Page 127 of My All American Girl

54

DEAN

After reconnecting with Sarah, I felt like I was on top of the world. It was the first time in a long while that I truly felt free, unburdened by the constraints of my old life in the Air Force. I didn’t have to be anywhere or responsible to anyone except for myself. My life was mine to control. I could sleep in. I could go anywhere I wanted. I could be with anyone I wanted.

And there was only one person I wanted.

Sarah and I sat in a cozy corner of a small, quiet restaurant, scanning the menus.

“I still can’t believe you actually did it,” Sarah said, shaking her head. “You really quit the Air Force.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of the decision lift with each passing second. “I did. And it feels right. It feels like the best choice I’ve ever made.”

“Seriously?” she asked. “You are the epitome of a pilot. You have spent your life pursuing your career. You’re at the top.”

“Which is when you’re supposed to go out.” I shrugged.

“On a high note, you mean,” she mused aloud. “Like retiring after a big win.”

“Exactly,” I replied. “I don’t want to be the guy that used to be great. The guy that’s slipping. The guy counting paperclips that used to be an amazing pilot.”

“You’re not exactly in your twilight years, Dean.” Sarah chuckled. She traced her fingers over the rim of her glass, her eyes meeting mine across the table.

“I guess not,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “I’ve just learned that there’s more to life than flying planes. I’ve given twelve years. They’ve been great years, but I’m ready to move on. Like you said, I’m not all that old. I still have a chance to do other things that make me happy. I did the pilot thing. It was awesome. Now I’m ready for something new.”

“Like what?” she asked, tilting her head to one side.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t figured that part out yet. That’s part of the adventure.”

Our waiter returned to take our orders. I noticed Sarah had gone quiet. After we ordered and were left alone once again, I leaned forward, forcing her to look into my eyes. “Sarah, what’s going on? Don’t say nothing, because I know you. You’re worried.”

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “What if you get restless? What if you end up resenting me because I’m flying while you’re just following me around? I don’t want you to think this is what I wanted. It isn’t. I understood we were both playing with fire. I didn’t want you to give up your career.”

I reached across the table and took her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “I promise you, Sarah, that’s not going to happen. I’ve thought about this a lot. Flying brought me joy, but it doesn’t compare to the joy you bring me. And besides, I won’t be just sitting around watching TV reruns all day. I like to keep busy.”

Sarah laughed, the sound like music to my ears. “Good. Because I’d hate to come home after a long day to find you bored on the couch.”

“There are a lot of things I can do.”

“Like what?” she pressed.

I laughed. “I’m not even sure. Travel for one thing. I know that’s still going to be a challenge with your commitment to the military, but it’s something I want to do.”

“You haven’t traveled with the Air Force?”

“I have, but it’s different as a civilian,” I said. “I don’t have to go where the mission sends me. I can go where my heart desires. The world is a vast place, Sarah. There’s so much more I want to see and explore, without the fear of war or the constraints of duty hanging over my head.”

Her eyes softened at that. “I’d love to see the world with you.”

Just then, our food arrived, smelling delicious and looking as tempting as Sarah did across the table from me. We fell into comfortable silence as we ate. There was no rush tonight, no early morning tomorrow.

“I have thought about getting into racing,” I said.

“Racing?” she asked. “Like cars?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

She burst into laughter. “You still feel the need for some speed.”