Hal Harmony lived his life comfortably operating a small airfield for 50 years after his dream of flying the Pacific Ocean nonstop crashed before it began, back in the 1930s. Then Meg entered his life, offering a chance to make his dream come true.
Hal Harmony has lived life comfortably for 50 years after his dream of flying the Pacific Ocean nonstop crashed before it began. Now he helps one son manage Harmony Airfield, coaches his granddaughter’s baseball team, and attempts to teach his pet rooster, Doodle-do, to fly. Yet, he cannot forget that dream.
When he meets the energetic Meg who builds replicas of vintage airplanes, he sees the chance to re-do what wasn’t finished. But, all is not easy. Hal’s wife, who abandoned him 20 years earlier, pops up like a squarely hit baseball; the FAA and the media poke around Hal’s plans; Meg’s son and Hal’s kids oppose the whole thing; and Hal discovers feelings he hasn’t known before.
Does Hal realize his long-lost dream? Do Hal and Meg have their moment? What about the children? And the FAA? Does the rooster learn how to fly?
Excerpt
“Benson. My friends call me C-B.” She extended her hand. “Happy to meet you, Mr. Harmony. You are very famous.”
“I am? Surprise to me.”
“Oh yes, you’re the pilot of that plane. Fiftieth anniversary coming up? Aborted flight to Japan? Bust-up on film? Remember?” She spoke to him as if he was in his dotage, unable to understand.
“Oh my god, Charles. She’s the reporter. You’ve been talking to her?”
“Sorry, Dad. I didn’t know. Are you sure?”
“Young lady, what do you want? Why are you talking to my son?”
“Oooh,” cooed the young C-B. “I didn’t know he was your son. I just thought he was a handsome…”
Charles blushed as he stammered, “We were just… I only said… she was asking… oh, I’m so sorry, Dad.”
“You are a reporter, aren’t you, Miss?” Hal took her arm to lead her away.
“Yes. I have to let you know that or I can’t use what you tell me. I work for The San Francisco Chronicle. They want a story to go with footage they’re copying about aviation in the ’30s, and your name came up.”
“Came up, huh? Just like that. How did it come up?”
“We were having lunch at a restaurant when the owner came by to greet her customers. Turned out to be your daughter. When she heard us talking about flying and famous pilots, she told us about you… your attempts to fly to Japan. My editor thought you’d make a good story. Can we talk some more?”
“Amelia! So that’s it. No, we cannot talk more. I don’t wish to discuss my life with any reporter, much less one who hasn’t been on this earth long enough to know what real airplanes look like.” Hal and C-B had reached the door. He continued to hold her arm as they went outside.
“Hey, I’ve had the bum’s rush before, but not by an old washed-up guy like you. Maybe you don’t merit a story.”
Hal stopped dead still. “When was the last time you flew a plane, Miss… er… C-B?”
“I haven’t ever flown a plane. In fact, I was flying with white knuckles on that dinky plane from Seattle. Not so much the jet from San Francisco. Why?”
“I fly planes. I have built planes. I understand what it takes to lift a machine of steel and wires off the ground. Yes, I wanted to be the first to fly across the Pacific in a single bound, but unfortunately, I am not Superman. Nor did he exist in 1933. I am human.
“It’s not as if I didn’t do everything possible to make it happen, the time was not right — apparently. Three tries and I struck out. I do not believe that makes a story. What might make a story…” but Hal stopped short. He wasn’t about to announce another try, if there was to be one. He couldn’t go through that again. This project with Meg, if it happens, must be done in secret. Nothing for the press.
C-B retrieved her arm and faced Hal with one last question. “Do you think anyone will ever fly to Japan nonstop in a small plane?”
Hal nearly smiled. “I’m sure it’s already been done. Yes, I’m sure it’s been done.”
“Then you…”
“I am happy operating Harmony Airfield and watching my granddaughter play baseball. And that ends our interview… er, discussion.”
C-B hailed a taxi and drove off. Inside the cab, she took out a pad and pen and wrote furiously all the way back to her hotel.
'Coruscated Confabulations' is a collection of stories and experiences, most of which took place in prior decades. They are taken from or based upon real events, with a certain admixture of fictional embellishments.
Dreamin’ Dreams is more than a collection of stories; it is a celebration of Irish life, adventure, and the unforgettable characters who make growing up in Ireland a journey worth remembering.
