“Hey David?” I turned my attention to the man across from me at the table.
“Hm?” He quickly swallowed his spoonful of soup, setting his spoon in his bowl. I smiled quietly. I always enjoyed his chicken noodle soup. “What is it, Ditzy?”
“Did I ever tell you what I’ve always wanted to do in my life?”
David thought for a minute, tapping his finger on his chin. “No, I don’t think so. What is it you want to do?”
“I’ve always wanted…” I blushed slightly. “It’s silly, but I’ve always wanted to fly.”
“We can see if we can get you some money for a plane ride, if you like,” David said, smiling at me. “It may take a while, but I think we can do it.”
“No, no,” I said quickly, shaking my head and putting my spoon in my bowl. “I mean, I’ve always wanted to fly on my own.”
David tilted his head sideways slightly. “I don’t think I follow you, Ditzy.”
“Well,” I averted my gaze, embarrassed at how silly I knew I was going to sound. “Sometimes, in my dreams, I imagine I grow wings. I step out under the clear open sky, spread my wings as wide as I can, and take off into the air. I-I know it’s silly, and I know it’s impossible, but it’s something I’ve always wanted.”
David looked at me, seeming to think for a moment. “When did these dreams start, Ditzy? Why didn’t you ever tell me about them before?”
“I think they started when I was put into the wheelchair. Back when I couldn’t walk, all I wanted was to fly.” I looked back up at David, a hopeful smile on my face. “All I still want is to fly. I want the freedom, and I want to feel the rush of the wind against my face.”
David went back to thinking, then smiled at me. “Give me just a moment, Ditzy, and I think I can help you with that.” He stood up and walked into the other room, the swinging door shutting behind him. I looked down at my now cool soup, the bits of chicken slowly floating in the yellowish liquid.
I knew he must have thought I was crazy, wanting to fly as badly as I did. Maybe he was on the phone with an insane asylum to get me committed. Or maybe he was calling Pinkie to come throw me another pity party, or should I call it a ‘Feel Good Party’? They always called it that.
“Good news, Ditzy,” David said, coming back out of the kitchen. “I got a hold of Dash, and guess what?”
“What?” I looked at him, more intrigued by the second.
“She said she can help you with your dream. All you have to do,” he told me, coming around the table and helping me stand up. “Is get ready to go with Dash. She’ll be here soon.”
“Let me go get changed, then,” I said, heading to the back of the house.
“I’ll tell you when she gets here, ok?”
I nodded, closing my door behind me. I stripped down slowly, then pulled on a tee shirt, some jeans, and a grey hoodie. As I started to tie my shoes, I heard David knock at my door. “Dash is here, Ditzy.”
“I’ll be out in a minute, David,” I responded, standing up carefully and stepping out of my room. I smiled at David, who smiled back and helped me to the front door. When we opened it, I saw Dash sitting there on a motorcycle, a spare helmet under her arm and a grin on her face.
“Hey there, blondie,” she called to me as David helped me down to meet her. “I hear you’re looking to fly like an angel?”
I nodded quickly, smiling at her. Then my smile fell a little. “But… Why is there a motorcycle?”
“Well,” Dash shyly rubbed the back of her head. “I think we both know that right now, you can’t exactly fly the way you want to. BUT!” She patted the helmet under her arm. “I figure I can give you an experience that’s pretty close.”
I took the helmet from her and turned it slowly in my hands, looking at the shiny red finish on it. I smiled and put it on, Dash stepping forward to help adjust it for me. When it fit comfortably, we both sat on the bike, Dash revved it up, and we sped out onto the street. I leaned forward and grabbed onto Dash’s waist tightly, tensing up and screaming in fear.
Dash quickly pulled over, stopping and turning to face me. “Ditzy, are you ok?” I shivered quietly, still clutching tightly to Dash’s waist. “We can stop now if you want.”
I took a couple calming breaths, then shook my head slowly. “Nuh uh. I w-want to k-k-keep g-going.”
Dash looked me over, an uncertain look on her face, but she finally nodded. “Ok, then. But how ‘bout we go just a bit slower?”
I nodded quickly, smiling under my shiny red helmet. “Th-that would be n-n-nice.”
Dash smiled at me, slowly pulling out of the spot where she had parked. We headed back down the road, gaining speed at a much steadier pace than last time. I felt better this time, carefully relaxing my grip on Dash’s waist.
Finally, I carefully sat up, feeling the wind rush around me and blow my hair around my shoulders. It felt like I had imagined, the wind and the freedom and the joy.
I leaned down and hugged Dash around her waist, smiling under my helmet. “This is amazing!”
Dash glanced back at me with a smile. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
As we rounded the curve that led back to the house, I saw David sitting on the front porch step waiting on us. We pulled up where Dash had picked me up, and as she stopped the motorcycle, I carefully stepped off, undoing the helmet and taking it off. I handed Dash her helmet and ran excitedly over to David, throwing my arms around him in a tight hug.
“Thank you so much!” I giggled happily, grinning and pulling back to stare at him.
“It was nothing,” David said with a smile. “Honestly you should be thanking Dash.”
“Psh,” Dash waved her hand dismissively as she approached us. “I was just happy to help Ditzy live one of her dreams.”
I smiled happily at one, then the other, still giggling like a maniac. “I just… I just can’t believe I was able to feel like I was flying! David you’re a genius!” I jumped forward and placed a light kiss on his lips, then quickly leapt backwards, blushing hotly. “Oh, oh g-goodness,” I mumbled, looking around embarrassed. “I j-j-just, uh, um…” I ran inside the house, disappearing into my room and quickly shutting my door behind me. I collapsed onto my bed and pulled my pillow over my head, squealing happily.
I had an amazing day.