My Boyfriend's a Fighter Pilot (And So Am I)

Chapter 9

"So how do you like the Naval Academy?" Uncle Mav asked as I helped him fix up his P-51 Mustang.

"Well, it's going pretty well. Most people are nice." I said with a laugh. "I also get to see Nat from time to time when she gets called to the base." But that's not very often. I thought sadly.

"But to you, the people don't matter as much as the flying, right?" Uncle Mav said with a knowing smile.

"Not really, I have friends I guess but not a best friend. Not like when you were in the academy." I said as I handed my uncle a wrench. Uncle Mav's face changed ever so slightly, which made me feel bad for bringing up Goose.

"Do you still have the watch I gave you?" He asked. I held my arm up and pulled back the sleeve.

"I don't go anywhere without it," I said. I could've sworn I saw my uncle tear up, but in the blink of an eye, he turned to put the wrench back in the toolbox.

"Hey, do you wanna go out to our favorite ice cream place?" Uncle Mav asked as he grabbed a rag to wipe his hands off.

"Are you kidding me? Heck yes!" I said excitedly.

"Alright, I'll go clean up and I'll meet you here in a sec." He said as he went off to change.

I took a deep breath as I knocked on the door at my mom's house. I'm so glad that she's doing well, especially after Dad passed. I thought. Even though my dad was prone to anger, had a hatred of flying, and left us, his passing still struck my mom and me with shock. I put a smile on my face as I heard the door unlock, and laughed when I saw the surprise on my mom's face.

"Oh, Anna! I didn't know that you were coming so soon!" She said as she pulled me into a tight hug.

"I missed you too Mom," I said with a smile.

"So, how's the training going?" She asked as we walked into the living room.

"Well, it went great," I said as I looked off distractedly.

"I know that look, Anna, your uncle sports the same one whenever he's stressed or upset. What's wrong sweetie?" She asked as she sat next to me. For some reason, I was struggling to respond, let alone get a single word out of my mouth.

"Come here." She said as she held me tightly in a loving embrace. I closed my eyes and felt tears running down my face as I pulled away.

"I've been asked to go on a mission," I said at last, wiping them away. "And while that should be great news, I may...not come back on this one."

"Every mission has its risks, Anna, what makes you say this now?" My mom said as she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I just, it's just a more critical mission, and I can't, I don't want to leave you all alone," I said as I wiped away more tears.

"Sweetie, I know that you'll come back. While the passing of your father was saddening in a sense for us all, you could never leave me all alone. And even IF you did, and I mean IF." She said as I laughed sadly. "You would always be right here, right with me. Just like I am with you." She placed her hand on my heart as she gently placed mine on hers as she said this.

"Thanks, Mom," I said as I hugged her again.

"Always remember Anna, you're a Phoenix, and what does a Phoenix do?" She said as she held my hands.

"A phoenix always rises from the ashes," I replied with a smile.

"I know that you'll have to be leaving soon." She said as she stood up. "Good luck on your mission sweetie." I gave her one last hug, then left my home once again, with my mother's words echoing in my head.