The Barnstormer

by Jane Lewis

  Frankie grabbed her hand. “Dance with me, they’re playing ‘The Shadow Waltz.’”

  The slow song seduced everyone to the dance floor. He sang every word. When the song ended, he drew her close and kissed her. She smelled bourbon on his breath. “Have you been drinking?”

  “Victor and I had a little drink to celebrate our success this year. Don’t worry. I’m not drunk, nor will I be. I’m on my best behavior tonight. This is the first New Year’s Eve that didn’t involve alcohol since I was sixteen years old.”

  She loved his honesty. He was real and genuine and smelled like a man, not like lavender and Pond’s Cream like Ronald.

  He guided her to the food table. “Let’s have some punch and a sandwich.”

  “Is the punch spiked?”

  Frankie shook his head. “No, Victor won’t allow it. But if you notice, some people have their own flask.”

  She watched Al pour something in his and Ethel’s punch. “Does Ethel know Al put something in her punch?”

  “It’s a game with them. She acts like she doesn’t want it, and he acts like he didn’t do it. He puts a few drops each time, more in his than hers.”

  Al put his cup on the table and grabbed Ethel. They were playing “Ain’t She Sweet” on the radio. He and Ethel commanded the dance floor with the Charleston.

  Ruth Ann couldn’t take her eyes off the pair. “Wow, they can shake a leg.”

  Frankie stared at his pal. “Yes, his favorite dance. I’m glad he’s having a good time.”

  She studied Frankie, the admiration he had for the old man evident on his face. “You love him, don’t you?”

  “Yes, he and Victor are my best friends. Al’s the father I never had.”

  She felt disgusted with herself. She’d never considered Frankie’s feelings and how he suffered when his mother died and his father left town. She wondered how he could forgive her for the things she said, calling him white trash and stupid. “Frankie, I know I wasn’t nice to you. I’m sorry for the hard time I gave you. I had a family and lived in a nice house in town. I didn’t realize how hard your life was. Please forgive me.”

  He pulled her close giving her a deep kiss. He realized where he was when he heard Victor clear his throat. He stepped back, heat rising to his face. “Forgiven, let’s dance.”

  A little before midnight, Frankie and Victor opened champagne bottles while she assisted Dottie with the glasses. The disc jockey at the radio station started the countdown. Everyone shouted the seconds, eager to toast the New Year. When the hour of midnight arrived, Frankie kissed her. She stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  Victor patted Frankie on the back and yelled, “Happy New Year, everyone.” She stopped kissing him and glanced at her brother.

  Victor shook Frankie’s hand and smiled like a Cheshire cat. “I think nineteen thirty-seven will be your best year, old friend.”

  Frankie hugged Victor. “I hope so, man.”

  Al grabbed Frankie and gave him a bear hug, as much as he could. Frankie stood several inches taller. “Happy New Year, son.”

  “Happy New Year, Al.”

  Victor and Al gave her a kiss on the cheek and wished her a Happy New Year.

  She watched as friends and customers toasted Frankie and Victor. She never dreamed they had such a good business and all these friends. Pride filled her heart. Frankie struggled from a famous barnstormer to a mill hand, then to a successful pilot and mechanic. Her brother struggled with their father. He didn’t want Victor to fly and hoped flying in the United States Army Air Corps would be enough, but he proved his father wrong. They were very smart men, and she couldn’t be prouder of them.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Frankie stared at his beautiful date. Excitement bubbled in his belly. He’d planned their detour home, down to the minute. He glanced at his pocket watch, it was time. He told Victor and Al he would join them later in the day to clean the hangar. He retrieved Ruthie’s coat from Victor’s office.

  Ruthie helped Dottie collect glasses. Frankie whispered in her ear, “We’ve got to go. I need to get you home.”

  She continued to gather glasses. “We have plenty of time.”

  He took the glasses and placed them on the table and gave her a sly smile. “I have a stop to make. It won’t take long, but we need to leave now.”

  He maneuvered his car through the old country road and turned onto a gravel side road. He parked so anyone traveling on the main road wouldn’t see his car.

  She glanced around. “Where are we going?”

  He cut the engine. “I wanted to be alone with you for a few minutes. You’ll be leaving Saturday, and I won’t have a chance to do this.” Frankie scooted over in the middle of the seat and placed Ruthie in his lap. He kissed her like a man starving for water.

  She relaxed in his arms. He tugged her jacket off while he kissed her and threw it behind his seat. She placed his hand on her breast.

  Frankie accepted her invitation. He kissed her on the neck while he raised her sweater and unfastened her brassiere. Her breast fell into his hand. He yanked her sweater over her head and kissed her delicate skin. He sucked her taut nipple into his mouth. She arched her back giving her body to him to do as he wanted.

  She asked in a guttural whisper, “Frankie?”

  He replaced his mouth with his thumb. “Yes, angel.”

  Her chest rose as she gasped for air. “I…I like that.”

  He groaned wanting much more than he’d ever taken from a woman. His heart beat faster supplying the blood demanded by his aching shaft. He reminded himself this night belonged to his beloved. He ignored his needs and turned his attention to pleasing his girl. Her breasts were smooth and heavy in his hand. He took his time savoring the smell, taste, and feel of each. He encircled the nipple sucking it into his mouth. He continued memorizing each breast amazed at the softness.

  She fidgeted in his lap. “Frankie.” Her voice soft, pleading, breathless. “I want your skin on my skin.”

  He placed her so she straddled him and kissed her.

  She unbuttoned his shirt and settled her bare flesh against his. Her hungry kiss and the feel of her bubs against his chest teased and tormented him. “Holy shit, Ruthie, you’re killing me.” He reached for her brassiere and pushed her away trying to fit her arms in the straps. He’d gone as far as he could without branding her with his throbbing erection.

  She cooed, “Don’t stop.” She continued to kiss him and sucked his bottom lip.

  He gave in and threw her underwear on the floor. He groaned, consumed by need, not for him but a need to please…her. He’d always put his desires above anyone, but now, seeing his angel happy was all that mattered.

  He positioned her in his lap and kissed her while he teased her nipples with his fingers. He nuzzled her neck. She smelled like a bouquet of flowers. He closed his eyes and inhaled. He smelled roses and lilac.

  She reclaimed his lips, in a demanding and urgent kiss.

  He put his hand under her skirt and traced her thigh above her stockings. His fingers caressed her silky flesh. He broke the kiss and leaned his head on the car seat. “Your skin is so soft.” He kept his hand on the tender spot of her thigh and debated whether to continue to the target he craved or keep touching her delicate skin.

  She cupped his head in her hands and placed her lips on his. She kissed him like she could crawl into his body. No woman had ever kissed him like this. He stopped kissing her, his eyes raked over her petite body curled in his lap. His finger found the target and entered the tight depths of her. He groaned. “My God, Ruthie.” She was so ready. He couldn’t give her everything now, but he prayed someday he would, tonight it was all about her.

  She arched her back and at the same time the look on her face begged to know what he planned to do.

  He continued exploring. “It’s all right, precious. I’m not going to hurt you, relax. Remember when I told you, I could do things to you and you’d like it.”
/>   She nodded her head and closed her eyes.

  He watched her. She teetered at the edge of the precipice, the desire to please her gave him more enjoyment than he’d had with dozens of women. He continued his exploration, sealing to his memory the moves that pleased her. She relinquished control to him, he watched as wave after wave of ecstasy took her. When she cried out, a tear escaped his eye.

  She draped her body around his. He felt like he would explode as she tantalized him with her kisses and sweet moans. She unfastened his belt and the button of his pants. She placed both her hands on his face and guided his lips to hers.

  He relaxed against the seat and lost his mind in her kiss. Blood pumped, heating his body with warmth leaving a throbbing ache in his groin. He struggled, his need of her at war with what was right. His arms pushed her away and pulled her toward him at the same time. He nudged her aside and fastened his pants, then his belt. “Precious, we have to stop. I can’t.”

  “You can. I want you.” Her hands were inside his shirt, her fingers raked through the hair on his chest. “Please.” She tilted her head and pushed her lips into a pout.

  He stared wanting to suck her lips into his mouth. The bulge in his pants reminding him they weren’t finished. For the first time in his life, he did the right thing. He straightened in the seat and placed her beside him. “I’ve got to get you home.” He fumbled with the clasp on her brassiere until they were secured, then pulled her sweater over her head.

  She searched for words. “Frankie, that was, I mean I’m kind of embarrassed. I’ve never, well you know. I don’t know very much…”

  Frankie pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it never taking his eyes from hers. “Did you like the way I made you feel?”

  Her eyes bore into his soul. “Yes,” she said in a breathy whisper.

  He wanted to tell her what he did was love her like he’d never loved anyone before. He wanted to say the three words he’d never said to anyone. He wanted time to stand still. “Well, then, nothing to be embarrassed about is there?” He searched behind his seat for her coat. “Put this on before you catch cold. Ruthie, I.” He hesitated and kissed the top of her head.

  She pivoted. “Yes?”

  He gazed into her eyes, I’m a coward. “I. I’ll miss you.”

  She whispered and closed her eyes. “I’ll miss you, too.”

  He smoothed his hand over her hair. “You’d better comb your hair and put on some lipstick so your lips match the glow in your cheeks. We don’t want your mother getting suspicious.”

  She grabbed her purse and took out her comb as Frankie clicked the inside light.

  He started the car, backed around and headed to town. “Do you want me to fly you to Atlanta Saturday?”

  “Will you?” She snapped her purse closed.

  “I’d be happy to.”

  “How about my play in March?” She stared into the dark night, “I won’t be home before then. We have rehearsals every weekend.”

  “I’ll be there,” Frankie assured her.

  She put her hand on his leg. “Promise?”

  “Promise.” Frankie lifted her hand and kissed it.

  He parked in front of the Douglas house with a few minutes to spare. “Home, safe and sound.”

  He opened Ruthie’s door and helped her out. He watched the curtain in the parlor flutter. He opened the screen door and stepped aside. “We’ll go to a movie tomorrow night, if you want.”

  She didn’t step any closer. “Yes.”

  Frankie walked to his car, he opened the door and stared. Ruthie stood under the porch light holding the handle of the screen door. He raised his hand to wave and climbed in his car and inhaled the scent of Ruthie mingling with her perfume.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Hattie met her daughter at the door. “Did you have a good time?”

  Ruth Ann hung her coat on the peg. “I had a wonderful time. I had no idea that Victor and Frankie had so many friends.”

  “Yes, they have a good business. I’m proud of both of them. If you hadn’t been so mean and thought of anyone but yourself, you would have noticed before now.”

  She hugged her mother. “Happy New Year, Ma. I’m going to bed.”

  She undressed and stood in front of the mirror staring at her naked body. She’d never let a boy do what Frankie did to her tonight. What she felt, what they did, well, it was better than what she dreamed it would be. She pulled her gown over her head and sat at her dressing table. How will I make it through the next few months without Frankie? She combed her hair, lost in thought, lost in the certainty of Frankie’s love, lost in the joy she’d saved her body for the barnstormer.

  ****

  Ruth Ann’s suitcases lay open on her bed. She admired the new clothes she received for Christmas as she folded and placed them in the suitcase. She counted the hours until she’d be with Frankie. He would pick her up at noon to fly her to Atlanta. She heard a knock on the front door. She glanced at the clock, ten in the morning, too early for Frankie. She stood at the stairs and listened. Ronald? What is he doing here? She tiptoed to her room and prayed he’d go away.

  Hattie raced upstairs to her bedroom and closed the door. “Ronald’s here to take you to school.”

  She sat at her dressing table and combed her hair. “He’s not supposed to be here. Frankie’s flying me to Atlanta this afternoon.”

  “Ronald wanted to surprise you. He drove out of his way to come here and get you, and you’re going.”

  “I am not. Tell him I’m not here.” She dabbed perfume behind her ear.

  “Oh, you’re going. He’s a nice boy and has a lot to offer you. Don’t mess this up.” She threw clothes in the suitcase.

  “Mess what up? You think every boy I date, I have to marry. I’ll marry the person I choose.”

  Hattie put her hand on Ruth Ann’s arm to settle her. “I’ve kept my mouth shut this week because I knew you were leaving, but you’re making a big mistake. I think the world of Frankie, but he’s not the one for you.”

  She jerked her arm away. “Frankie’s right. He said you didn’t want me to see him because he had lived with Audrey as man and wife, but I’ll tell you this, he’s more of a gentleman than Ronald. So think about that while we’re alone in Atlanta.”

  Her mother sat on the bed and cried.

  She wadded up clothes and threw them in her suitcase. “You raised me to be a good person. Leave me alone and let me live my life.”

  Hattie dried the tears on her face with a handkerchief. “My mother raised me right, but I made some terrible mistakes I don’t want you to make.”

  She gave her mother her full attention. “What mistakes?”

  She stood. “Nothing that concerns you. I expect you downstairs in ten minutes. You are riding to Atlanta with Ronald. I’ll tell Frankie when he gets here.”

  How dare Ronald come here and assume I want him to drive me to Atlanta. She removed a piece of paper from her desk and scribbled a note.

  Frankie,

  I didn’t know Ronald planned to take me to Atlanta. He arrived this morning, and Ma made me go. I’m glad you’re coming to my play in March. I’ll miss you every day.

  XXXOOO’s

  Ruth Ann

  Hattie knocked on her bedroom door. “Ruth Ann, time to go. Ronald’s waiting.”

  She opened the door. “Please give this note to Frankie when he comes.”

  Her mother dropped the note in her apron pocket. “I’ll help you with your suitcases.”

  Ronald ran to meet her and took a suitcase from Mrs. Douglas. “Ruth Ann, I’ve missed you. I wanted to surprise you.”

  “You surprised me.” She gave her mother a curt goodbye and headed out the door.

  Ronald turned the car toward Atlanta. “Did you have a nice Christmas?”

  “I had a nice Christmas, how about you?” She added under her breath, “The best I ever had.”

  “I enjoyed the holidays, but I missed you so much. I couldn’t wait for the v
acation to be over. I had to see you.”

  Once they got on the main road headed to Atlanta, she settled in her seat and closed her eyes. She would pretend to be asleep so he wouldn’t talk. Her breakfast sat heavy in her stomach mingling with the dread of Frankie learning that she was with Ronald.

  She didn’t stir until the car stopped in front of her building. Ronald retrieved her suitcases while she opened her front door.

  He placed the bags in the bedroom, strolled into the sitting room, and placed a small box wrapped in Christmas paper in her hand. “Merry Christmas.”

  The present, light as a feather, felt heavy in her hand. “I didn’t get you anything.”

  He waited for her to open the gift. “No problem, I wanted you to have this.”

  She tore the paper off and opened the box. A cameo ring, he bought me a ring. “Lovely, thank you.”

  He tugged the ring from the box and put it on her finger. “I hope someday to get you a diamond.”

  “What do you mean a diamond? This doesn’t mean…” She stared waiting for a response.

  He pulled her in his arms and kissed her. “No, I’m not asking you to marry me…yet. I wanted to buy something for my best girl.”

  Best girl? She didn’t want to hurt him, but after her time with Frankie, she wouldn’t commit to anything. “Thank you, you are so sweet to think of me. I’m very sorry I didn’t get you anything.”

  He guided her to the sitting area. “Tell me about your holiday.”

  Her thoughts drifted to Frankie. He would be furious if he knew she was alone with Ronald. “This was my best Christmas, ever.”

  He brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her. “What made this year the best?”

  She scooted away from him. “I spent time with my family, and I attended a dance in town and my first New Year’s Eve party. Victor and uh, Dottie had the party in the hangar and invited their friends and customers. I had a glass of champagne.”

  “I gathered with friends, and we celebrated New Year’s Eve together. We had champagne, too. Only thing missing was you.”