Flying Violets

Chapter 2

All Rights Reserved ® CarrieLahaye ™ 2014

The moral right of the author has been asserted.  All rights reserved.  This story is published subject to the condition that it shall not be reproduced or retransmitted in whole or in part, in any manner, without the written consent of the copyright holder, and any infringement of this is a violation of copyright law.

Aunt Lorraine died early one morning after having a heart attack during the night. Her loss was felt even by me, because she was the last of all of my family anywhere. I felt alone, and lost. I didn't really have any friends except for Gilda, Joe, and Frank at the airport. I could fly, but didn't have enough money for my own plane. Aunt Lorraine's house was now mine, but the roof leaked, and there was wood rot in many places so it would all need to be fixed eventually.

I knew that I would have to make a decision about whether I should keep the house or sell it. I wouldn't come into my money until I was twenty-one. I looked around my room and sighed. This had never been a home to me, and I knew in my heart that I should sell it.

After placing, a foot on the cold floor I winced and hurried down the hall to the one bathroom in the house. I ran some cold water out of the tap, washed my face, and then looked into the mirror. I had bobbed my hair to chin length within the last year, to Aunt Lorraine's horror, and loved it. It was the color of ripe wheat and I had "violet" eyes so my parents used to tell me. I was named for my eyes.

 I brushed my teeth, and then scrunched my face as I searched for answers within the depths of the mirror. Today was the day that I was going to see Mr. Stiles regarding  the sell of thehouse. Then I would worry about how I was going to make a living over the next two years.

I hurried back to my bedroom and grabbed some trousers, a men's shirt, and my leather flying jacket. I was known as an eccentric in this town, and could care less. I intended on taking one of the planes up today, and didn't want to bother changing . I hoped to run into Gilda so I could tell her my news. She was married to Joe, and Frank was their son. They lived outside of the airport, and Joe was the airport's mechanic. Frank often helped his father, but he was soon leaving for College in Macon.

Once I was dressed, I locked up the house and walked down the stone pathway from the house to the street. The old oaks that dotted our yard were bare this time of year. Leaves crunched under my feet, as I opened the cold wrought iron gate that enclosed our yard. The town was quiet this cold, January morning, and I shivered in my coat. Hugging my arms to my chest; I briskly walked down the side walk to see Mr. Stiles.

John Lind, was out with his milk delivery truck, placing bottles on people's doorways.

 "Good Morning Miss Violet" he called out as I passed him.

 "Good morning to you, John" I replied "How's Ethel and the new baby?"

 "She's doing fine, and Little Ben is teething. We had a bad night with him." replied John looking a bit weary.

 "Poor little fellow" I said, "I hope he feels better."

 "Have a good day John, and stay warm."

 "You as well Miss Violet." He called as he opened the truck door and drove away.

 Our milk delivery had been stopped for over a year because we couldn't afford to pay for this luxury. John had often been kind and would slip Aunt Lorraine a bottle of milk at least once a week. There were many kind people in Newton.

 Mr. Stiles's office was located beside the First Newton Bank, and was in a tall brick building with an old fashioned oak door. When I opened the door, Dotty, Mr. Stiles's secretary was typing away when I stepped through the door. 

"Oh hello Violet. It's rather cold this morning isn't it?"

 "It is Dotty" I replied "I think it's going to rain this afternoon."

 "Are you going flying this morning?" Dotty asked eyeing my attire.

 "I hope to" I said. "Is Mr. Stiles in this morning?"

 "He is Violet and always has time for you. Let me ring him and let him know that you are here"

 "Thank you, Dotty"

I sank into a wingback chair in the waiting room, going over in my mind  what I would say to Mr. Stiles. I knew that he would be disappointed about me selling the Watson Family home, but I knew that was the right thing to do. I let the large wingback chair envelope me in false comfort.

 Finally Dolly emerged saying, "Violet, Mr. Stiles will see you know."

"No thank you, Dotty." I murmured with a smile following her into the office. Jacob Stiles was a man to be reckoned with. He was a large man around the age of fifty, who had a head full of white curly hair and a mustache. He seemed stern until he smiled; a smile could transform this man. I knew that he probably felt sorry for me having to come from a loving home with two parents, to the rigid life of my aunt and uncle.

"Violet" Mr. Stiles said as he crushed me into his arms. "What brings you in today my dear?"

 "I need to talk to you about selling the house." I said bluntly. "I've really thought about it, and I know it's the best decision."

 Mr. Stiles sighed as he sat back in his chair. "I was afraid it might come to this. Violet my dear, if you need money, you know that Ellen and I will  always help you. I could make you a loan today."

 "No" I too sighed "I don't want to owe anybody any money, and the house is just too big for me to maintain alone."

 I sat down across from Mr. Stiles, and further said: "And to be honest I hold no sentiments toward the place."

 "What will you do Violet? Where will you go?" he asked concerned. 

"I haven't yet decided that, but I want to buy a plane." The look he gave me was one I was to remember for a long time afterwards.