Ella and Wilson

7

The Hangar was a small, unassuming restaurant that was right at the beginning of the runway where incoming planes were landing every few minutes. I found myself sitting facing the runway, much to my shock. I found myself more intrigued by watching these planes than afraid. I knew if I were to ever get in one of these planes, it would be a different story.

I got to the restaurant right as it opened so it was completely empty when I arrived. Most of the servers seemed to be part time retirees and the only other person working that was somewhat close to my age was at the bar and didn't even give me a glance as I was seated outside. I had on a baseball cap and sunglasses just to be safe.

I ordered two mimosas while I waited for Wilson. Would I see him land the plane? Has he already landed? Would he even show up?

A small two-seater plane rumbled onto the runway. The wings were a beautiful, deep blue with a similar stripe along the side. The plane doubled back and parked close to this parking lot across the runway. I sipped on my drink as a middle aged man exited from the passenger door. He looked like an actor from Top Gun with salt and pepper floppy hair and a permanent tan. The pilot's door opened and out popped Wilson. He had on a light blue tee shirt and gray drawstring shorts. I noticed for the first time a couple small tattoos along his calf muscle. He and the older man circled the plane and talked. The older man, who I am assuming is the instructor, was taking notes as Wilson was explaining some things. After a while, both of them disappeared into this other building. I waited for a while for Wilson to reemerge but he never did.

"Still waiting on your companion?" My waiter asked.

"I think I'll give it a couple more minutes." My stomach sank. He did forget. I was close to finishing my second drink when the chair to my right scraped along the floor and Wilson plopped into the chair.

"I am so, so sorry. My instructor was asking me a million questions. I hate that I kept you waiting." Wilson smiled at me.

"I saw you land, it was amazing." I found myself saying.

"Really? Thank you! I had a really good flight." Wilson pulled out his phone and showed me pictures he took explaining where in Florida he was and how beautiful it was. I felt like I was looking at images from a National Geographic magazine. The water was so clear and blue surrounding little islands of white sand.

"I brought you something." He pulled his backpack up into his lap and rummaged through before pulling out a book. "I thought you would like this." He slid the book over to me. The title read The Invisible Library. Wilson explained the plot of the book and how it was a series he was currently reading.

"That is right up my alley." I picked up the book and swapped it with Where the Crawdads Sing. Wilson's face lit up as he read the back cover of the book.

"I didn't know if you'd finish it in time."

"Are you kidding? I read books so quickly when I have the time." I laughed. He smiled warmly at me.

Wilson ordered a beer and we ordered some food. He and I talked more about our lives and our passions. I told him that I was wanting to be a screenwriter and that I was in between jobs at the moment. I felt horrible lying but he still hadn't given off any impression that he knows who I am and I didn't want to jeopardize that.

"What are some things you want to do while you're here? You leave at the end of August, right?"

"Yes, I will probably have a job in September. My Airbnb is only until the end of August but if I don't have a job in September I might extend my stay further if the place is available." In reality, I had been scouring Zillow for houses to buy down here and was contemplating making St. Pete a permanent residence for me. "As for things to do, I have no idea. I've gone to the beach a bunch."