The Pilot's Holiday

The Pilot's Holiday Part 6

Chapter 6

Carol immediately dialed Paul's number but it went straight to voicemail. "Why did he call so many times? Did he have a problem with me taking time off? Did Charles not get to him in time?" These thoughts raced through her head and panic was showing all over her face. Marcus noticed this and placed his hands on hers. "Breathe. Look, what you need is a distraction and I know a place to do just that." Carol looked up at him as she took a deep breath and gave a nod.

Once they were inside the car, Carol let out a sigh and looked out the window at the beautiful skyline. Marcus noticed this and struck up a conversation. "You're not going to ask where we're going? Not even curious?" Carol glanced over at him and placed her hands on her legs and replied "I'm sorry. My mind is elsewhere. I mean I worked hard for this job and title and I don't want to lose it because my friend didn't get to my boss in time." Marcus' eyebrow raised a little. "Your friend? You left it up to your friend to tell your boss you were taking time off?" Carol eyed him with suspicion. "Yes. Charles is my friend and has been there with me through everything. Even pilot school. He was the one person who believed in me when everyone else in the class laughed at the idea of a female pilot." Carol shifted in her seat. "It was hard enough to attempt being a pilot in general but it was twice as hard, if not three times as hard being a black woman who wanted to be a pilot and Charles was there the whole ride. I trust him with my life."

Marcus couldn't help but feel a little sting of jealousy from how she spoke about Charles. "So, you two are just friends?" He asked with a little curiosity. Carol picked up on his tone and decided to make light of it. "Oh me and Charles? We are something special." She placed her hands over her heart in a dramatic fashion. "He is my world. What would I ever do without him in my life? Why I-I I think I might just die." She lifted her left hand up to her forehead and pretended to faint. Marcus laughed "Oh you are SO funny. You should do stand up." Carol laughed as well. "Charles is my friend and nothing more. You shouldn't be jealous. From what I hear, you have your own things going on." She chuckled.

Before Marcus could respond they had arrived. "Is this an arcade?" Carol questioned. "Yes it is and we will revisit that remark later but now, it's game time." He held out his hand to take hers in a gentleman like manner. Despite everything that was going on Carol felt comfortable around Marcus. Which was a feeling she hadn't felt since her sophomore year of college. Relationships were never Carol's strong suit as she wore her heart on her sleeve but whiskey had her sleeves rolled up and she liked it that way. She reached in her purse as they got out and took a quick shot of Jack Daniels from the tiny bottle she took from her room.

Once they were inside Marcus led her to something he thought she would like. "And here we are. Flight Simulator 3000." Carol examined the machine and was surprised by how much it looked like an actual cockpit. There were a few things missing such as a co-pilot seat and the button for auto pilot, but it was close enough to the real thing. "You will also note who has the high score here." Marcus stated in an almost cocky tone posing next to the machine. "Oh really? Well that is about to change. Because you are dealing with a real pilot here." Carol hopped into the seat and checked the overhead panel and double checked the ASI which was displayed on the screen.

"Alright, What's the ADS-B say Marcus?" Carol almost commanded. Marcus, clearly puzzled, responded with confusion. "The ABC what now?" Carol shook her head not realizing she spoke so formally. "It's the Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast. In short, it tells us the weather and is usually displayed right here on the screen." Carol strapped herself in and gripped the joystick-like steering device. Marcus leaned in and was almost taken aback by her perfume which could be described as a combination of lavender and Spring rain with a little sandalwood. "Wow you smell good. Sorry, um so what the goal of this is, is to have a successful takeoff, flight and landing. You can choose where to start and land and the difficulty is listed by distance."

Carol looked at Marcus and almost laughed. "Ah you forget I'm a pilot. I appreciate you saying that but I figured it out from the words on the screen." She pointed to the monitor that displayed everything Marcus just said. Embarrassed, he stood up and lifted his hands up and took a few steps back. "Ok. You got this. I'll be over here, hiding the embarrassment." He chuckled as he sat nearby watching her play. Carol flicked several buttons, some Marcus didn't even know were there. She took the joystick and pulled back just enough to see the plane takeoff on the screen. Flying was easy enough for her and she even looked over at what would be a co-pilot seat almost wishing Charles was there.

Every move was flawless and the timing bonus only added to her score. Finally the landing was perfect. She let the wheels out at the right moment. For dramatic effect, she waited until the last minute to slow down and reach the runway with precision. Showing off to Marcus whose score she had just now crushed. She jumped up and pointed at Marcus yelling: "IS THIS YOUR KING?" As the entire Arcade erupted with applause. It wasn't everyday someone got a high score on the Flight Simulator. The distraction was exactly what Carol needed as she hadn't thought about work or anything for the last two hours.

The pair left and headed back to Carol's hotel first as Marcus wanted to drop her off this time. Along the way the conversation was more light hearted. "See, I told you. You had fun didn't you Ms. Pilot?" Carol holding her plushie airplane chuckled. "Alright you were right. Shut up." Marcus smiled and eyed her up and down. "So, do you have anybody else helping you forget about your troubles?" Carol tilted her head and spoke. "Subtlety is not something you do well Marcus. To answer your question. No. I haven't had that for a long while now. Not since sophomore year in college." Marcus noticed the tone shift and took a more serious approach. "Did you leave him or did he leave you?" Carol sighed and as she replied. "SHE did not. We agreed it wasn't time. More or less I wasn't going down the same road as her."

Marcus stumbled over his words trying to apologize. "Sorry, I didn't mean to imply. I mean it's cool. I just know I don't have a chance. NOT that that was the only reason I....uh." Carol laughed as she cut him off. "Bisexual not that you asked but yes. Found out in High School and started dating girls from freshman year." Marcus' confidence was somewhat restored as he hoped to find out where things went with Carol.

They finally arrived at the hotel and Marcus got out of his car and helped Carom out. She gave him a hug and he hugged her back. Squeezing slightly. "Thank you. I needed that. I just have to trust Charles explained everything. And no, you still can't come up with me." She smiled and headed in the front door. Before she could a voice rang out. "Marcus. You aren't going to introduce me to your friend?" The voice stated. A thick Spanish accent was present. Marcus' eyes widened. "Maria? What are you doing here?" Marcus angrily questioned. Before Maria could respond, Carol turned towards her and squinted before speaking. "Maria? Maria Nunez?"