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Part 27

“Alex.”

“Hey, Dad.” I was downstairs watching television when Dad came in.

Dad sat next to me on the couch and said, “I’m sorry Alex, I’m truly sorry for making this harder for you than it needs to be. Please understand that I love you, I love you very much. I let my own issues cloud how I treated you and I’m sorry that I let that happen.

“I can’t say it won’t happen again, but I’ll certainly do my best not to let it happen. If I do, just let me know. Some of the stuff I was doing, I really wasn’t aware of. Can you forgive me?”

“Oh, Dad!” I gave him a huge hug. “I’m sorry for all the drama, I guess I kinda snapped.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I gave you plenty of reasons. Listen, I’d like to make it up to you. Tomorrow and Wednesday I’ve got to be down in San Diego for some business. Would you like to come with me? It’ll mean flying down there in a helicopter.”

“Really? I wouldn’t be in the way or anything?”

“Really. We’ll just tell everyone that you’re my administrative assistant.” Dad was smiling and I hugged him again.

“That’ll be great, Dad. I’d love to go.”

“Hey, it’ll be our first father-daughter outing.”

“Oh, Dad. Oh no! I’ve got to go see Ellen. I only have one nice outfit for business: maybe I can borrow something from her.”

“Tell you what, have her take you out and get a second one, then. I can’t have my assistant wearing the same thing two days in a row.”

Laughing, I give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Dad.” I then dash off to find Ellen.

I run downstairs and tell Ellen what is going on.

“So, can you run me to the mall? Please?”

“Oh, I suppose so.”

Just as we’re heading out the door, Dad calls out, “Hey girls, family meeting tonight at nine. Make sure you’re home for it.”

“Okay, Dad,” we both call out as out the door we go.

When we’re in the car and backing out of the drive, I realize how Dad had addressed us. It makes me feel real good.

***

Ellen and I dash off to the mall. After checking several stores, we settle on getting me a nice navy-blue suit. The skirt comes to just above the knee and the blouse is a lovely Egyptian cotton button down with navy pearl buttons. The jacket is a well-tailored single breasted and the whole outfit looks rather nice.

After getting that, Ellen leads me over to get some new shoes.

“Ellen, I already have shoes. Why on earth do I need more?”

“Sis, trust me, you can never have too many shoes. What you have just isn’t right for a business outfit. Now try these on. They’re a Mary Jane pump with a two inch heel and they’ll be perfect. They’ll work with your business outfits or even with jeans.”

I slip them on and they’re remarkably comfortable. I have to keep up my image though and say, “I don’t know, sis. Why do I have to get heels?”

“’Cause this will look better. Flats are all right but the heels will give you that added little oomph.”

“Well, if you say so.”

“I do, now how do those feel?”

“Not too bad.”

“Cool. Let’s get those then we can get a quick bite to eat and then go home for the family meeting. Oh, we need to stop and get you some hose too. Pantyhose would probably be the better choice for now. We’ll get you graduated up to stockings at some point.”

“Great. Oh well, I suppose that this is all part of the learning experience.”

“That’s the spirit!”

We finish up our shopping and after a quick bite to eat we head back home.

***

We get back from the mall in plenty of time and Ellen and I are upstairs figuring out what I need to bring for this trip when Dad calls for us to come downstairs.

Everyone is already in the family room when Ellen and I get there. The twins are playing something on the Wii and when Ellen and I sit down, Mom reaches over and shuts it off.

“Oh, Mom! I had Mark beat that time.”

“You two can play again tomorrow, now take a seat. Your father and I have an announcement to make.”

Dad stands up and says, “Kids, for the last twenty years I’ve worked for the government. For the last couple of years that’s been in the Department of Energy.

“That’s one of the reasons we’ve moved around so much. Well, your mother and I have been talking and we’ve decided that we’re tired of living like gypsies and we need to settle down.

“What all that means is tomorrow and Wednesday I’m going to be meeting with the top brass at a private company where we hope to finalize the terms of my employment. Since this affects all of us, your mother and I wanted to tell you what was going on.”

“So is our trip off then?” I ask.

“No, honey, this is what the trip is for. The company will be flying us down to the corporate office for the final negotiations.”

Bill pipes in, “Alex is going with you? I want to go.”

“Me too,” says Mark.

“No, this trip will be just for me and Alex.”

“Hey, that’s not fair!” they both say at the same time.

Mom says, “You heard your father, besides, you have a bunch of schoolwork you need to finish up if you plan on going to that scout jamboree this summer.”

That shuts them up quickly. They’ve been talking about this jamboree for ages.

“So, Dad, what will you be doing for this company?” asks Ellen.

“Well, the company is called Northern Lights Industries and they are one of the leading alternative energy research groups out there. They want me to lead their R&D division.”

That’s usually how our family meetings are, short and sweet. The folks just like to keep us in the loop on what is happening.

“Alex?”

“Yes, Dad?”

“The car will be here around eight tomorrow morning. You have everything you’ll need?”

“I think so. Ellen and I just finished up packing before we came downstairs. I’ll have Mom double-check things before I close everything up.”

“Great. Now, don’t be up too late, we’re going to have a busy day tomorrow.”

“I won’t, Dad. Nite. Mom, could you come upstairs when you have a sec?”

“I’ll be up in a minute, honey.”

Shortly after, Mom comes up and together we go through what Ellen and I have packed. Mom suggests that I should bring my swimsuit as there should be a pool at the hotel and I might want to take a swim. So I grab my one-piece and pack that and close up the case.

“Mom, Dad said he was going to tell everyone I was his assistant. Was he just kidding me?”

“Maybe just a bit, but I think he really will want you to help him with a few things. I’m glad you’re going to be there, too.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, your father is genius in his field, but when it comes down to negotiating his compensation he’s like a fish out of water. What I’d like from you is if you see that they start talking about dollar figures, you make sure that your father gets me on the line. Will you do that?”

“Sure thing, Mom. You can count on me.”

“I know I can, sweetheart. Now get into bed, you’re going to have an early start tomorrow.”

“Okay, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you too, baby.”

***

Journal Entry: April 26^th

This is going to be a quick entry because I need to get to bed, but guess what? Dad totally apologized to me and I think our little fight may have actually helped things. It brought some issues out to the open and we’re now dealing with them.

Also, Dad is leaving government work. Wow, he’s been doing that forever. So Dad is looking to go work for this new company and from what I heard they really want him. Anyway, Dad will be going down to this company’s corporate headquarters in San Diego tomorrow and Thursday and he’s taking me! I’m going to be his assistant. Dad said it will be our first father and daughter outing and I almost broke into tears when he said it, too. He really is trying.

Now the super-cool thing is the company is flying us down there in their helicopter! I’ve never been in one and I am so excited!

Well, I’m off to bed.

End Journal Entry

***

The next morning I have no trouble getting up when Mom knocks on my door. Given how excited I am about this trip, I’m surprised at how fast I fell asleep last night. I quickly get up and throw on my robe and go downstairs for breakfast.

Mom and Dad are both in the kitchen when I get downstairs. I immediately pour myself a glass of juice and put an English muffin in the toaster.

“Morning, Dad.”

“Morning, honey. The car will be here in about an hour.”

“I’ll be ready, Dad.”

I quickly eat and down my juice then run up to take my shower. An hour! Geeze I hope I can do it!

I take a quick shower and I’m real proud that I didn’t cut my legs once. Then the long process of drying my hair begins. Damn, this hair takes forever to dry. With that done, I’m applying my makeup when Mom comes in.

“Hey, sweetie, doing okay?”

“Yeah, I just hope I don’t mess up and ruin things for Dad.”

“Don’t worry, honey, you won’t. Would you like me to put your hair in a French braid for you?”

“Oh would you? That would be great. Thanks, Mom.”

“Well, as soon as you’re done with your makeup, come out here and I’ll do it. It won’t take long.”

So I finish up with my makeup and go back into my room. Mom has already taken out a bra and panty set for me as well as my hose.

“Come over here and sit. It won’t take but a minute to braid your hair.”

“I can do a regular braid easy enough; I just can’t do a French braid.”

“Oh, it isn’t much different, but it is easier doing it on someone else than yourself.”

I try to relax as Mom brushes then braids my hair.

“There, all done.”

I look in the mirror and it looks perfect.

I give Mom a hug. “Thanks, Mom, you’re the best.”

“Anytime, sweetheart, now finish up dressing. The car will be here soon.”

I take off my robe and slip on the panties and bra. Then I put on the nylons. Now this is a whole new experience for me. Nylons feel real weird on. Not bad, but certainly different. I do like how my legs look and feel in them, though.

I finish dressing then make sure I have everything for our trip. I grab my overnight bag and my purse and get downstairs just as the car pulls up outside.

Dad takes my bag and tells me to hurry, but Mom stops me and hands me a black soft-bound briefcase.

“Here you go, honey. A good assistant needs to be well equipped.”

“Thanks, Mom, you’re the best.”

I give her a quick kiss and dash out the door.

The driver is just finishing up putting our bags in the trunk and then he goes and opens my door.

The car is a Lincoln Towncar and the interior is real posh. The seats are leather and almost too soft, as I kept feeling like I’m going to fall backwards–not something I really want to do wearing a skirt.

Dad is busy reading over some papers and I take the time to open up the case that Mom gave me.

Inside is a legal pad and Mom has written me a note on it. ‘Honey, have fun and enjoy your trip. The only real thing you have to do as your father’s assistant is to make sure that he doesn’t sign anything before calling me. You being there will take a load off my mind. If you need me, there’s a cell phone in the side pocket. Love, Mom.’

I have to giggle at her note. My Dad is one of the smartest people I know and she makes it sound like he can’t even tie his own shoes by himself.

In almost no time, we’re at the airport, but instead of going to the main terminal, we pull up to a small building nearby. There are a bunch of small planes and helicopters around and I can feel my excitement at riding in one growing.

The driver stops and opens my door. In my excitement, I almost flash him as I swing my legs out. Fortunately, I catch myself. As it is, I’m blushing as I get out of the car. My Dad comes around and we go into the small building while the driver follows with our luggage.

The inside of the building is like a waiting room and I stay by the bags while Dad checks in at the counter. Almost immediately, this guy comes out of a back room to greet us, take our bags and lead us back outside through another door.

We walk up to this absolutely beautiful blue helicopter. I can’t believe how big it is. Waiting by the open door is this lady wearing a very nice navy-blue pant suit. When we get closer, she steps forward to greet us.

“Hello, Mr. Conners, my name is Bridget Parker and I will be your pilot for our trip to San Diego.”

“Pleased to meet you, Ms. Parker, this is my assistant and my daughter, Alex.”

Bridget shakes my hand and says, “Very nice to meet you. If you’ll both climb aboard we can get you settled and take off.”

We climb aboard and Bridget tells us we can sit anywhere we would like. We end up sitting in the two forward-facing bucket seats. These seats are super-comfortable.

Bridget starts her obviously prepared speech. “Okay now, first things first. If you’ll have a seat, I’ll show you how your seatbelts work. Meanwhile, once we take off and reach our cruising altitude, we should be in San Diego in about two and a half hours. We’ll be flying at approximately two thousand feet and at a speed of around a hundred and sixty-five knots, that comes to be about a hundred and ninety miles per hour.”

She goes on with her safety speech and gets us comfortable. I’m almost beside myself with excitement and I guess it clearly shows.

Bridget says, “First time in a helicopter?”

“Yes, this is just so cool.”

Chuckling she replies, “It sure is. If you’d like to listen in on the flight conversations I have with the towers, just put these headphones on and move this switch to here.

“Now the two of you just sit back and relax and we’ll be down in ’Diego in no time.”

With that, she leaves the cabin and closes the door. Immediately all the airport noise disappears.

I see her climb in the cockpit and buckle up. I put on the headphones and listen in as she starts the engine and begin her take-off conversation with the tower.

I’m really surprised at how quiet it is in the cabin. I always thought that the noise in a helicopter was so loud you couldn’t think, but this is no worse than being in a regular airplane–far cooler, though.

Soon enough we’re flying south and I am trying to look everywhere at once. We’re out over the water and the land is on Dad’s side and I have the entire Pacific Ocean on my side.

I can see into the cockpit through the partition and I avidly watch Bridget as she pilots us. I’m convinced that this is the best way to travel. Your view is amazing from up here and I just can’t get enough.

***

All too soon, and it certainly doesn’t feel like it has been two and a half hours, we’re landing at this pad on top of a building.

After the engine is shut down, Bridget opens the door and we are introduced to another lady.

“Mr. Conners, I think you know Susanne, Mr. Dorney’s executive assistant. Susanne, this is Mr. Conners’ assistant, Alex.”

We all say our hellos and follow Susanne inside.

Now that I don’t have the excitement of flying to keep me occupied, I am beginning to wonder just why I’m here and what I can do that won’t be in the way.

We’re escorted to a conference room and told that Mr. Dorney will be with us soon. Susanne asks if she can get us anything and I suddenly realize that I really need to use the restroom.

Susanne shows me where it is and after doing my business and freshening up my makeup, I go back to the conference room.

I decide that since Dad is introducing me as his assistant, then by golly I’m going to act like one. When I get back to the room, I open my briefcase and take out my pad and pens. If nothing else, I can take detailed notes for Dad.

I finally have a use for the shorthand that Mom insisted that all of us learn. She said that it would come in handy and she was right. The twins are learning it now and hating it, just like I hated to learn it, too.

I get everything set up where I am going to sit just as three men enter the room and greet Dad. One is Mr. Dorney and the other two are the vice-president of marketing and sales, a Mr. Danbridge and the vice-president of personnel, a Mrs. Wilk.

“Well, Robert,” says Mr. Dorney, “I thought that we’d start off on your requirements and we can put to rest these last final issues, then we can have a quick lunch and set the final figures on your compensation package. Sound okay to you?”

“That will work fine, Mr. Dorney.”

“Please, I told you it’s Richard.”

I’m busy writing down everything and blessing my mother every chance I get. After about an hour, it is decided to break for lunch. They have some food catered and then they were going to talk dollars it seems to me.

I go up to Dad and say, “Excuse me, sir. If there is a terminal I can use, I can get the morning notes typed up before negotiations continue.”

Dad has a slight smile on his face and he turns to Mr. Dorney and says, “Richard, is there somewhere my assistant could type up the morning’s notes?”

“Well, I don’t see why Susanne couldn’t do that, just give them to her.”

I say, “I’m afraid that she’d have a difficult time reading my writing, sir.”

“Well go see her, she’ll get you all set up.”

I thank him and step out. Susanne’s office is just around the corner and at my knock and explanation, she leads me over to a desk with a terminal.

“Here you go, love. Anything else you need?”

“No thank you, I’ll let you know when I’m done.”

While the computer is booting up, I get out Mom’s cell phone and give her a call.

Susanne is right nearby and not really wanting to have her hear what I’m saying, I think I’ll put on an act and hope Mom catches on.

Mom answers on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Ciao, Signora. Mi aveva chiesto di chiamarti quando siamo arrivati vicino.”
(“Hello, Ma’am. You wanted me to call you when we were getting close.”)

“What? Oh! Si, grazie per aver chiamato me. Potete portatlo a darmi un invito per favore?”
(“Yes, thank you for calling me. Can you get him to give me a call please?”)

“Potrebbe essere piá¹ facile per voi a chiamarlo. Egli ᨠavalible ora.”
(“It might be easier for you to call him. He is available now.”)

“Grazie, a voi e non sei il furbo? Arrivederci.”
(“Thank you, and aren’t you the clever one? Goodbye.”)

“Ciao.”

I hang up and feeling rather pleased with myself, I quickly type up the notes I have made. When I’m done, I ask Susanne where I can print them to. She helps me and I print up five copies and return to the conference room. Dad is on his cell and when I come into the room he turns and gives me a wink. I pass out the notes and ask that if there need to be any corrections, to please let me know.

After getting all of that done, I don’t get a chance to eat so I just grab a soda and resume my role as note taker.

Susanne comes in and gives Mr. Dorney some paperwork and then Dad gets off the phone.

“Richard, before we get into the compensation package, I’d like to get my wife on the phone. Her job is finance and since I’d want to discuss this with her anyway, we could save time by just conferencing her in now.”

Mr. Dorney gives me a penetrating stare and smiles. “Fine, Robert, that would be just fine.”

I get up and dial Mom’s office phone and put it on speaker.

I never have heard this type of negotiation before and it is certainly an eye-opener for me. Mom seems to be one tough negotiator and the figures they are discussing: well I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. We’re going to be rich, real rich by the sound of it.

About three hours later, we’re done and my hand is about to fall off from all of the writing I’ve done. They’re going to take a tour around the complex and although that might be interesting, I beg off so I can type up the notes before we’re completely through.

With that done, I save a copy to my flash drive and tell Susanne that she can have the one on the computer for their records if she wants. I again make copies and when Mr. Dorney and Dad return, I give Dad his.

“Robert, it’s going to be great having you on this team and you be sure to tell your wife that she can have a job here anytime she wants. That woman is a wicked negotiator.” Turning to me he says, “And I understand that you’re not only his assistant but his daughter as well.”

Blushing, I say, “Yes sir.”

“I also have it on good authority that you actually speak Italian?”

“Um, yes, sir.”

Dad proudly adds, “Not only Italian, but French, Spanish and what else?”

“Ah, a little Greek, too.”

Mr. Dorney starts laughing. “Robert, I am so glad I convinced you to work with us, I’d never survive it if you and your family went to work for one of our competitors. It’s clear to me now that I got a bargain after all. I not only got you, but a bit of your wife and daughter as well.”

Turning back to me he asks, “How about you? Want a job?”

“Oh, ah no thank you, sir. I need to finish school first.”

“Well the offer will be open when you’re done. Susanne, is their car here?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Great, then I’ll let you two get settled and we’ll see you tonight.”

***

Susanne escorts us out to the car and tells us that our bags have already been delivered to the hotel and we are already checked into our rooms.

The drive to the hotel goes by without Dad and I saying anything. We are smiling at each other an awful lot, though.

We arrive at the hotel and I am blown away. The place is called the US Grant and it looks like a palace. There’s someone from the hotel waiting for us when we pull up and we’re quickly shown to our room.

I’m truly surprised my eyes don’t dry up into itty-bitty raisins because I don’t think I’ve blinked. This place is amazing and our room–suite really–is huge. The bedroom has two king-sized beds in it and room enough for a third. The bathroom, well what can I say about that except I want one. And if I ever get one, I’ll never leave it. The shower alone is huge, like ten feet square and I counted, it has six showerheads. I can also do laps in the tub: it’s so big.

“Dad, can we afford a place like this?”

“First, the company is paying for it and even if they weren’t, after today we could. Not for long, but we could.

“I didn’t want to say anything at the company and not in front of the driver, but I just have to tell you now how so very proud I am of you. You were absolutely marvellous today.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’m not sure I did all that much but I did have fun.”

“Well I think you did great. Speaking Italian to your mother, you are too much. Well, dinner is probably going to be rather boring for you. It’s just going to be a bunch of the senior people. You’re more than welcome, but if you don’t want to go, you can order anything here at the hotel, I’m sure they have a pool if you want to go for a swim and as my way of saying thank you, they do provide an in-suite spa treatment. What shall it be?”

“Um, well, if you’re not going to need me tonight...” I have thoughts of another massage going through my head.

Dad laughs and says, “Well, I’m going to give your mother a call and then get ready. Why don’t you check out what services they have and that you’d like to try?”

I go over to the desk and open up the large leather binder that the hotel provides regarding all of their services and turn to the spa section. It turns out that there isn’t a pool after all, but the spa treatments look nice. If Dad says it’s okay, I think I’ll get a massage or a pedicure and another manicure.

Dad comes back out and asks what I have decided on.

“Well, maybe a massage or a pedicure and manicure?”

“As I said, you were great today, how about both?”

“Really?”

“Why not? If you want to go change, I’ll call down for you and set it up. I want to make sure that there won’t be an issue charging it to the room.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

I go and give him a quick hug and then go and try out that shower.

***

The shower is fantastic, although when you get all six showerheads going, if you aren’t careful you’re in serious danger of drowning.

The hotel also provides these super-plush, super-soft robes, so after putting on a fresh pair of panties I slip into one and go out to see when Dad is going to leave.

When I get out to the main room, Dad is there watching two ladies set up a massage table–oh goodie.

“There you are, sweetheart. They had an opening right away. Is that okay?”

“Sure thing, Dad, the timing is perfect.”

“Great. I’m going to go finish getting ready and I’ll leave you. Now after this, you be sure to get some dinner.”

“I will, Dad.”

I go over to the massage table and apparently I’m going to get everything done at once. That should be interesting.

One of the ladies directs me up onto the table and I realize that again I’m going to have to be topless. I quickly drop my robe and lay face down on the table.

The other lady comes over and opens a case that has a ton of different colored nail polish in it. Wanting to be a bit different this time, I choose a pale lavender that I think will be nice.

Soon, my muscles are being expertly wrung out, pounded and kneaded into submission and it feels wonderful.

The other lady is working on my hands and I tell her at one point that I’m trying to let my nails grow but I do wish that my nails were a bit longer.

After my back is finished I’m in no state to care so when prompted I roll over to have my front massaged and my pedicure done.

A bit over an hour later they’re done. You’d think that a posh place like this wouldn’t have thieves, but I swear one or both stole every bone in my body. I don’t think I minded too much.

When I try to get up though, I nearly put out my eye: apparently our discussion on my desire for longer nails was taken as a request and they gave me a full set of what are called solar nails. They look great, they’re hard as diamonds and I feel like I can open cans with them without a can-opener. They’re just long enough, as well. Too much longer and I’d be afraid of opening a vein with one.

After they pack up their things, I put on my Esmeralda outfit and order room service and turn on the TV to one of the cable music channels. This is going to be the perfect time for me to do some hard thinking and I plan on making the best of it.

***

I have a wonderful steak salad for dinner, and then settle back on the couch to listen to the music and think.

I wake up and feel a bit disoriented until I figure out where I am. Apparently I nodded off at some point and someone put me into one of the beds. I sure hope it was Dad.

I look over at the other bed and although it has been slept in, it is now empty. I get up and stumble my way into the bathroom. A very rumpled Esmeralda greets me from the mirror. I look like Quasimodo used me to ring the bells.

I quickly do my business and go out to see if Dad is around.

“Morning, honey, sleep well?”

“Morning, Dad, yeah, I slept great. I don’t remember you coming in. Please tell me you are the one who put me in bed.”

“No, no it wasn’t me. Of course the bellboy was just leaving when I got back so maybe it was him?”

At my look, Dad starts to laugh. “No, honey, I’m just kidding. I carried you in to bed, although you looked mighty comfy on the couch.”

“You’re mean. Yeah, that couch is way comfy. So, what’s the schedule for today?”

“Well, we got everything we needed to get done accomplished yesterday, in no small part thanks to you, so we’ll go back over to the offices and pick up some paperwork then we’ll catch the helicopter for home. We should get back a bit after lunch. Sound good?”

“Great, I’ll just go get dressed then we can get some breakfast.”

I go back into the bedroom and pull out my new outfit from the closet. I go into the bathroom and strip to my panties and proceed to wash then makeup my face and try to tame my hair. Not being real good at doing a French braid, I try to put my hair up in what Mom calls a chignon. A couple of hairpins later and by golly, that looks pretty darn good.

I gather up my stuff and go back out to finish dressing. One of the last things I put on is my pantyhose. Although they make my legs look great and they do feel nice, by the end of the day yesterday I was getting rather warm and uncomfortable in them. With dressing done and my bag packed, I go back out and Dad and I go downstairs for breakfast.

Soon after breakfast, the car is there to take us back to the company. When we get there, we’re escorted by Susanne back up to Mr. Dorney’s office.

“Well, Robert, Alex, it’s been a real pleasure and I know this is going to be a great relationship for all of us. We’re all family here and I know you and your family will fit right in.

“Alex, Chá¡rika gia ti gnorimá­a. Boy I hope I just said that it was a pleasure meeting you.”

“Oh, sas efcharistá³, ká½rie, ki egá³ to á­dio. Ah, thank you, sir, me too.”

At this, Mr. Dorney starts laughing again. “I didn’t understand a word you just said. Hopefully you didn’t call me a crazy old man for testing you like I just did. I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

“Robert, your daughter is a treasure. You’re a lucky man.”

“Yes I am, a very lucky man.”

“Alex, I wasn’t joking, you finish school and you’ve got a job here. You’re one smart young lady.”

“Thank you, sir. Dad, I’ll just take our cases up to the pad and make sure all is ready with the helicopter if that’s okay?”

I think Dad could tell that was just an excuse for me to check out the helicopter again.

“That’s fine, Alex; I’ll be right up there.”

“Well, sir, it was a pleasure meeting you. Antá­o. Goodbye.”

Well, Mr. Dorney starts chuckling again and I grab our cases and go on up to the helipad.

***

I get up to the helipad and our pilot Bridget Parker is out walking around the helicopter. I go on out and I feel my excitement start to build again.

“Hello, Miss Parker, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Hi there. Alex, isn’t it?”

“Yes, ma’am. My Dad will be up in just a few minutes. I decided to come on up with the bags.”

“Call me Bridget. Here, let me store them. You seemed pretty excited on the ride down here, care for the nickel tour?”

“That would be so cool, yes please.”

So Bridget starts to show me around the helicopter, and then has me get into the front seat.

“Okay, so there are only three main controls you use to fly one of these. There’s the Cyclic here between your knees, the Collective down here on your left side and the Rudder that is controlled by the pedals down here.”

Dad comes up at that point and is listening in.

“Wow, I can’t believe that you can actually get paid for flying one of these. You have to have one of the best jobs around.”

“Well I certainly think so. Say, if it’s okay with your dad, would you like to fly back from up here?”

I look over at Dad and I’m pleading with my eyes as much as I can. It must have worked because he said okay.

“All right!”

“Great, we’ll get you buckled up then get your dad settled then we can be off.”

We take off and if I thought that the view from the passenger compartment was great, it is nothing to the view from up front. It is so cool and I just know that I need to learn how to fly.

I chat with Bridget the whole way up and at one point she lets me follow her on the controls. That’s where I lightly hold onto the controls so I can feel how she does things.

I’m so excited that I damned near pee myself. I can’t wait until we get home and I can tell Ellen and Mom about all of this.