Flying Jenny by Theasa Tuohy

Author:Theasa Tuohy [Tuohy, Theasa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781617756214
Publisher: Kaylie Jones Books
Published: 2018-05-01T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

THE LOVEBIRDS

“What a mess.” Jenny was looking at the field littered with the debris of the afternoon’s rodeo and aerobatic events, but she was thinking of Roy’s insistence on their upcoming trip to Pawhuska. The three of them had just driven up in John’s yellow Duesenberg with its huge wire wheels and spare whitewall attached to the side of its elongated radiator. Roy’s closed-cabined Bellanca was there, parked alongside Jenny’s open two-seater. He had already paid some locals to find fuel and gas up the two planes.

The trio stepped out of the car into Baby Ruth and Milky Way candy wrappers, Nehi soda bottles of every colorful flavor, and crumpled paper cups reeking of bathtub gin and bootleg beer. Shreds of dried grass competed with weeds in the rutted field.

Jenny could envision that the next few days wouldn’t be much fun. Laura was sure to cause trouble one way or the other. Despite trying to insinuate herself into all their lives, she was probably going to back out of the air shows now that Jenny had made the commitment. Jenny would rather be going back home with John. She had meant it when she complained about missing an upcoming country club dance. She smiled to herself. John wouldn’t mind, though, he hated what he called those stuffed-shirt, dowager affairs. No matter how it unfolded, she suspected this situation was going to get messy. Laura didn’t seem to have any kind of proper moral compass and was ogling Roy, while poor Clem seemed to be smitten with her.

“Johnny boy, why don’t you come fly along with me?” Roy cut into her thoughts. “The girls have their own plane. You might as well be taking part in this fine adventure.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.” John already looked dressed for the office in his vested, pale linen suit of a soft gray that almost matched the streaks at his temples. “I really need to be getting back to work.” Unlike most men of the day, he chose to wear a wedding ring, a simple gold band on his left hand. Jenny and Roy were in their flying togs, he in tall leather boots.

“Breaking up the old gang to play with your darned cars.” Roy wrinkled his nose in feigned disgust. “I can’t imagine why you waste your time.”

“Makes me a living. And we’re developing some really exciting new things: front-wheel drive, retractable headlamps.”

“Exactly. Stuck on the ground.” Roy touched his trademark checkered flying scarf, this one a bright blue. “I’ll never understand how you could give up the air.”

“You know I haven’t quit. That’s bunk.”

“He just finds other things more interesting.” Jenny’s voice had a slight edge. “Designing a car without running boards. Can you imagine the thrill?”

“Somebody’s got to pay for your flying lessons,” John replied with a grin.

“This isn’t a joke.” Roy’s voice was unexpectedly stern. “She’s got a real talent, John. You ought to encourage her more. Your boss at Cord auto owns a big interest in Stinson Aircraft. You should get Stinson to sponsor her.

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