Chapter 17
Lesson Learned

After moments of awful, awkward silence, Devonny dutifully began to exit, but Rafe pulled her back, standing, and pulling her into an embrace. She unwillingly cried into his shoulder when he moved her face toward his. "I'm not going to let another woman walk out of my life." He proclaimed.

Devonny wiped her tears with her own hand while saying, "It isn't your choice."

"Who's the father?"

"I don't want your charity, Rafe." Devonny stated, all the while refusing to leave his arms.

"Is he going to take care of you?"

"I don't need him." Rafe was about to reply when Devonny began to cry again, admitting what she did not want to admit. "I need you."

"Congratulations, Rafe." Danny gave his best friend a quick embrace as a plane flew overhead. "What the-" He asked, both him and Rafe rushing outside. The entire family had gone outside to take a look at the old barn and crop-dusters, Rafe had pulled Danny behind to give him the good news. He and Devonny were engaged.

Rafe and Danny worried more than anything else about those antique crop-dusters. They were the pride and joy of those two best friends, and were shocked when they heard the low buzzing of the engines. Not one of Rafe's family knew how to fly, Rafe's dad's license was taken away due to fading eye sight. They found themselves sprinting toward the barn. The two didn't remember running so fast since the attack on Pearl Harbor.

"Who's flying that plane?" They both demanded simultaneously.

"It's Devonny, she said she knew how to fly. She took dad up." Rafe's sister explained.

Rafe muttered obscene words that not even Danny had heard him say, before he began yelling at the girl.

"She's a pretty good pilot." Danny realized, surprised at the reaction Rafe had given. "I don't think we need to worry about the plane."

"It's not the damn plane!" Rafe barked at Danny, trying to wave the plane down.

Evelyn was more than stunned at Rafe's behavior, and covered little Rafe's ears.

Finally Devonny brought the plane down, "What's the matter with you?" She shouted over the engine as it shut off she and Rafe's father climbed out of the plane.

"Do you wanna get sick?" Rafe demanded, " 'Cause that's what you're asking for."

"I'm fine, Rafe. That's why I didn't want to stay. Jimmy would have at least treated me like a human being."

"I am treating you like a human being, Dev." He softened. He didn't want her to leave. He took her into his arms, and caressed her face. "Can a guy be worried about his best girl?"