Cocky Flyboy by Susan Horsnell
TIM
Axel and I talked through the landing procedure as the plane began its descent into LaGuardia airport. Permission had been given by the tower to land on Runway 13. Flaps were adjusted, wheels locked in place, and the plane continued descending, giving passengers spectacular closeup views of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
LaGuardia was a challenge with runways of only seven thousand feet in length and was as close as I would ever get to landing onboard an aircraft carrier. The runways were surrounded by water, and I’d heard first-time passengers comment they were worried we had been going to land in the river. Most pilots I knew hated the airport, and I agreed with them where the terminals were concerned. They were badly in need of the upgrades that were taking place and currently due for completion within the next twelve months. Take-off and landing were another matter. The short runways, and unpredictability of the air over water, challenged our skills and kept us sharp. I held no issue with either.
As the plane lowered and the ground rushed up to meet us, I conducted last-minute checks. All was good, and after one final adjustment of flaps, the wheels kissed the concrete with a slight bounce.
We hit the brakes, again adjusted the flaps, and had used only a little more than half of the allocated runway when the aircraft slowed to a crawl. Turning the plane, I guided it to the terminal, following the instructions of the ground crew. Once lined up at the gate, I cut the engines, and the air bridge was extended. While my crew took care of deplaning passengers, I guided Axel through the post-flight procedure.
When an engineer from ground crew appeared at the open cockpit door, I informed him the flight had been without incident, and there was nothing to report. He breathed a sigh of relief. Taking an aircraft out of service for even the most minor of repairs was both costly to the airline and an annoying disruption to the flying public.
After handing over the flight report, the engineer left the aircraft. Axel and I extricated ourselves from our seats and pulled on our uniform jackets. With caps in place on our heads and briefcases in our hands, we left the aircraft.
“Are you coming up for a drink at Petros Café?” I spoke with Axel as we negotiated the airbridge.
“No. I have a date and I doubt Kendall would appreciate me joining you there. Maybe next time?”
I did not argue because the informal get-together would be less tense without him in attendance. At least I had asked, and he hadn’t been overlooked, so there was no reason for any ongoing animosity.
As we emerged into the terminal, Axel said goodbye and headed for the exit. I headed upstairs to the café/bar. I was looking forward to chatting with Melissa outside of work. If things panned out and we got along, I toyed with the possibility of asking her out on a date. Maybe if she were rostered off, she’d join me when I took my Cessna into the skies in two days’ time. I smiled at the thought of seeing her with the kids. I had a feeling she would be wonderful with them.
****
When I entered the café, I noted Carter had arrived to join us in our farewelling of Kendall. He had her seated on his lap and firmly encased in his arms. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that he was proclaiming the beautiful woman was his, and heaven help anyone stupid enough to move in on her.
I threaded my way past other tables and patrons until I reached the booth they had chosen. Mark had taken the position beside Melissa, leaving me to sit beside Carter.
I shook Carter’s hand, settled my briefcase beside him, and after asking if anyone wanted anything, crossed to the bar, and purchased a soda. I wasn’t a big drinker, and 4 p.m. was a little early in the day for me to have anything containing alcohol. I had noticed the loved-up couple had no such issue with the time, though, and were both drinking wine. When I returned to the booth, I settled on the seat beside Carter.
“Kendall was just telling me that you had a smooth flight.” Carter’s words were directed my way.
“Yes, there were no issues for a change. When do you fly out for Florida?”
“Tonight at 7 p.m. It’s good to catch up with you, and now Kendall has finished with National, make sure you stay in touch.”
I liked Carter, he was a good friend, and it was good to see him happy. Maybe one day in the future, I’d be lucky enough to find ‘the one’ and settle down. I wasn’t in any hurry.
I noticed Melissa’s gaze was fixed on me and she was frowning. She appeared to be puzzled about something.
I raised an eyebrow and gulped down a mouthful of soda. “What?”
“Where’s Axel? Have you done something with him before we even got a chance to meet?”
I burst into laughter and held up my hands. “I swear, I haven’t done anything that could be construed as illegal.”
The others now laughed, and I waited for quiet before speaking again.
“Seriously, I did invite him, but he said he had a date. I suspect he just didn’t fancy another run-in with Kendall.”
Carter looked at Kendall, a confused expression on his face and one eyebrow raised. “Care to enlighten me?”
Kendall relayed what had taken place in the cockpit, and after she finished, Carter threw his head back and laughed while squeezing her tight. He took a moment to compose himself. “That’s my girl.” He smacked a kiss on her lips which caused her to blush.
I studied Melissa’s expression as she watched their interaction. The look in her eyes was one of sadness, and I found myself wanting to know what had put it there.
“How are the kids going?” Carter pulled me from my perusal.
“I spoke with Lisa three days ago and have arranged to take them the day after tomorrow.”
“You have children?” Melissa asked curiously.
“No, they’re not mine.” Before I could explain further, Kendall took up the story.
“Tim has a Cessna aircraft, and on his days off, he takes children up for a flight over New York. He’s involved with the Wishes Foundation who grants wishes to terminally ill children. Many of them have never had, and will never get, the opportunity to fly with a commercial airline because of their illness. Those who are still reasonably well, Tim flies down to Florida. He spends a few hours with them and their parents at a theme park before flying them back. The park varies, depending on where the children have chosen.”
I continued. “Wishes has a list that they show children and their parents. Depending on where they choose, is where my co-pilot and I go too. I spend the entire day in Florida with them and their parents. It’s a lot of fun, even in sad circumstances. I’ve been involved for six months now, since a little while after I changed airlines and made New York home. I love seeing the smiles it brings to all the kid’s faces, and it helps take the parents’ minds off what is in their future. I just wish I could do more.”
“I think it’s wonderful that you are giving the children and their parents such special memories.” I noted the tears in Melissa’s eyes, she was obviously a compassionate person.
I decided to take advantage of the opportunity which had been presented. “Are you free over the next couple of days? Would you like to join us on Sunday? It will just be a one-hour flight over New York and the surrounds.”
“Really, I could come with you? I have the next three days off.” Melissa gave me a radiant smile when I nodded. “I would love to, where would you like me to meet you?”
“I’ll pick you up at your place. I keep my plane in a hangar at Teterboro Airport, and I’m scheduled to meet the kids and their parents at eleven on Sunday morning. I’ll come for you at nine. That will give me time to do pre-flight checks. My co-pilot, Carl, will have filed the flight plan and have the plane ready.
Melissa seemed hesitant; I got the impression she was unsure about me knowing where she lived. I offered her a compromise. “I’d be happy to meet you somewhere else if you prefer.”
“I live in Brooklyn. I’ve only been there for a couple of days, and I’m not familiar with the area.” She sighed and held out her hand. “Give me your phone and I’ll enter my address.”
I handed my phone over, and after watching her fingers fly over the keys for a moment, she handed it back. Melissa had given me not only her address but also her phone number. I dialed the number, and she grinned when the cell in her hand began playing a well-known ring tone.
I grinned. “Now you have my number.”
Mark stood, and I turned to look up at him. “I need to leave, my flight tomorrow to Boston leaves at 5 a.m. Some of us actually have to work.” He patted Kendall’s shoulder. “Good luck, it’s been great working with you.” He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek, which caused Carter to growl.
Mark held his hands up and backed away slowly while the rest of us laughed. “I’m leaving. See you soon, Tim, Sis.”
After Mark left the café, the four of us settled into a conversation about Kendall and Carter’s planned marriage. While the girl’s discussed venue, dresses, and other stuff, Carter and I talked about my time with National. It had been a while since I’d caught up with my friend. When the time came for the couple to make their way to the departure lounge for their flight to Florida, I escorted Melissa from the terminal.
We stood outside near the taxi rank. “Can I give you a lift home?”
“Tim…” Concern marred her gorgeous eyes.
“It’s just a lift, honey.”
She bit down on her bottom lip as she thought about my offer. I wanted to reach out, free the assaulted skin from her teeth, and kiss away the bruising.”
“Melissa?”
“Sis.”
“I prefer your full name unless you object.”
“I don’t mind if that’s what you prefer. Yes, I will accept your offer of a lift home. Thank you.”
With my hand resting on her back, I guided her to where my midnight blue BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe was parked in the employee carpark. After clicking the fob to unlock the vehicle, I opened the passenger door and held it while Melissa slid inside.
While she fastened her seatbelt, I rounded the back of my car, tossed the briefcase I’d been holding into the trunk, and climbed in behind the wheel. I checked Melissa’s address on my phone, and after starting the engine, keyed it into the GPS.
The engine purred quietly as I negotiated the carpark before turning onto the freeway and heading toward Brooklyn.
“Tell me Melissa Hansen’s story.”
“Not much to tell.” Her tone was a little abrupt and I glanced across to see her sitting rigid in the seat.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s okay. I had no family and grew up with an aunt in Springfield, Illinois. She passed away from a drug overdose when I was sixteen—nine years ago. It left me on my own. I transferred here to New York after my first two weeks on the job. That’s my life in a nutshell.”
“You weren’t placed in foster care when your aunt died?” I wondered why there was a gap of almost nine years before she’d joined the airline but suspected I shouldn’t ask.
“I ran away after two days; please don’t ask me why. I don’t know you well enough to be telling you my deep, dark secrets. What about you?”
“I’m twenty-eight years old and have been flying since I got my license at the age of nineteen. My parents were killed eight years ago when a grandstand at a football game collapsed. I was in training to be a commercial pilot at the time. My brother, Anthony, is two years younger than me. My sister, Lilliana, is four years younger and the baby of the family. She’s Special Ops in the military-based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
After our parents’ deaths, we filed a wrongful death suit, won, and were awarded a huge payout. Not that the money compensates for the death of our parents. Anthony owns a café called Pleasures, not far from the apartment block where we all live. I relocated here when I joined National and bought my own place.”
“You used to fly international with Carter, is that right?”
“Yes, another reason why I accepted the offer from National to fly domestic. It gives me the opportunity to spend more time at home with my family.”
“Are your brother and sister married?”
“Anthony has been married almost four years. His wife is Janie, and they have a little girl, Dorothea, who is one. Lily has a boyfriend–Peter, who has asked her to marry at least a dozen times. They’ve been dating for eight years and she won’t even move in with him. I’ll be surprised if he sticks around for much longer.”
“Sounds like she enjoys her independence.”
“She does. A little too much. I worry about her going through life alone. She has always hated anyone telling her she can’t do something. What about you? Boyfriend?”
Melissa stiffened, something I’d noticed she did when she was uncomfortable. I remained silent for a moment, concentrating on the road. When she didn’t answer, I changed the topic.
“Do you miss Chicago?”
Melissa sighed, something else I noticed she did when she was resigned to answering a question she’d rather not. “No, I wasn’t there long enough to really get to know the place. It was only where I did my training and most of my time was spent studying. To answer your previous question, I don’t have a boyfriend. My last relationship ended recently.”
“I’m sorry.” I knew there was more to the story but wouldn’t push.
“Don’t be, I’m free now and plan to stay that way.”
Hmm, strange statement. There was definitely more to the story. We stayed silent while I followed the directions of the GPS and found myself frowning as I traveled deeper into the seedier side of Brooklyn. Prostitutes were visible on most corners, and I sighted a couple of exchanges, which looked suspiciously like drug deals. I was far from happy about Melissa living alone in the crime-riddled area. I wouldn’t have been happy about any woman I knew living there.
I pulled up in front of a decrepit, red-brick apartment building and checked the surrounding area. Only one streetlamp shed light on a nearby corner; the others appeared broken and in darkness. I was reluctant to leave my car unattended.
Melissa noticed my hesitation. “You don’t need to get out of the car. I’d only worry it wouldn’t be safe if left, and I’ll be fine.”
A couple of men beneath the streetlight on the corner less than ten yards away were studying us closely, and the hairs on my arms prickled. As Melissa started from the car, I unclipped my seatbelt and opened my door.
“What are you doing?” Melissa paused, her hand on the door handle.
“Honey, there is no way I’m letting you walk in there on your own. My car is replaceable, you are not.”
We both climbed from the car; I locked it up and set the alarm. As I rounded the front of the vehicle, one of the men on the corner drew my attention. “It’ll be fine,” he shouted.
I lifted my arm, thanking him. A sense of relief settled over me as I took Melissa’s arm and walked her up the front steps.
A broken glass door hung askew from the hinges, and I needed to lift it in order to get the thing open. Once inside the foyer, my nose was assaulted by a foul stench. Trash littered the floor and stairs leading to the floor above.
Melissa turned to her right to face a door with cracked and peeling paint. She slid a key into the lock and pushed the door open.
I followed her inside, uninvited, and closed the door while looking around. The apartment was tiny and sparsely furnished with a battered couch, a single chair in the same condition, and a coffee table covered in scratches. An old-fashioned box-type television set, the kind I had no idea still existed, was sitting on an old wooden crate.
A small hallway housed two doors which I suspected opened into a bathroom and bedroom. The walls had a buildup of grime which appeared to be deeply ingrained. But it was the lack of security that made me furious. How could anyone with even an ounce of caring lease a place in this area to a young woman, knowing it was devoid of security?
I tamped down my temper when I spoke so as not to worry Melissa. My voice sounded calmer than I felt. “Melissa, honey, your living alone in this place is unacceptable. The lock on your door is so flimsy even I would be able to pick it within a few minutes. Add to that the fact you are on the ground floor, and there are no bars on the windows for protection. Do they even lock?”
“One does. I know it’s bad, but it’s all I can afford in this city. Do you think I’d be living here if I had a choice? I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine.”
“Move in with me; there’s plenty of room at my apartment.”
Why the hell was I asking a stranger to move in? I liked my privacy, being able to walk around naked if it was how I felt. I didn’t need anyone affecting my freedom to do as I pleased.
Melissa burst into laughter. “You really didn’t think that through, did you? I wish you could see the look on your face. No, I won’t move into your apartment, so relax and breathe. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before I find a share arrangement somewhere else. I didn’t have time to be fussy when I first came here and didn’t want to be back living on the streets.”
Alarm bells were ringing and vibrating through me. I hated the thought of Melissa sharing living arrangements with someone else. It bugged the crap out of me. But why? I’d known the lady less than a handful of hours, so why did I feel this invisible force tugging me toward her? And what the hell did she mean by living back on the streets? There was a whole lot in her life which left me with dozens of questions. Questions I would want answers to, eventually.
“You’re right, I didn’t think it through, but I’m serious. I am concerned for your safety living here. My apartment is uptown and has four suites, each with its own bathroom attached. I use one as an office/gym, and the others are kept ready for guests. You could pay me the same rent you’re paying here, and I’ll even have an agreement drawn up to make our arrangement legal if you prefer. I promise, what I’m offering will be strictly professional. I’m not looking for a relationship and it sounds like you aren’t either. Will you at least consider my offer?”
“I’ll think about your suggestion. It would be nice to be somewhere clean and safe.”
“Thank you. Do you have plans for tomorrow?”
“No, only laundry and shopping for food.”
“Would you have lunch with me?” When I saw the hesitation in her eyes, I added, “As friends who are getting to know one another and could shortly be living in the same apartment.” When she smiled, it felt like my body had been set alight. Warmth spread through me, coming to settle in my groin and causing my cock to take notice. I needed to get away from the lady before I did something we would both regret. “I’ll pick you up at twelve?”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll see you then and thank you for the lift home.”
After saying good night, I hung around outside the door, listening for Melissa to flip the lock and slide the chain into place. Not that either would be helpful if someone really wanted to get inside.
While I waited, I noticed two women draped over the steps. Both appeared to be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol, but my guess was the former. They gave me the once over, and one smiled. My guess about drugs had been correct. Her drug-affected, rotten teeth on display were enough to cause my stomach to churn. I couldn’t get out of the place quick enough once I knew Melissa had secured the door. I hated the fact it appeared that she had no choice but to live in such squalor. Hopefully, in the next day or so, I would have her firmly ensconced in my apartment.
I raised a hand in thanks to the two men still standing on the corner as I pressed the fob on my keychain to unlock the doors of my car. Sliding behind the wheel, I drove out of the area toward the safety of my apartment ten minutes away.
As I drove, I decided not to show Melissa where I lived until she had made her decision on whether, or not, she wanted to take me up on my offer. My gut warned there was a very real possibility my wealth would scare her. I doubted she had lived anywhere as luxurious, but something deep within me insisted she should.
****
I stopped at the gate leading to the underground carpark and keyed in the code. The gate slid off to one side and I drove into one of my two allocated spaces. After climbing out, grabbing my briefcase from the trunk, and locking the doors, I strode to the private elevator which serviced the penthouse. After a rapid ascent to the 32nd floor, I stepped from the car and pushed through the glass door ahead of me that led directly into the penthouse foyer.
The apartment was quiet, but my housekeeper, Mrs. Pearson, had left the lights dimmed to avoid my fumbling in the darkness. She was aware of my roster and knew I would be home sometime in the early evening.
I placed my briefcase on the floor and hung my cap on a nearby coat tree. After shrugging out of my jacket and hanging it on the tree, I loosened my tie and unfastened the top two buttons of my white dress shirt.
Passing through the foyer, my eyes were drawn toward the large living area. The floor-to-ceiling curtains were open, and I crossed to the glass doors that opened onto a wide balcony. I stood gazing out at the myriad of colored lights, which sparkled in the descending darkness. I loved this city and couldn’t imagine calling any other place home.
The hot tub on one end of the balcony called to me. It had been a long day and I felt the ache in my muscles. Mrs. Pearson would have left supper in the refrigerator, but it would keep while I indulged in a soak.
Stripping down to my boxer briefs, I unlocked the door, pushed it open, and stepped outside. The cool air chilled my skin, causing goosebumps to break out over my flesh. They wouldn’t last long. Flipping a switch, the water in the tub began bubbling. Climbing over the edge, I lowered myself into the warm water, emitting a loud sigh.
The jets pummeled my body, and I closed my eyes, feeling muscles loosen and relax. I could have easily drifted off. I was weary, but awareness of being in water prevented me from falling asleep. I wasn’t ready to become a victim of drowning–another statistic. I was deep in thought when the ring tone of my phone, which was still in the pocket of my pants, pierced the air and broke into my calm.
Letting loose a few expletives and threatening to strangle whoever dared to interrupt my relaxation, I climbed from the tub. Hopefully, it wasn’t work calling, but the possibility was the reason I would answer the call.
Snagging a towel from a neatly folded pile on a nearby shelf, I padded back inside, drying off as I went. By the time I fished the cell from the pocket of my pants, the ringing had stopped, and I cursed into the empty room. Seconds later, it began ringing again. Someone obviously needed to speak with me; they hadn’t left a message, which I found strange. Everyone I knew who could have called would have left a voice message asking me to call back when I was free. I swiped the screen to answer the call.
“Hello.”
“Help…”
A cold chill ran through me as the whispered, agonized plea came down the line.
“Melissa?”
There was silence from the other end and dread sent shivers down my spine. I raced for my bedroom, stripping off the wet underwear and dropping it to the floor.
“Melissa! Answer me, honey.”
I kept the phone to my ear while I pulled on sweats, a t-shirt, and sneakers. Racing back to the living room, I grabbed my keys and wallet from the pants on the floor. After closing and locking the glass door to the balcony, I bolted for the elevator.
In a matter of moments, the elevator had descended to the parking level, doors whooshed open, and I sprinted to my car. I’d still had no response from Melissa, so I hung up and dialed 911. After giving the dispatcher what information I had, and Melissa’s address, I informed her I would be at the residence in less than ten minutes. She assured me both police and paramedics were already on their way. Despite her reassurances, I sped through the streets, needing to get to Melissa before it was too late. All the while I swore at myself for allowing her to remain in the dangerous neighborhood.