While I did rack up an appetite, for some reason the pizza doesn’t seem to fill me up like the other three. Applejack especially shows a definite appreciation at being able to have Chicago style pizza, which she made clear was one of her favorites at our first holiday gathering.
Since she chose to sit next to me, I lean over and whisper,
“You want any more of mine?”
“Uh, I’ll take your sausage.”
“Phrasing!” Twi exclaims from the end of the table.
“S’all good, AJ.” I say as I slide my slice onto her plate. “Don’t know why, just not getting that satisfaction of eating it. Which is weird, because I’ve never not enjoyed eating Chicago deep dish, especially Lou’s.”
“You okay? Nothing ailin’ ya, right?”
“No. I’m not sick and I don’t feel sick. I don’t even know what I’m feeling.”
“Well,” Twi begins hypothesizing, “it could be that you’re suffering from excessive sugar intake.”
“I don’t like drinking a lot of soda. I try to only drink caffeinated sodas when I’m on long trips that usually include red eyes. And even then I’ll have energy drinks or coffee or tea instead.“
“Do you drink a lot of energy drinks?”
“No. Usually less than 5 a year.”
“Okay… how about your diet overall?”
“I try to keep myself to 1,200 calories a day. Normally I…”
“Wait a minute!” AJ shouts. “1,200?! Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I trained myself to keep my counts down because my mouth is bigger than my stomach. Plus, it’s a remnant from when I was younger. My dad had a stroke at 50. I was 23 at the time. 8 days he was in hospital, and for 7 of those days I got fat shamed by almost all of my relatives. Ever since then, I’ve severely limited my intake just because I got so self-conscious.”
“Some family ye’ had there, sugar cube.” Applejack responds. “They’ve disowned ‘ya, they fat shamed ‘ya, they refused ta’ listen t’ya…”
“Your family disowned you?” Twily says with a concerned look.
“They did.” I respond with a sad smile, “it was years ago though. I’d happily tell you the story, but not here. Next time though.”
“I’m really sorry you had to endure that.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I saw it coming a mile away, and I knew that it was inevitable. Can we change the subject? I don’t want to depress you.”
“Maybe you have a tapeworm?” Twi then says quickly.
“Twilight!” Applejack exclaims.
I only let out a few hearty chuckles. “Ha! You would know if I had a tapeworm.”
“Not really.” Twi responds shyly. “You’re skinny enough as it is.“
“And proud of it. 6’5” and 142 lbs. A nice change from when I used to be fat.”
“And how big were ‘ya then?” AJ asks between bites.
“265. I got a lap band a few years before I met my daughter’s mother. Bottomed out at 128 over that time. I looked like an abandoned dog.”
“Not much of a change from now.” Twi responds rolling her eyes.
“Thank you, I take that as a compliment!”
“Seriously, how have you not died yet?”
“I don’t know. The whole reason I got the lap band was to drop my weight to help with my blood pressure. I lost all that weight but my blood pressure is still high. Easier to manage, but still high.”
“Sorry to say,” Twi butts in, “but you don’t look good. Every time I see you, I wonder how you stay so thin.”
“I just told you. 1,200 calories a day, I read labels, minimize my cholesterol, sugar, and sodium intake, limit my intake times, and I drink a lot of water. Can we please talk about something else?”
“Ok. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’d just rather not talk about it here. And besides, I weigh less than Rosalina.”
“I know.”
Thankful we averted a crisis, AJ takes the slice she wants, so I finish my coffee. Slowly, as the other three enjoy their pizzas, me keeping mostly to myself, I suddenly find a text from my group chats pop up.
“Hey sis,” my cousin says, “do you know when our Hawaii trip is and where are we going?”
Not 2 minutes later does the response comes, “it’s in 2 weeks. We’re going to Honolulu so we can see Auntie’s condo, stay there a week then spend another week on Maui.”
“Sweet.”
“You know, I’ve always wondered what would happen if both our families would join us. I kind of miss them.”
“Yeah, it’d be nice to have the 5 of us on vacation.”
“5?”
“Yeah, you, me, and the other 3 cousins.”
“What are you talking about? We only ever had 2 other cousins.”
I chuckle slightly, knowing that my brother and sister are the only cousins they have now, sorry, ever had.
“What’s so funny, sugar cube?”
“Oh, nothing. Just a funny text conversation.”
“How are we doing?” Our waiter asks for the third time since the pizzas arrived. “Need any more refills? Coffee? Water?”
“Water, please.” I ask handing him my glass.
A few seconds later, my phone buzzes.
“You know we did have a third cousin, right?”
“Would you stop?! You know just as well as I do that we weren’t given a choice, and we stick with family no matter what. He didn’t. It was his choice to do what he did. He did it to himself. As far as we’re concerned, we only have two cousins. End of story.”
“Gee whiz.” I audibly whisper. “If you want to stick with your family, you may as well cut all ties.”
“What’s that now?” Twily asks curiously.
“Just a conversation about a business dealing. They don’t know if they want to discontinue a joint venture because the profit margin is starting to narrow, even though sales are really high, it’s just getting too expensive to work together.”
“That’s interesting.” Twi says. “Normally a joint venture is created to bring costs down. How would this joint venture increase costs?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
“Were we interested in dessert tonight?” Our waiter then asks after returning with my water.
“I’m alright.” I say, with the other three hesitating slightly before concurring.
“No problem. I’ll get your bill ready.”
“Thank you!”
I finish my last cup of coffee by popping some pills for stomach pain, but those don’t go unnoticed.
“What was that you just took?” Applejack asks worriedly.
“Just some Advil. I need it for my stomach. It’s been uneasy these past few days.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Probably had some food gone past its best-by date.”
“What could that be? You never eat.”
“Yeah I do.” I say gesturing towards the bill.
“Ye’ take laxatives or somethin’?”
“Did.”
“I don’t know how you do it.”
“Believe me, if I knew, I’d tell you. Speaking of, I can’t help but feel that most of the conversation tonight was mostly about me.”
“That’s because you were the one who showed us the city.”
“I mean, I wanted to talk about you, but all we seemed to do was talk about me.”
“Well, if I’m honest,” AJ begins, “there was a bit where it kinda did seem that way, but I don’t got nothin’ to say on the matter.”
“Max, there were times you did make it a lot about yourself, but for good reason. I can see you have a special connection to Chicago, and you couldn’t have done a better job at showing it today.” Twi adds.
“Well, thank you. I was only born here, but I always considered Chicago home. I’m glad I can show some hometown pride, even though I can’t even call Chicago home, so to speak.”
“Don’t you own like 3 places here?”
“6 actually. Spire, Hancock, my first house, my mother’s first house, my mother’s first home, an apartment actually located on LSD; and the airport.”
“You really do love this city.” Twi says rolling her eyes.
“More than I should, my obsession is unhealthy.” I respond very matter of fact.
“You don’t have an unhealthy obsession, you’re just proud.” Applejack reassures me.
“I appreciate that, but it’s unfortunately true. I wish I could say the same shows with Rosalina. I do love her with all my heart, but I also know that no matter how hard I fight, this is what she wants.”
“Max,” Twi says stopping me as quick as she can, “I know that this is your first Valentine’s Day without Rosalina, and I understand it would be difficult for you. Applejack told me everything, and it worked out nicely too. I brought Twily over so she could experience a parallel holiday. In fact, knowing what you were going through, I was trying to show that Valentine’s Day is not exclusively romantic. It was Applejack’s idea to invite me, and I was absolutely thrilled to be able to bring Twily because of how great a friend you were! Max, I know you hate being the center of attention, but would love to see your efforts put a smile on somebody’s face without getting recognized for it! Guess what? You did just that!”
Shocked by her sudden assertion, I say, “Wow, I didn’t know you felt that way.”
Then, sudden realization hits me a fraction of a second later. “It’s getting late, by the way. We should go so you don’t get back to Indianapolis too late.”
“Oh, yeah. Thank you for your consideration.”
After we climb in and I get the heater running, a quick check reveals only one area of slow traffic and an OAT of 31°, surprisingly warm for Chicago in the middle of February. Nevertheless, I make for Peotone at a manageable speed. Enough to pass most of the traffic but avoidable by police radar, I then hit the brakes at Jane Byrne, our one slow spot. Most of the ride home is silent, but I notice Twily staring at the city skyline, which I smile at.
When the city is no longer visible, I pick up speed slightly to make up for lost time.
In time to beat an incoming rain system, I reach the airport and immediately get the airplane warmed up and ready. After fetching the equipment and checking fluid levels, I spray Type I deicing fluid on the wings. This is a high temperature and high pressure fluid used to clear away already-accumulated ice. Right before pushback, I’ll apply Type IV fluid on the wings and fuselage. This type of fluid forms a relatively thick film layer on the wing, melting accumulated ice and preventing further accumulation, and shears off above 100 knots, if it doesn’t wear off before then.
I turn on all the cabin lights and check for any anomalies. Applejack follows behind me and decides to jump in the right seat. When I complete the interior inspection, I ask if she wants to sit in the cabin. Replying no, I turn off all the cabin lights and turn on all the lights in the cockpit. Time for the aircraft lights check.
Beacon, strobes, nav, taxi, landing, wing/pulse, and panel lights all check, nothing inoperative. Leaving the beacon and nav lights on, I have Applejack come out so we can say goodbye to the Twilights.
“Well Twi, it was a lot of fun. I’m so glad you were able to come, and thank you for introducing me to Twily.”
“Aw shucks. Come by and visit me when you can.”
“I’d like that.” “Twily. It was very lovely to meet you. I do apologize for seeming not myself, but I promise you’ll get to meet more of the real me as we continue to get to know each other. If that’s okay with you.”
Blushing slightly, Twily responds with, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to come. I’m really glad I met you. I enjoy making friends and meeting new people, and you’re no exception.”
“Can I get a hug?”
“Absolutely.” Both Twilights say as we all hug.
“Come on, Applejack!” Twi calls. “Group hug!”
“Oh alright!” AJ responds playfully.
“Have a safe journey.” I say letting the other three go. “Please be careful on the way back, and text me when you reach home. I’ll probably be airborne when you do, so if you don’t mind, include a time stamp?”
“Will do!” Twi responds with another hug.
“I hope to see you soon, Twily.” I say with an individual hug to her. “It’s a pleasure meeting you!”
“Me too! Hopefully I can bring my other friends next time!”
“I’d like that!”
“Bye!” The two of them call simultaneously as her engine starts. The sound of her V8 starting up cold is quite an exciting one as the signature idle echoes across the ramp as I head back to the airplane. Just as I climb up the jetway, she begins her journey home, so I send her a text.
“Hey, if you need petrol, head to my gas pumps. Free of charge.”
“Yes please, thank you!”
Once I get settled, I tell Applejack, “we’re gonna be here for at least a half hour. I have to deice the airplane before we get going.”
“Anythin’ I can do to help?”
“Uh, I don’t think so.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you though.”
She smiles as I submit my flight plan for filing. Right after that, I tune the airport’s ATIS to get some weather information.
“Gusty Garden Airport information India, 0214Z. Wind 100 at 5, visibility 9, light freezing rain. Sky condition: few clouds at 2,500, broken 3,500, overcast 3,900. Temperature -1, dew point 1, altimeter 29.91. Advisory: all runways restricted access, prior permission required. Advise on initial contact, you have information India.”
After I listen for another loop, I double check what I have written down.
“KSMG, I, 0214Z, 100/5 9SM -FZRA, FEW025 BKN035 OVC039, -1/1 A2991.”
“Alright. Weather’s copied. I’ll check again after I apply the fluid. Get comfortable AJ, this might take a while.”
She gives me a thumbs up as I prepare to add Type IV. Laying it all on nice and slow, I watch as the film starts to take shape on the wing, forming a semi-gelatinous cover that absorbs the light rain crystals that come into contact with it. The green dye starts to show indicating it is Type IV fluid. Across the entire wing and the leading edge of my namesake, I quickly drive over to the other side and repeat the process.
When I return to the cockpit, we’re 20 minutes past our planned departure, so I get going quickly. A double run of the checklist confirms all aboard. Cargo secure before I checked the lights, all doors armed and checked.
I give AJ a passenger brief then retract the jetway, then start the electric Tug, both via Bluetooth. I initiate the pushback with a little bit of wheel slip. Fortunately, it gains traction nicely not too much later, and I push back and start her up.
“Chicago departure, Boeing 265AK, IFR to Fort Smith.”
“Boeing 265AK, Chicago departure. Full route clearance available, advise when ready to copy.”
“Stand by, 265AK.” “Let’s get to the runway.”
“You want me to write stuff down fer’ ya?”
“You can try. Let me pull up my map. You can try and find the points.”
“Okay?”
“You know what?” I ask as I peer out my window, “go ahead and find points on the map as they give them to us. We’re clear of the terminal ramp, so I can just copy it here.” I finish as I stop the airplane after moving just clear of the terminal ramp.
Control surfaces check. Trim set, flaps 5 for takeoff.
“Go ahead and call them. The push to talk is that red button right by the thumb, and our call sign is ‘Boeing 2-6-5-Alpha-Kilo.’”
“Okay…” “Boeing 265AK, r…ready.”
“Boeing 265AK, cleared to Fort Smith Airport via CARYN ARLYN STL HESTN ZALDA CASKS IZOVU. On departure, maintain 10,000. Expect FL300 10 minutes after departure. Departure this frequency, squawk 2223.”
“I’ll take it, Applejack.” “Cleared to Fort Smith via CARYN, ARLYN, St. Louis, HESTN, ZALDA, CASKS, IZOVU, 10,000 on departure, expect FL300 10 minutes after departure, departure 124.55, squawk 2233, Boeing 265AK.”
“Boeing 265AK, squawk 2223, all else correct. Clearance void 30 minutes from now.”
“2223, void in 30 minutes, 265AK. Talk to you on the go.”
Quickly, we taxi out to runway 11.
Short of the runway, I look both ways, key the mic 5 times to turn on the runway lights, then turn on all the aircraft lights. Thrust set, airspeed alive, gauges in the green.
80 knots.
V1
Rotate.
V2
Positive rate, gear up.
Flaps up.