HOME COMING

                                       HOME COMING

      He rushed up the ramp and stepped into the huge 747 and shuffled with the

Crowd until he got to his seat in the business class section. He took a deep breath and said to himself, ”hallaluya” I may be alone, with my three seats to myself?” After taking off his coat and tie and putting them in the overhead, he almost dropped into the aisle seat, which was the one he had been assigned.

   It had been a LONG WEEK, but he had accomplished a lot and he was looking forward to a three or four hour snooze on his way home. Of course the seats were really not that comfortable, but he told himself they were better than economy, and that was why he had asked his secretary to book them in business class.

   He had just got settled in for his expected nap when the stewardess stepped up and asked him if he could please stand up so that the other two passengers could get in their seats. He could not see anyone waiting, and the stewardess explained, the two people right across the aisle had got in the wrong seats and needed to move in next to him.

   He stood and stepped into the aisle and a young mother and a boy about 7 or 8 stepped into what he had hoped was going to be his empty seats. The boy looked at the businessman and said, “Hi Mister do you like to fly?” And the businessman looked at the boy and said to himself, ”Oh NO Lord, not me, I just don’t think I can carry on a conversation with a 7 or 8 year old – for four hours.

   After they had gotten all buckled up, the Mom, (Sydney) I found out a few minutes later, told the boy to sit back in his seat so they could all see each other while we got introduced. She said I think if we are going to be sitting and talking to each other, we should know each other.

   Then she proceeded—this young man is LeRoy, but he prefers Roy, so we use that. I am Sidney, and yes, I know it sometimes is a boy’s name!

    She then looked straight at the Salesman and said, “And you are---? Mr. --? He affirmed. ”yes it would be Mister ----something, and then he told her is name was Wally. She told him he sounded like a wonderful man, and thanks for being so kind to her and her son. Of course at that point Wally’s opinion of her went up several notches.

   She also told Wally that Roy loved to talk and he was quite smart, but if he bothered him to just tell her and she would, “have a little talk with him.”

   Well all Wally could really think about was that he hoped Roy did not cry, or babble for four hours. Of course he kept that thought to his self.

   Soon everyone was buckled up and the plane was on its way

   It was not long until Wally felt a little nudge on his knee. He looked down and sure enough it was Roy tapping his knee. He had a watermelon size smile on his face. He said, “My Mom is asleep, she is really tired, can I talk to you a little bit.

   Wally looked at him and asked him if he was allowed to talk to strangers. Roy’s answer kind of shocked Wally when he said, “Oh my Mom has introduced us so we are not strangers anymore.”

   After they had talked a while Wally thought to himself.”He is really a smart kid for only being 7 or 8 years old.” Later Roy told him he was really 9 but was going to soon be 12 so he could become a Deacon in his Church. Wally kind of chuckled as he thought about when he was MUCH YOUNGER he always shaved of a few years when he told someone his age.

   They had talked for a while, about a lot of things and Wally found out that Yes, Roy was a real smart little boy. He told him his Mom was a school teacher, and in Roy’s opinion a real good one.

   Roy told Wally he wanted to be a pilot in the USAF and fly an F-16 Fighting Falcon. Wally told Roy he had been a pilot in the USAF—a long time ago, but he was not a glamorous fighter pilot as he flew a C-47 Cargo Plane. Then Roy took a few minutes and told Wally all about the C-47, and again Wally was amazed at how smart he was. Wally laughed and told Roy he knew more about those old C-47 planes than he did.

   Wally found out he really did actually enjoy talking to Roy. It also made him realize he did not spend enough time at home with his grand kids and great grand kids.

   Time passed faster than it did on Wally’s usual flights. It did not seem anywhere near as long as usual, until he heard the pilot turn on the intercom and told everyone they could stand if they wanted, but to please stay in their seat area and stay until they let two VIP’s leave the plane. He said we are bringing home a Service Man who gave his all for us, our country and the things we believe in.

   Wally had just stood up by his seat when Roy pulled on his coat sleeve and asked him if he would step back a little so he could get past. Wally asked Roy if he did not want to wait until they removed the Service Man.

   Then tears came to both of their eyes as Roy said. ”Don’t you know Mr. Wally that Service Man is MY DADDY?

   Wally stepped back and Roy and Sydney went to the aisle to exit. As Sydney passed Wally handed her his business card and asked her if she would have Roy write him or send him an E-Mail.

      *Did Roy write or E-Mail Wally? Who knows? Maybe that is a subject for another blog?    

WRB 4 Oct 2017