by Jane Lewis
Frankie observed Victor as he talked about the lessons, energy filled the room. “You sound excited.”
“You betcha. We’re making history here. How many women pilots do you know? I’ve read about them, but I don’t know any. I’m proud of her.”
Frankie agreed, “I don’t know any either. Lisbeth can do whatever she sets her mind to. I’ll help any way I can.”
Frankie and Al left the office and headed to work.
Al grabbed his broom and started sweeping. “Went better than I thought.”
Frankie stuck his head in the airplane engine. “Yeah, it did.”
He concentrated on the engine repair. He could block Ruthie out of his mind most of the time, but when he was with any of her family, she flooded his thoughts. He needed a distraction. He was leery about going to the next town to meet women. That’s where he ran into Audrey. He had depleted his supply of women in Saplingville. Most of the girls he dated were married now. Ruthie didn’t care about him; she had her pick of boys. Ronald wasn’t the only classmate sniffing around her. He was sure.
Chapter Twelve
Lisbeth arrived at the hangar for her lesson. Frankie had the yellow Cessna fueled and ready to go. “For your first lesson, we’re going to get familiar with the airplane. Let’s walk around the plane. There’s some things you need to know.”
Lisbeth ran her hand along the side of the airplane. “Thanks for doing this. I’m so excited Pa allowed you and Victor to teach me.”
He reviewed the safety check list and passed it to Lisbeth. “You’re welcome. I can tell this means a lot to you, and I’m happy to be your instructor.” He led her toward the tail end of the airplane. “First, safety’s the most important thing about flying. You have to know your airplane is in good shape before you take off. We always go through a check list so we don’t forget anything. Study the list and check off anything listed when we get to it.” He gave her a pencil. “You’ll learn in this airplane first because it’s the most stable one we have. As you see, the wings are mounted high. They are made of all wood. The fuselage is steel tubing with wooden stringers and formers and the tail surfaces are wooden covered with plywood.”
Lisbeth interrupted him, “Do I need to know how the plane is constructed, isn’t this information more for a mechanic or builder?”
He shook his head. “No, you need to know everything you can about the planes you fly because if something happens in the air, you know the plane inside and out. If you have to make an emergency landing, for instance, the Jenny would respond differently from this plane.”
“Okay, I see your point. I’d love to fly the Jenny someday, too.”
“Oh, you will. I wouldn’t miss teaching you to fly the JN-Four.”
They strolled around the airplane several times with Frankie explaining the purpose of each control surface: wings, ailerons, elevators, rudder, and propeller. They checked the tires, oil, and gasoline. She checked off everything on the list. They climbed into the airplane, Lisbeth in the pilot seat.
Frankie said, “I want you to watch me today. When we achieve our altitude, I’ll let you fly a little.”
She watched him. “What’s the altitude in this plane?”
“We’ll fly at about five thousand feet today.”
Frankie taxied to the runway. He helped her complete the before take-off check list. Lining up on the runway center line, he added full power and made a smooth takeoff. He watched his student. She held her hand out and mimicked his movements. He raised his voice above the engine noise. “Place your hand on your control stick. Feel how the plane responds when I maneuver the stick.” The plane dipped and rose at his command. “Feel how steady the airplane is now? I’m holding the stick steady. You give it a try.”
He removed his hands from the stick. The plane started dipping. He advised her. “Make small corrections, small corrections, got it?”
She didn’t panic. “Yes, got it.” She steadied the control stick.
“That’s it. You’ve got a knack for this. I’ll let you fly the plane for a while.” He watched the spunky girl as she followed his instructions. “Time to turn back, I’ll take the controls now, and you watch as we head to the airfield for our descent.”
“Victor says you make the smoothest landings.” She watched the gauges.
“He’s not so bad himself. I had to land with wing walkers on the wings. I didn’t want to get anyone killed.”
“I remember going with Victor and Uncle Walter to see a flying circus when I was a little girl. Uncle Walter paid extra for Victor to fly in one of the airplanes. I wanted to go, but they had an age limit.” She watched Frankie maneuver the airplane into a smooth landing on the airstrip.
“Well, you aren’t too young now. You’re the best student I’ve ever had. You’ll be taking off and landing soon enough.” He taxied toward the hangar.
Victor sauntered to the airplane opening the door for his sister. “How was your first lesson?”
“Wonderful, when can I take another one?” She jumped out and hugged her brother.
He raised his eyebrows, and Frankie gave a nod. “How about one lesson a week?”
She hugged Frankie. “Thank you, I’ll see you next week.”
Frankie and Victor headed into the hangar while Lisbeth backed Jacob’s car from the parking space. “She did great boss. She’s a natural, like her brother.”
Victor ran his hand through his hair. “I’m not surprised, but I think Pa will be. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Chapter Thirteen
Ruth Ann and Ronald were asked to perform part of their lines for their Method’s Class. The teacher demonstrated how Constantin Stanislavski approached acting. Today they were working on emotion memory. They were instructed to remember something in their past and bring that emotion to the surface during their performance. Ronald played the part of Ruth Ann’s love interest Andrei. She concentrated on the technique, and her thoughts drifted to Frankie. She shoved his memory from her mind.
The teacher screamed, “What is wrong with you? You are terrible. Grasp the emotion of the part.”
Her face flushed. She shook with anger.
The teacher said in a calm voice, “Yes, yes I see your emotion. Good. Now, think of the man you love, embrace him in your heart. Let us see your emotion.”
She closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift. She pictured the barnstormer in his leather coat and goggles taking off in the Jenny. The airplane soared above her, and she twirled around, around, around, staring at the biplane sail through the sky. She recited her lines to Ronald. The teacher nodded in approval, the classroom erupted in applause.
Ronald hugged her and whispered, “This part was made for us. The fact we love each other, helps, too.”
She was an impostor, lying and cheating her way through the play. She didn’t care; if it worked, she’d do it. “Yes, it helps.”
“What were you thinking about?” They strolled to their seat in the middle of the theater.
Frankie. “You tell me first.”
“I thought about last night and your tantalizing kisses. Now you.” Ronald whispered in her ear.
“I used the same memory,” she lied.
The class ended. She grabbed her books and exited the theater with Ronald. “I wrote my mother a letter to tell her about you. I hoped we could go to Saplingville Sunday so I could introduce you to them.”
He stared at her with a surprised smile on his face, “I would love to meet your family. How long is the drive?”
“A little over two hours. Do you think it’s too far to go in one day?”
“Not at all.”
“I’ll call Ma to tell her we’re coming.”
Ruth Ann doubted herself after she’d asked Ronald. She feared she used him to take her home because she wanted to see her family. Her mother would like him, and that knowledge didn’t sit well in the pit of her stomach.
****
Sunday morning, she dressed and sat a
t her desk studying. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She peeked out the window, Ronald stood on the door step wearing a suit and tie. She grabbed her purse before opening the door. “Good morning, Ronald, you look dapper.”
“What a pretty dress.” He stepped inside.
“This is one of my Sunday dresses. I’ve never seen you in a suit either.”
“Had to dress my best for your family. Ready to go?”
She followed him to his car and ran her hand over the fender of the fancy automobile.
Ronald opened the door. She settled into his light blue Studebaker. “I appreciate you taking me to see my parents.”
“I know you miss them. I miss mine, too. Can’t wait to have Sunday dinner with your family.”
She watched him maneuver the car onto the two lane road toward Saplingville. “I want you to see my little town. I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will, I don’t think it’ll be different from Montgomery, Alabama, a little smaller, I suppose.”
She enjoyed the long ride and talking to Ronald away from the prying eyes of her classmates. They had a lot in common. Before she knew it, they arrived at the Saplingville, Georgia sign.
He slowed the car. “We’re here.”
She scooted to the edge of her seat. “Turn here, let’s ride down Main Street, I want you to see the Drug Store.”
He made a right turn. “There it is. Douglas Drug Store…nice. When did your father open it?”
“Nineteen oh five. Look, across the street is Murphy’s Five and Dime. Dottie, Victor’s wife, worked there when they met. Turn right at the next street. We live on the second street to the left, two eighty-three Vine Street.”
He eased the car into the driveway.
Hattie raced out the front door, grabbed her in a quick hug. She held her daughter at arm’s length. “I’ve been watching for you.”
Ronald stood at the front of the car.
She took her mother’s hand. “Ma, I want you to meet Ronald Waters.”
Hattie shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Ronald. Welcome to our home.”
Jacob and Lisbeth waited in the house. She grabbed her boyfriend’s arm dragging him in the parlor. “Pa, Lisbeth, I want you to meet Ronald Waters.”
Mr. Douglas rose from his chair and shook his hand. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Lisbeth stood. “I’ve heard a lot about you, nice to meet you.”
Ronald acknowledged both. “The pleasure’s all mine. I’ve heard lots about all of you.”
Jacob motioned toward a chair. “Please, sit. Tell us about yourself.”
Ronald sat in the chair opposite Mr. Douglas and the girls sat on the sofa.
“Not much to tell. I’m from Montgomery, Alabama. Ruth Ann and I met at school. I’ve wanted to be an actor since I was a young boy.”
“What does your father do for a living?”
“He’s a lawyer, and my mother teaches school.”
Jacob studied the young man. “How did they feel about you wanting to become an actor?”
“They support my decision. I’ve taken dancing and singing lessons since seven years old, and I play the guitar. I don’t think they were surprised at my choice of profession.”
Ruth Ann interrupted, “Ronald’s the best in our class. We both got lead parts in the spring production. I hope you can come and see us perform.”
Hattie waltzed into the parlor. “Of course, we will.”
She lowered her voice and addressed her mother. “Who’s coming for dinner today?”
Lisbeth spoke, “Victor, Dottie, and the kids. Anyone else you want to invite?”
She closed her eyes and thanked God they didn’t invite Frankie. “No. I’ve missed those babies, can’t wait to see them.”
Lisbeth stood. “It’s not too late to invite one of your friends. I saw Frankie last week. He gave me my first flying lesson.”
She reined in her temper, given enough rope her sister would spoil her day with Ronald. “How was your first lesson?”
“Fantastic. Frankie’s a great teacher.”
Ronald cradled Ruth Ann’s hand in his. “Yes, Frankie flew you to Atlanta. Nice fellow.”
She had to end the conversation. “Yes, he works for Victor. Ma, do you need help with anything?”
“I’ve got to stir my beans before they burn and stick to the pan.” Hattie raced toward the kitchen.
Ruth Ann followed her mother. She heard Victor’s car doors slam. She ran out the back door to meet them.
She hugged her brother and Dottie. Carol Ann and Jack Andrew put their little arms out. “Who shall I take first?” She pulled Carol Ann into her arms. She kissed the baby boy’s hand and tickled his belly. “I’ve missed you two so much.” She escorted Victor’s family to the parlor to meet her new boyfriend. “Ronald, this is my brother Victor, his wife Dottie, and their twins.”
Victor shook Ronald’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m glad Ruth Ann found a friend in Atlanta. We worry about her alone in the big city.”
Victor sat on the sofa with Ronald. The girls helped Hattie in the kitchen.
Jacob nodded to Victor. “Ronald and I were talking about his family. His father’s a lawyer in Montgomery, Alabama.”
Victor addressed the man. “Any siblings?”
“No. My parents were too busy for more, I guess. My mother’s a teacher.”
Victor asked, “What are your plans after you graduate?”
“Headed to New York. I’ve always wanted to be a stage actor. They say it’s the place to go.”
Jacob grunted. “I hope you don’t give my daughter any ideas. I agreed for her to go to acting school. I did not agree to her moving to New York.”
Victor changed the subject. “I hear my sis got a good part in the upcoming production.”
Ronald grinned. “Yes, we both got lead parts. We play love interests in Anton Chekhov’s play, The Three Sisters.”
Jacob started coughing. Victor raced to the kitchen to get him some water.
Ruth Ann asked her brother, “How’s it going?”
“Not good. I think you need to join us to keep peace between Pa and Ronald.”
“Oh, dear.” She passed Carol Ann to Lisbeth.
They hurried to the parlor as Hattie reminded, “Dinner’ll be ready in ten minutes.”
Ruth Ann entered the room as Ronald said, “I’m in love with your daughter, Mr. Douglas.” She put her hand on her heart. Oh, dear Lord I can’t leave them alone together.
Her father glared. “You met her for the first time in September, for goodness sake.”
She stared at Victor; he enjoyed this. Remorse for the trouble she’d given her brother swept over her. She wanted him to say something, anything. When he didn’t, she regained control of the situation. “Ma says dinner’s ready in ten minutes. We’re having meat loaf, it’s one of your favorites, Pa.”
Jacob stood and scowled at his daughter. “I’ll wash my hands.”
Victor kept the conversation going. “So, you’re in love with Ruth Ann, huh?”
Ronald nodded his head and smiled. “She’s the best.”
She wanted to take her hand from his grasp, retreat to her bedroom, and hide.
Victor gave her a wink. “Are you in love, little sister?”
She gave him a look to stop a clock but when Ronald faced her, she smiled. “I told Ronald, I like him and I love being with him. We’re taking it slow, aren’t we?”
Ronald placed her hair behind her ear. “Whatever you say, beautiful.”
On the ride to Atlanta, Ronald was gay. He overflowed with excitement about meeting her family. “This has been a swell day. Your family’s the best, thanks for suggesting this.”
I missed my family and wanted to see them. What a mistake taking him with me. “Yeah, thanks for driving me home today.”
Everyone treated Ronald with respect, but he didn’t fit in like she’d hoped. Hattie kissed her on the cheek when they left and whispered, “
Now, Ruth Ann, be a good girl, you hear me?” Boy, if she knew how hard that was. Victor talked to Ronald and included him in their conversations, but she could tell he wasn’t impressed. She could have kicked Lisbeth, talking about Frankie in front of him. All’s well that ends well. At least Ronald didn’t have a clue.
He parked his car on the street in front of her building. He grabbed her hand. “Can I come in?”
She kissed his cheek. “No, I’m tired. I had a great time. Thank you for taking me home.”
He brushed her lips with a kiss. “My pleasure. I enjoyed meeting your family, they’re nice.”
She couldn’t meet his eye, so she whispered in his ear. “They liked you, too.”
“I hope so. Your father gave me the third degree about us.”
“Yes, I heard. He worries about me.”
“I let him know that I’d take care of you.”
That was your mistake. She smiled and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you then, beautiful.”
She closed the door and stood with her forehead against it.
What was I thinking? She gave her mother ammunition. Hattie wouldn’t rest until she married Ronald. At least she didn’t live at home and have to listen to her every day.
Chapter Fourteen
Frankie sat in his chair reading the Sunday paper. A reflection on the wall caught his eye. He peered from the window as Victor and his family wandered to his front porch. He opened the door and greeted them. “What do I owe this pleasure?”
Victor handed Jack Andrew to Frankie. “We were in the neighborhood and thought you’d like to see the babies.”
He settled Carol Ann on his other hip and hugged both. “Boy, they’re getting big. I can’t wait until they start walking.”
Dottie tugged the babies’ sweaters off. “I can wait. They’re going to run me to death. I have to corral them in the parlor now. They crawl all over the house if I don’t.”
Frankie sat on the sofa bouncing a baby on each knee. “What have y’all been doin’?”