The Love of Flying

Fanny pulled the hat brim close to her face, blocking anyone from a clear view. She must look like a newspaper boy between the hat and the paper rattling in her hands. She felt a barely controlled excitement as the plane taxied down the runway. She felt the world changing around her.

“Lucas is a good egg,” she thought to herself. He’d helped get her outfit put together so she wouldn’t be recognized, mostly so that no one could identify her as a woman. She’d practiced lowering her voice, but only found herself coming across like a teen boy, her voice low as she controlled the timbre, but ending in a high and squeaky tone.

The man seated in front of her was white knuckling his briefcase. He sat stiff and nervous, his nose twitching like a startled rabbit. The gentleman to her right grinned with a boyish charm, although he was fully grown. His face had a reckless look which gave him an almost irresistible quality. Fanny stared at him curiously.

“This is the bee’s knees,” he said, his grin widening and taking things up a notch.

“It is,” she replied. “The absolute cat’s pajamas.” Fanny grinned back at him.

“I’m Marcus,” he said proffering his hand. “But my friends call me Brick.”

“Hello, Brick,” Fanny couldn’t stop grinning. “I’m Fanny,” she said, unwittingly giving away her female status.

Brick pulled out a pack of Black Cats and offered her one. She plucked a cigarette gracefully from the pack and held it to her lips, waiting for the lighter. She felt scandalous, almost seeing her mother’s disapproving look. Shaking her head, she laughed at the sight she must present.

Her face flushed as Brick brushed her cheek slicking back an errant lock of hair. His eyes smoldered causing her flushing to deepen. She sat straighter with a nervous laugh, pulling away slightly, her hand nervously playing with her hair.

“You probably don’t want the other men to see you looking at me this way.” She murmured quietly with a hint of laughter in her voice.

“Your garb isn’t fooling anyone,” he chuckled softly as she reddened.

“Pull yourself together, Frances Pearl,” she told herself unconsciously mimicking her mother. Fanny’s chin came up as she straightened her spine. She gave him a cool look.

“They would never let me on this flight if they knew. Being a woman limits what I am allowed to do. Notice, I said ‘allowed’, not ‘able’.”

She turned her face to gaze out at the passing landscape. Flying is a thrill she never expected. Determination set her jaw at a jaunty angle. “Somehow, someday, I will have a pilot’s license.”

Brick whistled long and low under his breath. “I wouldn’t want to get between you and anything that brings that look to your face. What is going on in that brain of yours, little Red?”

“I’m inspired,” she told him. “This is a life-changing moment for me. Look,” she points at the sky and then the mountains on the horizon. “What better way to look at the world than from here?” she asks him.

“The sight is breathtaking,” he said grinning at his double entendre.

His undertone put starch in her neck, but she still found him intriguing. Staring at the passing landscape, Fanny tried to figure out what state they were flying over.

“What are you doing in Philadelphia? Family? An over-eager beau waiting for you?”, Brick asked curiously. There is something about her. Something about the way she moves. Something in the proud tilt of her head and the fiery way she put him in his place. An elusive something that he could not put his finger on.

“I’m going to the Sesquicentennial International Exposition celebrating the 150th anniversary of American independence. I wonder if they will have anything on aeronautics in the technology exhibits.”, she says.

The excitement is brimming from every pore in her. Her enthusiasm for flight is contagious. Brick would much rather be on the ground, feet planted firmly on terra firma.

The seating on this Fokker F.VII is uncomfortable, causing Fanny to squirm and try to find a more comfortable position.

“Where are you going?”, she asked curiously.

“Well, doll, I’m conducting family business which happens to be close enough to meet you at the Sesquicentennial International Expose’ for a day of blissful fun.” He studied her reaction wondering if he had a chance.

“Exposition,” she corrected hastily fluttering her eyes to hide the pique of interest at spending the day with him.

“Yes, sugar that is where we are going.”, He smiled wickedly.

“What?”, she asked somewhat crossly. Brick gently touched her face.

“Expose’ is what we are going to be doing. A day of getting to know you and exposing your deepest desires is what I am speaking of.”

“Sir, you are far to forward.”

“But you are having fun aren't you? Deep down inside of you there is a feminine satisfaction at being slightly risqué’.”

Fanny did not know what to say. Her heart fluttered in her chest leaving her breathless and uncertain. No man had ever spoken to her with such blatant want in his voice. She turned her head and stared fixedly out the small window. She noted the fluffy whiteness of the clouds as her mind worked furiously to think of an appropriate response. She still felt the warmth of his hand although his touch was fleeting.

“I’m supposed to be on a train”, she said quietly.

The plane started shaking and bucking violently. Brick’s face turned pale as his knuckles whitened. His demeanor switched from a charming adventurer to a frightened and deeply disturbed man.

Fanny stretched out and took his hand in hers. His fingers tightened reflexively.

“Well, I declare! Sir, are you overwhelmed by my beauty and great sense of style?”, Fanny asked coquettishly. If she had a fan, she would be fluttering her eyes at him.

The plane hit another patch of turbulence causing her to lose balance. Brick quickly caught her and pulled her close to him.

“I am obviously correct. You are so overcome you cannot keep your hands from me,” she said flirtatiously.

He knew she was trying to take his mind off things and felt grateful for not being exposed. He inhaled the scent of her neck as he touched the warm red hair curling softly from the brim of her ridiculous hat.

“You may unhand me now, sir.”

“Will you be throwing yourself at me again soon?” he flirted outrageously. The charming smile showed dimples as he grinned rakishly at her.

“Well heavens to Betsy, I did not mean to be so boorishly clumsy.” She pulled away as the plane evened out.

Brick was pensive, lost in thought as he watched her from beneath hooded eyes. He swore softly to himself as he admitted that his interest was far more than mere interest. She is a complication he was not expecting. He flipped through options in his mind discarding each as he went. Her discerning eye and ability to shift focus in a light-hearted way lifted his spirits. The usual response to his issues was a mothering suffocation that drove him crazy.

She doesn’t bear any resemblance to the beauties of the day. Her beauty is undefinable, put together in a face that spoke of sheer determination and a passion for living. He stared at her as she chewed her lower lip furiously. He cursed softly beneath his breath as turbulence bounced him around. He had to wonder who would ever say this was a comfortable flight.

Despite the noise and vibration of the aircraft, an undercurrent in the conversations around him caught his attention. The flight was full. Twelve passengers shared a small area. News traveled quickly through the cabin. The pilot was making small incremental course adjustments and decided a larger adjustment must be made to avoid a storm on the horizon. Brick hadn’t noticed the course adjustment amidst the chaos of several long stretches of turbulence.

“What’s going on?”, Fanny asked curiously.

“The pilot is making a course adjustment.” he told her.

His face looked grim, and his lips were compressed in a white line on an otherwise tan face.

“There are severe thunderstorms ahead and we must either go over them or around them. Since the pilot doesn’t have a clear view and no idea their altitude, my guess is we are going around them. That is the safer option. We may have to land before reaching Philadelphia to refuel. There is some danger to landing in the dark.”

Fanny drew in a breath. “So, he’s not as dense as he’s trying to make himself out to be.”, she thought.

He sighed settling back. “It’s going to be a long flight doll. We may as well make the best of it and talk about each other. You can start with how devilishly charming I am.”

She made a moue with her mouth pointing in his direction and then began to laugh.

“I can think of no better way to spend my time than have you tell me how great I am.” she jibed back.

“So, tell me, Miss Fanny Pearl” he said, leaning very close to capture her every word. “I want to know how great you are.”

As the sky darkened, and night was settling, the flicker of oil lamps lit the interior in a soft glow. Fanny sfound herself in the most comfortable conversation of her life. Brick was genuinely interested in her thoughts and feelings.

“It’s your turn, Brick. Tell me your deepest, darkest secrets.”, she teased gently.

Brick looked deeply into her face, her eyes. Did she mean her teasing remarks? He spoke to her of things he’d not remembered – his childhood home, the mischief he found so amusing, his time with his brothers. They talked about everything, one conversation sparking another.

And the plane droned on.

Fanny’s head slowly drooped in the same measure as her eyelids. They tried to continue the conversation, but sleep was overtaking her quickly. He softly stroked her hair as her cap fell and her head rested gently on his shoulder.

He stared at her face noticing each small detail – a spattering of freckles on the nose, long and thick eyelashes framing shadowed eyes, her luxurious coppery red hair waving down her shoulders. He felt an urgency unlike anything he’d experienced before. He must see this lovely creature in Philadelphia. This could not be two people touching each other’s lives briefly and pulled asunder by circumstances beyond their control. He felt certain she had the same feelings for him.

Brick sighed and slowly relaxed, sleep overtook him before his eyes were fully closed.

Fanny woke abruptly as she was thrown from her seat to the floor. Personal items were flying across the cabin as people began to hastily put out the oil lamps. She couldn’t see to stand up. Amidst the chaos, a warm firm hand reached for her and calmly pulled her to her feet. As she was propelled to her seat, the plane bucked violently, throwing her on Brick. Her heart pounded in fear as the plane continued to buck violently. Brick held her close.

Word came down the aisle from person-to-person. The pilot is going to try and land the plane. It’s running low on fuel. Brick looked at the inky darkness through the window. Fear struck deep. It was too dark to land. The plane must be running very low to have the pilot attempt it. He leaned into Fanny whispering urgently in her ear.

“My darling, we are in a precarious situation. Stick close to me and if there is any way out, I will make sure we survive.”

Brick leaned down and kissed her passionately.

“I love you”, he whispered. “I will love you until the end.”

“Oh, Brick.” Fanny stifled a sob and putting her hands to his face she kissed him back. “I love you, too.”

Fanny knew the risks, and the likelihood of their survival was very low. Thoughts rushed through her – “Mama won’t know where I am, Lucas will blame himself.” Her heart broke each time she thought of Brick. The day had been packed with laughter and moments of seriousness. She’d never felt this way about a man before. She wrapped herself around him as panic broke out in the cabin. The plane wobbled as it hit something bouncing along making horrific noises.

Brick and Fanny held onto each other leaning in for a final kiss.

The Fokker slammed into the side of the mountain immediately killing everyone in the cabin.

Frances woke with a start glancing around the First-Class cabin as the fog cleared. The dream she’d had was so real. Her heart pounded ferociously, and her hands shook.

“For God’s Sake,” she scolded herself. “You are on one of the safest aircraft in the world.”

Frances was flying into Philadelphia to discuss safety upgrades in the aeronautical field. Her excitement at presenting some of the new ideas kept her focused. Aircraft safety was a passion she intended to fully develop.

She glanced across the aisle at the only other passenger in First Class. The man gave her an appreciative look. She smiled tentatively, then turned to her laptop, getting ready for a few hours of intense concentration. She felt, rather than saw him move across the aisle and sit next to her.

“Hi, I’m Mark,” he said grinning.

Frances looked him up and down admiring the view. He had a roguish quality that could not be attributed to any one feature, rather it was the entire package.

“I’m Frances.”

“Would you like some company, Frances?” he asked.

“Why, yes,” she told him. “I do believe I would.”

Frances was enjoying the laughter and intense conversation. Mark was a charming companion with intense eyes and a grand sense of humor.

“Yes, I did get my pilot’s license.” Floated down the cabin followed by words of admiration.

They talked until they nodded off to sleep.

The flight attendant on duty picked up the empty champagne bottle and the two glasses.

Shrugging her head towards Frances and Mark, she commented on what a cute couple they made.

“You know, for all the years she’s spent flying from the West Coast to the East Coast, this is the first time I’ve seen her in conversation with a man who isn’t a business associate. Go figure.”

“I wonder what anyone would ever see in her. She seems obsessed with safety issues. And her conversation is boring.”, said the younger of the two.

“They will make a fine pair,” the gossipy flight attendant said. “Let me tell you what he did when he boarded.”

They stood whispering to each other glancing occasionally at their passengers.

“Did you tell them about the ghost?” the younger flight attendant asked.

“No. I don’t think they needed a story tonight. Seems like they’ve hit it off pretty well. Besides, that is a sad tale for young lovers.” The gossipy flight attendant turned her attention to her work and put the entire episode from her mind.

And the plane flew through the night taking them to their destination.