SECOND CHANCE
The sun was just rising as he took off in his two seater plane - alone. Tom was Pilot of many years experience )flying in civil aviation Passenger Flights(now he was retired. During the 2ndWW he had won the Purple Heart when he fought as a Fighter Pilot in the Pacific against the Japanese. He had taken part in the bombing of Hiroshima that is something he will never forget or erase from his mind and even to day he his body quivers has he recalls the horror and terror of that terrible day and in his heart a sadness and pain
remain. But one must remember he was young strong and full of vigour and courage not a grain of fear in his bones. America Land of the Free and he mean't to keep it that way come what may and so did all his buddies. To day as a much older man he thought and felt so very different. The passage of time leaves it's toll.
Bump bumpty bump bump you heard as the small plane rolled over the run way and soared into the sky. "Near to heaven as I will ever be" thought Tom,"Boy do I love flying" and with an enthuisiasm new to him he started to croon "Oh what a beautiful morning Oh what a beautiful day, I have a wonderful feeling I'm flying flying your Way." Continueing to whistle and hum content as a pussy cat after a bowl of cream, the plane flew smoothly on it's journey.
His goal was Arizona there he was to meet up with his former Airforce buddies and Sal that happy go lucky gal the girl who held his heart strings for many many years. Darling Sal no longer young, silver haired and cuddly well shall we say 'pleasingly plump' just the gal for me and he thanked his lucky stars they had renewed their friendship. Those dimples in her cheeks still drove him wild she was a bright warm hearted woman always with a smile her face and a kind word for all. "Yep I love her very much" blowing a kiss in the air all the way to you- Hon soon be seeing you and then you'll see how much this kiss means."
Tom had never married but now looking back he wished had married Sal. His thoughts took him back several decades when he first saw her. For him it was love at first sight She was working at the Soldiers Canteen as the UASF base, red curly hair falling all over her face, as she danced with the boys.She looked so pretty. Blue eyes that never missed a trick. Full busted tiny waist and all of 5ft 2" cheeky girl with a joke and a smile for every service man.The guys adored her she made them feel comfortable and good never refused a dance no matter how tired she was. Shortly after meeting her he was shipped overseas and he was unable to tell her how he felt. All he had left were the memories of the dances and the few times they sat and talked. He remembers now how shy he was and just never got around to telling her his true feelings. When he returned and looked her up he found out she had married and moved to live in Phoenix. Those days were etched upon his heart and he just couldn't forget her and so her put his life and soul into his work.
"You are my sunshine my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey,you never know dear how much I love you,please don't take my sunshine away " sang Frankie. "Aha this is the style and ain't life grand who could wish for anything more." As he flew over the Arizona desert he marvelled at the beauty of nature the mountain range the Grand Canyon the different hues of colour as the sun shone on the sand dunes. Here and there a sparse growth of shrubbery. He could see the Colarado river like a snake winding it's way through the beautiful yet barren country like a silver torquoise streak. Hard to imagine way up here how life is way down there. "The Ariszona desert is mighty big, one could get lost in it" he thought and a slight shiver ran down his spine "hate that to happen to me!". Little did he know what was in store for him.
Around these parts wild life was quite spare but look he could just make out something. Musing he was aroused out of his thoughts by a sudden gust of wind a strong viscious one which threw him off balance, he rocked from side to side and nearly turned over, surprised he tried to steady the light place as he wobbled in the air,the sweat running down his face nearly blinded him. "It's hot damn hot and I don't like this at all". He felt himself praying out loud."Can't die now Sal needs me I need her" Oh God don't let me die! I promise I'll be a good fella,honest just let me see Sal again?"Recently widowed she awaited him in Phoenix,they were going to be married." Ooooh, that's it as he felt the plane steady a little,I think I've made it:,but it was not to be and once again he felt himself rocking swaying and out of control and he knew he had to make a crash landing. As the sand dunes rose to meet him he prayed and swayed and with a loud crash he was on the ground to his luck he landed on the sand dunes,a little lo
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