The Pilot's Redemption

The Pilot's Redemption Part 8

Chapter 8

    Charles watched as Carol went to hug both Marcus and Maria. Seeing their love made Charles miss Robyn that much more. He fiddled with the small trinket Robyn gave him. Not too long after that, Carol signaled to Charles and they left. She tossed him the keys to Marcus' car. "If we're gonna do this Charles, you are going to make some things right. We need to make a couple of stops before we do this job."

   After about ten minutes of driving Carol directed Charles to stop. They were in front of a yellow and white two story house. "Ok? Why are we here Carol?" Charles questioned. Carol looked at Charles and then at the house. "The people who live here had grandparents who were on that flight. It really shook them up. I've been here a few times to apologize but they just want to thank me like everyone else. That Robyn woman was right about one thing. You have been running from your problems. If you're serious about being sorry, then start with them. The Jones family. I'll be here." Carol leaned the passenger chair back and relaxed a little as Charles hesitated to get out of the car.

   He finally got out and looked at the house in front of him. After a few deep breaths, he knocked on the door. A woman in a green pants suit answered and immediately slammed the door. "Guess I deserve that" Charles stated out loud. The door opened again. This time a tall, muscular man in a black three piece suit answered along with the woman from before. "Look, please just please. I know you know who I am and you may even hate me but know that I made a mistake. I really am sorry about what happened. And I'm sorry about your grandparents. I thought I was doing what was right but it's my fault for not checking to see if my co-pilot was certified. I accept full responsibility and believe me, from the bottom of my heart I am s-" Charles was cut off by a right hand to his face. "You think that weak ass apology is gonna make my grandparents get better? You're a goddamn monster and we will always hate you. Now get off our porch."

  Charles stumbled down the stairs and back into the car. Carol tilted her head to look at Charles. "How'd it go?" Charles rubbed his jaw and moved his mouth around before responding. "Worse than I expected. It's not my first time getting hit in the face. Hell, it's not even the first time in the last few weeks. But they really hate me. I meant every word of that apology but still, they hate me." Carol sat up focused on the road ahead as the street lights started to come on. "Well, now you understand. Apologies aren't for the people, they're for you. As long as you mean it of course. It's not your responsibility to make them accept it. You just have to mean it and hope they come around. Now, back to my place. We have to plan for this cross country flight."

    Once they arrived, Marcus and Maria were waiting outside. They looked at each other then Carol and Charles. Charles got out and gave Marcus back his keys. "So, what's the plan Charles?" Carol asked as she entered her home and poured herself a drink. "Plan? The plan is to deliver the product. I can't risk that lunatic coming after you or Robyn." Marcus chimed in as he sat next to Carol. "You can't actually deliver whatever it is he's asking. Hell, it might get both of you thrown in jail for a long LONG time." Maria kissed Carol on her cheek and sat on the opposite side of her. "What choice do they have Marcus? ¿Simplemente rendirse y dejar que Anthony nos mate? He'll be there so if they go down, so does he. I think they should. Unless you have a better idea Marcus."

   Marcus shook his head and placed his hands on his knees. "Ok Maria. You just want them to deliver whatever it is and just think that's the end of it? What's to stop him from asking again?" Maria rolled her eyes and stood up. "You just have to shoot down all my ideas huh? Not good enough for you? You want them to go in, guns blazing? This isn't a movie." "It's a hell of a lot better than doing his dirty work!" Carol poured herself a drink and downed the entire glass. She let out a sigh as she made her way to the spiral staircase. "You two figure this out. I'm going upstairs." She got a couple of steps up before turning back and grabbing the bottle of Peanut Butter Whiskey she had been pouring. "Charles, you sleep on the couch. Get some rest, we have a long day tomorrow." She looked over at Marcus and Maria still arguing and shook her head. Carol turned the bottle up to her lips and gulped it down as she went upstairs.

The arguing stopped as both Marcus and Maria followed Carol up the stairs. Bickering about who's fault it was that she went upstairs without them. Charles laid on the couch and pulled out his phone. He had not looked at any form of social media since he started looking for a quiet town to be away from everything in. When he did, he saw it was flooded with comments saying how much of a terrible person he is, how he doesn't deserve to be free and much much worse. He knew it was going to be bad but this was beyond what he thought. He took several deep breaths and pressed the record button

"Hello, hi. Um…you know who I am…well obviously and you know what I've done. I'm here to apologize to anyone that I hurt or wronged. I do not expect anyone to forgive me or even understand. I just….I just wanted to say I messed up. No, call it what it is, I FUCKED up. I didn't do a proper check on that flight and left it in the hands of an inexperienced….no a person who shouldn't have been there in the first place. I am sorry. If you forgive me, I appreciate it. If not, I understand."

  
   Charles sent the video out and laid down to sleep. Tomorrow was a big day for him and Carol.