Lucas spent most of this first lesson just floating there in front of
Helen as if he were in the ocean, his long limbs sinuously riding
the currents, his fingers splayed to stave off random eddies. He
kept his arms out and ready to catch her in case she shot off too
fast, or slipped off a current of air pressure that she had created
unevenly before she tumbled into a spin. Flying was complicated,
and Helen didn?t have the feel of it yet. It was a bit like learning to
drive a car and aim a rifle at the same time. It required a light
touch and complete concentration.
Lucas also taught her tricks for not getting spotted by the ?gravity
impaired,? as he called the poor landlocked suckers they were looking
down on. Helen was surprised to learn that early evening was
actually the most dangerous time to fly. Sunset was when people
187/395
looked up to admire the pretty colors, and on Nantucket it was also
when half the island?s residents were making their living taking
photos or churning out watercolors.
Several times, Lucas had to grab Helen and fly out over the ocean
so they weren?t seen. Apparently, flying any time during the day
was dangerous, but if Helen stayed high enough, anyone who spotted
her would think she was a bird. Night was the safest time, of
course, and that?s when they could fly closer to the ground, which
Lucas promised was a thrill. But all of it was a thrill to Helen, and
when Lucas finally said that they should go in, she literally whined
and asked for five more minutes. Lucas just laughed.
?Believe me, I know how you feel. But I?m freezing,? he said.
Helen pushed away from him with narrowed eyes and a small
smile. She swooped over his shoulder and around his back, softly
brushing against him as she passed.
?Tomorrow?? she asked, feeling shy and powerful at the same