The Pilot and the Navy Girl

For those who believe in romance............


On my way back from London, after a wonderful weekend of visiting the sights and posh hangouts for the stars, like the famous Stringfellows Night Club, I was ready to get back to my navy base and prepare for work on Monday. I didn’t expect much to happen on my flight back. Nothing exciting has ever taken place before on this short journey, so what would make this trip any different? I would often fly to London for the weekend just to get away from my small town for a change of scenery or treat myself to a spa treatment at the famous Harrods department store. Since the flight was short, we flew on what I always called a “little bird” or a “floop, floop” of a plane; the kind of plane where you had to bend over when you boarded, and the kind that didn’t have a bathroom. Basically, the kind of plane you couldn’t wait to get off of……..They didn’t even serve peanuts!

I was a little tired after my weekend, and just wanted to sleep for the next 45 minutes. So I really didn’t think much of the well dressed, attractive gentleman that sat next to me. “My, he seems energetic and refreshed,” I thought to myself. I just wanted to sleep, but his energy was starting to overwhelm me to the point that I wasn’t sleepy anymore. He eventually started a conversation with me by asking me where I was going. I immediately noticed his thick accent and asked him where he was from? He informed me he was from India but was now living in England (just a few towns away from where I lived). Since he wouldn’t let me sleep, I decided I would engage him in conversation. I began to think the fair-skinned man from India was quite interesting, actually. He informed me he was a pilot for a major airline and he would be off for the next few days (no wonder he was so happy).

I became fascinated with him being a pilot and preceded to ask him a thousand questions about his travels and what it was like to be a pilot. Of course he loved being a pilot. He also told me of his anxiety about making the next step to captain. He was up for a promotion to captain soon, which would mean he would be flying his own plane and no longer sitting in as co-pilot. He told me this was what he had been working and waiting for. I felt his enthusiasm and sincerely wished him all the luck in his career.

It was almost time for us to arrive at our destination and depart ways. I told him it was nice talking to him and maybe we will meet again one day on another flight from London. My new acquaintance didn’t hesitate when he said he would like to see me again and would it be possible? I immediately asked him if he was married. I figured someone probably had snatched a successful man like him up by now. “No, I’m not. I’ve never been married and I don’t have any kids either.” “Then, I guess it will be possible for you to see me again.” I gave him my phone number, which he vowed he would be using very soon.

I heard from my pilot friend a week later. With the same energetic enthusiasm he displayed a week earlier, he asked me if I would like to have dinner with him the coming weekend. Of course, I agreed. I found it difficult to resist such a charming, sophisticated gentleman.

Our first date was at a very fine restaurant where we talked for hours getting to know each other. Feeling comfortable with each other, having a good time and laughing like two teenagers, thus began a whirlwind romance between the 32 year old pilot and the 22 year old Navy girl.

The next few months were filled with extravagant dinners, exotic weekend getaways, visits to castles and other historical locations. I was having the time of my life! During the past few months, I had been thoroughly spoiled rotten! And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, a page ripped right out of a fictional romance novel became my reality, a reality that took my breath away, literally.

My dear pilot friend had taken several tests in hopes of being promoted to captain and had been on pins and needles for weeks. Early one Saturday morning, I was awakened by a knock on my door from a female resident who informed me I had an urgent call downstairs (I lived in the barracks on base and the only community pay phone was downstairs. No cell phones at that time). “Urgent,” I thought. I wondered what it could be……Who it could be? I was hoping that it wasn’t my mother calling from the United States with bad news.

I finally made it downstairs where the waiting receiver was hanging on a chair. When I touched the receiver, I could feel a familiar surge of energy that went through me. “Hello.” “HELLO, V!” “It’s me, how are you?” “I AM DOING FANTASTIC!” “I HAVE GREAT NEWS!” “Really, what is it?” “I found out this morning that I made CAPTAIN!” “Fantastic!” “Congratulations!” “I’m really happy and proud for you.” “I KNOW, ISN’T IT GREAT NEWS!” “I can tell you are really excited about this.” “V, I WANT TO CELEBRATE.” “Okay.” “LET’S GO TO PARIS!” “What did you say?” “LET’S GO TO PARIS THIS WEEKEND AND CELEBRATE!” “WE’LL PAINT THE TOWN RED!” “Paris?” “But I don’t have………” “DON’T WORRY ABOUT A THING; I WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING!” “JUST SAY YOU WILL COME TO PARIS WITH ME.” (Somebody pinch me, I must still be sleeping. I know he didn’t say “Paris.”) “ARE YOU THERE, V?” “I’m still here (barely).” “WELL SAY SOMETHING.” “What?” “ARE YOU HEARING ME, V?” “What (I couldn’t speak. I only knew one word.)?” “I WANT YOU TO MEET ME IN LONDON IN THE NEXT TWO HOURS.” (I finally found words.) “The next two hours?” “That’s not a lot of time to pack or……..” “FORGET ALL THAT. I WILL BUY YOU WHATEVER YOU NEED WHEN WE GET TO PARIS…………CLOTHES, JEWELRY, TOOTHBRUSH…….ALL YOU NEED IS TO BRING YOURSELF AND I WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST!”

Wow! Is still my thought about that day. I really hate to disappoint you romantics out there, but I declined the invitation. I know, moments like that day don’t come along often. The reason I turned down the trip --- I was sick! I didn’t feel well on that day --of all the times to get sick! Not even a pill would have made me well enough to jump on that plane. If he could have called the next week, the outcome would have been different. Guaranteed! Sorry to disappoint. I have no stories of romantic walks under the moon or bright lights of Paris…………………

For six months of my life, I was able to experience a fairytale-like romance that will never be forgotten. I believe all women should at least, once in their life experience a fairytale romance, even if it’s brief; because no matter how brief, the memories and feeling will last a lifetime.

The brief love of my life was romantic, chivalrous, generous, and always the gentleman; characteristics that make a man unforgettable. He may have been a first class pilot, but I was the one flying high!