by Julie Tizard
She gave Two the signal for a cross under and Captain Hardesty flew to her opposite wingtip in the blink of an eye. When she entered the practice area, she gave them a pitchout and rejoin. Two was closing on her fast, but she didn’t fear getting hit by them.
Casey went right into fingertip maneuvering and smoothly rolled into ninety degrees of bank, made the nose slice down, and let the jet accelerate. She rolled wings level and pulled up with three Gs of force. Captain Hardesty never wavered from her wing tip position.
“Tango 41 Flight, go trail.” Casey looked for Two behind her. When she saw them in her mirrors, she rolled upside down, tightened her leg and stomach muscles, then yanked back hard on the stick. She glanced at her G-meter—five Gs. Let’s see how you can hang with this! She yanked and banked as hard as she could like the devil himself was chasing her. She almost lost them on a turn reversal, but then they popped back into position. She was having the time of her life and could have played cat and mouse with them all day.
She gave them the wing rock signal and they returned to position off her wing. Casey’s face was sore from smiling so much and her legs trembled from holding her muscles tight. This was better than the best sex she’d ever had. She gave them the change lead signal. They both nodded and Casey slid into position off their wing.
Captain Hardesty was in the left seat and she put her fist against her helmet visor. “Captain Hardesty is flying lead. This should be good. Show me what you got, Hard-Ass!” Casey said.
Captain Hardesty put Casey through her full paces—pitchouts, rejoins, echelon turns, hardcore wing work then she called, “Tango 41 Flight, go trail!” As soon as Casey replied “Toop,” they tore away from her in a flash. She’d never seen anyone maneuver a plane that aggressively in her life. She kept her throttles at full power as she rolled and pulled as hard as she could to stay with them. She was breathing so hard from the abrupt G-forces she thought she might pass out and was just about to call, “Knock it off,” when Captain Hardesty smoothly rolled wings level and gave her the rejoin signal. Thank God that’s over. She almost killed me.
Casey saw Captain Arnau, who was flying from the right seat, put her fist to her visor, indicating she was the pilot flying now. “Tango 41 Flight, go trail!” Oh God, round two.
Casey was ready this time when she answered, “Toop.” They rolled upside down and went right into a five-G split S maneuver and Casey went right after them. There were little puffy white clouds near the bottom of the practice area and Captain Arnau headed right for them. She dodged and wheeled the plane through the clouds, getting very close to them but never touching them. Casey hung right with them as puffies shot past her. This high-speed, high-G game of chase went on for several minutes before Captain Arnau gave Casey the rejoin signal. Casey was exhausted and sorry it was over. This flight has been more amazing than I could have ever imagined.
As they approached the base, Casey remembered Captain Hardesty’s instruction and heard her voice in her head, “Always look good coming back into the pattern. Everyone is watching you. Get in tight and stay in position.” Yes, ma’am, Two’s in.
When the formation neared the break point, Captain Hardesty glanced back at Casey and gave her a salute just before they broke away from her. She saw the full underside of lead’s plane as they rolled sharply to ninety degrees of bank. Casey was a solo jet again with a small sense of sadness that this thrilling ride was over. She was also proud of herself. She’d held her own against two of the best pilots in the squadron. She felt like a real pilot today. She’d been Kathryn Hardesty’s student for five months, but on this magical formation flight, she’d flown like she was her equal. Their two jets together was like they were one person.
This would be her last landing, on her last flight, in the fabulous T-37. She was determined to make it a good one. For the final time, she keyed the mike button. “Tango 41 Solo, gear down, full stop.”
Chapter Twenty-three
August 1992
The flight commander, Captain Stavros, walked to the front of the flight room to the podium. “I have an announcement. You students who have completed all your rides by Thursday, you will get four days off from training before you report to the T-38 squadron next Tuesday. Also, IPs who have finished up with your studs, you get four days off too.” A collective cheer erupted from the whole flight room at this news.
Wow, four whole days off. Casey had been running at full speed for the last six months with no breaks. She was a little dumbfounded as to what she would do over her precious days off. Maybe she could hang out with Trish and Rhonda.
“Casey, do you have a minute?” Captain Arnau asked.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“The base softball team is playing in a tournament in Flagstaff over the weekend and we are short some players. Can you play with the team this weekend?”
Casey thought about it for a millisecond. “Yes. I’d love to play. Count me in.”
“Great. Here’s my address. We will meet at my house at 0700 hours Friday morning, then caravan up to Flagstaff. Our first game is at 1000 hours. This should be a lot of fun, Casey.”
With Casey’s plans for her days off solidified, she let out a small sigh of relief. Escaping to the cool air of Flagstaff after all the stress and pressure she’d been under in pilot training might be just what she needed. Not to mention being in the company of a few hundred dykes playing softball sounded like heaven right now.
*****
At 0650 hours, Casey saw a collection of pickup trucks, jeeps, and SUVs parked in front of a tidy one-story house. “This must be the place.” Casey had packed light with a small bag of clothes for four days, her softball bag with her favorite glove, and her lucky bat. She’d played with most of the women, but there were a few new faces in the crowd. She saw a very attractive tall, long-legged blonde wearing a Williams AFB hospital scrub shirt. She also recognized the cute dark haired security police airman who’d welcomed her to Willie on her first day of pilot training, which seemed like a million years ago now. She saw a flash of red out the corner of her eye. “Well, well, well, look who’s here,” Casey said. The whole group turned to look at Kathryn Hardesty in her fire engine red Mustang convertible. She was wearing very short softball shorts, a William AFB Softball cap with her sandy brown hair tucked behind her ears, and a pair of Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses. She looked as hot as her car.
“Kath! You made it. I’m so glad they unchained you from that desk for a few days.” Barb rushed up to Kathryn and embraced her in a full body hug. Most of the other women on the team greeted her as well.
“Fall in, everyone. We’ve got some asses to kick in Flagstaff. I can take five in my truck,” Barb said. “Casey, Kath, Donna, and Kim, why don’t you guys ride with me, and everyone else can fit in the Mormon Assault Vehicle that Robyn drives.”
“Mormon Assault Vehicle?” Casey asked.
“The giant blue SUV that seats nine. The big Mormon families around here drive them. You can fit all your sister wives and kids in them.” Laughing, they piled in and took off for Flagstaff and a temporary respite from living on the surface of the sun, which was Willie in the summer.
Casey sat next to Kathryn with their legs touching for the whole two-hour drive. She could hardly focus on anything being said because of the sensation of silky smooth skin against her thigh. Not only was Kathryn’s thigh lusciously soft but her skin was also unusually warm. Casey didn’t want their contact to end and was reluctant to get out of the truck when they’d arrived.
The ball fields in Flagstaff were gorgeous. The fields were bright green with grass, the skies crystal blue with puffy white clouds, and they were surrounded by a spectacular backdrop of forest-covered mountains. It was hard to believe they were in the same state. Casey inhaled deeply the scent of warm pine sap and freshly mown grass. This was going to be a great weekend.
Casey hung back a little as the team walked over to their dugout. She found herself stealing glances at a certain person’s
backside and wanted a moment of undisturbed gawking. The ride in Barb’s big truck had been very pleasant but also a little unnerving. She needed to get a grip on herself if she was going to play well today. More than anything, she wanted to impress Kathryn with her softball skills, but one last glance at her lovely rear end before she had to get serious wouldn’t hurt. Just then, Kathryn stopped, turned around, and looked Casey square in the face, like she could read Casey’s lascivious mind. Casey froze in her tracks and looked back into those sparkling green eyes.
“Come on, slowpoke, you’re batting first.” Kathryn flashed Casey a dazzling smile when she spoke to her. I’m going to have a hard time concentrating today.
The Williams team won the coin toss and Casey was the first batter. She walked to the batter’s box and heard her team cheering her on, but one voice stood out among the rest—Kathryn’s. She relaxed her body, took a deep breath, and let two balls and two strikes go past her without even swinging. She saw the outfielders move in closer to the infield just like she wanted them to. The next pitch was hers, and she focused her eyes on the ball like a laser beam. She took a step, swung with full force, heard the loud “ping” of her metal bat, and watched her ball sail down the third base line. Sweet. Her hit went past the outfielder, and it kept rolling even farther. She took off running the bases. She easily made it to third base and had set up the next batter to bring her home for their first run. Yes, this was going to be a great weekend.
After Casey’s great start, everyone else got hits and they easily won their first two games. Casey enjoyed watching Kathryn play ball most of all. She couldn’t hit the ball as far as Casey could, but she was a very quick runner and a smart player. She particularly enjoyed watching Kathryn’s leg muscles as she ran the bases. She looked even better in her softball shorts than she did in her flight suit.
After their triumphant first day, they went to their motel on Route 66 to get cleaned up and go out on the town. Flagstaff wasn’t a big city, but they had some fun, funky places to hang out. Casey was sharing a motel room with Barb, Kathryn, and Donna, the cute security police airman. Casey wasn’t sure what the sleeping arrangements were, but she was nervous about the possibility of sharing a bed with Kathryn. She wasn’t sure she could restrain herself if she was lying next to her all night. Fortunately, Barb and Kathryn took the first bed, leaving Casey with Donna in the other bed—problem solved, for now. “Everyone form up at 1900 hours. We’re going to the Museum Club. It’s ladies’ night!” Barb said.
They drove to a giant log cabin building that looked like it was at least a hundred years old. Casey couldn’t help but notice the unusual front entrance. Above the door was a very large, smooth, Y-shaped tree branch that looked remarkably like a woman’s lower torso with her legs spread wide open straddling the big entrance door. It was both amazing and tasteless all at the same time. “I call it ‘The Crotch,’” Kathryn said to Casey.
It was a lively, cavernous place with knotty pine paneling and at least fifty large animal heads along the walls. Country music blared and they sat at one of the long wooden tables. There were quite a few women already dancing on the big dance floor with a few straight couples mixed in. A few men in cowboy hats looked at them as they took their seats, but they seemed harmless. This was clearly a place where everyone was welcome, and they settled in for a good time as pitchers of beer started flowing.
Casey attempted to look nonchalant and tried not to stare at Kathryn, but she couldn’t help sneaking peeks at her. Kathryn seemed comfortable with everyone and appeared to have a good time, but she didn’t join in on the dancing. This was such a totally different environment from the flight room where she normally interacted with Kathryn that Casey felt a little awkward around her. A bar filled with women and music was her natural habitat, and now she didn’t know how to act. Thankfully, Donna asked her to dance. Once she was on the dance floor doing the Texas two-step, she felt like her old self again.
After they returned to the table for more beer, Casey heard some very familiar music.
Barb jumped up. “‘Cotton-Eyed Joe’! Come on, everybody out on the dance floor. That means you too, Kath.”
They scrambled to the big dance floor, linked arms, and started dancing high kicks to the old song. Casey felt Kathryn’s arm firmly gripping her waist as they danced, and she could hardly breathe. She wrapped her arm around Kathryn’s waist and held on tight as they twirled around the floor. Casey was breathless and tingling. The song was over way too soon, and Casey was reluctant to let go of Kathryn’s firm waist. She lingered a little too long holding on to Casey’s waist. Is she really holding on to me, or is this just my wishful thinking? They sat next to each other back at the table with their thighs gently touching. I’m not sure what’s happening right now, but I like it.
The next line dance song came on and the group again took the floor together. Kathryn took Casey’s hand and led her to the dance floor. This song was another rousing line dance number, but when it was over, the music changed to Patsy Cline singing “Crazy.” Kathryn looked at Casey, smiled, and said, “Shall we?”
“Yes,” Casey answered eagerly. They moved together during the slow dance music with Kathryn’s arm around Casey’s waist, Casey’s arm holding Kathryn’s shoulder, and their hands clasped together. Kathryn’s hand was warm and soft and her firm breasts gently brushed against Casey’s stomach. Normally, Casey would lead, but it felt perfectly natural with Kathryn leading. Casey thought about nothing else but the sensation of Kathryn in her arms. They glided around the dance floor like they slow danced together every day. It felt natural and very sensuous. Just as she was enjoying the sweet scent of Kathryn’s hair, the song was over way too soon and they separated. Casey looked into Kathryn’s eyes and felt a desire to lean down and kiss her full, luscious lips. Kathryn held her gaze, took Casey’s hand, and slowly led them back to the long table before Casey could do anything she might regret later.
Soon Barb announced they had to get back to the motel for their early game tomorrow. Casey was sad to see the evening end, especially dancing with Kathryn. When they got back to their motel room, she couldn’t help sneaking peeks at Kathryn as they got ready for bed. Kathryn came out of the bathroom wearing gym shorts and a thin cotton tank top that did nothing to hide the shape of her firm breasts and pert nipples. She held her breath watching those lovely breasts gently bounce as Kathryn walked across the room. Oh, my God.
Casey hurriedly got ready for bed and climbed in next to Donna. Her desire was radiating off her like a big, red warning beacon, and she was sure it was glaringly obvious to everyone. Her arousal throbbed and her heart pounded as she tried to calm herself and get to sleep. Why was she dancing with me like that? Why did she keep touching me? What about the Blond Bitch in Vegas? Casey didn’t care about any other women, or about Kathryn’s motives. She only cared about the sound of Kathryn’s breathing in the bed next to hers and remembering the feel of her body as they danced together. This was making it very difficult for Casey to sleep. It was exquisite torture.
Chapter Twenty-four
After a restless night of tossing and turning, Casey woke up still buzzing from the events of the night before. She quickly dressed and went out looking for coffee and to have a moment to herself. She needed to put Kathryn in the back of her mind today regardless of how her body was reacting to her. When she returned with drinks for all of them, they were dressed and ready to go. She’d remembered that Kathryn only drank baby coffee—two creams and four sugars. Kathryn was quiet as they drove over to the ball fields. Maybe she’d had a restless night too.
Their first game went well, but the competition was getting tougher as the day went on. They barely won their second game and they were behind by two runs in the last inning of their third game. Kathryn hit a single just over the shortstop’s head and ran to first base to get the bases loaded. Casey was up to bat, they had two outs, and she needed to hit at least a triple to drive in three runs to win the game. She walked slowly
to the batter’s box, taking several deep breaths on the way. As she approached, the noise from the field was notably quiet except for one voice—Kathryn’s. “Come on, Casey, bring us home. You can do it. Nail that ball!”
The other team was no longer fooled by Casey’s slacker batter trick. They’d seen her hit and were deep in the outfield waiting for her. Casey watched the pitcher’s hand as she released the ball. It flew in a graceful arc, and Casey could tell it would be high and inside, right where she wanted it. She held her breath waiting for it to arrive at the exact spot in the air, then she uncoiled with all the force in her body and smashed the ball down the third base line. She dropped the bat and took off running for first base. The other three runners also tore off toward home. As Casey ran to second base, she looked up in time to see Kathryn rounding third toward home and the left fielder was just now getting to her ball. If the girl didn’t have a spectacular throwing arm she might just make it home herself. As she approached third, she heard Kathryn yelling, “Run, Casey, run! You can make it!”
She didn’t even look where the ball was, she just trusted Kathryn’s voice as she poured on all the speed she had. The catcher was blocking the plate as she ran for home. Casey could slide and risk tearing up her skin or she could plow into her and knock her out of the way. She decided to take this big mamoo out, lowered her shoulder, and aimed right for her. Just then, the ball sailed past her head into the catcher’s glove in front of her. The catcher slipped on the dirt reaching for her, then Casey hurdled right over the top of the catcher and landed on home plate. Her whole team rushed up to her, shouting and throwing their arms around her.
“A game-winning grand slam. Not bad, Casey. I knew you could do it,” Kathryn said. Casey was beaming.