Flying Angels(10)
They said they were going to Honolulu, and Beth, the stewardess, told them how much they were going to love it and that it was a tropical paradise. She had been there once and said it was unforgettable.
“My brother’s stationed there. He’s a navy pilot,” Audrey volunteered. “He loves it. I don’t think he’ll ever want to come back.” They chatted for a few more minutes, and then Audrey and Lizzie went back to their seats for the remainder of the flight. Audrey read a book, and Lizzie went to sleep. They landed in San Francisco and took a cab to the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. They had dinner at the hotel and went to bed early so they’d be fresh for their long flight to Honolulu the next day.
They boarded the Pan Am flight the next day, at Treasure Island, and were in awe when they saw the enormous Boeing 314 Clipper. It was the largest airliner of its time. Normally it could carry seventy-four passengers, but only carried twenty-five on the long flight to Hawaii. All passengers traveled first class on the flight. There was a festive atmosphere as soon as they got on the plane. Other passengers were going on vacation too, and it was a delight to leave cold wintry weather, and head for bright sun and white sandy beaches. They could hardly wait to land. And in the meantime, the flight itself was memorable. The four stewards met their every need. The Clipper had an upper flight deck, a lower cabin divided into five seating compartments, a large lounge that converted into a dining room, and a bridal suite. The flight took sixteen hours and flew overnight.
The Clipper glided smoothly on the water when it landed on Sunday morning after the luxurious flight. They stopped in front of the terminal, and two beautiful Polynesian girls were waiting to give each passenger a flower lei. The sky was a bright cameo blue, the weather warm. It was dazzling. When Audrey looked up, she saw her brother walking toward her in his white summer uniform. He lifted her right off her feet when he hugged her, and he smiled when he saw Lizzie. Audrey noticed a look pass between them that was different from the way he had looked at her before. Lizzie’s long blond hair hung down her back in gentle waves. She was wearing a light blue dress the color of her eyes, and the dress molded her figure without being vulgar. He walked both women out of the airport, looking proud.
He had brought a car to drive them to their hotel, which they hadn’t expected. As soon as they checked in and put their bags in their room, he took them to the terrace for lunch, where they ordered drinks with umbrellas in them. They chatted and laughed all through lunch. Audrey and Lizzie had slept well on the flight so they weren’t tired. Will was excited to be with them. He was attentive to his sister, but his eyes kept wandering toward Lizzie, and she basked in the warmth of his attention. She could sense how attracted he was to her, and he was no longer treating her like a child. His sister had grown up and so had Lizzie, and now they had a whole week to be together, and discover the wonders of Hawaii. He promised to take them on a tour of Honolulu and Ford Island, the base where he was stationed, the next day. He was flying in formation in an air show the following Saturday, the day before they left, so they would see him fly.
After lunch, Will had to go back to the base for a while, and Audrey and Lizzie went to change to go swimming. He promised to come back for dinner at the luau at the hotel that night.
Audrey lay on the beach with Lizzie that afternoon, unable to believe the fantastic experience they were having, thanks to her mother. Lizzie looked like she had stars in her eyes after lunch with Will. So far, the island paradise had lived up to its reputation, and Will had provided a warm welcome. Both girls giggled and laughed, talking about the days ahead as they lay on the beach.
“It’s going to be a great week,” Audrey said as she closed her eyes in the bright sun. And Lizzie lay silent and smiling, thinking of Will. She felt dizzy every time she thought of him. As they lay on the beach at Waikiki, the future had never looked brighter, or their dreams sweeter. Life couldn’t have been more perfect.
Chapter 3
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where they were staying, was right on Waikiki Beach. Their room had a balcony, called a lanai, where they had breakfast the next morning, and then they went downstairs and took a long walk on the beach. By ten-thirty, they were lying in the sun, working on their suntans, and swimming in the surf. Then they went back to their room to shower and dress for lunch. For dinner that night, Lizzie borrowed one of Audrey’s dresses, which she liked better than her own, although it was a little short for her. They both looked fresh and young and beautiful when Will met them in the lobby. He stayed late for drinks with them afterwards. He couldn’t tear himself away. The girls stayed up late, but were up early for a swim in the morning. Will returned to take them to lunch at the Moana Hotel, and then drove them around the island, and stopped for them to admire the view from all the famous places. At the end of the afternoon, he took them to Ford Island Naval Base, where he lived. The harbor was full of navy ships, and there were sailors and officers in whites everywhere. The insignia on Will’s uniform identified him as a pilot, which made him something of a star when others recognized it. He was the section leader of the formation he flew in.
“We don’t have as many pilots as the Air Force,” he boasted to his sister as he showed them around. “But we’re better,” he said, laughing. Audrey could tell he meant it. He had been a navy pilot for three years by then, almost three and a half, and was in advanced aircraft carrier flight training. He was twenty-five years old and so handsome he took Lizzie’s breath away whenever she looked at him. He had been a perfect gentleman since they arrived, but there was something about the way he looked at her that told her that he liked her, more than just as his little sister’s best friend.