The Pilot's Redemption

The Pilot's Redemption Part 3

Chapter 3

   Charles rubbed his eyes and took a sip of coffee from his thermos. He looked around the empty field and saw no one. The alarm on his phone went off signaling it was 6:00. A loud slam came from the worn down shed behind him. A short, older man marched towards him. "You must be the pilot. Yes I have a name, no I will not allow your American tongue to sully it by mispronouncing it. You can call me Bill." This was all going faster than Charles expected. The man started walking behind the shed not even making eye contact with Charles. It was silent as the two walked to a small landing strip.

"Ok pilot, here you go."

   Bill revealed a small biplane that was tucked behind some leaves. "What the hell is this Bill?" Bill shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant manner implying he didn't know or just didn't care. "This…thing can fly? Is this a Thomas-Morse S-4? They used these in World War I. How am I expected to make a delivery in this…old thing?" Bill rolled his eyes and mocked Charles by moving his hand in a way that mimicked a mouth. "You know, you ask too many questions and complain too much." His Columbian began to show as he mocked Charles. Then, he tucked a silver briefcase behind the seat and made sure it was secure.

"Now pilot, once you arrive at point B a very kind gentleman will take it from you. He will then give you an envelope. You will then give that to me, you will get paid and I don't have to see your face anymore. Ok?"

  The thought of not seeing Bill again was a pleasant one to Charles. Can't say Bill was his favorite person. But he did have a certain charm. Charles climbed into the biplane and put on his helmet. "Ok, this is not that difficult. I read about these in Flight School." Charles pressed the button to start the biplane. It was very different from his regular commercial planes but he could fly it. He struggled to keep it steady at first but got the gist of it quickly.

  Once he arrived, a group of men stood waiting for him. No one said a word. A man in an all black suit approached him and took the briefcase. In return he handed Charles a white envelope sealed with a red marking. Before he could speak his plane was turned around and set for takeoff again going back the way he came. Bill sat in a chair whistling a tune only he seemed to know when Charles' biplane came roaring in. When he landed he handed Bill the envelope. Bill puffed his cigar and opened it. He let out a hearty laugh showing Charles the paper that simply said "Fuck you, signed Ricardo." "Ho ho ho! He still hates me." Bill tossed Charles a stack of cash and walked away. This wasn't ideal and Charles had many more questions but now wasn't the time. He got paid like they said he would and for now, that was enough.

  Charles didn't waste time waiting around to ask questions. He made it to his door and fiddled with the keys before a familiar voice caught his attention. "Hey Chance, no last name." Charles, stunned, dropped his keys. "Oh hey Robyn. How….how are you?" Robyn laughed a little bit. "Wow, you are clumsy. I was actually hoping I'd catch you. I was wondering, since you're new here and I'm still kind of new, could we check out the town?" Charles grabbed his keys and began to open his door. "Oh, um yeah. That would be great. Just give me like….twenty minutes. I just…" he stopped midway through his sentence as he tried to think of something to tell her. "...got off work. So let me get cleaned up and meet back here in twenty?" Robyn agreed and went to her place as Charles entered his apartment.

   Charles took a moment to regain his composure. He was kind of happy to meet someone who didn't want to throw something at him or yell at him about how someone they loved was on his plane. He took a quick shower and searched for something to wear. He wanted to make an impression on Robyn. Rushing through his closet, he narrowed it down to two outfits. One was a black T-Shirt with a picture of a white dove on it, black jeans and white and black converse. The other, a red shirt with white lining, blue jeans and red and white Nikes. He decided on the second one. "I do look good in red. Wonder why I never wore it before?"  Once he was dressed he headed out just as Robyn was leaving her place. Charles was speechless as he noticed her curly afro and hoop earrings swing gently in the wind. Her dark green crop top and black leggings compliment her figure perfectly and her white Adidas to complete the look. "So, are you ready Chance"