Taking Flight: Departure

by Donna Faye

  But battling with pugil sticks had been nothing compared to their walk down the lane. They’d assumed a tactical formation that reminded her of geese flying, with one leading and others staggered out at an angle as they hiked the mile-and-a-half trail working to identify IEDs among debris.

  At the end, they broke up into teams of two wingmen and took on the combat obstacle course, where they had to low-crawl, hide behind walls, roll behind barriers, strike dummies with the butt of their rifles, and high crawl sixty yards through deep sand up a forty percent grade. And this was Texas, so the weather only added to the challenge. Stella grunted as she remembered how badly she’d longed for a bubble bath after that ordeal. Talk about a hot mess.

  And then they’d faced the CLAW. The mission, dubbed Creating Leader Airmen Warriors, pitted trainees against a simulated river using only the instructions and supplies given. The point was to encourage teamwork, but some people still wouldn’t know the meaning of the word if someone wrote it on a two-by-four and bashed their forehead with it.

  Stella had sworn she’d kill Mouth by the end of it, and was glad they’d done their pugil battles before that mission, because she might’ve pummeled her to death. As it was, the rest of the flight saw fit to separate the two when their team split into two near the end. It’d been challenging enough on its own, but the chick hadn’t stopped whining the whole way – from moving in staggered tactical formation to the next checkpoint where they repeated the combat obstacle course, she leaked air with her moaning.

  Almost as if her teammates could hear Stella’s murderous thoughts others swooped in to guide Mouth to safety. Afterward, they regrouped to “rescue a downed airman,” which was really a training dummy, from a simulated enemy village.

  “Mama, Mama, look at me,” sang out Sgt. King, pulling Stella from her thoughts as she repeated they lyric back along with her entire flight. That was the fun part of marching any real distances, their TIs would sing Jodi calls rather than call cadence. “Look what the Air Force done to me….”

  Hours later, the bus returned them from the annex back to their squadron. Grateful to escape and eager for the shower, everyone eagerly poured out of the cramped, stinky transport.

  They rushed upstairs with their gear for a hurried shower so they could reach the chow hall before it closed for the night.

  Hot water poured over her head and neck, casting its relaxing spell over her body. Stella’s bed called to her, but they needed to get clean and redress for dinner. How would she make it back downstairs and back again? Her legs wobbled from overuse, but she didn’t care – she was finally getting clean.

  Dinner was even quicker and quieter than normal, with everyone fighting their eyelids in an effort to stay awake while their exhausted bodies battled to remain upright. She counted dinner among her blessings as she inhaled the evening meal. If she never saw another MRE, it’d be too soon. Next to those dehydrated pouches – especially the ham and lima beans MRE she’d choked down at lunch – the chow hall seemed like a four-star restaurant, screaming TIs included. And speaking of instructors, she’d yet to see her favorite, though her eyes remained peeled.

  …

  During the last full week of training, Stella proudly donned her blues uniform. The extra time allotted to dress meant the opportunity to wear makeup and fix their hair beyond the usual quick bun, and that had the whole flight walking a little taller.

  Dressing like a woman again felt positively luxurious – this was the first clothing sewn to fit a female’s body they’d worn since their first trip to Supply. Taking time to get ready and doll herself up did wonders for her self-esteem, especially when the compliments started.

  “Stella, you clean up good,” Elaina called out in her cute southern drawl.

  Apparently, her brother flight agreed, because as she walked by in her blues skirt, a few of the guys’ eyes bugged out from the sight of her legs. It was flattering, but it was a little like having kindergarteners flirting with her – they were so young. Though she’d come a long way physically, her emotions were still a jumbled mess. It was hard to imagine ever trusting anyone again after Fabian and Calista’s betrayal.

  Chapter 10: Airman’s Creed

  “I am an American Airman.

  I am a Warrior.

  I have answered my Nation’s call.

  I am an American Airman.

  My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.

  I’m faithful to a Proud Heritage, a tradition of Honor,

  And a Legacy of Valor.

  I am an American Airman. Guardian of Freedom and Justice,

  My Nation’s Sword and Shield, Its Sentry and Avenger.

  I defend my Country with my Life.

  I am an American Airman.

  Wingman, Leader, Warrior.

  I will never leave an Airman behind,

  I will never falter, and I will never fail.”

  Time in basic training passed quickly, but through all the exhausting, sweaty, filthy, and challenging weeks, the deluge of letters from the Tobias family buoyed her spirit.

  Some of the correspondence had been serious, where George’s information-packed notes kept her informed on his efforts regarding her divorce and annulment, he always lifted her mood with his words of loving support.

  Nina’s notes made her feel important and special, leaving Stella wondering, for the millionth time, why hadn’t she been born to those two? Why had she been forced to endure Calista Toussant?

  Other letters left Stella in tears from laughter, namely those from Tommy and Max. They shared their misadventures, or simply drew funny pictures, and told jokes. And Audrey filled her notes with encouragement and welcomed advice, as well as funny cartoon strips and printed memes. Mail call never failed to make Stella smile.

  They filled her heart and distracted her mind from the mess waiting for her in Villa Park. No one had told Calista or Fabian about Stella’s new life, despite the pair’s constant attempts at persuasion. In the end the threat of harassment charges won out against the dreadful duo. Her heart swelled with affection for the Tobias Family and the way they’d circled the wagons to protect her.

  It was during the Airman’s Run that Stella first spied them. George, Nina, Max and Tommy were there, at Lackland, yelling and cheering for her flight as they ran by.

  She’d told them it’d be insane for all of them to travel to Texas for just a few visiting hours that spread out over the weekend. But when she saw them, a feeling of love and gratitude swelled so big that her heart felt like it might burst with affection for each of them.

  Suddenly, she couldn’t wait to chill with her family. Just the thought made her grin madly despite the fact she was dripping in sweat while running in formation.

  Her real family was there, minus Audrey, who was still stationed half a world away in Japan. At the site of them, a wonderful thought took hold of Stella’s mind…with it locked and loaded, her eagerness to visit with these wonderful people ratcheted impossibly higher. She couldn’t wait to hear their response.

  After the Airman’s Coin and the Retreat Ceremonies, Tommy grabbed Stella from the crowd before she could spot their family. Tommy snuck up from behind and picked her up by her armpits. She let out a surprised squeal at being manhandled unexpectedly as he tossed her to Max, calling out, “Here, Max, catch!” Stella giggled at the boys’ antics. Despite their ruckus, they blended in to the packed area where other families reunited.

  The boys played hot potato with Stella for a moment, then finally turned her around for tiny Nina’s turn to smother her. Stella felt the floodgates open once more, as Nina pulled her into a bone-crunching embrace. They swayed back and forth, while Stella cried and whispered her thanks. Before they finally pulled apart, she looked over Nina’s shoulder and saw George fighting his own tears. She pulled out of Nina’s hug and ran into George’s welcoming embrace.

  “I’m so proud of you, baby. You did so well.”

  It was exactly what Stella needed to hear. Her body wracked
with sobs as she collapsed against him. He was the only dad she’d ever had, and she was so grateful to have had such an amazing man watching out for her.

  He hugged her tighter. “You’re so strong, Stella. You did this all by yourself. You’re gonna be just fine.”

  She smiled up at him and accepted the tissues Nina thrust her way. She blew her nose, then spoke up.

  “Hey, guys, I get base liberty until eight. Wanna go eat?”

  Max and Tommy each gave her a look that clearly said duh, while George said, “Absolutely. I remember there being a barbecue joint on base...sound good?” He asked Stella, who’d existed on chow hall fare and MREs for the last seven weeks. She replied with a huge smile and thumbs-up as they whisked her off to their rental car.

  The barbecue place was surprisingly empty. She was grateful they had it mostly to themselves, because she had important matters to discuss after they ordered.

  “So um, first, I really want to thank you for coming. You’ve all made me really happy.” They smiled at her. Her voice became thick with emotion as her eyes watered, again. “You guys mean so much to me. I don’t know where I’d be without you – especially the last couple months.”

  They started to interrupt, but Stella held up her hand to stop them.

  “Please let me get this out, okay?”

  They nodded.

  “Um...anyway, there’s something really important I’d like to ask you.” She gestured to George and Nina. “Jeez, I don’t know how to say this delicately...you know what my life was like before, with Calista and then Fabian. I got to thinking, and I’ll be damned if I’ll keep that bastard’s name, and Calista will never be more than a narcissistic vampire. I was wondering…” She took a deep breath and looked up at the two people who had been like real parents to her. “Can I take your name after the divorce? I mean, would it be okay with you if I changed my last name to Tobias?”

  Nina burst into tears, and George’s eyes welled with emotion as he replied. “It’d be our honor, Stella. We’ve always thought of you as our daughter.”

  Acceptance and love washed over Stella as she broke into tears, again. She rushed to embrace George and Nina, crouching down between their chairs. Not to be ignored, the boys darted around the table and all but tackled them, as Max called out, “Group hug!”

  “Phew…thank you.” she giggled nervously and breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. Now that we’ve got that over with, I’m starving,” Stella said as she returned to her seat to pop a curly fry in her mouth. She moaned at the greasy deliciousness, having been deprived of junk food for entirely too long. The meal was good, but their company was infinitely better.

  The following day Stella participated in the Graduation Parade, where the trainees reaffirmed their Oath of Enlistment on the parade grounds. The size of the grounds and the huge variety of aircraft on exhibit surrounding the field instilled awe – it was unfathomable that she was part of something so enormous and important.

  Blood pounded in her ears, almost as loudly as the percussion of the marching feet surrounding her, and the bass drum of the band playing at the end of the field. And that was all she could hear in the vast space, other than the brief bellows of her TI as he directed them.

  The number of attendees was staggering – both graduates on field, and their families who watched from the stands. After the pomp and circumstance of flights marching to present themselves to the leadership, they repeated after their TI, one final time. Stella’s heart pounded in her chest and tears stabbed at her eyes as she raised her right arm and affirmed her Oath of Enlistment.

  “I, Stella di Imbrogliado, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

  Holy crap! She did it! She was finally an airman.

  …

  Afterward, Stella joined George, Nina, Tommy, and Max as they walked around the path surrounding the parade grounds. They took in all the types aircraft displayed, and simply enjoyed the warm spring morning as they strolled toward Stella’s dormitory. Max and Tommy ate up her stories about the various characters from her flight, and delighted in her tales of the culture shock she’d experienced.

  “Hey, guys, we get to have an open house if you want to see where I lived these last two months,” Stella said as she led them toward the dorm.

  Stepping back into the barracks with her family made the place seem tiny, especially with everyone else’s family members crowding the space. It felt silly to show her bunk area to them, but George and Nina ate it all up. Apparently, a lot had changed since Audrey had graduated, so they asked questions about BEAST Week and other activities and marveled at all the differences.

  When they spoke with her TI, nervous anticipation zinged through her. She was worse than a little girl at her parent-teacher conferences – not that Calista had ever actually attended anything like that for her. Stella shook off her negative thoughts and embraced the moment.

  She giggled as the boys chatted up a couple of cuties from her flight. Her brothers were so handsome, smart and funny – heartbreakers in the truest sense because they had a lot more growing up to do before they could even think of settling down.

  After they took in everything about the dorms and gathered the boys from their many admirers, the group headed out to the River Walk in downtown San Antonio. It was nearly 12:30, and Stella was free to leave the base as long as she returned to her barracks by 8 p.m. The sense of freedom and independence that settled into her bones only enhanced her good mood.

  Saturday they took Six Flags by storm, and then Sunday morning the family met her for Mass on base. George had insisted – the precision of the military even made its mark upon the ancient traditions in the chapel, where ushers performed perfectly timed maneuvers as they went about their duties. Later they explored the city.

  The Tobiases, determined to soak up as much sun as possible before returning to the turbulent spring weather in Chicago, toured the Alamo and did all the touristy stuff they could fit in.

  Their goodbyes Sunday evening were a mixed bag. It was hard to let them go again, but in other ways, it was easier than the last time. This round of farewells found her stronger in every way, and life on this crazy, new adventure just kept getting better.

  …

  Her first thought the following morning was of her impending move across base for Airman’s Week, then to Fort Meade in Maryland. As she joined her flight for their last morning formation together, terror and exhilaration battled for supremacy.

  While singing the Air Force song in the early morning light, she considered that she’d be on her own again. That was how life seemed to be in the military, with people constantly on the move. Rather than dwell upon that thought, she smiled and joined her sisters in out-shouting their brother flight during the Airman’s Creed.

  It was utter chaos when they returned to the barracks. People were headed to all different areas on base to start Airman’s Week. The final week of training wasn’t a traditional type of training, rather a way of stepping down intensity from boot camp to get new airmen ready for technical school. They would be grouped by similar jobs and tech schools in the dorms. The ladies ran amok as they searched for missing items and said their farewells. When everything was clean and their gear packed, the airmen readied to ship out to numerous destinations via shuttles across Lackland, where they would enjoy more base liberties and spend classroom time preparing for life in the real Air Force. Much like the rest of training, it was controlled chaos at its finest.

  Chapter 11: “AFSC”

  – An alphanumeric code used by the U.S. Air Force to identify an airman’s career field as well as their skill level.

  Because of a paperwork snag, the schoo
l delayed Stella’s start to classes by a few weeks, leaving her in a sort of tedious holding pattern as she waited for the next class cycle to begin. But she couldn’t use her earned vacation days to take leave. Instead, she spent that time in a class for remedial spelling and grammar as well as doing assigned light duty around the school. It was boring, but that was somewhat refreshing after the intensity of basic training, even after the litany of “What Now Airman” training sessions at Airman’s Week.

  During her first weekend off, Stella treated herself to a spa day at the local salon. It felt great to be reminded that she was, in fact, a woman, despite having worn ABUs and combat boots for the last two months.

  The people at home often weighed on her mind. Home was an interesting concept at the moment. Technically she was homeless...she didn’t live at her house...she’d never go anywhere near Calista, Fabian, or that life ever again.

  According to George, her divorce would finalize six months from the day she’d left, which meant early fall. He’d strong-armed Fabian into agreeing to pay her a tidy monthly sum.

  She cringed at the thought of taking his money, but George’s adamant words and strict tone rang through her mind yet again, “You earned every single penny in that farce of a marriage.”

  She’d worried about having to argue before a judge, but apparently George’s investigators had hit pay dirt. Their findings, combined with the picture Stella had snapped that horrid morning, apparently created enough damning evidence to make Fabian willing to sign just about anything.

  The thought made her cringe – she didn’t want to know what George had found to make him so compliant. Humiliation bubbled in her stomach and burned her esophagus when she thought about his deceptions and how long he’d probably been cheating. She’d been tested to make sure the bastard hadn’t brought home any unwanted gifts in the form of an STD, and was, fortunately, all clear. But she needed to test once more the following month to be sure they hadn’t missed anything.