Gold Wings and Sparrowhawk - Chapter 6

September 1990

Dear Harm,

I was so happy to hear your voice in my helmet this morning. I'm stationed in Saudi Arabia, with no hope of joining Naples anytime soon, so that was good.

I'm not seeing combat, I'm strictly on recon and patrol, but I get to fly almost everyday. And I got promoted to Capitaine, which means you still outrank me... Sir !

How are you guys doing ? Virginie kept talking about Loki, it seems they had a nice time in Naples (which he probably talked to you about in details...). I heard him call her « Ginny » several times, and after talking to my squadron, we decided to make it her callsign. At first she wasn't sure she liked it, but now she doesn't want to be called anything else !

The heat is unbearable here, I hope you have AC on your carrier !

I can't wait to hear from you !

Fly high !

Nell

October 1990

Dear Nell,

Congratulations on your promotion !

The heat is unbearable here too, but at least we have the AC inside and the sea winds to cool us down a bit.
From what I've heard, Loki hasn't been in touch with « Ginny », but yes, he told us about Naples. Tell her congrats too  !
It was nice to hear your voice too, I enjoyed flying with you mostly because you didn't try to shoot me down this time !

Take care of the Dragon !

Harm

December 1990

Dear Harm,

The problem with flying with you is I can't tell you personal stuff, since everything is recorded.

Ben is finally out. He graduated from harassment to attempted rape last month and got sent to jail. I'm breathing easier ! The Colonel said nothing about all this, but I know he feels responsible, as he should. I'm sorry for the girl he attacked, so I started a karate class on the base. It's for women only, and it gives me a sense of purpose (and something to do between training and missions). I have five pupils, Ginny is one of them.

And as for trying to shoot you, if I remember correctly, YOU were the one trying to shoot me down after you had Gecko !

A happy new year in advance !

Fly high !

Nell

January 1991

Dear Nell,

I heard a french pilot crashed in December, and I got scared it was you, until I got your letter. I'm glad you're okay ! I'm also very sorry for your squadron. Losing a man is always hard, I know.

Just wanted you to know I'm all right. I went to Naples for three days between Christmas and New Year, and thought about you.

Happy new year !

Harm

February 1991

Dear Harm,

Your turn to scare me ! I had a mission scheduled with you today, and Swan explained to me what happened. I'm so sorry about Wedge. But I can't believe it was pilot error, that you screwed the pooch. I've flown enough with you to know you're an excellent pilot. I hope the guys in your squadron don't turn their backs on you, that would be so unfair !

Swan told me you didn't get hurt, that's a relief. I hope you're back in the air as soon as possible, once you're cleared. I'll be waiting to hear your voice in my helmet again !

Take care of my Flyboy !

Nell

Dear Nell,

I'm grounded. Definitely. The doctors diagnosed me with night blindness, which led me to miss the ball and hit the deck. I killed a teammate, so the squadron was relieved, if not happy, to see me go.

But I hate it. I hate being back on the ground. I hate that I can't fly again. I can tell you that because I know you understand. I miss flying like I miss breathing. It's like they cut my arm or my leg. I have no idea what to do now with my life. And I feel like I've let my father and grandfather down. They went down flying. And I have bad eyes.

I'm so jealous that you still fly. Take me with you up there, be my eyes and ears. Tell me all about how the skies are. Here in Norfolk it's dull and grey and cold. I miss the sun at twelve thousand feet.

Take care of my Dragon

Harm

PS : I don't need my wings anymore, you might as well have them.

March 1991

Dear Harm,

My heart aches for you. I can't imagine what you're going through. I carry your wings on every mission I fly, so you are up there with me.

I've been back in France for a couple of months now, but I have a deployment coming up, I'm going to Djibouti. Any idea of what you'll be doing next ?

You know you can talk to me.

Your friend,

Nell

Dear Nell,

I'm at my grandmother's farm at the moment. I'm staying in my childhood room, and it brings back a lot of memories. My collection of model airplanes is displayed on the walls. It's a reminder I can't fly anymore, and it breaks my heart, but at the same time I have happy memories of making them.

So yesterday, I took the tarp off the family Stearman, Sarah (named after my Gran). My grandfather earned his wings on one just like that, so he bought it before the war, but he was shot down in '43 and never fixed it. My dad worked on it a bit, with the intention of restoring it with me, but he went MIA in '69, so it didn't happen either. I started to take on the repairs when I was in high school, after I went to Vietnam to try to find him, but I haven't finished.

At first, I didn't even want to see her. It's so painful. But the sky was so clear, and the weather so fine I couldn't resist. I'm going to finish repairing it, and one day you'll fly with me.

I'll never fly jets again, I'm slowly coming to terms with that, but I can still enjoy going up in Sarah. I never thought I could. Thank you for your encouragements, and your friendship.

I've talked with someone from the career bureau, I'm thinking law, JAG. Not sure about it yet, but with my night vision impaired, I can't pilot a ship either. I'll think about it some more, let you know.

Fly high !

Harm

April 1991

Dear Harm,

I hope the letters we exchange are not too painful for you. I'm still flying and I know how much you miss it. Tell me if it is, I'd be sad to stop writing to you, but I'd do it for you.

I'm glad you're finding a way to trim your sails. Lawyer for the Navy should be interesting. We don't have those in France, military people are judged by civilian courts.

I'm still in Djibouti, and it's getting hotter by the day ! Four months to go, it's going to be a long summer !

Take care of my sailor !

Nell

Dear Nell,

Please keep writing ! I miss the sky but I love hearing from you. What is there to do in Djibouti when you're on the ground ? Do you still teach karate ?

I moved to Washington to attend Law School in Georgetown. I got a spring admission, so I'm already taking classes. I think it's the best career path for me, and who knows, I might even enjoy it one day ! For the moment, I spend my nights buried in books. Reminds me of my Academy years !

Fly High !

Harm