HOME SWEET HOME Quick clip from my new short story, Tiger Leader Down. Riding on a wave of faith, Joe and four out of the six planes in his squadron make it through the horrific storm raging over Hitlers evil Reich and back to their base at Kings Cliffe. 12 of the 25 bombers in the bomb group are lost and presumed down. On the ground, the mood is somber and sullen. Major Whitby gathers his men together. We are among the survivors of what had to be the most devastating storm in this war. In 12 years of flying under all weather conditions at home and in China, I have never seen a storm as massive or as fierce as the one we just flew through. Not here, not anywhere. Amen, to that Major. We were damn lucky to get home. Just damn lucky. Major Whitby smiles, as does Joe. Both men know that in the middle of that storm, they were rocking in a cradle of faith far beyond the power of mother nature. After a hot shower and a bite to eat, Joe, as all the men in his squadron are granted a one day pass off base. Without giving it a second thought, Joe packs a fresh change of clothes, dope kit and dancing shoes and heads to town. Anxious to Adela, and with no motorized transportation readily available, he decides to ask a young woman working in the cafeteria, if he can borrow her bike for a day for the tidy sum of $2. With the moon and stars spinning a Ferris Wheel in gladly, she gladly accepts his $2 and hands over her bike. Lieutenant, please ride with care, the rain has made the roads slick and there are heavy convoys scheduled today, and we dont want to lose you. Now would we? I will be careful. I promise. Oh, Lieutenant before you go, my name is Marella Smith. I hear you are a marvelous dancer. When you have the time and Im not tied to my boring job, can you teach some of those incredible dance steps you make look so easy? With a big smile plastered on his face, Joe replies, Marella, you have my word on it. As he peddles into town Marellas name and face tumbles through his mind. Such a nice name, such a pretty face. He is so preoccupied in thought, that he doesnt notice the men along the road pointing at him and laughing. (c) Marella and her bike.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:13:06 +0000
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