Sidelined

Eagle called through the headset, “Looks like we’re getting low on gas. Ready to head back?”

Bolt didn’t want to leave the high altitude, but gas was a problem. They couldn’t fly more than two hours at a time without having to refuel. They weren’t scheduled to meet up with a tanker today, so refueling back at base was the only option.

“Alright man, let’s go.”

They flew straight to Miramar.

Hollywood slapped Bolt on the back. “How are things with Skye? Good to see her out the other night.”

“Shit.” Bolt mumbled. He unzipped the side pocket on the sleeve of his flight suit to retrieve his phone.

“What? Forget about her already?” Hollywood planted himself on the bench next to Bolt in the locker room.

“No, I was going to call her. Give me a minute.” He walked past the lockers in search of someplace quiet. He tapped her name on his phone.

“Hey.”

“Hey, I just landed. How did it go today with your mom?” He ducked into the ready room.

“My aunt arrived about an hour ago. Once we convinced my mom we were not committing her to an institution, she agreed to drive back with Aunt Rose in the morning. They said they would make it like a Thelma and Louise kind of thing; I’m hoping with a completely different ending.”

“That sounds good. You must feel better.”

Skye sighed into the phone. “I do, but I feel just as guilty. I should have driven her back, shouldn’t I?”

“No, you have responsibilities. You have a job. You took days off of work this week to spend time with her. You’re doing a good job taking care of her.”

“Thanks for saying that, Ben. There’s nothing easy about it, and I have no idea what I’m going to do if she keeps getting worse.” He heard her sigh into the phone. “I think we’re going to order pizza. Want to join us?”

Bolt adjusted the patch on the front of his suit. “I think you should hang with your mom and aunt tonight. Make sure she’s all packed. But I did want to ask you something.”

“And what’s that?” Her voice sounded lighter.

“Do you have any plans Saturday night?” He waited for the response.

“This Saturday? As in this weekend?”

“That would be the one.”

“Hmm…I think I’m free.”

He smiled. “Good. Because I want to take you somewhere special.”

“Would this have anything to do with a certain thirty-day timeline?”

He laughed. “I’m not saying.”

“You have to give me a clue.”

“Pack an overnight bag and be ready at four. I’ll pick you up then.”

Skye sighed playfully. “You’re not going to give me anything else to go on?”

“Pack something pretty to wear for dinner. I’ll give you that much.”

“I know just what to bring. It’s only Wednesday, you think I’ll see you before that?”

He had forgotten to mention his overnight trip to Yuma this week. “Actually, we have a low-level reconnaissance training mission. I’m going to be in Arizona for two days, but I’ll be back for Saturday.”