Flight to the Horizon, page 21
Janine was very quiet. “Kerri, this is a miracle. We’re finally free.”
She fell into Kerri’s arms and cried tears of relief for the first time.
Chapter Twenty-three
Friday, May 31
“Are you ready?”
“Yeah. Let’s go!”
Kerri and Janine lifted Molly from her walker into the front right seat of the blue helicopter, buckled her in with the lap belt and shoulder harness, then put the Bose aviation headset over her flame-red hair. She smiled at them, her two front teeth missing, and gave them both an energetic thumbs-up.
They climbed into the back seat of the helicopter, strapped in, and looked out at Hilo airport from the panoramic windows. Their pilot raised the collective lever, and they rose gracefully into the air, gliding over the taxiways, then skimming over the macadamia nut trees to the south. Hawaiian music played over the headsets. It was a perfect day, with the shimmering blue ocean before them, sunshine and puffy clouds above them, and rainbows over waterfalls beneath them.
Kerri was in bliss.
Janine reached over to hold her hand and gave her a dazzling smile. Janine smiled a lot more these days, and she laughed all the time, even though it was more like a guffaw. Kerri adored the sound of Janine and Molly laughing together. They would put each other in stitches over the dumbest jokes. Kerri’s goal was to make them laugh out loud every day. So good, so far.
Today was a special treat. Kerri had promised Molly that she could see the Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele, so they were flying on a tour of the Kilauea volcano. Molly asked nonstop questions of their pilot, but she got very quiet when they first saw the lava field.
It was black, barren terrain, with small clumps of green palm trees spared from the relentless lava. It reminded Kerri of a dark moonscape. Their pilot followed a line of white smoke drifting up from a big crack in the ground. They hovered over it and saw the orange glow of molten rock flowing under the crack.
“These are lava tubes carrying the lava to the sea.”
“This is so cool.” Molly’s excitement was contagious.
Their pilot turned the helicopter, flew down the line of smoke toward the ocean cliff, then put the chopper in a hover. From their safely upwind position, they didn’t speak. They all stared at the orange fountains of liquid rock shooting up into the air, then exploding when the hot lava hit the cold ocean. The sight was magnificent and terrifying, both at the same time.
After watching this real fireworks show for several minutes, their pilot said, “Sorry, folks, but we have to head back to Hilo. I hope you enjoyed meeting Pele today.”
“I sure did. That was great. Mommy and Kerri, did you see how high that lava went into the air?”
“Yes, Pumpkin, we did. That was amazing.” Janine blew Kerri a kiss.
“We got to see new earth being made, right in front of us. That was so awesome.”
Molly was right. It was awesome to see new earth created, just as it was to create a new life. A life with Janine and Molly. A new future Kerri had never thought possible. She loved Janine more deeply than she’d ever loved anyone. Janine was authentic, and kind, and brave, and filled with love. Kerri felt so privileged to be loved by her. She looked at Janine’s profile.
She was more beautiful today than Kerri had ever seen her. Her golden hair was loose around her face, she looked badass with her Ray-Bans on, and she wore a snug Hawaiian-print T-shirt. Even more beautiful than her appearance was the happiness in the big, bright smile on her gorgeous face.
They’d both learned how life can change in an instant, and you never know how much time you have, so you better make the most of every day.
Their pilot made a beautiful approach and soft landing.
“Can you take a picture of me and my family in front of our helicopter?” Molly handed her phone to the pilot.
“Sure thing.” He shut off the engines, and the main rotor slowed down.
Kerri was glad she was wearing sunglasses as she posed with her proud little family. Her happiness was uncontained, and she was so thankful for the gift of love that surrounded her.
Molly scooted between Janine and Kerri, holding both their hands.
“This was the best day, ever.”
“It sure was.”
About the Author
Julie Tizard is the award-winning author of The Road to Wings. She has been a professional pilot for over thirty-five years and was one of earliest women pilots to graduate from U.S. Air Force pilot training. She was an instructor pilot flying the T-37 jet trainer and an aircraft commander flying the KC-10 air refueling tanker. She served in several leadership positions including flight commander, chief of pilot upgrade, chief of flight safety, and squadron commander. Colonel Tizard retired from the Air Force Reserve after twenty-five years of service.
Captain Tizard has been an airline pilot for thirty years and has flown the Boeing 737, 757, and 767, the DC-10, and the Airbus 320. She was an instructor pilot and line check airman on the Boeing 737 fleet. When not talking about flying or attending air shows, she can be found renovating houses, playing a baritone horn in the local LGBT band, and traveling like a normal person. Flight To The Horizon is her second novel.
Contact her at JulieATizard@gmail.com or visit her website, www.JulieTizard.com.
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Julie Tizard, Flight to the Horizon
