You're Clear

by JL LeGerrette

  He is really doing this! she thought with dumb wonder. She caught a sideways glance at him, then answered her own underlying fear. But I think... I’m sure... I trust him.

  “Oh, I better...” Crutch said as he pressed the PA button to talk to the FA’s. “Prepare the cabin for final descent and landing.”

  Jahnni broke her own silence and quietly asked him how to call the FA’s to ask about the pilots. He touched a button on her audio panel and told her to push it when she wanted to talk. After getting an update, she continued sitting stoically, watching the scenery get closer and closer. “Dr. Robinson said they are stable. Still too woozy to make any sense when they talk. Rochelle said she had told someone earlier, when she spoke with them on the radio, they will need an ambulance when, or if, we make it. But I assured her that we WILL land safely and as you probably heard, I gave her the quick version so she can brief the others. Then she said...”

  The radio squawked to life suddenly, breaking their conversation. It made Jahnni jump and a high-pitched chirp escaped her mouth.

  “First Class 6-1-9, contact San Fran Tower 118.7,” the voice instructed. “And good luck son. Nice to meet you.”

  “Copy. Going to 118.7,” Crutch confirmed.

  “San Fran Tower. First Class 6-1-9 with you on localizer two eight left,” Crutch said to whoever would be talking to him from the tower.

  “First class 6-1-9. Cleared to land two eight left,” came the reply.

  “Copy. Cleared to land two eight left. We will need police to remove the passenger being held by flight attendants. Highly Dangerous. Wanted at PDX. We need ambulances for two crew members. They are stable, under the care of an onboard doctor, but will need to go to ER.”

  “Copy that First Class 6-1-9. Port will meet and detain. Ambulance ready. You get the full meal deal today,” Crutch was told.

  “Copy,” Crutch said.

  Jahnni noticed that he had a big smile on his face. Probably the full meal deal comment, she thought to herself, smiling at that very comment.

  “First Class 6-1-9. Do not taxi,” came the same voice over the radio. “Come to a stop, set brakes, and remain in place on runway. We will meet the plane. Again, do not taxi to gate.”

  “Copy Tower. First Class 6-1-9 staying on runway after landing,” came Crutch’s affirmative response.

  Jahnni sat watching the airstrip come into view and felt the airplane curving toward it. It straightened and began to make the approach. Her chest rose a little faster as her breathing filled with anxiety of the unknown. It looked like they were getting ready to land on something as small as a postage stamp. And the nearby water looked ominous. She glanced out the side windows. The twin escorts were still at their sides as the plane got closer to the runway.

  “Are you sure this plane can land itself? Don’t you have to do anything?” she asked, trying to hide what was left of her fear.

  “We are fine, Jahnni. Mainly, I configured the aircraft for landing. If the approach is loaded into the FMC, it will do almost all the work,” Crutch said, now looking at her. He turned back and Jahnni watched him begin flipping and moving different gears, buttons, switches and knobs. His actions looked fluid and purposeful and he said, without looking at her, “I’m selecting the landing flaps and lowering the landing gear.”

  “Why didn’t we just let it land by itself before, when the pilots became sick?” Jahnni asked.

  “Because they hadn’t entered the information into the FMC. That’s the Flight Management Computer, remember? It is my database for entering information into the FMS, the flight management system so it knows what to do. I had to look it up and make sure the FMC had everything correct according to our location, weather, winds, and such. Then once I entered it, it took over. It will brake itself also, if the pilot tells it to,” Crutch explained patiently, looking up at her through his long messy hair falling on his forehead. He swung his head to make his hair swish out of his face then assured her once again. “It’s okay, Jahnni. This is easy to me. I’m being humble when I just keep saying I can do this.”

  She smiled at him, feeling any left-over anxiety wash out through her feet.

  “Besides, we’re even now,” he snickered.

  “Very impressive, Mr. Link. I can’t believe they let a kid land the plane,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

  “They must have talked to my dad. No one has asked me how old I am yet. I don’t know if the FAA had to approve it or what, but at least they didn’t make us go swimming in the Pacific,” he said sarcastically. “You know, not to brag, but I could have done all this without the auto-pilot. It’s almost like I had been preparing for this day since I was three. All those years, I just played on the simulators like it was a game I had to master. Seriously though, once we land, I’ll stop the plane and set the brake on the runway. This is a compromised flight so they will all come to us. There will be lots of emergency vehicles so don’t worry. Yes! Here we go! I LOVE this part!”

  The ground was getting closer and closer as Jahnni looked out the side window. The closer it got, the faster her heart sped up. Then all at once the twin fighter jets ascended steeply and turned out, away from their plane. “Oh! They left us. What does that mean? Oh look... we’re almost there.”

  Then the plane’s back tires touched down and the nose lowered right afterward into a perfect landing, and she felt it begin braking as Crutch pulled up two levers and the engine roared louder. Jahnni’s belt pulled on her as her body leaned forward when the plane slowed even faster. The plane continued slowing as if, Jahnni thought, there were ghosts on the wings braking and slowing it. When the plane was almost to their first turn to leave the runway, Crutch took it off autopilot and controlled the plane to the spot he was told to remain at. He set the brake and turned off the engine.

  He switched his radio selector to PA and spoke to the passengers. “I need everyone to remain seated with your seat belts on. Again... Everyone is to remain seated. We have an emergency on board but everything is... under control.” He looked at Jahnni and raised his eyebrows up at the irony of the situation being under control then continued talking to the passengers and the FA’s. “Flight Attendants, please disarm the doors. I see the airstairs being rolled to the plane. Police and medical personnel will be boarding the main cabin door.” He then pointed out the window at all the flashing lights, Port Police, fire trucks, and paramedics. Police dressed in SWAT gear jumped out of vans and circled the plane, while others waited for the stairs to lock up against the plane.

  “They’re waiting for the FA’s to open the doors. It’s okay,” he told Jahnni. “They know we’re the good guys. I’ll open the flight deck door when I get the signal.”

  Jahnni thought about what was happening. What has already happened. The last two days flashed like a movie in her memory. On a loop. What seemed like so long ago, also seemed like seconds ago. Out of all the porridge of words flooding her head, one word kept flashing in the forefront of her mind. Beau.

  Chapter 48

  And Down She Went

  “DAD! MOM!” Crutch yelled as an officer allowed them into the cordoned off gate inside the airport. “I did it dad! I did it!”

  Crutch’s mom got to him first and clung to him, tears flowing freely down her face. Dad encircled them both. He finally peeled him out of his mom’s arms and hugged him to his chest.

  “I would like to say that I knew you could do it, but I have to admit, that I was a little scared. You did good son, you did so good. I think you are right about something. We already discussed it and you have absolutely won the age ol’ argument that we have been having for so long,” Mr. Link said. “We aren’t going to make you wait until you are sixteen to really go to flight school. You can start as soon as things get settled. Just remember, you can’t fly solo until you turn sixteen. Well... besides... what just happened. I mean from now on, you can’t fly solo.”

  Crutch was speechless... for a few seconds. “Are you serious? I can really start this y
ear?”

  “Yep. I think you have proven that you know your stuff so we might as well make it legal. Let’s make that ground school official.” Mr. Link stopped talking and looked at his wife then back at Crutch. “You know what... they still haven’t asked me how old my son is. I’m afraid to tell ’em,” his dad whispered with a grin on his face.

  “No one asked me how old I was either, while I was in the air! Not even when I was talking to the jets that were escorting us. And ground control didn’t ask either. So... I didn’t offer!” Crutch said, low enough to not be heard by anyone else, but loud enough so his dad could have a good laugh. Then he pointed to the group of officials who brought them into the airport using the stairs that accessed the jetway, “That guy over there did, ask me, I mean. He questioned all of us. I kinda told him the truth. I hope that is okay.”

  “Son... rule number one in life. Tell the truth no matter how painful it is.” Rule number two. Keep believing in yourself. You have made us so proud today. So proud,” his dad whispered as he kissed the top of his head. Jahnni’s chest felt tight and the bulge of emotions gripped her heart seeing the relief in their eyes and the love showered on their son.

  “Mom, Dad! Here... I want you to meet the bravest person in the world! This is Jahnni. She and another lady named Samantha kept me safe and made sure that they got me home sa... well... as safe as they could before I had to become an instant pilot.”

  Jahnni extended her hand but both Eddie Link Sr and Janice Link, grabbed her and embraced her as if they had known each other for years.

  “Thank you so much for bringing us our boy,” Janice said with tears filling her eyes that caused the blue to sparkle. Mr. Link shook his head in agreement with his wife, tears rolling down his cheeks as well.

  After the commotion of the plane, the interviews by the FAA, Benson, and the ill pilots were all taken care of, Jahnni and Crutch were given permission to finally leave the area. Mr. and Mrs. Link insisted that Jahnni stay and have a late lunch with them before catching the early evening flight back to Portland.

  “Besides,” Mr. Link added with an exasperated tone, “there are a ton of reporters on the other side of the security checkpoint waiting like vultures to pounce on Crutch, and us I suppose. They can’t wait to see the passenger who took over the flight and landed it safely. Let’s hide a while longer and stay inside security for lunch, okay?”

  Jahnni agreed, “I’d love to have a nice quiet lunch with you! It’s going to be difficult to pry me away from this awesome son of yours when I go home though... I can’t express how proud I am of him also. He has been an integral part of our successes yesterday and today. I owe him my life.”

  During lunch, Jahnni tried to avoid talking details about the day before and kept reminding Crutch’s parents that they couldn’t until the FBI gave them permission. “But I can tell you that Crutch was not harmed. In due time, we can share all the adventurous details. If you want to call it that,” she said, making an exaggerated scary look on her face, which made everyone laugh.

  They sat for two hours talking about Crutch’s life and the cancer that was now in remission. They talked about his family’s business, and Jahnni’s job at the airport. They covered gardening, sailing, vacations, and adventure novels. Every topic was thoroughly shared as the family became fast friends.

  “Oh, I just realized,” Jahnni said as she glanced around the table. “I didn’t get to meet Crutch’s little brother.”

  Janice smiled and said, “Then I guess you’ll have to fly back down soon and stay with us. We originally thought we were just coming to the airport to pick up this guy here,” she teased, as she ruffled his hair, “but the day has become quite a to-do! He is with the neighbor.”

  They all laughed, enjoying each other’s company before discussing their plans to stay in touch, visiting each other, and maybe getting Jahnni to take some time off and go with them on their family vacation in the summer.

  “Hey! Speaking of our conversation earlier about favorite novels, you can write your own now, Jahnni!” Janice blurted out. “I’ll co-write it with you. I have a Master’s in English and a Doctorate in Philosophy. I want to retire from the University anyway!”

  “And boy, what a tale we can tell!” Jahnni said, as she and Crutch laughed. She looked at Crutch, pausing to make eye contact, knowing that someday they not only had a great story to tell, but they now have a bond deeper than they could have ever expected.

  It was time for Jahnni to catch her flight back to Portland. They hadn’t left the concourse yet, so they walked her to her gate. She hugged them all goodbye then turned back to Crutch again, grabbing his hands and cupping both of hers around them. “I think there are not enough words to express how to thank you for your courage. Thank you Crutch. Thank you for being the most awesome gift to the world.”

  “I owe everything to you, Jahnni. Thank you. Tell Beau to stay in touch. Give him my phone number and address when you see him, okay?” Crutch said, waving goodbye as she walked down the jetway and boarded her flight back to PDX. She got settled in her seat in first-class, fastened her seatbelt and began nodding off before the plane was even completely boarded up. Leaning against the window, she readied herself to relax and promptly fell into a deep sleep. The next couple hours were filled with complete oblivion. Until they weren’t.

  She was running and running, gun shots ringing out and pinging on the ground and rocks around her. She suddenly found herself surrounded by children, and elderly people. She screamed at them. RUN! HIDE! He’s coming! They all scattered into holes in the ground and flaps on tree trunks. They rolled into the river nearby and disappeared into the dark current. She felt an enormous eagle dig his long sharp talons into her shoulders, pulling her into the sky. He began to shake her like he was going to rip her apart to eat. She saw another eagle carrying someone else away, flying in the distance in front of her. She couldn’t see who it was but she knew she had to help them somehow. No! Leave me alone! Let me go! she screamed in her head. Jahnni felt her body moving as if being shaken by the eagle again.

  She opened her eyes to the flight attendant gently rubbing her shoulder, calling her name in a comforting whisper, “Jahnni, Jahnni, are you okay hon? You seem restless in your sleep.”

  “What? I, uh, what’s...” she mumbled as she glanced around the cabin. No one else seemed concerned. “I must have had a bad dream. I was worried about... Oh, well. It’s nothing. I’ll be fine, thanks.”

  She closed her eyes, and soon felt the plane touch down and begin its taxi to the airport. Jahnni looked out the window as the plane was pulling into the gate. The door could not be opened fast enough. She grabbed her things and exited the plane, walked up the jetway and entered the gate. She stopped to get a better hold on her jacket and small bag, and took in a big gulp of air to calm herself before she began walking towards the concourse walkway. The dream was suddenly behind her. It meant nothing, she told herself. I’m fine now.

  She thought she heard her name and turned.

  “Jahnni! Jahnni!” Sam was walking hand in hand with someone. “Jahnni!”

  Jahnni went straight to her and embraced her so tight she didn’t want to let go. “Oh Sam! What a crazy two days... How are you? Are you doing well?”

  “I sure am. And... I would like you to meet someone.” She turned to the man she was holding hands with. “This... is Carter. Carter Laurent Mercier.”

  Jahnni held out her hand, making note of the tall fair skinned man with dark blue eyes. He was impeccably dressed and wore his light hair in a tight faded haircut. “I am so very pleased to meet you Carter. I’m Jahnni Dawson. Sam here is a very special person, and she assures me that you are quite special yourself!”

  “Oui! I do know zis. We boz feel veery lucky to meetz. When I find oot Zamantha was a poessible hooztage, I was frantic. I knew she was ma dame spéciale. I mean, my special lady. This... it open my eyez. I am not going to let her get away froom me!” Carter said as he laughed and pulled her clos
er into a tight hug.

  Jahnni saw the excitement in both of their eyes and shook her head as she turned to each of them. “You know Carter, you two look good together. I mean, not how you look-look. I’m picking up a vibe. You both appreciate each other. Take care of Sam here. She certainly is a dame spéciale,” she said in French. “We need to hang out sometime. I would love to brush up on my French.”

  “Oui! Je suis impressionné. Par tous les moyens, faisons ceci,” Carter answered with wide eyes and excitement flooding into his words.

  “Je ne peux pas attendre. Encore une fois, tellement agréable de vous rencontrer,” Jahnni answered him, smiling at the refreshing encounter.

  Samantha’s mouth hung open as she looked back and forth between the two of them. She looked at Jahnni, her lips moving like a fish trying to suck in water and asked, “Wh... wh... what was that? I didn’t know you spoke French. Why did I not know this? What, you took a speed class between yesterday and today?”

  “No, Sam. Six years of classes and a foreign exchange program does miracles for a kid,” she explained, laughing jovially. “He said, he’s impressed, with my French, and we’ll do this... all hang out that is. And I told him I can’t wait and it was nice to meet him.”

  “Hmmm... Hopefully it won’t take me six years to understand him,” Sam pondered out loud, smiling up at Carter.

  “Well, I have to go see Carolyn and get ready to jump back into the schedule tomorrow. I want to stay busy. I hope to see you two soon. We’ll get together!” Jahnni added as she wagged her finger at each of them and began to turn away.

  Jahnni walked up the concourse towards her manager’s office. Except for the plane ride home from San Francisco, this was the first time she was truly by herself. No Mr. T, No Samantha. No Crutch. No... Beau.