Knapp had a sick sense of humor. Landing in Las Vegas became a test of internal fortitude. On approach to the runway his voice came over the intercom, "Brace for a little turbulence."
The Staff Sargent was sitting over a wing and looked out the window at the approach. The plane was flying low over the runway when it did a sudden bank right. He could see the tip of the wing appear to be within distance of the tar mat. The Boy took in a stiff breath through his nose and breathed out slowly as the plane banked hard and came into the landing with almost no bump. The Captain's voice came back over the intercom, "Welcome to Las Vegas and thanks for flying Rachel Airlines." The plane came to a stop about 100 yards from the off boarding side of the airport and was met by a motorized set of stairs and an Air Force bus.
The Staff Sargent stood, turned and said, "Ok fellas we're on leave, you all know when to report. Have a good time." They departed the plane. The Captain was waiting on the tar mat and handed each an envelope, The Staff Sargent's envelope had airline tickets from Gate 2A Las Vegas to Gate 4 Billings Mt. to leave in 20 minutes. The Five got on the bus and were all rushed to the intake at Las Vegas international airport. The Staff Sargent was not more that a couple hundred feet from Gate 2A so He arrived just in time to board the flight. The Flight Lady told him his bags were already on the plane and to enjoy the flight. To His surprise He was escorted to First Class, "Wow, This is Cool."
The Flight from Las Vegas to Billings took about the time to watch 2 movies. He enjoyed, "Star Wars, and The Empire Strikes Back" back to back. After the second film the Flight Lady came to his seat and told him that they would be landing in Billings Montana in about 20 minutes. "Wow that was quick," He said. She replied, "I think you fell asleep." They laughed.
A few minutes later her voice came over the intercom, "Please buckle your seatbelts. We will be landing in 5 minutes."
He looked out the window and saw Billings below him growing larger and larger with every passing moment, then a soft thud, thud, thud, and the sound of the engines reversing to stop the plane. It came to a stop next to the main building of the airport and He stood to get ready to leave the plane. On the way out the Flight Lady gave him another ticket for a Puddle Jump from Billings to the Havre International airport. This was a funny turn of events as the only reason Havre's airport is considered international is that crop dusters fly back and forth from Canada. He chuckled thinking of it. The Flight Lady handed him his duffle bag and pointed to a fellow standing at the exit of the airport.
He walked to the exit and waiting for him was a gruff and scruffy looking old fellow that looked at him and extended his hand to shake it. He introduced himself as a friend of The Old Man's, and that he'd met The Boy when he was The First Toddler of the family. The Old fellow laughed and slapped him hard on the back, then lead him to a small, but very nice 6 seater Cessna. They were met at the plane by the same Flight Lady that had been with him since leaving Castle. The Boy was suddenly feeling like this leave was being manipulated by higher powers. She took his bag, smiled at him and said, "You'll be in Havre in about 45 minutes. Board and take a seat, I'll be in soon." He followed her instruction.
He found a seat on the plane at the back and she followed a couple minutes later, this time wearing a First Lieutenant's uniform. His hunch about the higher powers must be correct. "Staff Sargent." She said, "You are not to speak to anyone about your upcoming orders. That includes family or friends. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mam." The Staff Sargent said to her. She then produced a clip board with a blue copy of his orders. A blue copy is a carbon copy that is used to track information with. She gave him a pen and asked him to sign on the X on each of the copied papers. He did. She placed the clip board and the copies into a leather case and locked in shut. "Thank you sir." She Said, then buckled her into the adjacent seat. The plane was lifting off the runway. There was no conversation on this short flight. She must have orders not to speak.
The flight took about 45 minutes and they landed at the Havre International Airport around 6pm. The Boy looked over and found his companion gone. He must have fallen asleep again. The plane came to a stop and the side door opened. The Boy stood and left the plane finding his duffle bag on the tar mat. There was a set of car keys on top of the bag. When he looked up at the tower he saw his own car parked waiting for him. The 1968 Chevy Impala Super Sport Convertible was a welcome sight. He started it up with a satisfying growl and turned down the runway giving it the guns. The car was fast. After getting to the end He turned left and pulled out of the airport and found the high way. Turning right he headed towards home.
The Boy may have been going a little faster than he should. He could have been enjoying the ride more than he should, but there was a rude siren from behind him and the reflection of red and blue lights in his rear view mirror, he was being pulled over. He pulled over the the side of the road and shut the car off. The officer approached the driver's side of the car cautiously with his flashlight in hand, and his right hand covering his service revolver. The Boy pushed the switch for the automatic windows and they dropped. He had forgotten how nice his car was. The Officer stopped and cleared his throat, "Are you in a hurry son?" he asked.
"Well sir, I just got home. Haven't been around for a couple years." The Boy replied.
Then He could hear some laughter coming from the Officer. The Boy looked out his window and saw a family friend standing next to his car. The deputy that pulled him over was a friend of The Dad's. "Should I give you a ticket, or an escort maybe?" The Deputy said.
"Yean, I'll take an escort." Chuckled The Boy.
The Boy thought he was going fast when he got pulled over, but was having a hard time keeping up with the deputy on the way to the entrance of the road that lead to the Families Drive way. When they got near The Deputy waved out his window and peeled off. The Boy turned right down the dirt road and headed towards home. He could see The Bel Aire, and Winston in the distance. The Old Man's Truck was parked in front of the Garage, and The Dad was mowing the lawn.
The Boy pulled into the Drive way, parked his car and turned off the engine. The Sister, The Mom, and The Grandma all walked out of The Bel Aire to meet him. Each gave him a hug and a welcome home. The Sister slugged him hard in the arm and said, "Where have you been you big galoot?"
The Mom was crying and hugged just a little bit longer. The Grandma handed The Boy a sandwich with a smile, "You look hungry."
The Dad finished mowing and walked over to the car, "You look like you've grown some." He said.
"Maybe? Done know." The Boy replied. The truth is he had gained about 20 pounds and an inch or so.
The Old Man walked up to him and looked him hard in the eyes, "I know where you're going, I know where you've been. Just remember when you get advise from an unknown source, Take it." Then the Old Man had an evil little grin on his face, "Cute hat." is all he said and walked away chuckling.
Before The Boy could react The Dad reached out and snatched the Red Barret off of his head and eyed it hard. He gave it back to him and smiled. He was looking at the shield in the middle of the hat, the Prime Beef insignia which resembled the one on his left breast pocket. On the right was the SAC thunderbolt and armored glove. The Dad knew something. No one said anything about the Staff Sargent stripes on his shoulders.
Leave was an interesting time. Working with the horses, working with The Old Man, and wrestling around with The Dad brought The Boy back to home. He was again becoming himself. Training in the military is created to pull a person away from himself in order to manipulate that person into doing things he would not normally do under regular circumstances. The Boy had been going through a whole personality change and it seems The Old Man knew it.
The Grandma woke The Boy in the morning the next day with the smells of a really good breakfast. As he ate the bacon, eggs, toast, and homefries she looked at him with a silent smile and said softly, "You/re going to be OK." She said and handed him a cup of coffee. The Grandma always knows. His family was one of those families you can never keep secrets in.
It was that time of year when The Dad was preparing for school. The first day was tomorrow, and his schedule was not allowing him the ability to do some family things. The Mom had an appointment at work, she worked at The Northern Montana Hospital in receiving as a telephone receptionist, and The Dad couldn't take The Little Brother to his first day of school. The Boy was asked to assist, and volunteered before the question could be asked.
He dressed in his Class A's and early the next morning took The Little Brother to school. The Teacher's at the "Highland Park" Elementary School where all pleased to see The Boy as he introduced The Little Brother to his teachers. He arraigned the bus schedule for pick up and drop off when The Dad wouldn't be able to do the duties, and purchased The Little Brother his lunch ticket. The Dad had given The Boy money to proceed. The day was pleasant as the Little Brother seemed excited to introduce his Big Brother to all that would listen. The only hang up was the occasional misunderstanding when The Boy had to explain that The Little Brother was indeed His Brother and not His Son. There was quite and age difference between the two. The Teacher's were amused. The Boy, not so much.
When The Boy and the Little Brother reappeared back at the Property and the story of the day was shared, The Little Brother beamed his smile as The Old Man laughed at The Boy, The Little Sister punched him in the arm, The Mom and The Dad both just smiled, and The Boy shrugged his shoulders accepting the inevitability of The Little Things in life.
Peace and Balance,
John
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