Out of Africa (Read 1,939 times)

[Kpatch]

TITAN JET

COCKPIT
Ground Control: You’re about 150 miles outside of Salem and we’re going bring you home together. I want you to descend some more, Phil ... I mean Philip ... but we want to do it very gradually.
Philip [shouting to the main cabin]: Melanie, make sure everyone has their seat belt fastened.

Little by little, Philip flies the plane closer to the airport. He’s just about ready to touch down, when he overshoots the runway. In his zeal not to land in the water, he pulls the nose up too fast and the plane almost flips over, but he gets control and levels it off.
Philip: Whew. What now?
Ground Control: Nicely done, Phil! We may have to sign you up for the next Blue Angels air show.
Philip: No thanks, Orv. Just get me outta here.
Ground Control: No problem. We’re going to circle back to Runway 9er and try it again. Dip your right wing at an 18 degree angle and we’ll bring you back within shouting distance of the runway.
Philip follows Orville’s instructions.
Philip: Okay, now what?
Ground Control: Level off, then point your nose at the yellow line and bring her in straight.
The plane hits the ground, bounces once, and glides along the runway.
Ground Control: Perfect! Now pull back on the throttle and find your parking spot.
Philip: Surely you must be joking.
Ground Control: Air traffic controllers are not allowed to joke. And don’t call me Shirley.
Philip: In that case, could you repeat what you said? In English.
Ground Control: Pull back on the stick shift until she comes to a complete stop.
He pulls back on the throttle until the plane finally stops near the end of the runway.
Philip exhales a huge sigh, runs his hands through his hair, takes a deep breath, and looks out the cockpit window at the sky.


To be continued. Tune in for the finale...

[Kpatch]

SALEM AIRPORT TARMAC

Melanie watches Nathan climb into the ambulance as the emergency medical technicians tend to Stephanie, the baby, and Joe the pilot. As the ambulance pulls away and Melanie starts walking toward the terminal, she sees Philip nearing the terminal entrance. She prays it’s not too late as she rushes to catch up with him.
Melanie: Philip, wait up. Where are you going?
Philip: Home. On second thought, I’m going to the Pub. I need a drink.
Melanie: You sort of look pale. Are you okay?
Philip: I’m just drained.
Melanie: Well, you should be happy. You’re a hero. You saved our lives.
Philip: I’m not feeling like much of a hero right now. All I kept thinking is that I don’t want to die without holding my wife in my arms one more time and telling you how much I love you.
Two days ago, Melanie would have dismissed Philip’s confession as just another line, but after their brush with death, she decides to throw caution to the wind.
Melanie: That’s funny. I was thinking the same thing.
Philip: What do you mean?
Melanie: Well, we didn’t die, but we could have, and now that we’re not dead ... um ... okay, I could use a hug.
Philip takes a step toward Melanie, puts his arms around her and kisses her on her head.
Philip: I love you, Melanie.
Melanie feels her heart battling her head as she struggles to keep the words “me too” from rushing out of her lips. Her head wins out and she pulls away.
Melanie: Um. Instead of the pub, wanna come with me to the hospital?
Philip: The hospital? That’s not very romantic.
Melanie: I’m going to go meet my new baby sister.
Philip [taking a step back]: Ah. That’s right. Well, have a good time.
Melanie: Please come with me.
Philip: Why? ... Oh yeah. I know why. You lost Dr. Honesty and now suddenly I’m looking good to you.
Before her head has time to react, she instinctively takes Philip’s hand.
Melanie: Of course not, Philip. You’re not my second choice. You never were. It’s you I want.
Philip [smiling]: I’ve been waiting a long time to hear you say that.
Melanie can feel herself dissolve into a puddle.
Melanie: Oh man, I just can’t resist that smile.
Philip: Then don’t.
He puts his hand on her face and pulls her toward him. Their lips meet as his cell phone rings. Melanie pulls away.
Melanie: Saved by the bell again. You should answer it.
Philip looks at his phone and sees a text message from Chloe. Melanie can’t help but notice how fast the smile disappeared from his face.
Melanie: What’s wrong?
Philip: I think I’ll come with you to the hospital after all.


The End


To find out what Chloe's text message said, read Best Laid Plans, the sequel to Out of Africa:
myhourglass.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=kpatchclassicssub&thread=58

[fluffysmom]

Great story kpatch. I enjoyed the airplane humor and Patch and Kayla are always a plus. Tomorrow I will be reading Best Laid Plans.