Don't Marry Your Contractor*

Chapter 36 - Career Day

Present Day:

On one mild early spring day, Lena and her 10-year-old son MJ walked over to Charlotte and Justin's house. He was at his latest project while Charlotte was enjoying a few days off while happily experiencing domestic tranquility. The doorbell rang and Charlotte greeted her BFF and son while wearing comfortable sweats and an old squadron sweatshirt. "Hi guys come on in."

Lena sniffed and then smiled. "Char, something smells good. What's cookin' good lookin'?"

Charlotte gestured to the kitchen island were two trays of cookies were cooling on a rack. "I just made peanut butter cookies from Gram's old recipe."

MJ gave his future aunt a big smile. "Peanut butter, those are my favorite!"

Charlotte grinned at Lena. "That's what my sources indicated."

Lena then gave her young son a firm mom look. "You may have two cookies young man, but that's all."

The boy nodded and happily sat down on a barstool at the kitchen island. Charlotte then slid a plate over to the eager boy and then poured him a tall glass of milk. "Here you go MJ."

A moment later through a mouthful of cookie, he managed to say. "Um these are really good, thanks Aunt Charlotte."

The tall dark-haired woman smiled broadly. "You're most welcome MJ. I do enjoy cooking for my family you know. How about you Ms. Lena?"

Lena reached back and slapped her butt. "Just one for me please Char."

After they finished their snack, Lena looked over at her son. "MJ, is there something you would like to ask your aunt Charlotte?"

The boy nodded and politely wiped his hands on a paper napkin. "Thanks again for the cookies Aunt Charlotte, they're my favorite."

Charlotte returned the smile. "You're welcome MJ. Now what is that you want to ask me?"

"Um, it's career day at school and you know we already took a field trip to my dad's work at Micron and you know mom is just a teacher at my school so I was wondering if..."

Charlotte looked a bit puzzled. The previous year she had taken MJ and his class to the Boise airport the previous year for a field trip. "Do you want to see the planes at the airport again?"

The boy shook his head. "No ma'am, can you take me to the Air Force Base? I want to see the fighter planes and all that Air Force stuff?"

Charlotte thought a moment before answering. "Sure thing MJ. I don't think that will be a problem. One of my old classmates is an F-15 pilot. I'm sure that we can arrange something if they're not deployed that is. Those guys always seem to be on the road somewhere. Anyway I'll make a couple of calls this week and let you know."

The following week, Charlotte and MJ drove her old Mustang from Boise to Mountain Home Air Force Base which was about 40 miles from town. After turning off the highway they drove down the desert road amongst prairie dogs and tumbleweeds towards the base which had been there since World War II. At the main gate, the guard checked Charlotte's ID and to MJ's surprise gave her a sharp salute which she returned.

After passing through the security zigzag at the airbase main gate, Charlotte drove past the F-15E static display. "MJ, that's what we call a gate guardian or plane on a stick."

The young boy gave her a wide-eyed look. "Is it a real plane?"

Charlotte nodded. "Mostly. Anyway, they have a bunch of other planes at the Memorial Park. We'll stop there and take some pictures before we go to my friend's squadron. We have a few minutes. I told you before the pilots are never late so we will make sure to be on time."