The Barnstormer

by Jane Lewis

  She hurried to the front of the theater where her family waited.

  Hattie grabbed her daughter and hugged her. “You were wonderful. I’m so proud of you.”

  Jacob put his arm around her shoulder. “Great job.”

  Victor, Dottie, and Lisbeth took turns hugging and congratulating her.

  She tried not to sound disappointed. “Where’s Frankie?”

  Her mother narrowed her eyes. “Why would he come to your play?” Contempt filled her voice.

  The hatred spilling from her mother’s eyes made her step back. “Because he promised.”

  Ronald approached, and she changed the subject. “So, did y’all like the play?”

  Hattie met Ronald with a hug. “Ronald, you were wonderful. I enjoyed seeing you and Ruth Ann act together.”

  He shook hands with everyone. “I’ve had a fun time working with Ruth Ann, she’s a wonderful actress. Now, if I can convince her to go the New York with me after graduation. I think she should try her hand at stage acting in the big city.”

  Her mother’s face broke into a huge smile. “We can plan a June wedding after you graduate.”

  His face went white before he returned Mrs. Douglas’ smile with one of his own.

  Ruth Ann watched as her father sized Ronald, it’d be a cold day in hell before Ronald pulled the wool over her daddy’s eyes. She tugged Victor to the side and whispered. “I want to have lunch with y’all tomorrow before you go. Family only, I’m not telling Ronald.”

  Victor wrote the name of their hotel. “This is where we’re staying. Call in the morning, and we’ll decide where to meet. I begged Frankie to come, but he’s upset about you not telling him about Ronald driving you to school.”

  She recalled the events of the day. “I gave Ma a note to give him. I didn’t know Ronald was coming to Saplingville.” Coldness filled her belly. She stared at the woman who gave birth to her and recognized her for the conniving, cruel person she was. Of course he was mad, he didn’t get the note.

  Victor shook his head. “Frankie didn’t mention anything about a note.” He regarded his sister. “Ma never gave it to him.”

  She glared at her mother, laughing and talking to Ronald. “No, she didn’t. Frankie will never speak to me again.”

  Ronald kissed Mrs. Douglas’ hand and stepped toward Ruth Ann. “I’ll get your girl to her place. Great to see all of you.”

  She watched as her family made their way to the waiting taxi cabs. Remorse filled the pit of her stomach, and she ignored Ronald’s constant babble. They approached her building and she unlocked the door, and Ronald started inside. She put her hand on his chest. “I’m tired. You need to go so I can get some rest.”

  He pushed his way inside, closed the door, and crushed her into the wall kissing her and toying with the buttons on her dress. She struggled but he had her pinned. She shoved harder, “Ronald, stop. I mean it.”

  He cupped her breast. “No, you don’t. You know you want this as much as I do.”

  Her emotions hit the breaking point. Tears spilled from her eyes.

  He stepped away. “Did I hurt you? I’m sorry if I did. With all the work and rehearsals, I’ve missed us.” He tilted his head and lifted her chin with his hand, “I miss you.”

  Tears streamed down her face. “Go, please.”

  He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and placed it in her hand. “Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow. I know how emotional it is to be in your first play.”

  She closed the door and stumbled to the settee. Her mother wanted her to be with Ronald, but she couldn’t believe she would do such a thing. As Ruth Ann got older, she saw a side of Hattie she didn’t like. Her mother hurt Frankie yet regarded Ronald as an angel…if she knew the truth. Guilt poured over her. Her mother was right about one thing. She had two boys vying for her affection. She had to decide. It didn’t matter what choice she made. Frankie would never forgive her for this.

  The next day, she took a trolley to the restaurant to meet her family for lunch. She entered the café and approached the round table.

  Victor stood and helped her into her chair. “Glad you could join us before we go home.”

  She sat as Victor adjusted her chair. “This is a treat for me. I don’t leave campus often.”

  Lisbeth put her menu on the table. “When are you coming home again?”

  “In a couple of weeks.” She turned toward her brother. “Victor can you fly me home two weeks from today?”

  He looked up from his menu. “I’d be happy to.”

  She faced her sister. “How are the flying lessons?”

  Lisbeth gave Ruth Ann her full attention. “Great. I’ve learned to land and take-off. Frankie’s the best teacher.”

  Victor interrupted, “Frankie says you’re the best student he’s ever had.”

  Hattie glared at her daughter and spat her words, “Where’s Ronald?”

  She refused eye contact with her mother and stared at her menu, “I wanted to be with my family. Ronald and I aren’t joined at the hip.”

  Jacob patted his wife’s hand. “Ruth Ann, don’t you have another performance today?”

  “Yes. I have one tonight and another tomorrow afternoon.”

  Jacob stared at his daughter, their eyes met in understanding. “I wanted to tell you again how well you did and how proud I am. I can’t imagine how much work it takes to memorize the lines and become the part of the person you play on stage. I’m sorry I didn’t encourage you more.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. She appreciated his compliment, and the look in his eye assured her he was on her side, not her mother’s. “Thanks, Pa.”

  After lunch, they gathered on the sidewalk. She pulled her mother aside. “Ma, did you give the note to Frankie like I asked you?” She watched her mother; she had to know the truth.

  Hattie’s face flushed red. “What note? Did you give me a note?”

  “You know I did. It had Frankie’s name on it. You were supposed to give it to him when he arrived.”

  Hattie took a deep breath and licked her lips. She put her hand on Ruth Ann’s arm. “No, I didn’t. He’s no good for you. Ronald can give you so much more than Frankie can.

  Ruth Ann turned away. She didn’t want to argue in front of everyone.

  Her mother jerked her around to face her. She glanced at her husband and lowered her voice. “When did Frankie become so special anyway? You never liked him. After Frankie got married and Audrey left him, you chased after him like a bitch in heat. I don’t understand you.”

  The words her mother spoke cut her like a razor blade. She no longer cared who heard them, her voice rose to almost a shout. “That’s right Ma, you’ve never understood me. Whoever I decide to spend my life with is my choice, not yours.”

  She marched to the trolley stop and didn’t take a backward glance.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Frankie had his head in the engine of the Stinson Trimotor performing the routine maintenance when Victor arrived at the hangar Monday morning. He grabbed a rag and stepped off the small step ladder. “Did ya have a good trip?”

  Victor walked toward the airplane. “Dottie and I enjoyed ourselves, but we were glad to get home and see the babies.”

  “Careful, Victor, the stork may make another visit to your house.” Frankie gave him a knowing smile.

  “Man, if he does, it was worth it. Haven’t had Dottie to myself in a long time.”

  He worked to remove the grease from his hands. “How was the play?”

  “You mean how was Ruth Ann?”

  His stomach filled with emptiness and dread. Did he really want to know? He hesitated, “Yeah, her too.”

  “She’s a very good actress. I had to remind myself she was my sister. She asked about you.” Victor stared and waited for him to respond.

  “Did she now?” He searched through the tools for a screw driver.

  “She’s coming home in two weeks.”

  “The dandy coming with her?
” Frankie walked toward the plane anxious to end the conversation.

  “No, I think she’s trying to cool it. Did you have many customers yesterday?”

  “I had twenty-nine. I left the money in your desk drawer. We’ll have this airplane paid off before you know it.” He climbed the stepladder and continued his work.

  Victor checked the box for mail and headed inside the hangar. “I hope so. I didn’t think we would do this well selling airplane rides.”

  He loved being right. “I’ve told you for years people want to fly.”

  Victor responded. “I should have listened to you before now.”

  He continued his work. So, Ruthie cooled it off with Ronald which meant, she never stopped seeing him. He felt like someone twisted a knife in his gut.

  Chapter Thirty

  Ruth Ann arrived at the Theatre Arts Building early and headed to her methods class. She rounded the corner hall and saw two people kissing. As she got closer, she recognized Ronald and Jenny Price. She stopped and observed familiar moves. How many of the girls in the class was he seeing? She tiptoed around them and slipped to her classroom. A few minutes later he and Jenny wandered into the room. She leered at him.

  He eased to her desk. “It’s not what you think.”

  The walls closed in around her. She had to get away. Jenny stared at her with a smug smile. She took her books and left the classroom.

  Ronald bolted out of the room explaining his actions.

  She ignored him. She retrieved her key from her bag. Her hand shook and she couldn’t get it in the lock.

  He snatched the key and opened the door. “We need to talk.”

  She put her books on the table beside the door. “Come in, let’s talk.”

  He sat on the settee and motioned her to sit. Instead, she sat in the chair waiting for him to say something.

  He broke the silence. “Ruth Ann, you send me mixed signals. One minute we’re necking and I feel like you want me, and the next minute you’re avoiding me. I told you I loved you, but you don’t say it to me.”

  A tear ran down her face. “You don’t tell a girl you love them and then kiss another girl. Is it because I won’t go all the way with you?”

  “I want you. I’ve never denied it. We’re adults now. We don’t have to get married to have intimacy.”

  For the first time, she recognized Ronald for what he was. “So, all this talk about going to New York together. You want me to come with you and live with you for the nooky. What if I got knocked up? You’d dump me and find someone else.” Her cheeks heated in anger.

  He reached for her hands, she pulled them away. “Neither of us have worked this hard to become actors to get married and live the lives of our parents. I know you don’t want that any more than I do.” He tilted his head and placed his hand on her arm.

  She jerked away and glared at this man she thought she knew. “No, you’re right. I will have a career as an actress or a teacher, but I will live a decent, honest life. What you’re asking me to do is against everything my parents taught me.”

  He scooped her from her chair and kissed her. “I’m sorry. I know I did wrong. Let’s see where the road takes us.”

  She couldn’t blame Ronald. She’d treated Frankie the same way. She was no better than him. “Yes, we’ll see how things go. We have several more weeks before graduation, and both of us have decisions to make.”

  He made his way to class. She closed the door, settled in a chair, and gathered her thoughts before she returned to class. Ronald confused her. She didn’t think she cared about him until she saw him kissing Jenny. She had to see Frankie and sort out her feelings. If, he would talk to her after what her mother did. After what she did.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Frankie maneuvered tables and tool boxes out of the way so Al could sweep and mop the floor of the hangar.

  The janitor bent to gather pieces of paper. “You don’t have to help me. I can handle this stuff.”

  Al could do it, but he wanted to help the old man. “I know you can, but four hands make easy work. You help me with propping the planes and other things when I need an extra hand.”

  He watched Victor as he hung up the phone in the office and head toward them. “Frankie, I need for you to do me a favor. Ruth Ann needs a flight home, but Dottie called and she has something for us to do tomorrow. Are you available?”

  He shuffled a couple of chairs. He didn’t want to see Ruthie, much less fly her home. He hesitated hoping Victor would see he didn’t want to go and take back the request. When the air was heavy and Al gave him a questioning glance, he responded, “Sure thing, boss.”

  Victor walked to the door and turned. “Great, I told her to be at the airport at noon. Thanks for doing this for us. I’m headed home; see y’all later.”

  Al leaned his broom against a wall. “Are you going to be good with this, son?”

  He stared at his desk and remembered how Ruthie tempted him in the very place he stood. “It’s a job, nothing more. I fly air taxis all the time.”

  Al studied Frankie’s face. “Be careful and concentrate on your flying. You’ll have too much time alone with her in the plane, and I don’t want you two arguing like a couple of cats in heat.”

  The solution formed in his brain. “Won’t be any alone time. I’m taking the Jenny tomorrow. I wouldn’t be able to hear her talk if I wanted to.”

  Al shook his head. “For the love of Pete, don’t take that plane. You don’t fly her much anymore, the other planes are safer and you’ll get to Atlanta and back faster.”

  “You’re right about one thing. The Jenny needs flying. Let’s go check her out and get her ready for tomorrow.”

  Al continued the argument, “Who’ll prop you off? We won’t be here to help you.”

  “Mr. Andrews will do it for me.” He gathered some tools and the oil can. “Here, take these, and I’ll get the gas can. Let’s go.”

  Al threw the tools and some rags into a small toolbox. “You are one stubborn jackass.”

  ****

  Frankie arrived at Candler Field early. He stood by the JN-Four watching for Ruthie’s taxi. A crowd gathered around his biplane. Four pretty women and three men asked questions. He helped the women onto the wing one by one so they could look inside.

  Ruthie’s taxi arrived, and she walked toward the plane. She stood off to the side watching.

  Frankie ignored her. He gave each girl a hug and shook hands with the men. “My client’s here, got to get going. Glad you liked the plane, and if you are in Saplingville, stop by Andrews Field, and I’ll give you a free ride.”

  The group fell away, and Ruthie shuffled closer. “So you’re my ride home.” He didn’t look at her, just reached for her suitcase.

  He placed her bag in the front seat and handed her the aviator cap and goggles. “Yep, I’m your taxi service for today.”

  She struggled with her hat, stuffing her thick hair under it. “Frankie, I’ve got to talk to you about something. I gave Ma a note for you before I left. I didn’t know…”

  He interrupted, “I didn’t get a note. Now climb in the airplane and let’s go.” He searched the hangar for someone to prop them off.

  Frankie and the attendant guided the Jenny to the runway. He jumped in, and the man propped the plane. The Jenny lifted into the air. He relaxed in his seat and stared at the back of Ruthie’s head. He’d never known a woman who could make him love her one minute and hate her, the next. Mrs. Douglas would have given him the note. She invented the excuse, he didn’t buy it. He thanked God for this warm spring day so he could fly the Jenny. He didn’t want to make conversation or argue. As soon as they landed, he’d take her home.

  He settled in his seat and enjoyed the blue sky. The sound of the engine changed; he detected a slight sputter. He replaced the spark plugs a month ago, and he and Al greased the valve gear yesterday. He would give her a good overhaul next week.

  When flying a plane like the JN-Four, a pilot always keeps hi
s eye open for a place to land. Frankie made several unexpected landings both as a barnstormer and in his recreational flying. He didn’t want to do it with Ruthie in the plane and prayed they would make it to the farm.

  He straightened in his seat and listened for any indication of trouble. He gazed down and relaxed, open fields as far as he could see. The miles passed, they neared home as the fields changed into timberland. With no warning of trouble, the engine coughed, RPM dropped, the engine caught, sped up, then coughed and sputtered and became quiet. He checked the magnetos, carb heat, and throttle control. Nothing changed. The engine was dead. Slowly windmilling, he trimmed the airplane for best glide speed, and the prop windmilled without a sound. Probably a broken fuel line. Now, where to land? He straightened in his seat and searched for a place.

  Nothing but treetops. His heart raced, his face wet with perspiration. Don’t panic. He peered ahead and watched Ruthie’s head tilt. He figured she was either praying or scared out of her mind. He searched to the right, thank God, a field. He guided the plane toward it, checking wind direction by the drift of the plane and smoke coming from the chimney of a nearby house. He studied the ground and made a quick assessment as to how much room he had to land. The field appeared clear except for a huge oak tree with cows grazing beneath. He had to stop the Jenny before it hit the tree. He side-slipped the plane down, then straightened out for a firm landing, and stopped short of the tree. The plane hit the ground hard but stayed in one piece. Cows scattered, running in all directions. He unfastened his seatbelt and jumped on the wing.

  Ruthie’s head hit the front of the plane when they landed, and he wanted to make sure she was all right. Her body folded over the seatbelt. He wrestled her upright to unfasten the belt. Blood oozed from a gash on her head. She didn’t respond when he called her name. He peered around the pasture to make sure no bulls lurked. Several cows and a donkey but no bull, so he removed her from the plane and leaned her against the tree. He felt her pulse; she was alive. He pulled out his pocket knife and cut enough fabric from the bottom of his t-shirt to tie around her head. Blood oozed through the material. He put pressure on the wound until the bleeding stopped then cut more fabric and tied it around her head.