To finally dream of flying again couldn't be any truer. For once, I was amongst the clouds again and thus I looked over to see the passing cityscape below. It felt like a whole new perspective. Pa could see from Yoba's Farmhouse if he did; Seeing a little blue plane flying across the clouds gracefully without a hitch.
I was initially worried that she'd end up crashing but it seems that natural talent has prevented me from going the way my Pa did and boy would he be so proud.
"I'm glad you're holding together well Betty. That's important since you got work to do when we head back."
As I ventured into the countryside, I heard someone speak over the radio.
"…This… this is Dr. H at… 52 North, 43.5 East… seeking aerial response. Anyone out there?"
The voice sounded a bit crackled so they must be using some old radio equipment but… wait… Dr. H… Doctor Harvey? That's Harvey. How in the Yoba can he be using that when he's running a clinic?
Hmm, maybe I'll give him a bit of a shock. I opened comms on his frequency.
"Dr. Harvey, responding to frequency, Blue Zero One."
I swear I could hear him gasp and he stammers out a response.
"Blu-Blue Zero O-One… I…I re-request low-p-pass over 52 North, 43.5 East. Over."
"Request low pass over coordinates, Blue Zero One." I responded, closing comms so I could chuckle and checked my map. 52 North… 43.5 Miles East… huh, it's Harvey's house… so I was right. Well, doctor's orders.
I dropped altitude as I neared Pelican Town, just a bit short of 2000ft and buzzed the entire city square in a single pass, hoping that'd give Harvey a bit of a surprise.
"Dr. H, low pass complete, continuing own navigation. Blue Zero One."
With a smile on my face, I swerved her around and saw the great expanse of open land, the land made by Robin and her friend, where there was an airstrip, made of hardened dirt stretched out for my arrival. Carefully, I navigated Betty so I could line up and made touchdown. I felt myself rattling against my seat as we bounced along the lump road and I finally brought her to a stop. Robin and, as requested, Abigail was standing at the end safely and were clapping as I hopped out, pulling off my headseat and lifting my goggles.
"Welcome back Robbie and look at her! Man, I never seen a plane this close in my life. I hope she treated you well." Robin smiled.
"Yup, she ran like a dream." I said proudly.
"Is this your plane? Oh my gosh, she looks so wicked. I can't believe you actually own one. Harvey is going to as green as his jacket with envy!" Abi laughed and went over to hug me. A first for her.
"Though I'm glad you made it in one piece." She said.
"Yup, me too."
"Well, while you were away, I took the liberty of moving your Farmhouse here and also built a Hangar to store your biplane. It'd make sense to make sure she was sheltered from the elements." Robin explained.
That I noticed, sitting at the end of the runway was a great barn to accommodate Betty. I knew I could rely on her. "Thanks Robin, that meant a lot." I said.
"Anytime, Robbie. I hope you have a good time on your new land but, since the sun's setting, I gotta head back. Lemme know if you need anything else built, ok?" She said and we made our farewells.
"Well, I better head back too. Just you take good care of your new farm and your plane. I am looking forward to the moment, we fly together someday. Byeee~!" Abi went and I was left alone in my new Dustfield Farm. Yep, the name is carried on to my new home and so, after pushing Betty into the hangar, closing the great wooden doors. I headed inside for a sleep. Happy to get started on Summer crops.
The day that followed, Summer came and I felt that the air warmed and smelled of nectar and honey; it could make someone sick with the heat if they weren't prepared for it. As my Ma gave me some of the money from her dad's inheritance, I used it to buy a tractor with seeder and plough. I didn't have to use any means to water since that's taken care off by Betty and, after buying a bulk load from Pierre. I got to work and used some of my knowledge on using ground vehicles to prepare the fields for ongoing bulk growing. I had four of these, huge plots dedicated to one of four of the new Summer crops: Melons, Chillies, Corn and Tomatoes. Which are needed for the Juminos.
A good two hours and the mighty fields of thousands of seeds have been ploughed and sown. All there is to do now is to spray the fields with gallons of water. Thankfully, as I have cleared the plot of land next to the Museum, the nearby river provided me with the means of irrigation and a pump supplied a large tank on the farm. I'd have gone to installing pesticides but the Valley seems to be unaffected by any of the bugs that'd jeopardises a man's hard work. I took Betty out for take-off and filled her water tanks and, after checking her for flight, I hopped in and got ready… not before knowing that this'd be my second time I'd once again be crop-dusting.
"Remember what Pa told you." I quietly parroted and pushed on the throttle and thundered down the runway before we were in the sky once more and kept my focus; If I can spray the entire fields then I'd make the McSopwiths proud. I held the stick firmly and pulled her around so I was lined up, for one half of a field, and dived low, keeping my concentration as I cruised over; Flicking a switch, a gentle hiss of the pumps sprayed vapours of water across the crops and I smiled. I was finally crop-dusting… but with water. I cackled in joy with the first of many of these flying jobs and it certainly beats having to water them with a watering can,
With one pass done, I repeated the process and swooped over until all the fields have been thoroughly sprinkled, with Betty's water tanks empty. Job done, I sat her down and brought her to a stop, ready for my next task; Modifying my plane to seat another passenger. While much of the spray tanks were mounted, I could fit a seat in front of me so Abigail could ride along.
Using the tools provided, I cut a cockpit shaped hole in front and started fitting the various instruments, a stick just in case, and a seat and harness so they don't fall out, before a windscreen in front. Voila, a second seat. As I worked, Harvey came to visit; Having probably heard of the news but couldn't come because of his work.
"Afternoon Robbie. A swelter of a day now that Summer's here." He spoke.
"Hey Harvey, yeah… I've never felt a summer's day down in Hummingbird." I answered.
Then he spotted my plane, the very one that did a low pass over his house last night.
"I recognise this plane… that's the one that flew over my house…" He stuttered and pointed a finger. "You were Blue Zero One, weren't you?"
I made a cheeky smile as I adjusted my goggles.
"… well… yeah, I am." I cackled.
He looked quite annoyed, judging by the gritting teeth and the quivering finger but what resentment he had quickly vanished. Seems he can't get angry at me.
"Ugh… what's the use. I wouldn't be able to become a pilot, like you have. Can I come see your plane?" He asked me with a smile.
I gestured out a hand and allowed him to gawk, and geek, around it. He seems pretty overjoyed to be up close to one.
"This isn't even a design I recognise. Did you build it?" He asked me, to which I answered smugly. "Yup, with my own bare hands." Harvey could only gasp in awe as he clambered inside. "Just to see this with my own eyes… because I only had planes pass over my house, I grew into aviation as a young boy but my terrible acrophobia didn't want me to become a pilot but since you seem to sweep those hardships aside… it amazes me how times change.
Robbie, I'd love to fly in this with you but… you know my fear but I think I'll just stand on the ground and watch you instead. Best leave that to a professional. Haha." He chuckled as he clambered out. "Well, lemme know when you're available, I gotta wriggle you into my schedule for your yearly checkup. Everyone in Pelican Town has to in accordance to local law. Drop on by to let me know what time's best for you, alright? Maybe we can talk more about planes in the future?" He asked me. Something I should consider, now that I'm living here. "Sure, I'll find a time for you." I answered. "Well, I better let you get back to work, see you around 'Blue Zero One'. Hahaha." He laughed and headed back to town.
Well, I better get to modifying Blue Betty then, and making sure that everything had been fitted perfectly. Now, for Abigail… I better get some headgear so her eyes doesn't get blinded by the engine fumes. It just so happened that I found a spare cap in my belongings. Something I had asked from my family to give me, in the event something were to happen to me old one, and boy does it will fit well on Abigail's head.
Now all there is to find my new co-pilot.
Since I had nothing else to do, I suppose we could go on that flight she wanted. I headed into town to track her down. After asking some of the residents, there she was sitting by the river near the mountain lake, gazing into the sky. I walked up and sat next to her, grunting as I did.
"Oh! Hey Robbie! How was your flight today? I thought I heard a noise from my bedroom so I peered out the window and saw you up there in the sky. I guess you were crop-dusting, this time around." She asked.
"Well, obviously, it was great; She saved me from having to use my watering can. Now I can just spray the entire fields with water." I responded.
"Oh, that's great!" She smiled and looked to the lake. "I just wished that I was up in the clouds myself. Being on the ground is getting pretty stale and the whole sword business got a little boring." She sighed. Somewhat a little disappointed but soon, that'll change. "Well, I got something to show you. Come with me." I asked her and we walked back to the farm. "It'd better be something good, Robbie." She hummed out a response as we strolled up in front of Blue Betty and it didn't take long for her to realise what happened.
"Did you..?! Is that another seat?" She gasped when I took her hands and gave her the helmet and goggles. which finally clicked.
"Get in… you're in the front."
Like a child on her birthday, Abigail rushed out to the plane and wasted no time in climbing into Betty and pulled the headgear onto her head. Unlike the more brown colouration of my cap, hers were a little more pale-pinkish with black goggles to match.
"I can't believe it's happening, we get to go flying at last." She sighed happily as she tied her helmet. "You're simply the best!"
"Yup, this my promise." I answered as we got ourselves strapped in.
"Ok, captain, take us up." She chimed before pulling down her goggles.
The great engine spluttered into life before I pulled on the throttle to begin tearing down the runway. It invoked Abigail with joy until we soared into the sky. "Woooooo-! Hahahahaha!" She cackled happily as we climbed well above 4000 feet. From then on, it was a gentle cruise around the town. Up here, it was peacefully quiet and I could watch my passenger gazing over the sides of her seat.
"Everything looks so small down there... Do you get to see this view everytime?" She asked me through the lenses of her spectacles. "Yeah, up here, it's as if you were transported to a whole different world." I answered.
"To honestly think that everyone would want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, then you look up to see the birds in the sky and imagine how it's like up there. Dad is kind a stuck-up jerk and he'd often have me help Mum in the kitchen and that burns me out.
During rainy days, I tried to escape it all but heading to the lake, or hide in the graveyard but Dad seems to have this sense of knowing where I am and boldly asks me to head back. Wherever I hide in town… he's always behind me.
Robbie, if you don't have much to do, could you take me up every evening? I want to go down my road in the night and watch dad standing behind me as we take to the moonlit sky. Of course, we can go in the day too but just sometimes, I wanna experience this freedom when I need it the most." She explained to me her story in the valley.
It seems her dad was quite oppressive and involved in her day-to-day life. I almost felt sorry for the gal but, since she's old enough to make her own decisions, she has the right to go out exploring at her own whims, and us flying together is the best way for us to get even closer.
"Uh… yeah, I'd be happy to… here, let's get away from town for a bit, we might find some of those 'birds' you were jealous about." I said and we gently pulled from Pelican Town and over some forest and mountains. The air here was pristine, cool and infused with pine and it was all blowing through the buzzing propellor that pulled us forward through the clouds. Where we ended up was this huge mountain, bigger than anything we've seen before, and flitted through the mountain range but it didn't take long for us to catch up to a flock of migrating birds and I flew us closer so Abigail could see them fly with us side-by-side; Giggling as they looked at us curiously.
"They look so friendly…! Don't mind us, friends!" She chuckled out at them as they squawked back in turn. "I think it meant they don't mind us flying with them a little." I cackled, which made her smile. "I didn't know the great 'Robbie McSopwith' could speak to birds." She answered with a giggle. "Well, being in the air, we did win the perchance to communicate with the local avians." I spoke back with a smile. "It's sweet… just it's wonderful to witness the hidden jewels of the valley from a new perspective." She hummed and looked at me again.
"Your father must have been a great figure in your life… seeing you grieve on your first few days must meant he was special to you." She said a rather personal question.
As much as I'd hate to refuse to answer that, I had the courage otherwise due to our personal get-together. "He was… and I want to thank him for everything he taught me. I'd have never become a pilot if it weren't for him.
But, now that he's gone, I could take this a chance to spread my wings and fly, and make the family proud. With my new farm, the legacy starts here, In the valley, and I'll continue what my father did before me: To train the next upcoming pilot when that time comes around." I answered proudly. Man, children already? Am I thinking too fast?
"That's sweet to put family before yourself, it shows that you care about what you're passionate about. I wish mine was as understanding and supportive as yours. All I got was some deadbeat father who puts his business before family, it hurts to see him everyday behind the counter religiously." She huffs. "Well, we should head back to town, we can go and enjoy the sunset from up here before we go back to the farm." She asks and we flew straight back to town and went over the shoreline of the Valley to see the sun sink beneath the horizon. The sky turned into a scarlet hue as its bright yellow glow faded into the swathe of pink.
"The sunset looks beautiful up here… just how the day's been; It rises, stays then goes back to repeat the same process… a never-ending cycle, much like the one at home." She describes with a sigh, leaning over the side idly, until she looks to her pilot once more.
"Thanks for taking me to the skies, Robbie, I won't forget the moment we could escape the drama. You've really become a positive influence in my life and that's something I'll remember. Let's make this day our first date.
Then, later on, we could go on future flights together, and stay out of Dad's nose for a while. That I'd greatly appreciate, so I know I can be free from my family when I need it." She said as I responded.
"I'm glad that I am… you're more than welcome to come up with me anytime." I answered and we went back to the farm, landing on the runway until we made it to the hangar. By then, the sun had finally vanished and the star-speckled skies took over for the night.
Pulling apart our belts, we hopped out and lifted our goggles, standing in front of each other as Abigail looked into my eyes.
"Didn't I tell you that your eyes are as bright as the skies you go to? A brave soul who'd embrace it so freely that hardly anyone else wouldn't have the courage?
…thank you… for everything." She looked to me as she took off her helmet and gave it back. "First time someone ev-"
My sentence was cut short when she grabbed my scarf and pulls me in, grabbing both cheeks with her hands and giving me a long smooch. I wanted to push her away but, somehow, I was enjoying it and stopped with the hesitating hand gestures before holding her cheeks tocontinue with the embrace. When we finally stopped, she looked at me with a giggle.
"Man, you're so dramatic with kissing. We'll work on that in the future. Because… do you want to be my boyfriend?" She asked.
A boyfriend? Well, I've never experienced how it felt to have a partner but if my Pa had to go through the process then I guess I should. Giving my goal was to continue the bloodline.
"Well, yeah! Then let's make it official." I went.
"Don't need a Bouquet… that flight earlier was enough. Anyways, I better get home before they realise where I've been hiding today. I'll come up and visit you again someday." She spoke.
"Sure, Abi." I answered giddly.
With our farewells, we finally part and I turned to Betty with a sigh. I think this is the forthcoming of a beautiful relationship. Something which will certainly grow to great heights.
As she retreated back to her house, I headed back to mine, to sleep of the night and prepare for the next day to come.
Who knew Abigail loved to fly?