The Pilot's Redemption

The Pilot's Redemption Part 4

Chapter 4

Charles shook his head and blinked more times than needed before saying yes. The two made their way out of the apartment building and out into the town. For the first time Charles could appreciate the beauty of the small town of Eureka Springs. He had been so focused on hiding and making sure no one knew him that he didn't take time to see the town. "This place is beautiful." Charles stated as he looked around admiring the Victorian structure of the buildings.

"Hope you're up for walking because I've benefit of small town living, you can walk almost anywhere." Walking didn't bother Charles. He thought about it less and less the more he got to know Robyn. "Chance? Let me ask you something, what do you do for work? If it's nothing too crazy." Robyn smirked. "You're not a spy or in a gang." Charles smirked as well. "No nothing like that. I uh....I fly planes." He had to stop himself from saying pilot as he wasn't that anymore. "Like a pilot? Like that Carol Scott lady? The hero who landed that airplane and saved those people?" Charles couldn't help but feel a sting in his heart at the sound of his former best friend. The dreams still haunt him, reminding him how he almost cost her everything. He slowed down a bit looking at the ground. "No, I'm nothing like her. She's everything I strive to be. But I just deliver packages here and there. Small cargo stuff."

Truth is, he didn't know how to explain what he was doing now. Flying products for a man who may or may not be in a dangerous gang isn't something Charles could just bring up or say on the first date. He let out a deep sigh before trying to change the subject. "What about you? What do you do, Ms. Robyn?" Charles placed his hands in his jean pockets hoping to hide his nervousness. "Well, don't laugh, I do poetry." Charles stopped in his tracks. Poetry was never his thing but puns were and the idea of poetry always intrigued him.

"Poetry? That's actually really cool. I could never."

"Why not?" Robyn said as she nudged him.

"I tried once in middle school. Let's just say you can't rhyme blue four times and call it a poem."

Robyn laughed loudly. "You did not do that? Chance, that's terrible. I bet if you tried you really could. Poetry is about passion. Speaking from your heart."

Charles took what Robyn said to heart. Maybe he could give it a try. Maybe he just lacked the passion to do so. "What made you want to do poetry? When did you find your passion?" Robyn put her hand on her chin and thought for a moment. "I guess I found my passion when I was finally able to be myself. For so long I had to hide who I was and what I wanted because my family wanted me to join their cult at the office. When I stopped caring I felt so...so." Robyn turned around with her arms wide and spun. "Free. It felt good. Since then, I started writing poetry online and seeing them. Maybe that's where you can start. Answer the question of you. Who is Chance?"

That was a loaded question. Charles knew who Chance was but didn't understand who he was. Chance is a fake persona used to hide who he really is. But lately, Chance has become the person and Charles the persona. His eyes focused on the ground trying to not show the shame he felt for deceiving this beautiful woman. Robyn felt the change in him and quickly changed the subject. "That's something to get into later. But for now, did you know this town only has 2,400 people in it?" Eureka Springs is truly a small town. Which Charles thought would make for a good hiding place. Even in this small town he could not get away from who he is.

"I did not know that. I take it that means there aren't a lot of places to eat around here." Even with Charles being in the town for a few weeks, he had not taken the time to explore. Mostly just ordering groceries online. "Actually, there are quite a few. This one though. 'The Rockin' Pig Saloon' is on my list of places to try." "Then I know where I'm taking on you on our next date." Charles spoke before he realized what he said. Robyn blushed a little bit. "So you're saying this was our first date? That's news to me." At this moment he had two options: take it back and risk missing out on a second date. Or just go with it. "I guess that's good news then." Charles felt her soft hands grab his and hold on to them.

"It's a second date then. Perfect timing because I have some poems to write and a certain someone has inspired me." She leaned in and whispered "I can't wait for our next date." With that, she let go of his hand and disappeared into the horizon. A happiness crept into him and took over his body. This was a feeling he had not felt since he became a pilot. A certain glee filled him as he smiled all the way home.

His happiness was interrupted when he arrived home and saw Anthony waiting on him. "I hope you don't mind. I let myself in." Charles threw his arms up. "What is it now? A sticky note that you want delivered in a plane the Wright Brothers flew?" Anthony laughed at the notion. "You are funny. That was a test and you passed. Bill didn't want you to pass but I say you did. This next one is an overnighter and has a time limit." Anthony stood up and paced around the living room area. "See, there are some....how do you say....Guardias estúpidos...stupid guards who take their jobs to serious. We've paid off the night crew but their shift is over at 5:30 a.m. So you leave here at 12:00 midnight exactly and be back here, in this town on OUR landing area by 5:30 a.m. Payment is $10,000. See you tomorrow night."

As much as he hated doing these deliveries, he needed money. Maybe even more than that, he needed to fly. To be in the air. It was the only thing that ever felt right to him. He looked at the white envelope left by Anthony and opened it. Inside were the details of where he was going and how long the cargo would take to load. Everything was detailed so he knew this one was important. The payment was also another giveaway as to it's importance. Like it or not, Charles had to do this job. He just wondered if he was ready.