Adventures When Mom Was Away-Episode One: The Flight

Working outside a little church one sweltering afternoon in June was a middle-aged man and three children. The oldest, a girl about twelve, worked steadily. But the younger two-boys who looked like twins but were not-paused in their work periodically to either squabble or complain about the heat. Presently, a newer pickup pulled up to the little church and parked next to the workers’ beatup old truck; a startling contrast in both condition and cleanliness. Another man, about the same age as the first, though considerably taller, got out with a surprised expression on his face as he approached the children and their father. “Larry, is that you?” he asked, hand stretched out. “I haven’t seen you in years!” Larry grabbed the proffered hand and was pulled into a bearhug as the taller man embraced him. The two men were engaged for a short time, backslapping and catching up on current events. “..........and these are my kids.” smiled Larry proudly. “This is Sarah.....she’s twelve.” touching the girl’s shoulder. “Joshua,” his hand resting lightly on the head of the thinner boy, brown haired brown eyed, he walked with a limp. “he’s eight. Jonathan, he’s seven.” Larry concluded with the youngest. Brown haired, blue eyed, he had a speech impediment. The tall man gravely shook hands with each of the children then turned to their father. “Larry,” said he. I was on my way down to Martin Field to fly my airplane when I saw you and stopped.” Larry’s eyes lit up at the mention of ‘plane.’ “You fly?” he said enthusiastically. “I used to have a plane, about twenty years ago, until I crashed it in the Rockies and had to ski out.” “Yeah, I heard about that.” laughed his friend, “Anyway, I was wondering if you and the kids wanted to come along. It’s a four passenger, plus pilot, so there’s plenty of room.” Larry looked at the kids, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “I don’t know.” he said slowly. “The kids and I were going to ride around Bennington Lake today, but I’ll leave it up to them. What’d you say, kids?” The small fry instantly exploded in loud shouts that summed up meant, “Yes! Let’s go!” “Well, then, smiled their benevolent parent, “let’s out away the tools and be off!” The children flew to do their father’s bidding; nearly falling over themselves so great was their haste to put all the tools in the back of the dilapidated old work truck. Finally, their task completed they piled into the battered old vehicle and followed this kind new friend all the way to Martin Field. As they bounced up and down on the torn, stained seats, Josh broke their silence of anticipation with, “I’ve never flown before; this will be fun! Good thing I’m not scared of heights.” he added seriously. Sarah leaned back in her seat with the air of a battered veteran and said smugly. “Well I have. You were too young, boys, but a few years ago any kids eight through fourteen who wanted an airplane ride got one free.” Jon broke in with, “We’we hewe! We’we hewe! Whewe’s ouw aiwplane?” The vehicles parked, everyone poured out onto the hot asphalt, the adults talking quietly as they strode toward the hangers, the children too excited to do anything up bounce up and down impatiently, eager to be running, not this sedate stroll! They gazed at the hangers, wondering which one housed the plane that they were going to flown in. Finally, their patron pulled a large ring of keys out of his pocket and unlocked a giant set of double doors, straining to open them. Larry jumped to his side, and between their efforts the door slid smoothly open. Damp, cool air flowed out, reminiscent of a cave. Then, bright lights flicked on, one by one, illuminating every corner of the large tin building and all the mystery vanished, giving way instead to pure excitement. The tall man lead the way to a small plane which he and Larry wheeled out into the bright sunlight, then Larry hustled the boys into the back seat while the pilot performed the pre-flight check, patiently explaining everything to Sarah, who followed at his heels with the awe of one who has met a god. As he finished, Sarah ran to the door to get in, and was surprised to see her father in the backseat in-between the two boys who drummed their feet against the seats impatiently. “Sarah,” smiled Larry, “You can have the co-pilot’s seat, I want to be back here with the boys in case they get scared or anything.” Sarah beamed her thanks and fairly floated into her assigned seat, finger fumbling over the large, unfamiliar buckle. The pilot swung in a moment later, put on his headset and motioned for Sarah to do the same. Then he started the engine, its thunderous roar filled the cabin, making it impossible to speak with out shouting, and slowly began taxiing toward the runway. As they went, the pilot showed Sarah how to steer the plane on the ground, fiddling with switches, and pushing various buttons, their conversation made possible only because of the headsets they were wearing. The pilot spoke to the control tower, received permission to take off, then he swung the plane around, facing directly east and he began to guide the plane down the runway, his face tight with concentration. The plane began to build up speed, the end of the runway was getting closer.....closer..........then, liftoff! The sudden feeling of being airborne was exhilarating! The pilot looked over at Sarah whose face was frozen in rapt wonder as she gazed at the ground many, many feet below them in ecstasy and asked, “Are you afraid to be this high?” Sarah laughed, “No! I love it!” “Good.” smiled the pilot. “So you won’t be afraid if I bank sharply?” “Not on your life.” said Sarah. The pilot immediately banked sharply to the right so hard, the plane’s right wing was pointing straight down, and the left wing straight up. Joshua, whose side was down, shrieked until the plane righted itself, Jonathan also uttered cries of distress. But Larry, Sarah, and the pilot only laughed and laughed with pure joy as the plane soared over the green fields below.