Bobby’s Distant Dad

Bobby’s Dad had really been pulling in the overtime lately, flying jetliners coast to coast and to all points in between. Tonight he was holed up in a motel room with his co-pilot. They were watching the news and playing cards to pass the time. Don’s cards flew across the room and he almost knocked over the card table as he rushed to turn the volume up on the T.V.

All he had seen was the pre-show teaser. His stepson, Bobby, had been saying something to the camera while looking up to the sky. Jack, the co-pilot, had not seen the news blip and thought Don was seeing things, after all they were thousands of miles from Don’s hometown of Oakville. The two of them pushed the cards aside and were paying close attention to the television. They had to wait till the end of the broadcast before Bobby came on. All of a sudden Bobby’s face filled the screen. Don blurted loud enough so that the ajoining rooms could hear, “THAT’S MY SON!” Jack watched intently ignoring Don’s outburst. Don watched his son talk to the camera about the airshow he flew in and about his paper airplanes cross-country flight. When Bobby told of how he and Silent Flight Hang Gliding were going to fly up and retrieve the plane. Don lunged for the telephone! He had to talk to Bobby, he suddenly felt lonely with out his family. 14 rings later Don gently set the phone back on the receiver and sat quietly staring at the wall. “ Don, you all right?” Jack asked cautiously. Don just stared at the wall in a silent stupor. “Don?” Jack persisted. Don jumped to his feet mumbling, “ I should be with my family” and started packing. Jack reminded Don that they had a flight schedule and they had to be at the airport, ready to fly, at six o’clock in the morning. Don slowed his packing, thought of his responsibility, and then stopped completely. Don sat down on the edge of the bed and rested his head in his hands. He thought long and hard about his family, the family he had been ignoring. He vowed then and there to himself that the overtime would stop, he wanted his wife and son, and, he would have them. However, now was now and later would come. Tomorrow he had to fly his passengers and now he had to try to get some sleep.

Chapter Fourteen