AERIAL ATTRACTION
The yellow Mercedes convertible with the angry chestnut haired beauty at the wheel turned into the open field fairgrounds with a banner reading GREAT LAKES AERIAL EXPOSITION '66 that had the vintage aircraft all laid out in rows. Trixie turned into an empty space, parked and killed her motor, her ire still high as she thought of her erstwhile boyfriend who seemed once again more interested in his growing celebrity than their budding relationship.
"OOHH, he makes me so mad sometimes I could just scream!" she fumed as she sat behind the wheel of her car and glared out at nothing, her eyes narrowed to sea green slits. She took a deep breath to calm herself and was somewhat cooler but still annoyed when she decided that she would go to the show and try to enjoy herself.
Trixie opened the door of the Mercedes and stepped out slamming the door in a total state of pique as she whirled and headed to the exhibits. She was hurrying to the main area when her progress was halted when she bumped into a tall solid form that grabbed her, preventing her from falling.
"Oh, excuse me!" she apologized as she looked up into the most beautiful pair of male eyes she had ever seen. Speed's eyes had always entranced her in their pure cobalt color but this man's eyes were amazing.
A resonant baritone sounded a reply. "It's my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going." The young man smiled, showing even white teeth in a classically handsome but rugged visage framed by unruly russet curls.
Trixie found herself becoming tongue tied, as she felt drawn into his incredible eyes, an unusual shade between periwinkle blue and violet. She stammered, "N-no it was me. I didn't look to see you were coming. Please, forgive me."
"Done on one condition," he said his eyes twinkling. "That you tell me your name."
She felt a blush stain her cheeks as she responded softly, "Trixie, Trixie Shimura."
He took her hand in both of his as he answered, "It's a pleasure, Trixie. I'm Gary Lightening, but everybody calls me Grease."
"It's nice to meet you, Gary," Trixie answered shyly, her heart pounding like a triphammer as he kept her hand captive in his own strong ones.
"And what's a pretty lady like you doing here at an air exhibition? It's not usually something that appeals to ladies. Mostly pilots are here."
"I love planes," Trixie began eliciting a delighted smile from Gary.
"Then permit me to show you around. I know the organizer of the event, he's a good friend of mine and then I can show you around before I have to go on." He took her elbow to lead her to the grounds.
Trixie glanced at him curiously. "Go on?"
"Uh-huh. I'm a stunt pilot for the show. I fly a Cessna to do stunts but my plane is actually a single turbo-prop two-seater."
Trixie's eyes grew wide as saucers. "Wow," was all she could say as Gary began to take her around.
The Exhibition was well represented by planes and aircraft of all sorts from featherweight gliders, to the latest small Lear jet, provided by one of the wealthiest men in the world. Trixie marveled at the display of vintage World War II aircraft like North American51 Mustang, Lockheed 38 Lightning, Grumman F6F Hellcat, Chance-Vought F4U Corsair, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the Consolidated B-24 Liberators just to name a few. Gary was proving himself quite knowledgeable as he pointed out various bits of interesting facts about the aircraft as they strolled along, his hand still firmly grasping her elbow.
They were admiring the shiny fuselage of a B-25 Mitchell when a middle-aged yet athletic looking man came over and gave Gary a grin as he addressed him.
"Hey there Grease, I don't mean to interrupt."
Gary grinned back. "That's okay, Terror." At Trixie's raised eyebrows at the moniker he laughed and informed her, "Trixie Shimura, this is Todd "Terror" Baker. Terror was his call sign when he flew fighters in Korea and 'Nam. He just returned from his tour of duty there."
"It's a pleasure, Trixie," the man called Terror beamed, showing himself to be the direct opposite of his call sign. He studied her as he said, "Shimura? Are you related to Mike Shimura by any chance?"
A shadow passed over Trixie's lovely face as she nodded. "He was my father. He passed away about six months ago."
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know!" Terror said contritely. "Last I heard, Mike had started up a business flying transport for auto racing after he left the service."
"He did. It was quite the business until he got sick and died."
Terror let loose a low whistle as he shook his head. "What a shame. Your dad was a great guy and in the air he was second to none."
Trixie nodded as she brushed at a stray tear. "My dad was a great pilot. He taught me everything he knew so I was able to get my pilots license right after I got my drivers license."
"You fly, huh?" Terror inquired. Then he slapped his forehead as he said, "What a jerk I am! Of course, nothing less from the Marauder's kid."
"The 'Marauder'?" Trixie was incredulous.
Terror laughed as he answered, "That was your father's call sign in Korea. In '51 he scored 60 shootdowns all during night sorties. So he was called 'Marauder'." He turned to Gary, "Sorry Ace, but you're on in about an hour so you'd better get over to the pre flight tent."
Gary shrugged apologetically as he said to Trixie. "No rest for the wicked. Promise me you won't disappear on me?"
Trixie opened her mouth to reply but Terror took her by the elbow. "Relax Grease, I'll take her over to the announcers box and she'll be waiting for ya."
"Outta sight!" He squeezed her hand and said, "Hope you enjoy the show. I know you usually fly a chopper."
Trixie looked at him in amazement. "How did you know that? I didn't tell you."
Gary grinned as he headed off. "I'm gonna race cars in Formula 1 for Team Thunderbolt and everybody on the circuit knows about 'the Rose of the Go Team'. See ya later."
Terror grinned at Trixie's stunned expression. "Don't look so surprised. You're a celebrity Trixie, everybody knows you spot for Speed Racer. C'mon." He took the speechless girl to the midway and announcer's box.
Trixie took a seat and cast her green eyes skyward as the roar of the single engine aircraft all swooped and dove, doing loop the loops and inverted turns, delighting the crowd. Then a metallic red Cessna began doing corkscrews and it soared above as the crowd gasped then erupted with a din of appreciation as the P.A. announced.
"AND LET'S HEAR IT FOLKS FOR THE FABULOUS GREASE LIGHTENING!"
Trixie was impressed by the daredevil display of acrobatic flying that was so amazing, her heart was pounding. She watched as the plane banked and then as it zoomed by came to a stall, vivid against the bright azure clime and the crowd gasped again as it did three consecutive loops and then disappeared to thundering applause.
Terror glanced at Trixie and he asked, "So what do ya think? He's something else, huh?"
"Fantastic," she replied in awe, her eyes on the rapidly retreating dot.
Terror grinned meaningfully as he chuckled and said to himself, "Looks like ya got another one, Grease."
After the thrilling display, Gary who was exhilarated by the flight and wanted more approached Trixie. "Hey Trixie how about coming with me in my plane? I'll even let you fly it, whattya say?"
She smiled and realizing it was time for her to be getting home was about to decline but Terror answered for her. "Sure you would. Mike Shimura's little girl is quite a pilot herself."
Trixie flushed under the scrutiny of the blue violet gaze of Gary as he waited for her response. A tinge of guilt trickled through her as she suddenly thought of Speed and part of her wanted to leave and head back to work things out with her boyfriend. But the rebellious part of her was stronger and so she relented and agreed.
"Okay. I'll go up with you."
"Groovy. Let's go, sunshine."
Gary grasped her arm and took her to a hangar where a beautifully sleek silver plane waited. He opened the door and climbed in then reached and grabbed Trixie by the waist and helped her into the cockpit letting his hands linger and causing her to blush so she pushed herself away.
Gary noticed her reticence and asked in concern, "Hey, is everything okay? You still want to go flying with me, right?"
She bit her lip in consternation as she again felt guilty and then smiled brightly, "Sure I do! Let's go."
Gary looked at her and acquiesced, "Okay, here we go." He flipped the ignition and the engine roared to life as the propeller began to spin. He pushed the control stick forward and the plane headed for the airstrip and taxied down gaining speed for takeoff. The plane then ascended into the blue expanse of sky, as it rose to flight altitude.
Trixie had been quiet and as Gary noticed her silence he decided to break the impromptu vow of silence between them
"You want to take the control stick, Trixie?" he asked.
She glanced at him and smiled as she shook her head. "No thanks."
"Aw come on," he coaxed. "I know that you're one heck of a pilot for the Go Team."
Trixie studied him askance as she said, "If you knew who I was, why didn't you say so when we met?"
Gary replied defensively, "I could ask the same of you. Why the big secret?"
Trixie sighed, "I just wanted to get away from racing for a while. Flying is my job but it's also my life and passion and it's a nice change."
Gary nodded in understanding. "Yeah, it can be a drag at times. I love racing cars but flying is what sets me free. My boss can really be a slave driver and I only just joined his team."
"Who's your boss?"
"Flywheel Flatte."
Trixie could not help but be surprised. Flywheel Flatte was notorious for his team's aggressive racing style and his own relentless drive to win the championship each year. There had been a kind of a mini cold war between Pops Motors and Flatte Autoworks since Speed and the Mach 5 was currently leading their driver Cole Starter and the Silver Streak in the points. Or their former driver because Speed had told her that Starter got fired off Team Thunderbolt just this week.
"So you're taking Cole Starter's ride, huh?" Trixie asked matter-of-factly.
"Uh-huh. Flywheel's determined to beat Pops in the next race so he wants me to race the car for him," Gary informed her as he banked the plane and headed for the horizon. He grinned at her and said, "Say, why don't we change the subject? We both wanted to get away from racing today. Is that agreed?"
Trixie nodded, "Agreed."
The conversation then turned to aviation and flying. Both had found that they were kindred souls, both loving flying since they were small and both getting their licenses when they entered into adulthood by learning to drive. Trixie found out that Gary flew mostly single engine planes and never attempted to fly a helicopter.
"Nope, I never flew a chopper," he admitted as he headed back to the hangar and the setting sun in the western sky infused the cockpit with an orange glow.
"Really? It isn't much different than this," Trixie stated. "I could take you up in mine sometime if you want."
Gary's eyes twinkled. "Is that an invitation?" he asked softly.
Trixie felt a slight twinge again as she ascertained Gary's interest in her. She was attracted to him but also felt disloyal as she was not only Speed's spotter but his girlfriend as well and it appeared that this innocent afternoon at the air show was beginning to show a clear way to complicate things in her life. But she practically invited him so she couldn't back out now.
"S-sure. Just let me know when."
"Okay, I'm gonna hold you to it," he said as they banked and made their descent on the airstrip. The plane touched down and gradually slowed as Gary turned it back into the now full hangar as the planes from the Exhibition were put down for the next day. He pulled into his space and cut the motor and they both unbuckled their safety belts.
"Well, we're back. I'll walk you to your car and then give Flywheel a buzz to come get me." He assisted Trixie out of the cockpit and then followed her.
"Don't you have a ride?" she asked as Gary took her arm and they headed to the parking area where her Mercedes was parked all alone.
"No but it's okay, Flatte said if I call him he'll come and get me and bring me to my new place."
They made their way to the yellow convertible in the dying light of day. Gary opened the driver's door for her and Trixie slid behind the wheel, inserted the key and turned over the motor.
Gary leaned in and smiled as he said, "It was swell meeting ya, Trixie. I had a great time with you and I hope I can see you again." His baritone was hopeful and the guilt burned at her again so she spoke hesitantly.
"Can I give you a lift into town?"
Gary's eyes twinkled like lapis lazuli and she was drawn in. "Really?"
She nodded, "Uh-huh. Just hop in and tell me where you live. I'll take you there."
"That's great of you," he said and then made his way to the passenger side to get in. Once in the seat, Trixie gunned the motor and they took off.
As they drove along, Trixie asked Gary where he lived and found that his new place was not too far from her home so before she could stop herself she said impulsively, "Since you live so close to me, why don't I bring you over to see my helicopter?"
His eyes lit up. "Sure, I'd love to see it."
Trixie groaned inwardly as she realized what she had done. But looking at Gary and listening to him as he talked was so enjoyable that she didn't care. . . .
"Ohh Mom he sounds like he was a hunk!" Victori gushed as her father rolled his eyes and her brother made a face.
"Yes, Gary was very attractive. But there was more to it than that, he made me feel important."
"And I didn't," Speed snorted.
"Trixie met him eye to eye. "At the time, I felt you didn't. I mean you were occupied with the bimbo gallery that was staking you out everyday and you were so tired at night, you used to fall asleep on me when we were out at Lake Icy Chill."
"That wasn't my fault, that was Pops. He was really driving me hard to win as many races as I could, I couldn't help it," Speed said defensively.
"Yeah, right. And that tramp Sally was all over you every chance she could get but you didn't fall asleep on her," Trixie sniffed as she glanced at the clock. "Okay you two enough storytelling it's time to hit the sack, all of us."
The twins groaned in unison. "Awww Mom! We wanna hear the rest of the story."
"I'll continue it tomorrow. Now sweet dreams."
"You two do what your mother says," Speed directed as both kissed Trixie and then said good night to him before trudging upstairs. Speed and Trixie wished their children good night.
Reaching to turn off the lamp, Trixie leaned over Speed in his easy chair when he grabbed her wrist and said in a low growl, "He made you feel important, huh? C'mere." And he pulled her on his lap.
"Speed, the children!" Trixie protested giggling as he buried his face in her neck kissing her and sending tiny electric thrills through her like a summer thunderstorm. He then found her mouth and silenced her with his passion and love taking her breath away.
When they finally parted, Speed caressed Trixie's ivory cheeks and brushed her stray chestnut curls back as he asked, "So tell me now, angel. Did that make you feel important?"
Trixie sighed softly in contentment like a purring kitten as she nodded. Speed grinned in triumph as he scooped his wife up and carried her upstairs to their bed, turning off the last light and plunging the house into the darkness of the wee hours.
NEXT-SEEDS OF DOUBT