Brett's dream returned.
Matthew rode with a man in greasy coveralls in his 1916 Ford pickup down the dirt road.
The man drove his pickup to the grassy field, then to Matthew's Jenny, parking close to the plane. They got out of the pickup.
"She just suddenly quit, Paul," Matthew said.
Paul walked around the front, studying the engine.
Paul inspected the entire front end of the airplane, then flung the prop around a few times.
Ten minutes passed.
"Everything looks okay to me," Paul said. His eyes widened. He got up on the plane and unscrewed a cap.
"What's the matter?" Matthew asked.
"There's nothing wrong with your engine or airplane. You plum forgot to fill up the fuel tank. These engines won't run without fuel," Paul teased.
Matthew turned beet red.
"I'll drive you back into town, then I'll get some fuel," Paul said.
They returned to the pickup, got inside, and then Paul drove off through the field to the dirt road.
He drove off toward Columbus.
Thirty minutes passed.
Paul drove the pickup down Washington Street with four full gas cans in the bed.
"After we fill up the tanks, I'll head back to Fort Wayne," he said. "Are you going to take off today?" he added.
Matthew's eyes widen, noticing Meredith walking down the sidewalk.
From the sidewalk, Meredith glanced at the pickup. She spotted Matthew and gave him a warm smile.
"I think I'll stay here in Columbus for a few more days," Matthew said while watching Meredith.
Paul looked at Matthew. "Why?"
"There's someone I want to get to know," Matthew responded.
Paul noticed Meredith, smiled and stopped the pickup. "Go to her. I'll take care of filling up the Jenny, and then I'll be on my way," he said.
"Thank you," Matthew smiled, then shook Paul's hand. He left the pickup and rushed across the street to the sidewalk.
Paul drove his pickup down the street.
Matthew ran up behind Meredith on the sidewalk.
"Hello, Meredith," he said, stopping behind her.
Meredith turned around and smiled. "Hello, Matthew. I thought that was you in that truck," she said. "How's your day going?" she added.
"As of now, it's going great," Matthew smiled. He fidgeted with his fingers. "Why don't we have a picnic, and I can show you my airplane," he offered with hopeful eyes.
"I would love to have a picnic and can't wait to see your airplane," she replied.
Matthew held her hand, and they walked down the street.
Thirty minutes passed.
While Matthew returned to his hotel to get something, Meredith borrowed a horse and buggy from Aaron and then picked up Matthew.
With Matthew, Meredith drove her buggy to the field and parked her buggy by a tree in the field. Matthew grabbed a blanket, pad of paper, and pencils from the buggy. Meredith grabbed a picnic basket from the buggy. They got out and walked over to Jenny.
Matthew laid the blanket on the ground by Jenny's left wing. He then dropped the pad of paper and pencils on the blanket.
Meredith walked around checking out his airplane. Matthew followed. "Now that your plane is fixed, I hope you don't have to leave right away," she said, looking at the engine and propeller.
"No, I can stay longer if you desire," he said.
Meredith's eyes widened. "I would love that," she replied, smiling.
"That's good; then I'll stay for a few days," he replied, grabbing the pad of paper and pencil. Sit down. I want to sketch you," he said.
"I never had someone sketch me before," she said, sitting on the blanket.
Meredith posed. Matthew began sketching on the pad of paper.
Twenty minutes passed.
Matthew finished a beautiful pencil sketch of Meredith with part of his Jenny in the background. He handed it to her.
"It's so beautiful. Thank you," she beamed. "You're a pilot and an artist. I'm impressed," she smiled.
Matthew puffed out his chest.
She stood up and looked at the Jenny. I've never been in an airplane," she said.
"I would love to take you up for a ride," he said.
"That would be grand. But I'm afraid my fiancé Charles won't allow such pleasures. He's such a bore," she replied.
Matthew frowned. "Your fiancé? Why didn't you tell me you're engaged?' he replied.
"I wanted to, but was I afraid of losing you. I don't want to marry Charles. My father arranged our marriage," she said. Her eyes welled up, and she kissed him on his lips.
His eyes lit up after their kiss. "I don't care what this Charles guy won't allow. We're going flying," he said, then grabbed her hand.
He walked her over to the Jenny and assisted her up the wing and inside the front cockpit.
He sat her down in the back seat, put on a leather flight cap and goggles, and placed them on her head.
Matthew configured the second cockpit, got down to the front, and flung the prop around by his hand a couple of times. Jenny started. Matthew ran over and got in the rear cockpit.
Matthew taxied the Jenny down to the edge
of the grassy field. He turned the airplane into the wind, gave it full throttle, and raced down the field.
They were airborne within a few minutes. Matthew's Jenny ascended into the sky.
"This is wonderful. I feel like a bird!" Meredith cried out, looking at the Columbus countryside below at a thousand feet.
Matthew flew the Jenny higher.
He flew the Jenny into a loop.
"Whoa!" Meredith cried out, extending her arms up during the loop.
Matthew flew the Jenny around the countryside.
Fifteen minutes passed.
Matthew descended the Jenny and landed back in the grassy field. His Jenny rolled to a stop, and he turned off the engine.
He exited the cockpit, assisted Meredith in walking out, and walked her down the wing. He then removed their goggles and leather caps and tossed them in the rear cockpit.
They walked over and stood by the blanket.
"Thank you so very much for that high-flying adventure," she said, gazing into his eyes.
Matthew placed his hands on Meredith's arms, moving her closer. They embraced in a passionate kiss and lowered themselves to the blanket.
Meredith lay on her back, and Brett got on top of her. They passionately kissed.
After ten minutes of passionate kissing, a female's voice echoed throughout the sky. "What the hell are you doing?"
Matthew stopped kissing Meredith and looked around to see who had asked that question.
"What the hell are you doing?" the female's voice echoed louder from the sky.
It was back to Brett's reality.
He lay in his bed on his stomach with his arms wrapped around his pillow, passionately kissing the pillow and humping the mattress.
Dorian stood by Brett's bedside. "What the hell are you doing?" she yelled at Brett.
Brett bolted up, looking around in a daze, and saw Dorian beside the bed.
"What are you doing by my side of the bed?" he asked. Brett's eyes widened in fear.
"What the hell were you doing to your pillow?" she asked, tapping her crossed arms.
"Why, I, ah," he stuttered.
"Pervert!" she yelled, rushed over to her side of the bed, and snatched her pillow.
Brett watched her storm out of the room.
Brett looked back at his pillow. "You respond better than she ever did," he said quietly.
He lay down, closing his eyes. "Please take me back," he whispered.
It was early Thursday morning.
Dorian read the newspaper while sipping coffee at the kitchen table. A digital camera was near her coffee cup.
Brett entered with his cell phone clipped to his belt.
He walked over to Dorian with his suitcase wheeling behind him and his laptop bag slung around his shoulder.
"I 'm leaving, and I'll board Abby at the kennel before heading to the Interstate," Brett said.
Dorian glanced up from her newspaper. She took a sip of coffee. "You better not screw this up. Like I said yesterday, I won't live in a trailer park. I'll divorce you and leave you penniless!"
"I don't plan on screwing up," Brett replied. "Good. Now kiss me," she said.
Brett gave her a light kiss on her cheek.
He turned around, leaving the room.
"I hope you don't cheat on your bedroom pillow with one of those hotel pillows. You know those pillows sleep with all kinds of people. You might catch some pillow disease," Dorian said, chuckling.
Brett ignored her and left the room.
Dorian sipped her coffee and noticed the digital camera on the table.
"Brett, I forgot something," she called out.
Brett reentered the kitchen, noticing Dorian holding up the digital camera.
"I want you to take pictures of a house we could purchase in Columbus. I'll call you when I find a house of interest," she said.
Brett frowned, walking over and grabbing the camera.
"And when we move down there, we will not take that dog. So you better find her a good home here in Fort Wayne," she insisted, then sipped her coffee.
Brett opened his mouth and decided to close it.
"Call me with your room number," she said, then returned to reading her newspaper.
Brett walked out of the kitchen.
Outside in his driveway, Brett glanced at his Fairmont and cringed. "I hate this piece of crap," he said lightly, kicking the driver's door.
Brett placed his suitcase and laptop bag in the backseat.
He returned inside with Abby on a leash, putting her in the front passenger seat.
Brett got in the front seat, cranked up the Fairmont's engine, backed down the driveway, and onto the street. He drove away with a smile.
Later that day, Brett drove his Fairmont South on Interstate
Inside his Fairmont, the classic rock and roll song "Born to be Wild" blared from the radio and
Brett sang along with the song.
Later that day, Brett drove his Fairmont down Interstate 65 and saw a "Columbus Next Exit" sign up ahead.
Brett drove his Fairmont down the exit to Columbus.
Twenty minutes passed.
Brett pulled his Fairmont into the parking lot of the Residence Inn just off West State Road 46.
Ten minutes passed.
Brett entered room 406, wheeling his suitcase behind him and a laptop bag slung around his shoulder.
He walked over to the room phone and made a call. "Hey, Dorian, I'm in Columbus. I'm in room four-six at the Residence Inn," he said.
"Good, I found an area that looks interesting. I want you to take some pictures of the Westlake Hills neighborhood. It's off Tipton Lakes Boulevard. Then I'll call later when I'm interested in a particular house," she said.
"Westlake Hills off Tipton Lakes Boulevard, I got it," Brett responded, sitting on the end of the bed.
"Make me proud down there," she said, then disconnected his call.
Brett glanced around the room, got up, and danced a joyful dance.
Brett spent the rest of the day by the hotel pool, then ate dinner at a nearby Denny's.
After dinner, he went to the movies and watched Letters to Juliet.
Back in Fort Wayne, Sidney took Dorian to the gun range again. Olive was busy playing another game of bridge with her friends.
Later that night, Brett retired to his room and watched the "Flyboys" movie again on his hotel room TV.
His eyes slowly closed, and he drifted off to sleep.