Page 88 of My All American Girl

“Just making sure you’re not falling asleep on the job,” I shot back. “Wouldn’t want to have to take over and show you how it’s done.”

She laughed, the sound filling the cockpit. “In your dreams. I’ve got this.”

As we approached London, the familiar skyline coming into view, I felt a swell of pride. She had handled the flight beautifully. I had no doubt she was destined for great things. We touched down smoothly on the landing strip. She brought the aircraft to a stop with practiced ease.

I unbuckled my harness and climbed out of the T6 and turned to see her climbing down after me. “Sarah, you’re going to have one hell of a career. I wouldn’t be surprised if you break a few records along the way.”

She beamed at me, that smile almost bringing me to my knees. “Don’t worry, old man. I’ll be polite when I smash your records to dust. We all have to fall from grace sometime.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You’ll pay for that later, you know.”

She winked, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I hope so.”

We headed toward the hangar, our banter light and easy. It was moments like these that reminded me why I loved flying, why I loved teaching. Seeing someone like Sarah, with so much potential and drive, it reignited my own passion for the sky. I was itching to get into the cockpit of a jet and experience a few G’s. I missed flying.

“So, what’s the plan for our time in London?” she asked as we walked.

“I thought we could take some time to explore the city, maybe grab a nice dinner or two.”

“Sounds good to me,” she said. “Any recommendations for dinner?”

“There’s this little Italian place I know,” I said. “Best pasta you’ll ever have.”

“Pasta, huh?” she said, considering it. “I’m in.”

We waited out front for the cab I ordered. “We are officially off duty,” I said.

She looked up at me and grinned. “Oh?”

I reached for her hand. “I’m just Dean and you’re just Sarah. We’re not airmen. We can just be us.”

She nodded, squeezing my hand in return. “I’m looking forward to it, Dean.”

As the cab pulled up, I opened the door for her. She slid inside, but not moving all the way across the seat. I got in beside her, giving the driver our destination before we were whisked away into the city. Her eyes were glued out the window.

“This is wild,” she said.

“You’ve never been here?”

I found that odd considering her father’s history in the Air Force.

“I think we were here when I was younger,” she said. “But I don’t remember. It’s like everything I’ve seen in the movies.”

“Tomorrow we’ll get out and do some of the touristy things if you’d like. The London Eye, the British Museum, Buckingham Palace.”

She nodded eagerly. “Sounds amazing.”

We spent the rest of the car ride talking about what to see first. I could see the excitement building within her. Her eyes shone with a wonder that mirrored my own when I first visited this city.

“Do you regret not getting to live here this year?” she asked.

I looked at her and thought about my answer. A month ago, I would have immediately said yes. But now it was different.

“No,” I answered.

She smiled. “That took you a minute.”

“I’m not going to lie. I miss being up in a jet doing some dangerous maneuvers,” I answered honestly. “But being here with you, seeing you grow into an amazing pilot? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”