//------------------------------// // Rescued Treasure // Story: Time To Be Awesome // by Split Scimitar //------------------------------// “Hey Max. You busy?” “Not terribly.” “I’d like you to meet my parents.” “Hi! Split Scimitar, but I go by Max.” “My name’s Windy Whistles!” Her mom says offering her hand, which I shake. “I’m Bow Hothoof. It’s nice to meet you.” “It’s so great to see our little Dashie flying with the Blue Angels!” Windy shouts excitedly. “Absolutely! How long are you in town?” “The week. Scrambled for tickets as soon as the show got rescheduled.” “No kidding! Are you staying here or Palm Springs?” “Wherever Rainbow is.” “Okay. Well, I’d love to show you around if I had the time. Unfortunately, I do have to take my wife to Maui the day after the show.” “Oh, that’s unfortunate. You seem like just the guy to show us around.” “Mom and Dad,” Rainbow begins, “if you want to, you can come to my room. There’s space for you.” “Which car are they using?” I ask Dash. “Do you want to use the Mustang or the Porsche?” She then asks her parents. “Either one’s fine.” Windy says. “Eh, I can give you the Porsche.” “Hooray!” Windy cheers as they leave the tower. After about a half hour, the formation does something different. A routine I haven’t seen before. No other radio calls are made except for the occasional call to ground. About another 10 minutes, the pilot and passenger of the accident aircraft come up to the tower. “Hey, we called home base, and our reports are submitted.” “Okay. Um, the NTSB should be sending someone to begin the investigation. I’ll do my best to keep the aircraft okay. Don’t forget, you’ll also need to write an NTSB report, since you did lose pieces of prop.” “Already did that. Submitted digitally, and a digital copy is in my possession.” “Okay. Do you need accommodations back to home base? If you still need a ride when tower closes, I can take you.” “Okay. Well, let me ask around. Someone might be willing to take us.” “Okay. Just let me know.” “Will do.” A few minutes after they leave, I get a call. “Tower, Angel 3.” “Angel 3, Victorville tower, go ahead.” “Angel 3, having some trouble with engine 1. Immediate landing.” “Angel 3, roger. Runway 17, proceed straight in.” “Straight in 17, Angel 3.” “Any linemen on frequency?” I transmit on ground. “Any linemen on frequency?” I then repeat on the Unicom. “Ground, you got one.” “Roger. Angel 3 inbound with engine trouble.” “Roger, standing by.” “Angel 3, runway 17, cleared to land.” “Cleared to land 17, Angel 3.” “Tower, Angel Flight.” “Angel Flight, Tower.” “How quickly can Angel 8 get airborne?” “Standby.” “Any linemen on frequency?” “Ground, you got one.” “Scramble Angel 8. Engine trouble with Angel 3.” “Roger, thanks.” “Angel 3, left E3, E3 E, cross runway 21, monitor ground 124.45.” “E3 E, cross 21 to the ramp, 24.45, Angel 3.” “Ground, Angel 8.” “Angel 8, Ground. You ready to go?” “Affirm.” “Angel 8, roger. Wind 160 at 7, altimeter 30.02, information Q current. Runway 35, taxi via C C1.” “C C1, runway 35, Angel 8.” “Angel 8, passing C2, monitor tower 118.35.” “18.35 past C2, Angel 8.” Angel 8 passes E just as Angel 3 turns onto E south of D. “Angel 8, Victorville tower, runway 35, line up and wait.” “Line up and wait 35, Angel 8.” Just as Angel 3 shuts down and opens canopy, I get a phone call. “Hello?” “Hi, this is Carlos from the NTSB. I’m calling about the incident involving N323MQ.” “Yes! I’ve been looking forward to your call. Are you in town at this time?” “Not quite. I’m currently laying over in Phoenix. I’ll arrive late in the evening, and then I’ll be on my way up to you tomorrow morning.” “Sure. Be advised, the Angels lunch break goes from 11:00-13:00, so I would recommend getting here at around 10:30-10:45.” “Sounds good. I’ll make a note of that.” “Thank you for calling.” “Certainly. Talk to you soon. Goodbye.” “Bye.” I then decide to write on a post it note, “NTSB, tomorrow at 10:30.” “Ground, Angel maintenance.” “Yes, sir?” “Angel 3 has a more serious problem than the engine.” “Roger. Do you want me to tell Commander Spitfire?” “Affirm.” “Roger.” “Angel 1, Tower.” “Angel 1, go.” “Looks Like Angel 3 has a bigger problem. Maintenance should debrief you on it, but they wanted me to tell you.” “Angel 1, roger.” She responds with a drudge. “Attention all aircraft, information R current, wind 150 at 12, altimeter 29.97. Break. Angel 8, runway 35, cleared for takeoff. Formation your discretion.” “Cleared for takeoff 35, Angel 8.” As the Angels continue to practice, I watch Angel 3’s maintenance crew working hard to remedy the situation. Soon, the final landing call comes in. “Tower, Angel Flight, landing for the day.” “Angel Flight, Victorville Tower. Runway 17, your discretion, cleared to land.” “17, own discretion, cleared to land, Angel Flight.” “Angel [1, 4, 2, 6, 5, 8], left [E3/D], [E3/D] E to the ramp, cross runway 21, monitor ground 124.45.” When the last Angel crosses runway 21, I announce, “Attention all aircraft and vehicles, time now 1805 local. Class D surface area terminated, class E airspace now in effect. Air traffic control service is terminated.” And with that, I prep the tower for non-towered operations before shutting down all other unnecessary equipment. I then take off the headset and exit the tower just as the sun gives way to civil twilight. “Good work today, boys.” Spitfire addresses her squad, sounding like she just finished a pep talk. “Alright, tomorrow is the final day before we leave for San Bernardino. Make it count. Dismissed for the night.” “Cracker Barrel anyone?” A voice sounding like Soarin’ asks. A group of about 5 or 6 pilots and line staff alike concur and pile into a van and head out. Dash joins me while Spitfire attends to Angel 3. “You want to have dinner with my parents?” Dash asks me. “Why not? Let’s just not go to Cracker Barrel.” “Right… how about Freddy’s?” “Sure. I’m not picky. Ask Rosalina. She’s pretty much the final say and authority when it comes to meals.” In response to that, Rainbow pulls out her phone and gesticulates a whip. “¡Jajaja, qué funny!” I respond unamused. “You speak Spanish?” She asks caught off guard. “No.” “Pinkie does. She might enjoy you for that.” “You think Pinkie would like me? I didn’t spend much time with her in Chicago, and I made it clear that people that chipper make me nervous.” “This is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about though. She’ll go to great lengths to make you smile.” “That’s exactly it. She makes me feel uneasy, even though I know she means well.” “Well, take it from me, despite her very loud façade, she really has your best interests at heart.” “I’m sure. I always like giving people the positive rate, so to speak.” “Well, Max, I can’t say I know many people like you, who always want to see the good in people.” “I’m genuinely surprised you would say something like that.” I respond nonchalantly as we return to the terminal. Rosalina and Rainbow’s parents are talking in the main hallway heading towards us. “Hello.” I respond monotonously. “Hi Max!” Windy calls back. “You’re done just in time! Your wife wanted to get dinner.” “Where did you have in mind?” “Well, it seems the consensus is burgers.” Rosalina says to Dash and I. “No shortage of that around here. They have everything you can’t find anywhere else in the state, except for Dutch Bros, Menard’s, and other places. But they do have a Cracker Barrel, Freddy’s, Original Roadhouse, and a Sonic.” “Well, sounds like there’s plenty of choosings for us.” Bow replies dryly. “I mean, you get all the truckers, Las Vegas travelers, and similar types out here. For reference, the only two Cracker Barrel in California are that one and the other is less than an hour away.” “Wow!” Windy, uh, whistles back. “We have one in Colorado Springs, but it’s always packed.” “Same with this one. No queue time goes below 45 minutes when they’re open.” “Plus, a group of the crew is going there, so we should probably go not there.” “If it’s burgers you want, there’s no shortage of options.” “Freddy’s is always good. But if it’s sit down you want, we can always dive down to explore other options. I’m also not one for sticking to usuals, so BJ’s and a Chili’s if you ask me are a bit of a last resort.” “I can understand that.” Bow replies respectfully. “But, um, I must ask: where’s the best burger in the area?” “Um, Shake Shack is one of my favorites, but unfortunately, we’d have to go all the way to Los Angeles, two hours away.” “Aww.” He pouts. “What about Freddy’s then?” “I won’t pressure you. I don’t mind one way or another.” “I haven’t had them in a while, so I’ll approve.” When we pile in to Rosalina’s Jeep, Rainbow scrunches up in the middle as we head for Freddy’s. Of course, when we get there, we eat in so as to “get out of the airport,” but also because we need time to look at the menu. When all’s said and done, we grab a table and sit. Rainbow sits across from me with her parents, and Rosalina is of course next to me. “So, Max, how did you two meet?” Dash asks pointing at my wife and I. “You want to hear her version or mine?” “Well, she’ll probably tell the truth, so you first.” “Okay. I was on a charter in New York stuck in traffic when I got rear ended. The driver of that car was the person who introduced us, Luigi. A few months after that, I invited them on a Labor Day weekend trip to Hawaii. That’s when we met for the first time. With Luigi was his wife Daisy, his brother Mario, and his wife Peach along with Rosalina. The day we left Hawaii, we had some time to go to one of my favorite vista points to watch the sunset. Overtaken by its beauty, and thankful that they had joined us, I slowly moved my hand towards hers, but right before we could join hands, we had to leave. Eventually, I brought her home after the others left, so I asked if we could spend time together again.” “Aww!” Windy responds. “Very nice.” Bow adds. “That’s the story of our first date,” Rosalina says, “but how we got married is where things get strange. After Hawaii, or rather, when were in Hawaii, I found an open job offer for a company called Sunshine Helicopters. They do helicopter tours on Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, and for a time, across Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. I took a position that originated on Maui, but during my interview, they asked about my ability to work on different islands as demand dictates. Basically like a cyclical wanderer. Max took me to Maui to interview, and in the process, he couldn’t keep himself contained. He revealed his feelings almost immediately, but it worked out nicely because we had reason to celebrate, me landing the job, which I grew interested in the time since I had discovered it. Like most men, he couldn’t not spoil me, so how does he celebrate? He has me live in his houses, of my choice, on Kauai and Maui, and “just to have an excuse to own one,” he bought a house on the Big Island.” “Whoa, whoa. I didn’t spoil you. I said it would be worth your while to live there, for “tax” purposes.” Windy and Rainbow laugh as Bow then asks me, “how did you manage to get her acquainted to you so quickly? It makes sense you’d help her by moving her to Hawaii for the job opportunity, but how did so much happen all at once?” “Ah, well…” I begin. “Actually, one of the best best parts of our relationship was that he gave more than enough space, but at the same time, if I needed or wanted, he would drop everything to support me.” Both parents “aww” at that, but Rainbow goes redder than ever and is visibly disgusted. “Enough with the namby-pamby! If you wanted to stay friends for so long, why did you decide to start dating?” “Ironically,” I begin, “our first date was at Disneyland, the day after a friend’s wedding.” “What happened there?” “If you ask me,” I say, “my version goes that we both felt kind of love struck, and since I had made it clear that I was interested, she reluctantly decided to take the plunge.” “You’re forgetting about the fact that we had been intimately platonic to begin with. So basically he said ‘we owe it to ourselves. If we had been so close and intimate with each other as friends, why not just finish the circle?’” “But I thought you two were…” Dash begins, but much to my surprise, she keeps her mouth, aided by the arrival of our food. “Were what?” Windy asks. “Wait, how did you know?” “Applejack told me.” “May as well say it. The Apples know, The Sparkles know, now you. The only families left are Rarity’s and the Pies.” I say indignantly. “What??!” Windy pleads, desperate for answers. I pause to look at Rosalina before taking a breath and uttering out, “we’re getting a divorce.” “Oh no!!” Windy exclaims. “What happened to such a beautiful romance?” Dash interjects, which earns her looks from all of us. “What?! Just because I project it doesn’t mean I have to be macho all the time.” “Max, I’m sorry we asked about your marriage.” Bow says quietly. “Don’t be. You wouldn’t’ve known unless your daughter had told you. And we have a de facto prenup anyway. She’s just moving back to Hawaii to work. I keep what was always mine, and she what was always hers.” “Well, I’m sorry nonetheless. Too bad it didn’t work out.” Windy finishes sadly. “Look,” I say halfway through dinner, “I don’t want to bum anyone out, especially because the whole reason you’re here I assume is to see your daughter as a Blue Angel. I mean, this is the bid you’ve been waiting for.” “Yeah!” A voice from behind us shouts. “Spitfire?!” Dash asks. “Evening, Crash!” “You remember my parents, right?” “How could I forget?” She says shaking Windy’s and Bow’s hands. “It’s always nice to know that some of us have our very own super-fans.” “Heh…” Rainbow sighs in embarrassment. “I thought you went to Cracker Barrel.” “I went last night. Thought I’d change it up. Besides, we know your talent at the controls. We’ve been waiting for a spot to open up ever since you first bid. After Colonel Fire Streak retired, we couldn’t not give it to you.” “Yeah I did!” “Hey Max, Angel 3 is still giving us trouble. If we can’t resolve it, you may need to keep her on your grounds. Hope you don’t mind potentially housing an expensive piece of extremely sensitive government property.” “As long as I can move her under tow without compromising anything, that’s fine.” “Do you have an ejector seat endorsement?” “No.” “Then I couldn’t let you sit in it anyway.” “What’s the issue with her?” “Well, she was perfect and beautiful out of her annual, but in practice, she surged once or twice and had a compressor stall.” “Nice. Is it serious?” “Maintenance is trying to figure out what caused it, since a compressor stall of this nature would require a simple retard and restart, but she wouldn’t fire up.” “Weird.” “Yeah, I know.” She finishes kind of mysteriously. “Well, enjoy your night.” She says as she gets her bag of food before heading out. “Night, Spitfire.” Dash says on our behalf. “I imagine your story is just as romantic as ours.” I then inquire a few moments later. “College sweethearts.” Windy says smiling at Bow. “Married the weekend after graduation.” “How sweet. How long did you date?” “2 1/2 years?” “Yeah. I proposed on the fifth date.” Bow responds. “And it was so beautiful too.” “Did you write a song for her or something like that?” “Oh no. I have no sense of tone. I took her to one of our favorite places to just lay back. I waited until just the right moment, and right after the sun hit the perfect spot on the hillside, I proposed.” “It was so beautiful.” Windy says elatedly. “I can imagine.” I say giving Rosalina that look of, ‘remember how it went the first time I asked.’ We both stifle a chuckle, but Rainbow picks up on it. “I know that look. What happened?” “The weekend Luigi and Mario’s kids graduated from the University of Hawaii, I figured it was time for us to finally get married. But the first time I asked her to marry me, right after I got down on one knee, she ran off to vomit before I could even pop the question.” All three burst out laughing. “That’s horrible!” Dash wheezes out. “Context, though. She had some bad seafood.” “Yeah. There’s a reason I don’t eat cephalopods.” “See? Context. But at least it went right the second time around. No frills, no surprises, just down on one knee, ring in hand, “Will you marry me?”” “It was just the way I would’ve wanted it.” Rosalina says laying her head on my shoulder. “So then why get a divorce??” Dash blurts out. “Because contrary to popular belief, some marriages just aren’t meant to be.” “Some of us aren’t comfortable with a person who treats everyone like a potential partner.” Rosalina adds, mostly to boost our apparent narrative. “What do you mean?” “I have been known to take my chivalry across bounds. I’ll leave it at that.” I respond embarrassingly. “Oh. You’re afraid he’ll cheat on you.” Bow says bluntly. “I know he has, but I’m not bothered.” Rosalina responds. “Besides, Rainbow, I never took you for a traditionalist.” “Credit to these two.” She says pointing at her parents. “Anyway, if you want to continue the conversation, we can head back.” I say, seeing as we’re all finished with our dinners. After Rainbow and her parents leave, Rosalina pulls me into our bedroom and says, “Look, I don’t appreciate you saying it wasn’t meant to be. It makes me feel like I haven’t been a good wife to you.” “I’m sorry, I guess now that we’re on the path to divorce, I just feel that we should just be honest with ourselves.” “I must also admit, that I could’ve been a better wife in that department.” “But I’ve told you that that was never an issue.” “I know, but you remember how we always made sure that there was always a time and a place.” “Of course. It just gets me wondering at how your feelings of inadequacy coincide with the divorce. It’s not like you’re saying, ‘oh, we’re getting a divorce. We should’ve been having more sex.’” “No, it’s not like that. I really can’t say that there’s a reason for my sudden feelings of inadequacy. I suppose that now that we have to talk about it, especially in the context of a divorce, that it’s surfacing.” “That makes sense. Look, I know you feel like that, especially because we have to bring it up, but I promise you, there was nothing you could have done sexually to change my feelings towards you. I’m a slag, and both of my ex wives can attest to that. Eventually, you can too. I cheat, I sleep around.” “That’s not what I’m trying to say.” “I know, but the fact of the matter is that you found me at a time when I was down. Once you settled in and got to know the real me: a heavy smoker, a heavy drinker, a slag, a self-loathing, playing the victim, sex-as-an-ulterior-motive…” “Stop.” She says in a stern yet gentle voice. “You know just as well as I do that what we had when we first met was something special.” “It really was.” I smile back, remembering the times when we shared plenty of chemistry. “But,” she continues, “you needed me more than I needed you.” “I can’t argue with that.” “And besides, look at what’s happened to us since we got together. You dropped smoking, almost entirely, your drinking has gone way down, with the exception of the holiday in Chicago. You changed in so many great ways, but now that the divorce is upon us, you’re not giving yourself enough credit. And by the way, those supposed shortcomings of yours became much less of a problem when we started dating.” “Well, I’m glad to know that at least that’s true.” “This is for the best. I promise that. Nothing will change between us.” She says as she grabs my hand. “Thank you.” She responds by pulling me into a hug, to which we both then start our bedtime routines.