It was April in England and spring was in the air. The air was growing milder and flowers were beginning to bloom. Vicki thought back. A year ago, she was resigned to a life that to her was a dead end. She was living with her mother in a small town running a flower shop. She was a war widow with no potential prospects on the horizon. Then a chance meeting ended all that.
Aaron Williams was everything she dreamed of. She fought against the feelings she had for him in the beginning. It was more out of fear of being in love and not loved back. Her first love wasn't all she thought it would be. She made a vow not to be disappointed again. She fought the feeling hard but since she finally realized that to fight it was foolish, she couldn't remember being so happy. Aaron and she planned to be married when the war ended and all indications were it wouldn't be long. They had talked about returning to The States and starting their life together there. Foremost in her mind was she hoped to start a family and all that entailed.
Aaron had been very busy since Christmas but the fact was he hadn't flown since his injury. Vicki prayed each night that he never would fly again. She knew how much it pained him not too but she had made it clear how much worry it caused her. They had numerous talks about it usually around the fact that Aaron felt he wasn't doing his bit. She felt he had and still was in his present position. No, it wasn't flying but he was playing an important part. Vicki felt that he was resigned to the fact that the Army wasn't going to let him pilot any plane and he admitted that just being a passenger wasn't the same thing.
Major Williams found himself in demand as his reputation began to grow. It was discovered that Aaron could take multiple reports and data and summarize them quickly in clear and concise language. He had been to SHAEF to meet with the brass a few times. Col. Logan brought him along to make presentations or to explain results of past operations. It seems to have come naturally to him and the higher ups respected his findings. On one occasion, he accompanied Gen. Arnold to a conference with RAF Bomber Command. He got to witness first hand "Bomber" Harris and the dealings and differences between the AAF and RAF.
He had some dealings with British airman and came to realize they were no different than Americans. One thing that amazed him was how easily they embraced night bombing. They thought that the Yanks were crazy to bomb in broad daylight and he felt they were nuts to fly at night. Aaron wanted to see what was coming at him. They invited him on a few missions but each time he turned them down, claiming he wasn't cleared yet. He justified it to himself by thinking that Vicki would be upset. He knew that wasn't true. If he wasn't the pilot, there was no way he would be on a plane flying in the pitch dark.
Vicki had been able to meet him a number of times as he traveled to London. The more time he spent with her the more he understood why he was in love with her. She was beautiful, smart, and witty. Their moods and personalities fit perfectly. Aaron was unable to describe how fantastic their lovemaking was. Vicki had grown bolder, more confident and showed a willingness to let herself go. He asked her one night as they lay together, catching their breath, what caused this. She thought for a moment and said, "You."
Aaron grew more and more restless. He planned the operations and watch the bombers take off each morning and return. He gathered their reports and prepared outstanding briefings to those above. He felt like a starting pitcher who got his team to the pennant and then the manager sat him down for the World Series. The war was ending. Any one could see it and he wanted one more chance. He would swallow his pride and hitch a ride. He didn't need to tell Vicki. It would be over before she knew. He knew he have to tell her but after he got back.
The mission he picked was an easy one. It wasn't a milk run but the Luftwaffe was a shell of itself and the fighters were doing an excellent job of keeping what did come up off the bombers back. Aaron had taken after battle reports of jet and rocket-type fighters hitting the formation and he was curious to see them first hand. He wanted to witness what they were reporting.
The squadron he picked was flying B-24s so this would be the first time he flew in one. He heard that it was a beast to fly but the pilot in him made him want to see this himself. So he picked out one and walked over to crew.
"Lieutenant, I'm Major Williams. I'd like to ride along with you today."
"Sure, Major. Glad to have you along." The lieutenant couldn't have been more than 20. Aaron thought back. He must have looked like that when he first got to England.
The takeoff felt different than a 17's. It was difficult to determine from where he was but it definitely had more power and a higher takeoff speed. It climbed differently too. Not better or worst, just different.
As they reached altitude and winged over the Channel, Aaron climbed up to the cockpit. "How many missions?"
"12, sir."
Suddenly the twin .50s of the top turret fired off a burst. Aaron jumped not expecting it. The other gunners fired off theirs, each one clearing their weapons. Each one reported that they were clear and ready.
Aaron stood back out of the way. He watched the pilot and co-pilot go through their routine. There was very little chatter on the intercom and the roar of the big four engines made it impossible to talk so he settled back.
As he did he glanced out a side window. He noticed a stream of liquid streaming from behind one of the engines. There also seemed to be a bulge, a bubble growing there. He was not familiar with the B-24 but he was damn sure that wasn't right. He knew they were prone to fires in the engine so he moved to the cockpit.
Tapping the pilot on the shoulder, he pointed towards the wing. "What's with that?" he yelled over the engine noise.
The pilot looked and then spoke into his intercom. Aaron could hear a mumbled reply. The lieutenant gave a thumb up.
Aaron was not reassured. The bulge seemed to grow bigger as he watch it. An inner voice told him it was time to get out. He grabbed his chute, hooked it on and waddled to the rear. As he passed the other crew members, he pointed to the wing. They didn't seem concerned and they gave him a look as why should they.
