The Pilot's Holiday

The Pilot's Holiday Part 5

Chapter 5

*Charles*

The next day Charles and Lacey made their way to Paul's office. He sat behind a mahogany desk with a picture of his wife and two daughters on one side and his diploma for business and his pilot's license on the other. "You two, take a seat." Paul's voice was low and monotone while also commanding. "Ms. Daniels. We'll start with you. Your attendance is spotty and from what I hear, your on the job behavior is unbecoming. That said, you do your job to some satisfaction. So, no you will not start pilot training but you will keep your job. You are dismissed." Paul did not even turn around to look at Lacey.

She was speechless and looked at Charles who shrugged. Lacey left the office furious. The door slammed behind her. Paul turned his chair around to face Charles. "Now, you're telling me, my best pilot has up and left on what is about to be the busiest season for us? With no explanation?" Charles licked his lips and used his thumb to rub against his palm. "Um yes. I....I um, I wish I knew sir. But I could ta-" Paul cut him off. "There is something wrong here. I did not get to where I am by falling into bullshit Mr. Martin. I'll just call her." Paul dialed the number but it went straight to voicemail. "That has never happened before. Carol always answers her phone." Charles thought back to when he took the selfie with Carol. Just after posting the picture he switched her phone to Airplane mode. "Well luckily, she has her last known location in......Asheville North Carolina. That's a beautiful city for a vacation. I'll go there and see what's going on myself."

Charles tried to interject but fumbled over his words. Finally he stood up and headed towards the door before stopping and turning towards Paul. "Sir, why is it that you address her by her first name but me as 'Mr. Martin'?" Paul spoke almost immediately, "That is because Mr. Martin, Carol has worked her ass off since day one when everyone laughed at the idea of a woman captain let alone an African American one. She proved everyone wrong and I have respected her since day one. You, on the other hand, have done nothing but ride her coat tails. Now you, her best friend, is saying she left and you don't know why. You smell of bs and underhanded tactics. Now excuse me, I have a Captain to find."

With that Paul left his office and held the door open for Charles to leave. Once they were outside the office Lacey lit up a cigarette and took a long drag. "The FUCK does he think he is? Not letting me into the pilot program." Charles attempted to put his hand on her but she jumped almost as if irritated at the thought of him touching her. "And why the FUCK didn't you stand up for me? Huh?" She pushed Charles awaiting an answer. He couldn't give a straight answer. He put his hands on his head and let out a frustrated yell. "Look, I don't know why I didn't but we have bigger problems. Paul is going to find Carol, himself. The plan is a bust." Lacey stopped smoking and crushed the cigarette between her index and middle finger before dropping it, stepping on it.

"Dammit! Ok ok. Look, we have time. We just have to show Paul and everyone else I am ready to fly. We, we can take charge of the next flight that Carol would've taken. Once we do that Charles, everyone will see. Then it'll all be worth it." Her eyes widened and twitched a little. "You're with me...right? My Charlie Bear?" Charles sighed and gave her a nod as he threw his hands into the air.

*Carol*

Carol awoke and noticed no text or call from Marcus. This was a little shocking to her but she figured maybe he slept in. Carol went through her suitcase trying to settle on what to wear and where to go for her date with Marcus. She knew the city of Asheville had many things to see and do so the hardest part was simply choosing. As she was rummaging through her clothes she came across her black T Shirt with the signatures of her old teammates. "Hmm. Maybe if Marcus is sleeping in, I have time to go to the gym Dylan was talking about. It would help me think of what to do. That and it's closer to him. Maybe I could surprise him....no, that'll be creepy, I just met him yesterday." She took a shower and called an Uber to head to the gym.

When she arrived, the familiar scent of torn heavy bags, the sound of weights clanking and shouts of encouragement felt almost like home. Carol took a deep breath and released it before making her way to the open area near the corner. As she began her stretches a familiar voice spoke out to her. "I knew you'd come!" It was Dylan. He hugged her and spun around before putting her down. His stature betrayed his strength as he appeared on the lean side he could easily lift twice the weight of Carol. "Guys! Over here. She's here." A group of four to five people came over and looked at Carol. Although she wasn't wearing the hoodie, she did have her black shirt with the signatures of her teammates. On the back was a Squid with boxing gloves. "Oh that's a classic shirt" one voice said. "Oh she's old school. Maybe she could teach us" another voice echoed from the crowd.

"Guys, I'm flattered but I don't think I could teach much. I am just a pilot after all. I'm here on Holiday." That statement only made the others more intrigued by her. "Ok ok back up a little guys. I just thought you'd want to meet someone who is a member who is also making history. First African American Female pilot in her company's history!" Dylan clapped his hands as well as everyone else in the crowd. Carol smiled nervously as she leaned towards Dylan. "How did you know that?" Carol asked through her teeth. Dylan turned towards her, "Because James is protective of his little brother and wanted to run a search on you. Since I am now VP of IT at my company, it was easy. You should be proud, I mean you are well above his previous girls."

After the crowd broke away and everyone started training, Carol managed to stay close to Dylan. "Hey, last night, James said Marcus has a habit of finding trouble. Is that true? Or just a brotherly love type of thing?" Carol lifted her hands above her head and placed the bottom of her left foot against her right leg in sequence with Dylan. "Normally it wouldn't be my business to say but we are Team Squid so....ok look, his last girlfriend kind of did a number on him. And by that I mean she did the equivalent of 'Sorry, not sorry' by attempting to sleep with James. Then James' boss at the law firm, then taking the house." Carol almost fell over when taking all of this in. She took a deep breath and slowly moved her arms outwards and placed her foot back on the ground.

"Damn! That's terrible. But how does that mean trouble follows him?" Dylan paused and turned towards her. "Because, to my knowledge, he never really got over that and she still finds her way to him. James didn't want to come out and say it in front of Marcus but he figured I'd tell you. Especially after our connection. So just be careful. Or just be clear if all you want is a fling because there is NOTHING wrong with a Holiday fling." They both laughed before continuing their workout. After a couple of hours and a quick shower the two parted ways. "Thank you again for coming, Carol. You are amazing for that." Carol gave him a hug and smiled. "Thank YOU for the insight. Guess it's time I go see if Marcus is finally up."

Carol didn't let the idea of Marcus' ex get to her as they only met yesterday and she wasn't looking for a relationship. As she made her way into the lobby Marcus stood at the reception desk wearing a nice fitting green polo shirt that complimented his muscles and jeans that showed off the nice shape of his ass. His eyes turned to Carol as she was eyeing him. "Carol!" He rushed over to her. " I was worried when you didn't text last night. I thought you fell asleep as soon as you got in." Carol, clearly confused, took a step back from Marcus. "Uh, no I texted you as soon as I got in. YOU never replied." Marcus pulled out his phone to show no text from her. Carol pulled out her phone to show the text only with the 'could not send' message below it. Her eyes fell upon the little airplane in the top corner. "When did I put it on Airplane mode? How long has it been in Airplane mode?!" Carol's face turned to shock as she took it off Airplane mode and saw 7 missed calls, 27 texts and 15 emails. Most importantly, 3 missed calls from her boss Paul. "SHIT!!"