The Chase
David Goldstein
Published by David Goldstein at Smashwords
Copyright 2012 David Goldstein
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.
2012 David Goldstein. All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
About the Author
David Goldstein is a fighter pilot in the US Air Force. He has a Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland, and a Masters in Aviation Operations from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He has logged over 2500 hours in the T-37, F-15E, and F/A-18. David lives with his wife and two children in Virginia.
Back Cover
I am Aiden Eason, and I have something to tell you - Never underestimate your ability to be shocked. Never be surprised when you fail to predict the outcome of your day. I once was a fighter pilot, I was married to Chloe, the most beautiful woman you can imagine. We lived the perfect charmed life together. We had just made yet another military move to a new station in North Carolina. With each move we saw the same faces and rekindled old friendships. Life was good, very good.
Then on one Saturday night I took my beautiful bride to a masquerade ball. Less than one week later, Chloe was picking up the pieces of her shattered life. Surprised? Wait till you read the next sentence. My buddy was lustfully smitten with Chloe. Shocked? I said she was the most beautiful woman you can imagine. Where was I? you ask. Like I said, never be surprised when you fail to predict the outcome of a day in your life. I am Aiden Eason and this is our story.
Chapter 1 - Passion Ignited
Chapter 2 - Life is Better Shared with Friends
Chapter 3 - Orion’s Cottage
Chapter 4 - The Best Office in the World
Chapter 5 - Fear
Chapter 6 - How Can I Drown, When You Are the Air I Breath
Chapter 7 - Hope Springs Eternal
Chapter 8 - Who’s Listening?
Chapter 9 - Bait
Chapter 10 - No Stone Left Unturned
Chapter 11 - Final Affairs
Chapter 12 - The Legend of Cuddles McGee
Chapter 13 - Gills and Teeth
Chapter 14 – Home Free
Chapter 15 - A Slave to My Desires
Chapter 16 – Freedom
Chapter 17 – Roll Call
Chapter 18 – Who Are You?
Chapter 19 - Pickup Trucks and Freedom
Chapter 20 - Lucky
Chapter 21 – Living the Dream
Chapter 22 – Destroyer of Hearts
Chapter 23 – The Dream Trespasser
Chapter 24 – You’re Mine Now
Chapter 25 – The Scorpion
Chapter 26 – Noble Eagle
Prologue
I saw you today for the first time. I was in a 7-Eleven. You were in line in front of me. Your hair was short blonde and wrapped your face. You wore an Oklahoma State University sweat shirt – which you obviously had taken a pair of scissors to at one point. The combination of your low cut jeans and that shirt… let’s just say it was memorable. I could smell your perfume as I stood there in line behind you. Don’t blame me for not saying anything, it’s pretty impossible to make conversation about your Big Gulp. After you paid, you turned and looked at me, grabbed your drink and walked out the door. That look, it was so neutral, not a smile, which would have sent my heart racing. It was not a scowl or glare, which would have crushed me then and there. It was just a glance. How do I read that? By the way, there was definitely a pause. You looked, paused, and then turned away. You hesitated, I’m sure of it. During that pause was my opportunity. That single second handed to me on a platter, I can’t wait to thank you for that. Thank you very much for the open door. I’m not sure how I could have let it close, when you were so inviting for that single second. You basically threw yourself at me, I’m not sure why I didn’t respond. I know, I took too long. What was I waiting for? Honestly.
I’ve been kicking myself, why didn’t I say anything? or bump into you, or pull your hair, kick you in the shin, something. Now I just have to hope and pray I see you again. Love at first sight? Now I believe.
I generally don’t write, but I’m writing this down because one day I will marry you, and on that day, I’ll give this letter to you. See you then.
Aiden.
P.S. I’m sure you remember, but I was wearing blue jeans, a white T-Shirt and a baseball cap, and I too had a Big Gulp. I’m sure you’re writing a similar letter right about now, and I just want to clarify that when we were at the soda machine and I looked to my right, I saw you staring at me. I paused as well, a second or so, as I remember. What were you waiting for?! It was only because my hands started shaking that I quickly looked back toward the soda machine, without smiling.
Chapter 1 - Passion Ignited
“I’m not sure when it was I became lost. How I lost you is still a mystery to me. All I know, is that I miss you terribly, and hope to have you back again one day. I just hope and pray that it’s not too late.”
- Aiden Eason in a letter to his wife
SATURDAY, LATE AFTERNOON.
She purchased a new dress for the ball, a flirty piece that he wouldn't recognize. It was black and form fitting, accentuating the beauty of her curves. She liked the amount of cleavage it showed off. A long slit up the side allowed her leg to show flirtatiously. She was eager to find what this night had in store. No matter what, it was going to be fun, and then some. She even had her nails done up for the night. She liked what she saw in the mirror with her makeup complete. Too bad she had to cover such a good job with the silly masquerade mask.
As Chloe stepped to her car, the sky was still lit in pale blue with flashes of yellow from the setting sun, the air was warm. It was the kind of night one appreciated after leaving an over-air conditioned restaurant. Simply put, it was the perfect evening, 'non-British’ as they would say. She left a light trail of perfume as she clicked towards her silver Volvo SUV. She was supposed to meet him there, and she couldn’t wait. She drove with the windows down, the evening air washed her face with warmth. She could still vividly recall the chill of sleet and sting of chapped lips, there wasn’t a warm evening for the three years they lived in England. Now she drove the typical American winding two lane. These things they yearned for and waited on for so many years. She turned the radio on, this is relaxing... so relaxing, she sank into the leather seat, another perfect moment.
That’s how it happens, when your guard is down, when you least expect it, when nothing could possibly go wrong at this perfect moment. SMACK, a noise from beneath, and the car began sliding and swerving. She tried to get control of the vehicle, the back end was overtaking the front of the SUV, she was pressed against the side door, trying to steer. The world was in slow motion around her, her mind racing five times faster than the scene unfolding outside her car. The screech of tires morphed into her own scream. Lucid clarity revealed the intricate details of leaves on trees lining the road. Her lungs froze in place trapping the air of what might be her last breath. The car lurched to a stop in a sideways skid, tipping and then slamming back down on all four tires. The hood of the car was just inches from the guard rail, which protected cars from falling into a small creek.
Thick black skid marks trailed a weaving pattern up to her car. Her breathing was still panicked and sharp. She put the car in reverse and slowly cut the wheel and backed away, and then pulled forward. Slowly rolling to the gravel shoulder of the road, the flat tire thumped as she rolled off the main traffic lane. She still had a white knuckle grip on the leather steering wheel, her chest was heaving as she tried to catch her breath.
In her rear view mirror a pick-up truck pulled to a stop behind her, the gravel under its tires popped as it rolled to a stop. The door opened, he stepped out of the pick-up and walked towards her SUV. Her eyes fixed on him in her rear view mirror as her heart still pounded. He was shaking his head back and forth, as if to say ‘Holy crap! You scared the shit out of me!’ He wore faded blue jeans, a baseball hat, cowboy boots, and a white T-shirt with no logo, nothing on it, just the shadows from his muscles. Her eyes captured his in the rear view mirror. He slapped twice on the back side of the SUV. "Pop the trunk so I can get the jack out," he called from outside. She reached over and hit the release button. He lifted the gate, and got the jack. Her gaze shifted from the rear view mirror to the side mirror as he went to work on the flat rear tire - the cause of her out of control skid.
As he worked the lug nuts of the flat tire, she stared. Her mind was still reeling from what had happened, and her breathing was deep and labored. Why am I still sitting in the car? Why can't I muster myself to move out of my seat? Why am I just staring at him? As he worked the jack in the summer heat, his muscular arms glistened, the veins on his arms spoke of strength, his skin was a deep bronze. His white T-shirt shielded little from her prying eyes. She realized how long she had been taking the sight of him in, but didn't look away. He stopped. Why is he stopping? Then he looked up, his eyes trapping hers in the mirror. She quickly averted her eyes away.
“You gave me quite a scare, I’m glad I was here to help though.” His tone was comforting, he smiled at her reflection in the mirror. A wave of embarrassment flooded over her. When she looked back he was finishing his work, his hands were covered in grease from the tire. The sweat on his face flashed with reflections of the setting sun. The white T-shirt now took on the quality of a second skin, plastered to him and revealing all. Her mind now paused on lustful intentions. A flash of his hands on her thighs, he tightly grips her, she presses his chest with her hands.
She rebounded back to reality with deliberate self-denial. What should I say? I wonder if he wants me to push this forward? 'Thank you so much', 'Can I do anything to repay you?'... 'I'd do anything to repay you'- she kept her laughter inside. How should she thank this good Samaritan. Another image flashed in her mind. She's looking into his eyes, his shirt is pulled up exposing his tan abs, her face so close she can feel the heat. Her hands move to his waist, her mouth partially opening, wanting for a first kiss.
Slam! The hatch closed. "Drive safe now! Hopefully we’ll run in to each other again." He woke her from her day dream with laughter in his voice. I guess it just wasn’t our time yet, she smiled.
“Hopefully so.” She quipped. He was looking over his shoulder smiling, and then walking back to his truck. His faded jeans were thickly creased behind his knees, his narrow waist accentuated his shoulders, she was smitten.
Earlier that night, she stepped out of the shower and toweled off. Her skin was tan, she squirted thick oil on her chest and legs and rubbed it in. It left her with a wet bronze quality, and a smell of coconut. Her hair was blond, a new cut she just got earlier that day, it was different than the longer style she’d worn for years now, but she knew he would like it a lot. It was short in the back and curved around the sides of her face. She styled it with gel leaving her hair with a straight and wet look. Red nails, and red lipstick. Her eye shadow accentuated her green eyes – readying them to captivate those who would glimpse them. Her eyes truly were amazing deep green pools of desire, or lust, or love, or whatever you wished to see in them. Brilliant green, it was not uncommon to hear, ‘My god look at those eyes.’ Thick lashes on this night would elicit and yield double takes from those unfortunate married men who would be caught and smacked by their less fortunate wives. Few women could hold a candle to her in any room she would step into. She fastened on large hoop platinum earrings - It takes guts to wear these things she thought. A simple one piece hammered platinum necklace, and strappy heels accented her outfit.
Now she was driving down the road, her mind still revolving around the cowboy in the baseball hat, what a gentleman. He didn’t even look in the cab to see me, Jerk. She imagined her sideways glance at him as he looked into the car, and him, catching sight of her blond hair, the nape of her neck, her chest.
She drove the long and winding tree-lined road up to the Worthington estate, a converted plantation mansion. She parked around the side of the house, dozens of cars were already there. She reached for her mask, an eye cover. It was black with an ornate silver design on one side, a silver symbol resembling a musical note accented the glossy black. She tied the mask on with its black ribbon, eyeing herself in the car mirror. Catching her reflection in the window as she exited the car, she stopped. I don’t think he’ll even recognize me tonight: a new dress he hasn’t seen, a new hair-do, the half mask. I think my skin is even a shade darker. She smiled to herself and turned away from her reflection.
As she made her way across the parking lot, she heard a loud engine closing in from the driveway. It was a mammoth old Bronco on oversized tires, sporting a poorly done camo paint job. Shiny mockups of air-to-air missiles were attached to either side of the truck. Colorful fighter squadron emblems were fixed to the front doors. The truck lurched to a stop with the front tires resting on a manicured flowerbed. After a few moments, four finely dressed officers exited the vehicle. They each wore eye covers; however, theirs were more reminiscent of bandit masks, rather than those to be worn at a masquerade ball.
‘Standard’ Chloe thought and continued inside. The entrance hall of the mansion was immense. She entered the ball room, contemporary music was playing. There were several bars, and a dance area, islands of people were engaged in conversation. A maitre de with a tray of wine in crystal offered her ‘choices from our cellar.’ She picked a blush and then walked along towards a wall with large framed paintings. Marble pillars supported the high ceiling. She gazed around looking at all the people, suits and tuxedoes, everyone with their masquerade ball attire – masks included. It would still be a while until he arrived, she’d have to wait.
Someone grabbed her elbow “Chloe!.. Oh, My, God! I almost didn’t even recognize you.” It was Chloe’s good friend, Cathy, “You look amazing!”
“Cathy! This is pretty hoity isn’t it?” Chloe was happy to see Cathy’s familiar face, and then she recognized the couple standing alongside Cathy. “Whitney! Kid! How are you guys?”
“Great, my goodness Chloe, it’s been years since we’ve seen you.” Whitney wore a classy white dress and a thick Oklahoma accent, she had her hand draped in the crook of Kid’s arm. Kid didn’t choose to wear the formal tux worn by the other gents. In contrast to Whitney’s white ball room gown, Kid was wearing a leisure suit made of velour fabric. It was electric green in color, and at least a size and a half too small. He wore a matching green bandito mask.
“Love the white shoes Kid.” Chloe ribbed him.
Cathy started at her usual pace “My shoes are killing me, Bill went to get me a drink and never came back. I saw him going outside with his buds and some cigars, and I still need a drink!”
Cathy grabbed Chloe by the hand and dragged her towards the bar, talking a mile a minute. “Did you know there are art galleries in this place? There’s like, fifty rooms, they have all sorts of art and stuff. The hors d’oeuvres rock too… So… I know you’re not here alone?”
“Um, no, I don’t think he’s here yet.” Chloe was still scanning the crowd, hoping to spot him.
“Two Bull Breezes pleases!” The bar tender looked puzzled. “It’s Vodka, Red Bull, and Cranberry” Cathy smiled at the man. In spite of the commotion and the din of conversations and music, Chloe kept picturing who she referred to in her own mind as ‘her cowboy.’ Each time she let her mind go, she would see him. A wave of heat would flush her cheeks, retrieving her image, he strains against the wrench, next, her hands are on his stomach flat palmed, they lean into each other… This is ridiculous, she reluctantly denied herself again the pleasure of the day dream.
Cathy’s husband Bill swaggered up to Cathy and Chloe “Hello ladies!” He kissed Cathy on the cheek, and handed her the drink she had requested only thirty minutes earlier. He trained his eyes at Chloe. If he was wearing a mining hat, Chloe’s chest would have been brightly illuminated, the beams from his helmet flashlight bouncing off her in delight. My god, Chloe thought, just because you have a mask on, doesn’t mean I can’t draw the dotted lines from your eyes to my cleavage. Cathy’s open palmed whack on Bill’s forehead snapped him back to reality in an instant, and then he exclaimed, “Chloe, Holy Crap! You look… different.” He hugged her as she transformed from the object of ogling, to that of a close friend.
“Hi Buzz.” Chloe smiled at him widely.
Bill ‘Buzz’ Buchanan was very fit for his age. His black hair was thinner now and sparked with gray, baldness was slowly creeping up his temples. He was ‘distinguished’ with deep wrinkles extending from the corners of his eyes, his smile lines. These lines were the direct result of his bright smile, which was the direct result of his eternal exuberance. These lines etched in self-perpetuity complemented the wondrous smile itself. It seemed he was always wired and happy, Cathy’s soul mate. “Well ladies if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be outside with the guys solving the problems of the world.”
“That means he wants another smoke break” Cathy said. “How are you guys settling in? Because if you need any help, Bill and I are so there.”
Chloe’s voice filled with enthusiasm, “Actually, I’m on cloud nine here, it’s just so good to be back in the States. House hunting took us forever. I was about sick of billeting life.”
“Tell me about it. That mini-stove, forget it. We were so sick of fast food by the time our month was up.”
Chloe laughed out loud “Actually the fast food was kind of a perk. I just hated living for a month in that small musty room. We finally found a house and we just moved in last week.”
“Congrats on the house!”
“Thanks, it’s amazing, I’m so excited about it. We’ve got a hot tub and a pool! You’ve got to come over. Hey, bring the kids too! How are Zack and Chelsea?”
“You would not believe how big they’re getting, it’s ridiculous… All right chica, finish that off, I want to dance.” Cathy moved her hips to the music.
Chloe was more than happy to have found a friend at the party. It seemed that being left alone with her own thoughts was counter-productive at this point. With someone to talk to, at least her mind wouldn’t reach back and grasp her ‘cowboy’… but it just felt so good to think about him. She had never been a ‘visual’ person, but that image, those jeans.
The beat of the music thumped, the floor was getting crowded. They started to dance. A new song started playing and more people floated on to the dance floor. Chloe and Cathy were dancing when a young guy came up to join them. Smiles were exchanged… and then he started dancing. He was dancing like something she’d never seen before, ever. The song he was dancing to, was not the song playing on the speakers. His arms and legs flailed and jutted in all directions. Just, then Chloe felt a hand on her waist. She turned, a tux, I think I met him? She questioned herself. Black tux, no tails, scotch print bow tie, sandy colored hair, she recognized him as one of the clowns who arrived in the ridiculous camo truck. He placed his hands on her waist. “May I have this dance?”
“Sure” she smiled. She motioned to Cathy and her new dance partner, who presently was doing a dance that could only be named Kung-Foo Jello. “He’s something else huh?”
“Yeah that’s my bud, Kevin Kelly we’re both new to the squadron.” He smiled and then offered his hand, “I’m Casey, Casey Johnson.”
This was no cowboy, but he’d do as a dance partner for now.
“Hi Casey, nice to meet you, I’m Chloe.” She subconsciously allowed herself to slip back into the temptation of the thought as she danced. In her mind, her finger tips slide just under his belt line on those jeans, he pulls her closer, her chest brushes his pecs. He can see the sheen on her chest. The sheer satin fabric of her dress is smooth on his hands. He didn’t dare move closer, their bodies touching would be too much. The beat is pulsing, their bodies move to it. She’s bumping to the beat, an accidental brush. She’s beautiful. Her chest is perfectly lifted and pressed by that dress, it’s mouthwatering. His mouth yearns for her neck.
His pulse quickens.
He can smell her perfume, “You smell like… coconut.”
“Oh, yeah” she laughed. “I put some oil on, it always seems to be a hit.”
He quipped “I can’t imagine why?” He then continued, all too eager to provide an answer to his own rhetorical question. “It’s Pavlovian, men smell that scent, and our minds can only go to one of two places.” He raised his pointer finger. “One; tanning oil, bikinis on the beach, and two…” he stopped himself. “It just brings an image, you know what I mean.”
“Well then, hope you enjoy that image.” She smiled as she delivered the line. She learned that lesson somewhere; deliver any message with a smile and it will be well received. Like now, ‘enjoy the image,’ but I’m walking away, smiling. Delivered any other way it would have sounded bitchy and icy cold. Body language went a long way - If you knew how to work it. Chloe was the queen of body language. All Chloe wanted now, was the man she’d been waiting for all night.
Casey watched her smile as she walked away, she’s clearly into me, he mused to himself. It’s like an invitation to come on over and play.
“Your Bull Breeze miss.” The bartender offered Chloe the drink.
Chloe’s former dance partner pulled up beside her. “Hi Chloe, so you’re new here as well?” He pulled up the bar stool next to hers. Casey Johnson still got carded when he went to buy alcohol. Girls came easy to him, he disarmed them with his boyish good looks, and where most would falter, he could follow through. He had a winning smile, and he had the gift of leading conversation. It was said about him “If you talk non-stop, of course one or two funny things are going to come out, he’s just stacking the odds.” He wore cologne when he went out to a club, and to the grocery store, and to the gym, and once to the squadron. He endured several weeks of ridicule for the latter, and never ever repeated the offense. Casey was now trying his follow through with Chloe, “I’ve been here a few months already. You’re going to love it here, the beach is beautiful.”
“I’ve already been.” Chloe showed off the tan on her arms.
“Nice.” Casey observed with honesty.
Casey’s face lit up, “Check it out, I just got a new jet ski, I can’t wait to take it out in the bay tomorrow.” …Cast the bait and see if she bites.
“Oh wow, are you serious? I love jet skis.”
“You should come sometime, jet skiing.” Casey, arched his back slightly, “Like I said, I’m a guy, I love anything with an engine and speed.”
Chloe retorted, “Right, so its engines, anything fast, and coconut oil.”
Casey blushed with a smirk “Yeah, that too, but not in that order.” He burst out laughing. His eyes glanced back down at her cleavage. His mind raced at the cause of his attraction, it’s the oil, her skin is electric, or magnetic, or gravitational, or it just causes me to get caught staring at her boobs.
Out of nowhere a maraschino cherry smacked Casey right in the forehead. Casey and Chloe snapped to their left, and as they did a second cherry landed in Chloe’s drink. A brown haired fellow standing at the other end of the bar, quickly turned to look away, it was Kid in his tight green velour suit. Realizing he had nowhere to look away to, he randomly glanced around, and finally made what should have been awkward eye contact with his two targets. He waved and popped a cherry into his mouth.
Casey laughed, “That over there is Kid.”
“Hey Kid! You can’t hide with that awesome suit on you know!” Chloe yelled across the bar, waving, not revealing she already knew of Kid and his antics. Kid smiled back with cherry plastered across his teeth.
“Chloe, have you seen the gardens out back? They’re pretty sweet.” …Please say you haven’t seen them, please say...
“Um, no I haven’t.”
Jackpot. Casey blurted out, “Let’s go.” he jumped up, “Come on, they’re pretty wicked.” He offered his hand to help her off her barstool.
They walked towards the large glass doors leading to the back of the mansion. She didn’t want to be gone long, but this would at least pass the time. The back patio was stone, with stone railings, a curved staircase led down to a large fountain. A naked statue adorned the center stage of the water works. Casey paused half way down the stairs and appeared to admire the Botticelli-esque figure, “I don’t care how much money I ever have, I’ll never have a statue like that in my back yard.”
Chloe burst out laughing, “That’s not what I thought you were going to say… I think I’d like to have two of them. Maybe more, one on either side of the front door, a few for the back yard, I’d have one in the living room too.”
They laughed as they continued down the stairs. “This whole masquerade thing, it does afford a certain amount of anonymity doesn’t it?” Chloe was just thinking the same thing. The situation was more vexing for her, unable to quickly spot her man. She was supposed to meet him here, ‘later’ he said. Anticipation always seemed to work out well for him. She and Casey walked through neatly trimmed hedgerows, with breaks of flowers. The noise from the party was now lightly muffled by distance, and the night air. The garden smelled thick of pine and flowers. Casey’s hand brushed hers as they walked, that very moment she missed a step in the dim light and stumbled. Casey caught her just in time, stopping her fall.
“Thank you.”
His hand was still on her waist, his heart raced. His hands moved to the small of her back, as he pulled her up. She braced herself with her hands on his shoulders so as not to fall.
“I should be getting back.” She barely knew this guy, but at the moment it seemed he was definitely getting the wrong idea about what was going on.
“Right, we should.” He answered in disappointed agreement. They made their way back to the mansion. Chloe’s quickened gait reflected her maddening anticipation for her ‘cowboy’. She wanted him now.
Casey decided it would be best to let this one simmer for a while, “Well, I’m going to go hang a bit with the bros. I’ll catch you later?”
“Sure.” Chloe smiled back.
Casey smiled and walked off. ‘It’s just a matter of time,’ he thought to himself.
Cathy came up, “Where were you chica?”
“Oh, I was outside with Casey, checking out the gardens.”
“Pretty cool, I wouldn’t mind having one or two of those statues out there.”
So far the night was a string of obscene day dreams. One thing was for sure, anticipation was a potent aphrodisiac. He’d have quite the reward when he finally showed up… and then, she stopped in her tracks, she saw them, those same cowboy boots, on a man now clad in a tux. He was talking with Bill, Casey, Kid, and a few others she didn’t recognize. Buzz had his hands on his hips and wore a shit eating grin.
By now, group think had removed face masks from nearly all the party goers, and all of the fighter pilots. Aided by a fine single malt, Buzz was taking the reins of the conversation “Bucky, Kid, and I, all went to pilot training at Vance Air Force Base back in the day.” At this time in his life no one knew anymore if Bucky always drove a pickup and wore cowboy boots, or if he just took on these attributes as a result of his name. In addition to Bucky, Buzz, Casey and Kid, the conversation circle now included Kevin Kelly, ‘Beaver’ Pelt, ‘Jersey’ Esposito, and ‘Crotch’. Bucky had flown with Kid and Buzz in previous assignments. He’d seen Casey in the hallway of the squadron but they never really met until now. Bucky extended his hand, “Hi, I’m Aiden Eason, they call me Bucky, nice to meet you.”
“Casey, Casey Johnson, and that’s my real name, hopefully soon here they’ll get around to giving me a call sign.”
Crotch jumped in, “Yeah, our front running options are Spankin’ and Drippin’. Oh the possibilities are endless, it’s not every day a great name like Johnson ends up in the squadron.”
Casey knew not to pick this fight, any name resisted would surely stick like glue. No, he had to endure the ridicule, for now, and hope for the best, perhaps ‘Big’ or ‘Huge’… it could happen, ‘Throbbin’ would be okay, he thought.
Bucky, was new to this squadron, but all fighter pilots are cut from the same cloth. In this crowd, he fit the mold all too well. The laughter continued, “I met a guy named ‘Goblin’ once, it seemed like a normal fighter pilot call sign, until I learned his last name was Johnson.”
They gave each other call signs, or rather they earned call signs. Buzz was named so, probably because his smile was reminiscent of a certain movie character. A truly good call sign had a deeper hold on the person’s make up. The ‘enduring call sign’ was realized when the person continued to act in such a way as to reinforce and perpetuate his own call sign. Some names were just funny to the crowd. When Mike Balls showed up at the squadron, Kid had a genius idea. “Hey! Lets name him ‘Ocken!’” Now Mike Balls’ full name is Mike ‘Ocken’ Balls - Funny for most, but not for him.
‘Boomer’ Reed sonic ‘boomed’ the base at Al Udeid, and also talked at volume eleven, always. ‘Gag’ Anderson ended up in the hospital with a corndog stuck in his esophagus – we’re told it was some sort of a corndog eating bet – or at least we hope. ‘Crotch’ McFeely continued to behave like a complete and total crotch, he wore his call sign like a pair of uncomfortable dress shoes… but everyone else seemed to love his call sign choice. ‘River’ Jordan, well the name just flowed. ‘Jersey’ Esposito used unveiled threats as part of his pre-flight briefings – ‘If you lose sight tonight…I’ll axe murder ya!’ Off duty, Jersey wore gold chains over tank tops. He drove a Camaro, and owned a stockpile of hair gel.
For Buzz, it was more than his smile and the fact that ‘Buzz’ was an Academy grad, he had a way of over-glorifying the simple parts of a conversation, as if presenting them to his audience. At this point, after years with the call sign, it wasn’t clear if he originally acted like Buzz, or if he adopted the persona over time, but sometimes one expected wings would pop out of his sides and he’d jump out the window at the end of a conversation and yell “To Infinity… and Beyond!” Ultimately, the call sign replaced your name, and soon the only ones who knew your birth name were your wife and your parents.
With the threat of a lifelong bad call sign, Casey tried to change up the topic. “Hey the weather is supposed to be great again this weekend. I’m taking my jet ski out on the bay. I’m thinking about cooking out and making a day of it. There’s gonna be some pretty hot babes out there too.”
“Dude, count me in.” Jersey eagerly took the invite.
Bucky raised his glass toward Kid, “Kid, it’s good to run into you again. I think the last time we hung out was survival training.”
“Yeah it’s a shame I’m PCSing, time to move again.”
Bucky was clearly disappointed “We high-five again as we cross paths from one station to the next.”
Kid replied, “It’s always this way for you and me. Anyway, in a few weeks I’m off to Nellis... Just after the fourth… Which reminds me!” Kid paused to take a sip of his whiskey, intentionally leaving his audience with bated anticipation. He lowered the glass, smacked his lips and then took another drink.
“Go on! Ya Jerk.”
“I’ve got a hook up on a monster stash of fireworks. Monster. I figure we can set them off at the bay on the fourth.”
As the men conversed, Casey’s eyes caught a glance of Chloe. There she is. She was talking with her friend, her eyes took a quick glance in his direction. She was magnetic, those eyes deep pools of heat and lust.
They stood between Chloe and the bar. The cowboy was almost intentionally ignoring her. He was engrossed in his conversation, which was spiked with bouts of hearty laughter and spilled whiskey. Chloe had to make her move, something was needed to press the situation forward.
“Cathy, I’m going to the bar, I’m thirsty.” She made sure to walk directly past him. I barely trust myself around him right now, she thought. She had nothing but his image occupying her mind for the last two hours, her body was primed, her skin was warm, eyes dilated, lips ready. He could own me right now.
After fetching another drink from the bar, she made her way back towards the cowboy. She couldn’t stop herself. She walked by and bumped against him intentionally trying to get his attention. She looked over her shoulder, “Excuse me” she smiled, and continued toward the staircase. She was lightly swaying her hips, secretly wishing the cowboy would take the bait, and simultaneously wondering what was taking him so long.
Buzz snapped a glance at Bucky, tilting his head up in the direction of the bombshell which just bumped into him, “Dude, receding target.”
“Copy.” Bucky answered, with a confident smirk and a short up nod of his head.
Casey kept his thoughts to himself, a choice he seldom made, but seriously, this guy didn’t stand a chance. Casey had already stolen her heart, it was crystal clear to him, they were going to hook up for sure.
Chloe’s heels clicked on the floor as she slowly walked the wide hallway. It was dim, she was wondering if she was even allowed upstairs. She entered a large room midway down the hallway. The floor was adorned with a Persian rug displaying intricate craftsmanship, woven in reds, yellows and blues. A giant dark mahogany table took the center of the room. One wall was blanketed entirely with books, the other walls held large grotesque paintings, ‘people and ships – boring.’ She was far more interested in the books. Chloe unstrapped her mask as she made her way to the wall bookcase. There were so many books. This must be the science section she thought, not really her cup of tea. But as her fingers brushed the bindings, Olive Trees! “The Olive Grove” She read the title. She pulled the book and leafed through the pages, her finger scanning the text. She was very disappointed when she came upon this sentence of interest, ‘It will commonly take 3-5 years for your olive tree to produce fruit.’
“Enjoying your read?”
She jumped, he was loud, intentionally trying to get a reaction from her.
“Do you always come into places uninvited?” he asked.
Her tone was soft, she wore a devilish smile. “Just browsing the titles, do I know you?”
He walked up to her and removed the book from her hand, placing it on the shelf. She wasn’t apprehensive, but still not sure how far she might let this go. It was ‘the cowboy’ and he had taken her bait, and perhaps now she was about to get everything she bargained for.
“I never properly thanked you, for helping me earlier.” She smiled.
“Did you know, your attention is the desire of every man you meet? It’s quite a dangerous thing, this quality you possess. Someone might not be able to control himself around you.”
He placed his hands on her waist, she looked up into his eyes, the way she had been picturing all night. She put her hands on his stomach the way she imagined. She wanted his kiss. He stared into her eyes realizing the opportunity. His hand slowly glided along the silky fabric of her dress, down the side of her hip. His finger tips felt every curve of her body. Cupping the back of her thigh with his fingers he pulled her thigh up so slowly. Her dress was inching higher as he pulled her leg up. His motion was so slow, almost imperceptible, but she let it happen.
“Our clothes are still on,” she whispered so quietly in his ear, “nothing wrong going on here.”
Her dress was nearly hiked all the way up, his other hand moved to the small of her back. She was completely in his grasp, and he pulled her closer. Her lips were full, her mouth parted in subconscious anticipation. She closed her eyes. She could feel his lips were closing on hers, so close. She pulsed her hips into him, pushed against him. She knew what she was doing to him, she could feel it. Her hands moved to his ass, her hips moved into him again, as he lifted her leg, her dress hiked all the way up now. His lips grazed hers. He leaned into her, she was backed up against the counter ledge, he was now in between her legs. Her hands moved from his arms to his back, exploring his muscled body. The fabric of the tuxedo not hiding what was in store for her. Their mouths met, and suddenly, he kissed her passionately, ravenously. Her hands were on the back of his head, his fingers combed through her hair. They were lost in lustful fulfillment. Finally, she thought, her image was fulfilled. She kissed his mouth, his cheek, his neck. She made an inventory of their transgressions as she continued to kiss him, her breathing was heavy.
“You pressed against me but our clothes are on… We’ve kissed …” Her hands went to work on his belt almost frantically, her fingers willing his release.
“Chloe.” His voice spoke of shock. She slowly moved down to her knees unbuttoning his pants as she went. One hand was on his abs, he looked down at her in amazement. She was beautiful, sophisticated, hot... Those eyes I’m lost and found in them. She looked up at him, witnessing the amazement and ecstasy on his face, he deeply inhaled… “Chloe we’re going to get caught!”
“Are you scared?” Her smile was wicked, and her voice sultry and alluring.
“Chloe, there’s no door to this room!”
She turned and noticed the open room… “Aiden, let’s get out of here. Take me home.”
“Oh I will!” They laughed together, realizing they just had another shared experience they will recall over dinner in years to come.
Aiden was in a near frenzy trying to re-buckle his belt, and button his pants. Chloe laughed, “Good luck hiding that thing. Are you sure you’re ready to leave?”
“Oh I’m sure and ready!” He zipped up, she was right. He draped his jacket over his arm, and held it in front of himself attempting concealment.
Chloe tried to fix her hair, Aiden kissed her, she smelled of sex, and looked it, her cleavage showing more than when they had entered the room. Chloe smiled “I was just trying to repay you for this afternoon, honey, you were my knight in shining armor.”
“Yeah, you scared the crap out of me earlier today, that’s what you owe me for.” They made their way down the hall and the stairs. They were nearly to the front doors, when Chloe saw Casey standing at the door in a conversation with the others from before. There was an additional character in the mix, a short guy with a smile resembling a fifty car pile-up. Wrapped around his arm was a buxom and luscious girl who resembled a street walker, she stood nearly 6’ tall on high stiletto heels. Chloe believed he resembled Yoda, and tried to make sense of the pairing. The girl’s hair was straight and jet black with thick blond streaks. Bucky shook his hand, “Doc! Good to see you made it.”
“I’ve been a busy man.” He laughed and poked his eyes with raised eyebrows, in the girl’s direction. “This is Candy.”
“Candy, nice to meet you.” Bucky shook her hand. “Doc, Candy, this is my wife Chloe.”
Casey’s eyes caught Chloe’s, he had a confused look. Bucky slapped his arm, “Hey Casey.”
Casey reeled, what the? She’s here with Bucky? They’re married?
That’s how it happened, one moment you were on top of the world, a hero about to partake in the sweetest of fruits… and the next you were dashed, smashed, trampled and crushed into tiny pieces. Nothing recognizable was left of the glorious prospects you thought you were about to reap.
“Casey, thanks for the dance earlier.” Chloe turned to Aiden, “Casey and I go way back.”
“Gent’s, my wife, Chloe.” Bucky majestically gestured.
“Boomer Reed” Boomer offered a hand shake to Chloe.
“Boomer, nice to meet you.” Chloe smiled.
Chloe then smiled at Kid, “Hey Kid, long time no see. Great aim with those cherries, by the way.” She laughed.
“I had no idea it was you, but that martini glass of yours was just too perfect, I had no choice really.”
Crotch McFeely reached for her, and kissed her hand “I’m Brian McFeely, It’s nice to meet you Chloe.”
Through a giggle she replied with her hand shake “Crotch, nice to make your acquaintance.”
Casey raced for words, “…Are you guys leaving already?”
“I’ve got to get my beautiful bride home.”
Chloe quipped, “It’s way past my bed time.” Her voice resonated in Casey’s mind, and Bucky’s too, and for that matter, in the minds of all the rest.
Casey tried to play off a casual invitation, “Uh, we’re all jet skiing tomorrow, you gonna make it?” Casey made momentary bashful and confused eye contact with Chloe, who was pressed up against Aiden’s side.
“Yeah we’ll be there.” Chloe, piped in.
“Um, we’ll see you there.” Casey sheepishly replied.
Chloe pulled Aiden along to his pickup truck. “We’ll come back to get my SUV tomorrow.” She giggled.
It would be some time, before Chloe and Aiden would make it out of the parking lot.
Chapter 2 – Life is Better Shared with Friends
Said with gleeful abandon: “Dad! Zack said you’re gonna die!”
- Chelsea Buchanan, 3 years old
When Buzz Buchanan was about to deploy to the war, he and Cathy sat down with the kids, Zack 5, and Chelsea 3. They explained to the kids that dad had to go away for a while, but he would be home safely soon. The kids asked some questions, “Are you going to war?” “Will it be dangerous?” “When will you be home Daddy?” By the end of the talk, when it was all said and done, Buzz and Cathy felt they did a fine job of explaining the situation in a way that both children could understand. That is, until they found Zack curled up crying in the living room, while Chelsea stood by his side grinning from ear to ear. Buzz comforted his son, “Hey Zack, what’s wrong buddy?” That’s when Chelsea gleefully announced “Dad! Zack said you’re gonna die!”
Buzz loved to tell this story and always added “I’m pretty sure she didn’t understand the concept of death at three years old… at least I hope so.”
SUNDAY MORNING.
The bed was a soft pillow-top mattress, the pillows were down feather, and felt cool to the touch. The morning breeze gently came in through the window. She was lying on her stomach, her tan skin contrasted against the white sheets. He placed his hand on the small of her back, she was beauty defined. He inhaled deeply, this was going to be a very busy day, and it was time to get out of the bed – no matter how difficult.
Lido, their black lab, followed him down stairs, it was breakfast she wanted. She was a good dog. Good dogs teach us lessons, life lessons. Dogs teach us lessons about patience, and love, and forgiveness. Another life lesson Aiden learned years ago from his dog, is that ‘a grown man cannot catch a dog in snow.’ Lido would door dash out of the house. Enid Oklahoma, blowing snow, and the dog would run free. Aiden would chase to catch, only providing fun and amusement for the wonderful dog. He would dive, she would bound out of the way. If you chase the dog, it becomes a game, and the dog runs. If you turn to walk home, the dog believes it’s free to roam, and the dog runs. Either way, you’re outside in blowing snow. Somewhere along the way and over the years, a transition took place. Lido was now a mobile carpet, gracing the floor of each room with her presence. Aiden much preferred her this way.
Lido and Aiden padded their way through the obstacle course of boxes. At this point every hallway and room in the house was stacked with boxes. Some piled high against walls, some in the center of each room were open with brown packing paper strewn about. Aiden dished out Lido’s food into a large salad bowl next to her bucket of water. If he could find some utensils and a pan, it would spell breakfast in bed for Chloe. After last night’s award winning performance, nothing less would do. Thick black marker scrolling on the large brown packing boxes gave clues to the contents of each box. These were only generic clues, but did offer a starting point. A box labeled ‘Stereo’ may contain a single stereo speaker, and towels, books, and the contents of the kitchen ‘junk drawer’ dumped in as well. Aiden scanned the boxes in hopes of finding the tools he needed. ‘Garage’, ‘Books’, ‘Wardrobe’…Why are these even in the kitchen? He searched some more, and then, Jackpot! A box labeled ‘Pots-pans’ at the bottom of the stack. It’s time to put this gas stove to work.
He entered the bedroom. Chloe slept half on her side with one leg stretched out and the other pulled up to her stomach. The white sheet was twisted from the throws of the night, and barely covered her. “Breakfast is served, naughty girl.”
Chloe rolled over to see her man carrying an ornate silver platter. “Hey cowboy.” She smiled affectionately.
“You can call me Aiden today.” They laughed.
“You’re my cowboy Bucky… Honey, is that a Passover Seder dish?”
“Yes it is, and you’re lucky I found it, otherwise you’d be eating your scrambled eggs, and bacon off of a piece of cardboard.”
The dish had six coaster sized circular insets, two were filled with bacon, two with scrambled eggs and two with pineapple.
“It’s just not right to be eating bacon from a Passover dish.” Chloe remarked as she crunched on the crispy meat.
“Yeah, that crossed my mind too, like I said, it was this or nothing.” He lifted an oversized coffee mug, formerly used for pens and pencils, and sipped their diet coke.
“Lido ate her food from a salad bowl, and her water is still in a bucket, I’d say it’s time to make a dent in the unpacking business.”
Unpacking and setting up a house was serious work. Luckily, this time they were both there to share the labor. Times before they would arrive on station, and Aiden would stick around long enough to bid Chloe adieu. Invariably, soon after arrival, he would depart for training or a deployment. Thankfully, this time was different, and their team effort would tackle the task. When they worked together, there was always synergy with them, a combined multiplier with the sum of the two parts greater than the whole.
As the day pressed on, they were immersed in the thick of unpacking and setting up house. Chloe alternated between her landscaping stone project in the yard, and setting up the kitchen. Aiden was juggling between the garage and his olive tree planting effort in the backyard. Normally they would have set up the inside first. Once the inside was set up, they would transition to the outdoors. It was a logical flow. Not this time though, maybe it was the excitement of the Carolina sun, rather than the English rain they just left behind. There was no way the day was going to be spent solely indoors. They didn’t plan it that way. That’s just how it happened. In passing through the screen door, he quipped “Great minds think alike.”
“Hey babe, I hate to break it to you, but I was reading something pretty interesting last night when you so rudely interrupted me.”
Aiden smiled and knew the incident she spoke of. “Really, I thought you were just skimming the titles.”
She laughed. “Well anyway, apparently it’s going to take three to five years for those olive trees of yours to bear fruit.”
Aiden stopped in shock, “Holy crap, you’re serious?”
“Yes I am, and that’s under ideal conditions.”
“No, you’re serious about the fact that you were actually reading up there! I thought you were just looking for a quiet room to meet me in!”
Chloe smacked his arm, “You’d better get to planting, you’re eating into your three to five years.”
That afternoon, it seemed Aiden was always out while Chloe was inside and vice a versa. Lido alternated between providing company to either of the two, choosing who she would lay next to. A half acre of land stretched past the pool area, Aiden planted young grape vines around the deck, and was nearly finished planting the olive trees, he had already planted four trees earlier the previous week, and had only three more to go. Chloe came outside with a tall glass of icy lemonade. He ran the condensation from the chilled glass along his forehead, and then enjoyed the drink. Chloe was noticing the ‘fruit’ of his labor
“Could you have been any more random in your tree planting?”
It seemed Aiden had scattered the trees about the yard, one was close to the left side of the pool, another was planted on the right side, but didn’t appear to be lined up properly. He was all over the place. Two more were farther out in the yard across from each other.
“I’ll just be happy if Lido doesn’t eat these saplings up.” He was planning a candle lit dinner in the center of the yard, an unveiling of their olive trees. Aiden wanted to surprise her with a gift, linking their shared history, to their present home.
“Baby, I need your help in the kitchen.”
Aiden’s forehead beaded with sweat. “What can I do for you baby?”
“I found the Coo Coo clock, and I know where I want it in the kitchen.”
“Okay, give me a second… or an hour, I have to find the drill.”
During a visit to Germany, they found this clock, Aiden had to have it. The clock had three heavy weights suspended on chains, the complete assembly weighed nearly ten pounds. Now, Aiden drilled a hole, and drove a molly bolt in to the wall where Chloe had specified. He set the clock, and stepped back to admire his work. The clock portrayed a German country-side scene, depicting a man sawing a log, and another drinking from a beer stein. Both of the miniature characters wore lederhosen. Aiden turned around beaming with pride, and Chloe gave him a thumbs up sign.
“Okay, let’s get out of here, I need a break from this.”
Chloe didn’t put up a fight, “Are we going to the bay?”
“Let’s check it out.” Aiden couldn’t wait to break away.
They changed into bathing suits, placed a leash on Lido, and made their way out to the bay. Chloe was excited about getting out, “Casey was telling me that there’s a public area everyone’s going to be at. He said a few of the guys have jet skis, I think there’s going to be burgers and a bon-fire later too.”