said “I was recommended 'by a friend'” that they always refused to name. Others said to tell Crystal that they were even now or that she owed them one. One actually gave the name of one of my longtime customers. And one said he saw my landing on TV. So doing some quick math, two out of thirty bookings didn't come from Crystal's network.
I kept arguing with myself. Either she was just messing with my mind some more, or she was really the person I fell in love with. She seemed so genuine, but she never corrected me when I reminded her it was just a game to her. I wish I had the courage to call her and just ask, point blank. But what if she told me what I am so afraid of, that she doesn't feel anything toward me. What's left of my heart would die right there. I'm such a coward.
When I arrived home that night, I started hunting for some food and wound up with another one of those damn granola bars. Just how many of these things did I buy!? They are everywhere! My internal rant was interrupted when the intercom buzzed. I walked over and hit the mic, “Yes?” A familiar male voice with a thick Italian accent came a
cross the intercom, “Hello, Jane, may I come up?”
I blurted, “Alessandro!” as I buzzed him in.
I stood by my open loft door and watched as Alessandro bounded up the steps two at a time, then his face erupted in a broad beaming smile when he saw me and he hurried down the corridor. He took my hand in his and raised it to his lips for a quick kiss. “Jane! You look as stunning as the last time I saw you.”
He's such a flatterer! I could feel a gentle blush burning as I stepped aside, letting him step into the loft. “What brings you by Alessandro?”
I motioned toward the couch as I turned and walked toward the kitchen. “Something to drink? Wine, beer, water?”
He smiled toward me as he sat. “A beer would be great! Thank you.”
I returned and sat in the chair next to the couch as I handed him one of the bottles I was carrying. I looked a question at him as I twisted the cap off of mine, “So? Spill.”
I took a swig as he opened his and chuckled out, “Well I heard through the grapevine, and when I say grapevine, Miss James... Crystal can't be far behind, that you are reinvigorating your business after that spectacularly heroic landing you made last week.”
I could feel the burn of a blush again at this as he took a swig of beer then continued, “I was just wanting to personally offer my services to cater any open house or gathering you may have at your Air Tour company. The murmuring in the entertainment and hospitality circles is that you are the 'in' thing right now. Especially if Miss James is willing to collapse half of her network and markers to see your endeavor succeed. Maybe we could trade out an air tour for my services?”
“What?! Half her network?” I gasped. What the hell is she doing? That could cripple her business! That marker system IS her currency.
He nodded somberly. “She's called in most of her high value and prized markers. Everyone is talking about it. And nobody seems to know who this girl is that she is willing to do this for. Well, almost nobody.” He winked a conspiratorial wink at me as he took another tug.
“I don't understand why she is doing this. I was just a game to her.” I looked down at my feet.
He actually chuckled at this. “You don't really believe that do you? This network she has formed, of people helping people, is the most important thing in the world to her. Yet she is willing to lose it for you. What does that tell you?”
I took a deep ragged breath and contemplated what he was saying to me. He finished his beer and set the bottle carefully on the coffee table then stood up with a compassionate smile. Then he quietly said, “I see you have a lot of thinking to do. I made the offer I came for so I'll be going now and leave you to your thoughts.”
I stood up in a daze and followed him to the door.
He took a half step out then turned and put a hand on my cheek. “It truly was good seeing you again, Jane. Feel free to drop by the restaurant any time you like. We will always have Crystal's table for you whether Miss James is there or not.”
I smiled a thank you to him and watched him wander down the hall as I closed the door... I turned and slid down to the floor with my back to it and cried.
Chapter 12 – Zookeeper Frenzy
I woke up to the condo's intercom buzzing incessantly at 6:00am. I wandered out as Bevi came out of her room mumbling, “What the hell?” She reached the door before me and she croaked out a, “Hello?” into the intercom. A familiar voice came across.
“Crystal, open the goddamn door!” Takara screeched.
Bev looked comically offended. “I'm not, Crystal, I'm insulted you think I'm that short!” I slapped her shoulder and reached across her and buzzed Tak in saying, “204” into the intercom.
I cracked the door and wandered into my room to put my hair up in a ponytail and put some real clothes on. I heard a knock and then Bev yelling, “Come on in crazy 6am intercom buzzy person, we're getting dressed!” I heard some talking back an fourth a few seconds later.
I walked out of my room and saw Bev in the kitchen getting some coffee started and I looked cautiously at Takara who was pacing frantically in the living room. This matched her voice, she sounded mad on the intercom. The moment she saw me she started walking quickly toward me almost shouting as she hissed, “What the hell kind of game are you playing, Crystal? Why do you keep messing with Jane's head!? Is it funny for you?”
Bevi was suddenly magically between us holding her arms out wide so Tak couldn't get to me. I was tugging frantically at my ponytail. Bev had a funny... almost dreamy look on her face when she said, “Whoa! Hold on there super hot Asian chick who's name I don't know! Wanna slow down a bit and take a seat so we can all talk civilly here?”
Tak relaxed a bit looking at me then over to the couch and stalked over to sit down, almost stomping like a little girl having a tantrum. Bev bit her lower lip and smiled at her then went into the kitchen to get three cups of coffee. I wandered trepidatiously to sit timidly in the chair beside the couch, looking at my feet, they were fascinating to me for some reason right now. Bev came in behind me handing out coffee mugs, then sat down extremely close to Tak with a grin on her face. Bevi is such a horn dog!
I spoke softly and carefully, “Takara, this is my best friend Beverly. Bev, this is Takara, one of Riley's friends from the Cougar Mountain Zoo.”
Tak looked frustrated, trying to pick a fight. She snapped, “Who's Riley?” Bev just offered, “Jane.” with a crinkle nosed smile. Takara dipped her head and blushed a little as her shoulders slumped, “Oh.”
Bev shot her one of her patented lopsided smiles, “Well any super hot friend of Jane's is a super hot guest here. What can we do for you, Takara? I get bored easy so lets go with the Cliffs Notes version if you don't mind.”
She turned to me as she spoke with a clenched jaw, “I just want to know why you keep messing with Jane! She cried for weeks after you two apparently had some lameass bet and made her fall in love with your straight ass! Then just when she was getting her shit back together, you go and start messing with her head again. Her emotions have been all over the board the past few days, she keeps calling me in tears! Babbling something about being bored but not being able to call you.”
I opened my mouth to speak but Bevi jumped in, her temper overriding her obvious attraction to Tak and her voice raised a bit. “Messing with HER head? Jane was the one that strung my girl along then just dumped her and refused all of her calls! I had to weather, and still am weathering Crystal's broken heart! Even though Jane STILL won't speak to her, Kru here is doing everything, and I mean EVERYTHING to make sure that Jane stays in the area. Just so Crystal can hold onto a tiny sliver of hope that Jane actually did care about her!”
I stood and put a hand gently on Bev's shoulder to stop her rant. Then I moved from the chair and sat on the coffee table facing both girls, then almost whispered, “Tak, I don't know what Riley believes, but that first night at Ballyhoo, I fell so madly and deeply in love with her that it physically hurts me not being in the same room as her. I was so afraid that I'd lose her after this stupid bet we made had run its course. And she kept bringing up to me that it wasn't real. I was a coward, too terrified to tell her the truth about my feelings and watch her walk away. Yet that's what she did anyway.”
I took a ragged breath as the tears started freely falling. “I feel like I'm only half a person now without her. Like someone just tore a hole in my chest. I almost died when I saw her on TV making that landing. Then she spoke on TV of leaving to DC if her business failed! I couldn't let that happen... I need her. Even if it is just seeing Violet in the sky, I had hope. So even though she doesn't want to see me, I'll still do everything in my power to see that she is okay, and that she doesn't ever leave again.”
I was openly sobbing now and felt two sets of arms engulf me into hugs. I blinked through my tears to see both Bev and Tak holding me. Tak was speaking, “Shhhh... shhh... it's going to be okay, Crystal. I didn't know. You and Jane are such idiots. We can fix this. This is the granddaddy of miscommunicat
ion here.”
Bev bit her lower lip. “Hey Takara, you're kinda hot when you're calling my BFF an idiot.”
Takara giggled, and shyly lowered her head as she said, “Call me Tak, Beverly.”
As we all released the hug, Bevi shot back, “Bev.”
We all sat on the couch with Bev between us. I tried to regain my composure as Tak spoke like she was a professor in a lecture hall, “Okay. Let's state some facts here so we can all get on the same page. One, Jane is madly in love with hot eyes over there. Two, Crystal is so in love with Jane it hurts. Three, they both thought the other didn't think what they had was real. Four, Crystal has a hot redheaded roommate. Five, Crystal is apparently as straight as a pretzel. Six, Jane's name is really Riley. That all sound about right to everyone?”
I laughed a little at this summation as Bev blushed a little. Tak is a funny girl. I spoke up sheepishly, “Sounds about right except for number four.” I dodged the expected arm slap from Bev with a grin as I continued, “I am so gay for that flygirl goddess.” Then I perked up a bit. “Lets discuss this over breakfast shall we ladies?”
They followed me into the kitchen. Tak sat on an offered stool. Bev automatically grabbed three bowls and spoons as I walked to the refrigerator and pulled out the milk. Then Bev reached into my secret spot in the cupboard and pulled out the Fruit Loops with a cheesy grin on her face as Takara laughed at us. Bev poured the loops of awesomeness and I poured the milk. Then I put the milk away as Bevi refilled the coffee cups. Then we sat down at the same time and grabbed our spoons.
Tak grinned as she shoveled some sugary loops into her mouth, spitting out a muffled, “You guys know that was kind of freaky how in sync you just were.”
I giggled and shrugged. “Comes with knowing someone since you shared diapers.”
Then Bev chimed in, “So Taaak...” she said her name seductively, “...how we going to fix our girls? Inquiring minds want to know!”
I looked at them and raised my hand like I was back in school. “Ummm... why don't I just call her. Tak you can tell her it was a misunderstanding of epic proportions so she'll take the call.”
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