Page 10 of Plane Passion

It was quiet right now, it being late afternoon. Ernie knew in a few hours it would be full of pilots trading war stories. The walls were covered with trophies and memorabilia from air shows, but they were hardly visible in the dim light.

They took seats at the bar and ordered two whiskeys.

“So tell me more about this Vera.” There was a twinkle of mischief in O’Donnell’s eyes.

Ernie always had to watch what he said to O’Donnell, or the entire airmail operation would know within twenty-four hours. Fortunately, Vera was a safe subject.

Their drinks arrived, and Ernie took a leisurely sip before answering. “She loves Mamie Smith singing the blues and drinking sarsaparilla soda, preferably with a little kick in it. I like her cute little bob, and she’s got curves in all the right places.” Yes, he would enjoy seeing Vera tonight, and he could relax and forget all about his day with Millie Aldrich.

Did he feel a little bit bad about keeping things casual with Vera? Well, sure. It wasn’t how things were done in his parents’ day. But he just needed to blow off a little steam.

We can’t all be as righteous as you, Pop. You made supporting the family look so easy before the accident. How did you carry so much weight on your shoulders without needing to escape?

Ernie wasn’t a saint like Pop, and he knew it. He did what he had to in order to keep himself sane and get by. And was he really harming anyone?

“She sounds like a dish.” O’Donnell raised his glass. “I hope you thoroughly enjoy your evening out.”

Ernie clinked glasses with his friend but very much wanted to change the subject from his personal life. “Did you hear Hopson got caught again dropping his laundry out of the plane at the laundromat in Bellefonte?”

“Again? That man has no shame. I would never do that. What if something went wrong and my undergarments got strewn all over town?”

“Lewis buzzed the Bellefonte courthouse again too. They say he sent the weathervane spinning.”

Given the antics of his fellow pilots, Ernie couldn’t figure out why Mr. Dickson was always so hard on him. Shouldn’t he have been paying more attention to the other mischief makers in the fleet? Ernie took a drink. God, it felt good trickling down his throat.

“And I hear you had yet another near-death experience today?” O’Donnell raised his eyebrows expectantly.

Uh oh. What did O’Donnell hear about today’s little mishap? “It was hardly near-death. The driveshaft in my engine broke down again, and I had to land in a pumpkin patch of all things.”

O’Donnell grinned. “A pumpkin patch? How seasonally appropriate. And did Miss Aldrich…uh…rescue you? That’s what I heard.”

Oh, no. The last thing Ernie needed was for the other pilots to think he’d been rescued like a damsel in distress by that virago. “Hardly rescued. She was flying with me to learn the route and landed with me, so I used her plane to fly us the short hop to Bustleton airport.”

O’Donnell’s grin got wider. “That sounds like a rescue to me.”

“Stuff it, O’Donnell. You know we all go down in a farmer’s field from time to time. This is no different. She happened to be there with me to give me a ride. Otherwise, I would have waited for the emergency crew from Bustleton. The last thing I need is you spreading the story that Millie Aldrich rescued me. I’d never hear the end of it.”

“No, you won’t.” The damage was done. O’Donnell was a dog with a bone, and he meant to let everyone know. All innocence, he said, “None of my doing, I assure you. The story’s already circulating without my help, but now that I have a firsthand account from you, I’m an authority on the matter.”

“I thought you were my friend, O’Donnell.” Ernie took another drink.

“Oh, I am. I promise to make you sound very valiant as you…er…get rescued by a girl from a pumpkin patch.”

Crap.

“Don’t look so sad, Pritchard. Everyone has their turn being humiliated by the rumor mill. Believe me, I’ve been a victim more often than most.” True, but he’d also been the perpetrator more often than most.

“Just remember all I’ve done for you and Ann.” The man needed a reminder of where his loyalties should lie. After helping O’Donnell win Ann over after a misunderstanding about some lipstick on his collar, Bill owed him.

O’Donnell’s expression sobered. “I will never forget. I am grateful every day. I promise I’ll stick to the facts.”

Good. O’Donnell would tone down the story. Thank heavens.

“And how is Ann? How are the kids?”

“Everyone’s doing fine. I miss them when I’m away. Though I miss this when I’m home. It’s good to escape the chaos from time to time.”

Ernie smiled. “And that is one of the many reasons I remain a bachelor.” He clinked glasses with O’Donnell and took a drink.