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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Empty and Full (06/04/09)
“Hey, are you all right?”

I looked up from the waitress pouring soda into my glass. She looked at me quizzically.

“No, I’ll be fine, thanks.” I had uneasily been spending time with an acquaintance at an old country restaurant. Not my type of place, but she had insisted that we eat there while I waited for my plane to be refueled at the local airport.

“You get a nice dose of peace and quiet here,” Constance remarked, a Southern accent in her voice. She was in her late thirties.

I had to give her props for that. However it was torture, a little bit. I hadn’t been in the South since I left college. I had left my hometown in an attempt to get out of the place that had held me prisoner for about twenty years. In the few years that followed, I had landed myself in things that I could handle. I started to find people that liked what I liked. I started to travel. And I started to get to work on scientific projects…

“I remember that you used to tutor me a few years back. What’ve you gotten into?” She asked, taking a bite out of steak.

“Things,” I answered, not wanting to delve into what I exactly did. Half of it would be questionable to her, and the other half she probably wouldn’t understand.

“That’s very broad,” She scoffed. “I ain’t heard from you in years, and you come see me and says you’re doing stuff?”

I drank my soda, choosing words carefully. “I fly and travel. I meet people…” I looked at her. “You haven’t seen my jet, have you?”

She shook her head, her mouth full. I thumbed to a large black jet about a hundred feet long sitting on the tarmac as a few fuel trucks were swarmed around.

“Good Lord, is that yours?” She seemed to be in disbelief. “What is it?”

“A remake of the SR-71 Blackbird,” I explained briefly. “Just a copy of the original one that the US used to have in its inventory.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard about that…”

“It’s been about twelve years since they’ve decommissioned them. Someone I know gave it to me as a gift.” I drank some soda from my glass.

“Is that what you mean that it took a long time for them to fill up?” Constance asked.

I nodded. Most of the trucks had gone away. I noticed how everything seemed like it never changed since I left…

The door of the diner opened as a guy in his late fifties walked over to me. “We filled up yer jet, but its leaking fuel in a couple places.”

I nodded to him in understanding. “That’s normal for the moment. It’ll stop leaking in flight.” I turned to Constance. “Thanks for the lunch.”

“You’re welcome. Where’s you live at?”

“Somewhere in the Caribbean; sometimes I spend time in Italy, India, or Japan.” I answered, getting up.

“Well come back someday and visit, and maybe settle down here.” She smiled at me.

I nodded in direction and left, walking out of the diner and towards my SR-71. She’d never understand why I never wanted to live here. I exhaled in satisfaction at fuel dripping from several portion of the rear fuselage before climbing the ladder and having an attendant carry it away. I closed the cockpit and started her up.

I felt as a certain seed in the New Testament that got tossed on dry ground with nothing to be watered. When I got to leave the state and do other things, I felt as if someone had picked up my seed and placed me onto a bed of good soil.

By then I had taxied to the end of the runaway. I looked at the land surrounding me for the last time before I had two Pratt & Whitney J58’s start thundering in my ears as I shoved the throttle full.

I found it ironic that most people go home to refuel and recuperate. What of those that don’t have anything at home? Like me?

I guess I’ll always be the exception.

(C)
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This article has been read 736 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Janice Giesbrecht
06/13/09
Interesting main character, mysterious. Although she obvious had adventure and money, I felt sad for her at the end. She's more "homeless" than a beggar. Interesting.
Mildred Sheldon
06/13/09
Very well written. It is strange how where you grew up sometimes doesn't feel like home. So many things can happen and getting away from where you were raised is sometimes a blessing. Thanks so much.
Mona Purvis
06/17/09
Hmmm...if I read between the lines, I see a hometown boy who still seeks approval. After all, he called the girl, right? Wonder why he thinks the South can't understand his need to fly? Wright brothers, Kill Devil Hills?
I will say you have a complex character that I would like to hear more from.
Mona