The Barnstormer

by Jane Lewis

  “I did. She cooked dinner for me yesterday.”

  He watched his friend’s face come to life when he mentioned Ethel. “You’ve been together for years. When are ya gonna marry her?”

  Al sipped his coffee. He stayed quiet for several minutes. “I would marry that pretty woman in a heartbeat, but she doesn’t want to. Says she likes her job at the mill, and she likes livin’ with her sister. Says she’s got more now than she ever had. She doesn’t want nothin’ to disturb her life. I can’t blame her. I ain’t got much to offer. She lives in a better house than I could give her.”

  Ruthie’s face flitted through his mind. He felt the same way. She had more going for her than he ever would. “I understand. I’ve liked women who were too good for me, but you and Ethel love each other. I can’t understand why she won’t marry you.”

  “I believe she’d marry me if her sister got married, and they kicked her out of the house. She worries. Told me one day when I mixed moonshine with her cola.” Al gave Frankie a wink. “We had a good time that day.”

  “I bet you did.” He gave the old man a knowing smile.

  Al shook his head. “Yeah, she watches me close now. What about you? Anything excitin’ happen to you this weekend?”

  He stood to pour more coffee in his cup. “If you call flying Her Highness Ruthie to school exciting.”

  “Why’d you fly her and not Victor?”

  “Victor got called out on a job, so I had to. I didn’t want to.”

  Al handed his cup to Frankie to refresh. “The feisty girl got to be alone with you, huh?”

  “What do you mean?” He filled the cup and passed it to Al.

  “Well, son, she searched the hangar for you while you hid in the supply room. She likes you, but she’s too darn uppity to admit it. You like her and you’re too gol dang stubborn. At least me and Ethel admit we love each other even though it ain’t in writin’.”

  Frankie plucked a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket. He offered one to Al.

  He raised his hand. “I’m trying to quit. Ethel fusses at me. She don’t like the smell.”

  He pulled a long draw from his cigarette. “Yeah, I’d quit until this trouble with Audrey. I need one to calm me.” He tapped his cigarette with his finger. The ash fell to the floor as he blew smoke into the air. “Ruthie has a boyfriend. He picked her up at the airport. He’s an actor, the kind of guy she needs.”

  “She introduced him as her boyfriend?”

  “No, but I could tell, he was all over her.”

  “Was she all over him?” Al drank a sip of coffee.

  “No, she made sure he didn’t touch her in front of me. You know how she is, a tease.” He blew out smoke and rubbed the cigarette butt on the cement floor with his foot.

  “She plays her cat and mouse game with you because she has eyes for you. Sounds like she doesn’t like this boy. He’s conveniently there, and she’s lonely. Better take more time with her next time she comes home.”

  Frankie placed the pack of Chesterfield’s on a shelf, out of sight out of mind. He hoped he could feel the same about Ruthie.

  They fell into their work. Frankie on a customer’s airplane while Al cleaned the bathroom.

  Victor walked in the door and headed to his office. “Morning, crew. How’s everyone today?”

  Al waved from the bathroom where he cleaned the floor.

  Frankie stepped off the small ladder. “I’m fine. How’d the flight go yesterday? Any problems with the customer?”

  The boss removed his coat and hung it on his coat rack. “No problem, they enjoyed their flight. I think we’ll have some repeat business. How was the flight to Atlanta?”

  He trudged to Victor’s office. “Fine, no problems.”

  “Did Ruth Ann behave? I told her not to say anything about Audrey.”

  “Oh, we talked about it.” Frankie crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. “Some boy named Ronald met her.”

  Victor nodded, sat in his chair, and pulled the telephone directory from a drawer. “I heard about him. I can’t see Ruth Ann with an actor. She needs a man who can handle her, not someone like her.”

  “I don’t think there’s a man strong enough to handle her.”

  Victor picked up the telephone receiver, leaned his head, and snuggled the receiver on his shoulder. “I wouldn’t be too sure. I know someone who can give her a run for her money.”

  Victor dialed a number, his cue to get back to work. He hadn’t made it a secret he wanted to date Ruthie. He didn’t encourage him, but Victor knew he was stuck on his sister.

  In the late afternoon, Frankie opened the hangar door to let some fresh air in. He spotted Mr. Douglas’ 1932 Buick enter the lot. Lisbeth’s head rose a few inches above the steering wheel.

  He opened her car door and greeted her. “So, you’re driving now. Mr. Douglas lets you drive his car. I’m impressed.”

  Lisbeth closed the car door. “He didn’t want me to drive. Finally, he agreed to teach me. Said he’d rather I learned from him than a friend.”

  He escorted her into the hangar. “Mr. Douglas is a very smart man.”

  She lowered her voice, “Have you thought anymore about teaching me to fly?”

  He gazed at the pretty little girl, a foot shorter than him. He couldn’t imagine her flying a plane. “I wasn’t sure if you were serious. Did you ask your father?”

  “Not yet.” Lisbeth spotted her brother in his office talking on the telephone and taking notes.

  “I see. Well you better talk to Victor, ’cause I’m not getting into trouble with him or Mr. Douglas. Anyway, he has to know if I’m teaching you, he’s the boss here. Go see him. I’ll join you in a minute.”

  She hesitated then headed to her brother’s office. She waited outside until he finished his telephone conversation.

  Victor put his ledger aside. “Hey, Lisbeth. What brings you here?”

  She sat in the chair in front of his desk. “I want to talk to you about something.”

  “I’m all ears.” He leaned back in his chair and smiled at his sister.

  She moved to the front of the chair and grinned. “I want to take flying lessons.” Her voice filled with excitement.

  He had to close his mouth before he could speak. “Where did you get this idea?”

  “From Amelia Earhart and Louise Thaden.” She picked up the latest issue of Flying Aces magazine. “Can I borrow this?”

  “Sure.” Victor watched his sister flip through the periodical. “Wait, you know who these women are?”

  “Yes, I know who they are. I’ve read books about them and other women flyers. You aren’t the only one in the family who wants to fly an airplane.”

  Victor noticed Frankie watching them. “Did you talk to Ma and Pa about this?”

  “No, I spoke to Frankie about it at Ruth Ann’s party. I want him to teach me…and you, too. Maybe I can work with you.”

  His gaze went from Frankie to Lisbeth. “What about college? Pa’s going to be upset. You remember what a hard time he gave me, and I’m military trained.” Victor stood and motioned Frankie to come in the office.

  He stopped at the door. “You need me, boss?”

  “Yes, come in. Seems, my little sister wants to learn to fly.”

  He sat and smiled at Lisbeth. “Yep, she talked to me about it at the party. If she wants to learn, I say why not?”

  Victor stared at his sister. “We’ll teach you but you have to get Ma and Pa’s approval. Don’t tell them you want to work with us instead of college. We’ll take one step at a time.”

  She stood. “Thanks Victor. Will you talk to them?”

  “How about you ask them first? If need be, I’ll say something.”

  Lisbeth hugged her brother and Frankie before racing to the car.

  Victor yelled, “Calm down. Be careful driving home.”

  Al stuck his head in the office. “What’s goin’ on?”

  “My sister wants us to teach her how to fly.
I told her we would if Pa and Ma approve.”

  Al put his hands on his hips. “What about that? Apples don’t fall far from the tree now, do they?”

  Chapter Ten

  Ruth Ann and Ronald spent their spare time at the diner where they ran lines for the play. They sat in the back booth. The waitress didn’t approach unless they waved. Ruth Ann wanted the confidence Ronald had. This was the most important thing she’d ever done in her life. Her long held dream as a stage actress, only a few short months away from becoming a reality kept her stomach in a knot. She couldn’t eat, and the waist of her skirts hung at her hips. She placed her script on the Formica table. “What if we forget our lines?”

  He grabbed her hand. “You won’t. You practically have them memorized now.”

  “What if I get scared and can’t remember?”

  He cradled her hand in both of his. “We’ll be together in most of the scenes, and I’ll make sure you don’t. Trust me.”

  She felt a tingle in the pit of her stomach. She liked Ronald, not as much as he liked her, but this did feel good. He stirred feelings, feelings she wasn’t sure she could handle. “Thanks, Ronald, for everything you do for me.”

  He winked. “My pleasure, beautiful.”

  She tugged her hand from his grasp. “Guess we better get home, we have an early day tomorrow.”

  “I’ve got this.” He gathered their books.

  “I can carry something, you know.”

  He shifted the books into one hand and held Ruth Ann’s hand with the other. “I know you can, but I like taking care of you.”

  They strolled the few blocks to the school. She unlocked her door. He followed her in, placed the books on the kitchen table, and separated his from hers.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  Ronald put his arm around her waist, positioning her body close to his. “Just you.” His tongue separated her lips as he forged it into her mouth.

  Her body was too heavy for her legs. He tightened his hold around her waist to steady her. His hands raced an urgent path along her body making her nerve endings tingle.

  She would continue until the morning if all they did was neck. He wouldn’t be content with kissing. She removed his hands and held them at her side while she returned his kiss with the same intensity. She relaxed her hold of his hands. He drew her close. The hardness of his arousal evident as he pressed it against her belly. She stepped back startled.

  He placed her hand on his swollen shaft. “See what you do to me. God, I want you so bad.”

  He leaned his forehead to hers, with eyes closed he said, “Please, Ruth Ann, I love you.”

  She stepped back and stared into his eyes. A fever of desire swept through her, aching to be fulfilled or released, she wasn’t sure which. The urgency so strong she wanted to take him to her bed. A tug of war between her brain and her emotions battled. She grasped his hand and led him to the settee. “I need to talk to you.”

  He sat. “You’re not breaking up with me, are you?”

  “No, I’m not ready for…” She paused. “I’m not ready for, Barneymugging. I’m afraid you’ll break up with me if I don’t.”

  Ronald couldn’t control his burst of laughter. “Is that what you call it?”

  Her face burned red. “It’s what my mother calls it.” She looked at him as their laughter filled the room.

  Amusement flickered in his eyes as he pulled her hand into his, raised it to his lips, and kissed it. “Seriously though, I’d never force you to do anything. I can wait. I’ll wait as long as I have to. I love you.”

  Her smile melted from her face. She didn’t know what to say, did she love him? She didn’t know. She would not hurt his feelings, but she didn’t want to declare she loved him if she didn’t. “Ronald, I love being with you, kissing you. You make me feel special.”

  “You’re special, you’re beautiful, you’re talented. Everything a man could ever want. I want you to be my steady girl. Will you?”

  He surprised her. She’d seen the jealous stares of the girls in their class. Ronald could have any one of them. “Yes, I’ll be your steady girl if you slow down. I’m not ready…”

  He smoothed her hair out of her face. “We’ll go as slow as you want. I promise.”

  After he left, she sat on the settee, the last minutes of their tryst played through her mind. She liked Ronald and the way he made her feel was addicting. She liked the way he touched and caressed her, but she couldn’t give her body…yet. She had to be careful, she wasn’t in Saplingville and he wasn’t one of her small town boyfriends. She liked the idea of going steady with him, it eased her loneliness. He might be the one. She tore a piece of paper from her tablet. She wrote her ma a letter to tell her family about Ronald.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jacob Douglas stepped out of his car and waved to Frankie. “Afternoon, I need to talk to you and Victor.”

  Frankie knew they were either going to be chewed out for talking to Lisbeth about flying or lectured on the safety of teaching a teenager how to fly. Mr. Douglas didn’t mince words. “Afternoon, Mr. Douglas, how are you?”

  “I was fine until my youngest daughter informed me she wanted to fly an airplane.”

  He put his screw driver on the bench and wiped his hands, the grease smeared into his skin. “Yes, she surprised us too. Let me wash up. I’ll meet you in Victor’s office.”

  Frankie scrubbed his hands and listened, no yelling was a good sign. He felt like a kid called to the principal’s office. He wished Victor would handle this and tell him about it later. Mr. Douglas had his hands full. His daughters were the two most independent, headstrong girls he’d ever met. Ruthie got her way about acting school, so he figured Lisbeth would win her fight, too. He took his time to give his boss a moment alone with his father.

  He watched Al fill the percolator with water. “Thanks. We’ll need the pot along with three cups.”

  “Will do.” The old man nodded and went about his business.

  He entered the office as Mr. Douglas asked, “How did this start? Did either of you say anything to Lisbeth to get this idea in her head?”

  Victor nodded at Frankie. “I didn’t know anything until she rode by here a few days ago to ask if we would teach her. Said she’d talked to Frankie about lessons at Ruth Ann’s party.”

  Frankie chose his words before responding. They can’t blame me for this. “Lisbeth asked if I would teach her how to fly, and I told her she would have to get permission from you and Mrs. Douglas. I was as surprised as you both are.”

  Victor regarded his father. “We talked. She seems to have done a lot of research on women aviators. I believe she has considered this a long time. I say we give her a few lessons. She’ll get it out of her system, or she’ll be too afraid to solo.”

  Mr. Douglas crossed his arms across his chest. “Yes, I hoped you’d get it out of your system flying in the service, made you want to fly more.”

  Al entered the office with coffee. Frankie grabbed the pot and poured the hot brew into cups. He wanted the boss to do the talking. He would respond if he had to. He respected Mr. Douglas, but Victor was as stubborn as his father, he’d let them duke it out.

  Victor cradled his cup in both hands. “What did Lisbeth tell you?”

  “Lisbeth announced she wanted to learn to fly, said she had talked to you and Frankie, and you agreed to teach her.”

  Victor dropped his cup from his mouth spilling coffee on his shirt. He opened his drawer and grabbed a handkerchief. “Partly true. She talked to us. We agreed to teach her if you and Ma approve.”

  “Well, I’m glad you cleared that up.” Jacob blew on the coffee before taking a sip. “I think she has a good head on her shoulders. She’s smart and more mature than Ruth Ann is, even with the age difference.”

  Victor agreed, “Lisbeth’s smart. I think she’s mature enough to fly. We’ll make sure she does everything by the book.”

  Frankie sipped his coffee and thought about Ruthie. She
was a trouble maker and immature. He hoped she would be all right in Atlanta. He’d like to put Ronald in his place. If he hurts Ruthie…Victor called his name. He gave his boss his attention. “Yes.”

  Victor stared, giving him a questioning look. “What do you think?”

  He put his cup on the desk. “Lisbeth’s very intelligent. I know she’d be a good student. Remember at her age, I flew with the barnstormers. You started lessons before you joined the service. I think she’s old enough.”

  Mr. Douglas regarded them with a stern gaze. “I will agree to a few lessons. Let’s see if she likes it. I’m hoping she won’t. You tell me how she does. If she makes mistakes or doesn’t comprehend, stop the lessons. She’ll be in college soon, and she’ll forget about this nonsense.”

  Victor and Frankie both said, “Agreed” at the same time. Their eyes met, he understood his boss’s signal and stood. The conversation was over.

  Mr. Douglas left the hangar, and Al joined them with an empty cup. Frankie filled the cup with coffee. The old man sat, and they hashed over the conversation.

  Al studied the coffee in his cup. “Well, did the little girl get her way?”

  Victor nodded. “Yes, I haven’t seen much she asked my father for she didn’t get.”

  Frankie set his cup on the desk. “Please don’t tell him she wants to work with us instead of going to college.”

  “Don’t worry,” Victor replied. “Let’s keep that bit of information between the three of us.”

  Al set his cup on the desk and leaned forward. “Reckon when she’s gonna want to start her lessons?”

  Victor leaned in his chair and put his hands behind his head. “If I know Lisbeth, tomorrow won’t be soon enough. Frankie, get ready, she wants to learn from you first.”

  “Yes, she told me. Whatcha want to start her in?”

  Victor thought for a moment. “I’d like to start her in the Jenny. It’d be her first and last lesson. Let’s give her a chance. We’ll start her in the Cessna. I want detailed notes on her flight time and what she learns in each lesson. If she does decide to solo, we’ll have all the information we need to get her certified. We’ll treat her like any client. I think Pa’s wrong, she won’t quit. When she decides she wants something, she follows through, like he does.”