Don't Marry Your Contractor*

Chapter 16 - Flying and Other Lessons

Eighteen Years Earlier:

The three members of the Janssen family were sitting in the small kitchen having lunch when Charlotte asked seemingly out of the blue. "So, how old is your airplane, Gramps?"

Before he could answer, her grandmother chuckled. "Dear, it's almost exactly the same age as that old car of his!"

Carl smiled at his wife and then looked at his only living descendant. "Gram isn't exaggerating Charlotte. I bought the Mustang new in 1964 before I went to Vietnam for the first time. Years later we found the '64 Cub in a spider web filled hangar in Bend Oregon after I retired from the Air Force."

Margaret smiled at the memory and touched her only granddaughter's hand. "He promised me that the car and the little yellow plane would both eventually be classics."

Carl smiled at his wife. "... And?"

She shrugged. "Well, you got me there, last time I checked, your numbers matching 64 and a half Mustang convertible is worth almost as much as the house!"

Carl looked at Margaret and she nodded to indicate that he could discuss a certain subject with their granddaughter as they had planned. "Well Charlotte, that was a good question about our airplane. I promised that when you were tall enough to reach the rudder pedals your flight training could begin if that's what you want."

Margaret smiled at her granddaughter. "Charlotte, just exactly how tall are you dear?"

Charlotte proudly stood up straight and tall. "I'm five-foot-three Gram, and for now I guess I'm the tallest kid in my class."

Carl thought for a moment and then cleared his throat. "Yes indeed. You may not remember, but your parents were both quite tall."

Charlotte nodded sadly. "Yes sir, and as I understand it, the Janssen women are all pretty tall too."

Carl smiled again. "Yes, yes indeed they are. Anyway, I didn't really expect you to be this tall so soon. I was guessing it would be more like 14 years of age. However, a promise is a promise. If you want to learn to start flying in earnest, I am willing."

Charlotte smiled broadly. "Yes sir, I am. More than anything, and I won't let this detract from my school work, I promise."

Margaret reached over and touched Charlotte's long-fingered hands. "Dear, we are not overly concerned with you making grades. When was the last time you received anything other than an A?"

Charlotte thought a moment before answering. "Third-grade art class I think. I wasn't real good at making pots."

Carl laughed. "Well, my dear, it seems that God has given you the math and reading genes and the long legs of the Janssens but decided that you can't be good at everything after all!"

Margaret stood up and began to leave the room. "I'll let you two pilots discuss Charlotte's aviation future."

After she left, Carl opened a small cardboard box. "Okay Charlotte, here is your first logbook, a few FAA reference books and a complete private pilot course. There are videos, textbooks, workbooks, a couple of plotters and calculators, and the whole works. We'll start with this."

Charlotte beamed at the box of treasure. "Thanks, Gramps, this is awesome!"

Carl went on in a more serious tone. "Okay, I know that I have mentioned this before, but you won't be allowed to solo until you are 16. I know that seems like a long time, but we'll put it to good use."