Two months after Greg Barnes dies. Bob Clearson receives a unknown letter, it’s his aunt in town. Now 17 , He’s been encouraged to fill out a claim for an inheritance. He looks over the kitchen table at his mom,” What‘s this?” She shakes her head,” Well you remember Uncle Greg’s love of flying-right?” Bob shrugs opening the refrigerator,” Yes.” She starts over to his side of the table,” Bet it’s the -- plane.” He sits down rubbing his face between his hands,” Na-- Not that junker.” Joyce starts for the sink,” You always said you wanted to fly- some thing a little different--Here’s your chance.” He makes a yawn,” Come-on--Mom-- I mean a real plane not something to get myself --killed in.” She looks around the kitchen then rubs her elbow in thought,” Give aunt Jane a call--come on!.” She starts in the front room looking for her husband then picks up a remote control,” Uncle Greg would be thrilled to see you fly his stuff.” Bob gets up walking in the front room,” ok-- let dad.” She moans,” You afraid that’s ---what it is?” she drops the control heading for the kitchen.

Frank Clearson comes in from the front lawn, He stares for a moment at the news then makes it through the kitchen to his favorite chair. Joyce watches him sip of a glass of tea,” You-- just missed it.” He turns his attention curious,” Missed what-honey?” She walks over caressing his face for an extended kiss and hug,” Jim won’t even-- call my poor sister.” They hold each other quiet. Moments pass. Bob walks out in the kitchen,” She thinks it’s-- the biplane.” His father clears his throat,” Boy-- go ahead --- what’s wrong!.” He shakes his head looking at his mom,” Dad--I don’t want the dorn-- thing.” Franks looks disappointed at his wife,” How long before this weather changes?” she thinks returning to a dirty plate in the dish water,” It’s probably a month till things really break.” Frank walks over lifting the portable. He pushes the autodial,” Hello- Jane?” Bob starts back in the front room. He looks smiling at Joyce,” Its the plane-right?.” Jane keeps talking. Bob makes back taking a seat,” Will it--” She cuts him off. He looks over,” My son’s tickled pink-- We’ll be over soon as Spring kicks in.” Joyce moves for the phone,” Jane are you-- sure?” She continues talking. Joyce stares at her husband, “ Ok one of us will fly the thing.” Franks starts to smile,” Ah-- Bob not you!” She giggles,” Hey-- I’ll do it.” They’re son interrupts ,” What?’ They answer in unison,” You now own a--- biplane.” He turns walking disgruntled for the front room.

Spring

Joyce stares at a sparrow in the yard as Frank returns from his chores,” Well boy-- This weekend, I suspect.” He looks watching him tear into sandwich,” How we going to get it?” His mother interrupts,” Someone’s flying it over- for us.” Bob looks at his dad,” Someone in they’re --family, I hope beside’s the deceased?” Frank giggles looking down at his sports page,” Joyce quickly blurts,“ Think Greg’s --step son got something to do with it.” He leans out of the way as Joyce lowers a plate of spaghetti,” Thanks my love--He’s going to try for a landing somehow out back.” Bob chuckles, ” No--aha-- no way.” Frank swallows his mouth full,” I thought that too, but he says he’s got-- plenty of space.” Joyce walks looking from the doorway,” Its lengthy- alright.” Bob charges out the back door. He walks off in the distance.

He studies the property seeing a distant tree line then stares

back toward the property. He turns the other way seeing a elongated path from several years of tilled harvest. A flat that runs across the field just about two rows of path. He runs charging down the hill for the kitchen,” Why don’t he use the far off -field?” His dad takes a sip of his coffee,” That’s what he’s going to try.” Joyce lowers to a sdie chair,” And your running him --back?.” He looks chuckling,” Why - certainly, I can‘t fly the thing.” She looks keeping her attention,” You ever been---?” He makes a silly grin,” No aha.”

Saturday Morning-- Joyce hears a biplane fly across the house.

She lifts her head from the pillow reading the clock.--7:45. She elbows her husband,” He’s out there, somewhere.” Frank coughs pulling himself from the bed,” Get Bob- will ya.” Both dart from the bed in semi circles then make out in the hall. Frank rushes the kitchen sprinting for the back yard. A tall lanky young man walks up already in the back yard,” I’m Joe-- This is the right place- I hope?” He nods,” Yes-- sure is-- My boy’s getting ready.” Joe looks back toward the distant field and green biplane,” Think he can --?” Pointing with his head to the distant make shift landing field.

Frank shrugs,” I’m lucky-- I got one of those kids that can fly just about anything-- a space shuttle if he had to.” He turns watching his son make the door. He smiles excited,” This is Greg’s stepson, he wonders if you can handle that thing?” He shrugs,” Sure--I guess.” They walk casually for a closer inspection. Greg jumps on the wing,” Here’s the stick, Altimeter, Verticle speed indicator, tach.” Frank looks seeing Joyce in the distance at the back screen. He focuses on the two as they talk. Greg points to the ignition switch,” You turn this-- on- it activates the power.” Frank interrupts,” Who--” Greg clears his throat,” Someone-- whoever’s available I guess.” He rushes to the front of the now still propeller.

He looks half hearted at Frank,” You stand here- far enough to clear everything and be safe.” - He nods,” You twist in a clockwise semi turn pattern with both arms but walking back after each attempt.” Bob coughs,” That’s it-- make sure the brake and ignition switch are on.” Greg nods,” That’s it” He looks walking toward the cockpit,” The rest is simple- right rudder till your off the ground- keep you eyes on the oil pressure.”

Come get me sometime, I’ll show you something --cool.” Bob shake his head looking back at his father,” Ah-- Me and dad will figure it out- thanks.” They starts in the kitchen. Joyce greets her guest,” I heard a lot about his-- other boy.” He nods,” Yes- Pop was ok.” She offers a fresh cup of --coffee. Everyone, please make yourselves comfortable,” So how’d thing’s go?” He looks at his cup,” Well-- Dad knew everyone- People came from everywhere.” Joyce lowers in a chair,” Tell your mom--We’re sorry we just couldn’t get free.” He stirs adding creme,” Somebody?” Bob laughs,” Yes-- I’ll take you back.” Greg jerks remembering a paper in his shirt,” Ah they need you to sign this- before I forget, its for the legal thing.” Bob takes a pen off the rim of the bulletin board,” Here?” He nods,” There to” Frank makes over to the sink,” How much that --worth?” Greg looks up first at Joyce,” --twenty thousand.” he puts the envelope in his front shirt,” Dad had it gone over a few years back--- lots of damage to the rudder control.” Bob inches toward the screen,” I’ll go-- get the van started.” He pauses momentarily hugging his mom,” Greg watches them lowering his empty cup in the sink,“ Ah --Mom hopes to see everyone in August.” Joyce turns making a weird smile,” Oh-- Yes she’s having a birthday for my little niece.” He follows Bob out the screen,” Thanks- nice meeting everyone.” Frank and Joyce start out follow them. Greg studies the big back yard. Frank looks at Joyce,” Hey--no--- thank you-- Your a great pilot.” He waves closing the van door.

First Flight

Frank two weeks later, encourages Bob to get his feet wet,” I know you’re getting anxious.” He looks over at his father with the fork half in his mouth,” You know, I haven’t even thought about it.” Joyce lowers a plate of Pancakes,” Don’t you think you ought to at least start-- the thing?” He grabs up his glass,” Ok-- Pop, I’ll fly the dorn thing.” Frank

Turns the page of his newspaper,” Well today’s a perfect day.”

Bob lowers his fork cutting the next parcel of pancake,” Where’s the bacon?” Joyce lowers a plate on the table,” Right here- Mr. inpatient.” He smiles,” Your the most wonderful mom in the world.” He points with his fork,” If you get in the cockpit and hold the brake pedal, I’ll spin the prop.” Both turn their attention to Joyce sitting slowly down. She grabs at the syrup,” So what’s the thing with Bi-Planes?” Frank starts to get up with his empty plate for the sink,” Ah-- Bob?” He frowns,” Well-- today its crop dusting and more a fun thing.” He

Watches his dad peer from the screen,” It might start right up.”

Bob lifts kissing his mom’s cheek.

Both go out the back screen. Frank unties the structure wrapped in a white canvas tarp. His son climbs on the wing,” Well- its got fuel.” He point for his father to take a look. He points to the dash board,” When You turn the thing say-- Clear- Loud-- so I can hear.”

Frank nods forcing himself in the seat,” Where’s the-- ah here.” Bob runs back,” Yes-- the brake-- Make sure you keep your foot on it till, I get in.” He runs about removing the chocks from the wheels.

He runs out grabbing the propeller,” On three- One, two, suddenly Frank Yells-- Clear!” The plane immediately starts on the initial try. Bob rushes back jumping in the other side. He shouts,” Hey man--it Started right up.” Frank climbs out all but slipping off the wing. He looks seeing his wife greet him. Bob blows a horn then accelerates beginning to taxi.

He moves for a distant dirt lane that runs the long edge of the field. Frank shouts,” You think you

Can do it?” Bob moves putting a pair of googles on,” No-- He laughs.” Suddenly the plane lifts off the field. Joyce cheers looking at Frank,” He’s up there.” Frank waves starting for the house. Bob makes a clearing turn before zooming back over the property.

He shouts,” I’ll go check down the way and come back.”

His dad not hearing him waves going in the back screen. Bob starts along the highway then sees two girls riding horses. He goes by tilting his wings. The women stare up curious. He continues on. First along a creek then an old rail road track. Further and further he follows making the beginning of town. The engine hums like a kitten. Bob makes a buzz over an elementary school he once attended and starts back toward his home. He raises higher in altitude. The plane suddenly begins shaking. First the body then the pedal that controls the Rudder. He looks not seeing anything out of the ordinary. Moments later

a deep fog.

Bob squints trying to see through the thick cover suddenly

Not recognizing any of his surroundings. A mountain and a distant ocean comes in to view. He makes a turn for a distant meadow. He see’s people in fields and homes of a unusual styles. A town in the distance with horses line everywhere.

He lowers in the meadow. The plane vibrates and shimmies to a stop. He climbs out throwing his googles on the seat. A young boy runs up,” You come here like a bird.” speaking in an unfamiliar language. He nods watching the boy make the signals with his hand like a bird. He follows the lad down a path for his father in a long grapevine yard. The boy says something while his dad pulls on a row of fruit,” Dad-- we got a visitor.” His father looks stepping back as sweat runs his face,” Ok--” Bob walks up stretching his hand out,” Hello-- Glad to meet you-- Where am I?.” The boy looks seeing his sister’s come for a quick greet. Bob watches a maiden lady with a woven thing over her shoulder. He watches a chariot roar by. He turns to the man,” What?” A crowd of curious start forming up talking along side him. They speak in a foreign tongue. Bob looks holding the shoulder of the boy,” What’s the name of this-- place?” The girls giggle. All start in out of the hot sun. Making or the village. Bob hears voices and cheers around the next bend. Shops and innkeepers overflow with

People everywhere. One man holds an auction. Another group of women grind wheat into flour. Kids run about everywhere. Bob looks at his plane in the distant meadow. He watches a shop with cart wheels and parts of buggies from long ago. He remembers his history studies. Could he have somehow, gone back in time? -- He see’s a group start for a open swimming pool. One guard walks the street stopping for an extended stare at him. Bob nods,” Hello.” He pushes at him moving further down the street. The boy takes his hand. They walk down the stone street. A women walks out with a wooden vial of wine. She chants something repeating herself over and over. They disregard moving alongr. Bob thinks seeing a

Man wrapped in a long dark tunic. He notices a crowd

Following along. Moments seem like hours. He sees a family sitting on the floor in a house having dinner. It dawns on him,” I’m in Ancient times-- Rome or something.” He hears people talking. The dialect

Resembling a romance language but not easily recognizable. He turns thirsty pointing for something to drink,” Me- Thirsty- Thirsty.” The boy points across a distance to a well. They approach waiting they’re turn for the bucket. He sees chariots pass. People from all over force by double timing up the street. He takes a sip looking at them curious,” Where’s everyone going?” The boy speaks but he doesn’t understand. He finishes his thirst following the crowd. A guard stops them at the entrance,” Pecunia! Bob feels change in his pocket. He takes out a quarter. The guard looks holding it up. He pushes his shoulder wanting him to proceed thru the entrance. They start up a stone set of steps.

The Games

A trumpet blow announcing the sport. Two oxen are guided out. A man attaches a line to both beast. The crowd starts cheering. The ox stage by a long extended line. Suddenly a trumpet blows announcing the beginning of the event. Two store keepers bow at one another and start whipping the creatures. They pull at the rope slowly moving a distance in one direction then slowly back in the opposite. The crowds cheer. Finally a referree moves in

Pointing at the owners. The crowd jeers as a second ox is attached to the smaller bull. The competition starts over. The first ox pulls harder as the smaller two make off in the opposite direction. The crowd cheers as the bigger ox pulls the rope winning against the odds.

Bob starts to laugh,” That was -- funny.” The boys claps cheering. Suddenly an explosion takes place. A noise so loud it spooks the horses and animals running everywhere. The guards run out beating the oxen. People scream yelling in the amphitheatre as the ground begins to tremble. Bob rushes out of his seat holding the kids hand. He starts down the street slowly making it all the way back through town. Chariot and loose horses run about everywhere. He looks seeing his plane in the distance field.

He shakes his head at the boy-- You coming?” The lad pulls away from his grip. Bob starts doubling out the dirt path as a dark distant black cloud blocks out the afternoon sun. He climbs in the cockpit. Unable to figure out how to start the plane and hold it still. He see’s a loose pile of rock. He rushes collecting the rubble piling the debris all about the wheels. He turns the switch leaving the accelerator knob half in. He rips loose the wires to the start switch crossing them. He rushes out turning the propeller. It starts on the first try. He jumps back lowering the engine speed setting the brake. He then rushes back off the wing clearing off the wheels. The one whole side of the sky now darkens. Bob taxi’s lifting off the meadow.

Now making a distance, He makes a clearing turn looking off as a mountain spills red volcanic rock everywhere. He sees the sky now darken where he just had just left. He continues spinning back to his compass setting. Moments pass, He looks seeing a group of thunder clouds in the distance. He starts veering off in a different direction as his plane once again begins to shake. A fog follows as he continues once again. Moments pass, Finally the sun. He recognizes the scenery. Now only moments from home. He see’s his town, Railroad tracks and the property in the distance. He lower for a landing. Frank rushes out to greet him. Joyce looks out then makes out behind her husband. They both charge up the landing site,” What happened-- where on earth were you?” Bob climbs out, chocking the wheels,” Where ever I was, It sure wasn’t local.”

The End