Once upon a Time There Were Two Soul Mates

It was the last week of January on a Friday afternoon, in 1952. In the hall prior to lunch at the high school, I asked, “Could we have lunch together”? She looked surprised, and said,” Yes”. We sat with her friends at lunch. When we were finished, I asked her to come out to Stadium with me. Again in a surprising tone , said, ”Yes”. When we got there and sat down I asked her, “Has anyone asked you to go to the Senior Prom in May”? I held my breath, but she said, “No”. This was the best “No” I have ever heard! I was kicking myself that I had all of these years never have asked Nancy for a date. But, I was two shy and embarrassed to ask her. I had known Nancy from the 4th grade, and had a attraction to her. She didn’t live far from our house near Springfield Lake. Very lucky for me she never had an attraction a for boy friend, but I was about change that. Then I said,” Would you go to the Prom with me”? She said, “Yes”. I indicated I would like to pick her up in my “Old 1941 Pontiac” and take her home after school. I , also, asked ,”Would you go to breakfast in the morning”. She said, “Yes she would”. I said, “I will pick you up at 7:30 AM”. I told her to check with her mother, because I planed to keep her the rest of the day, until 5:00 PM. She again looked questionably at me with that girlish like grin of her’s, I liked so well. I was really secretly excited about her decision. She was about to see the other side of me. I had other interests and was pursing them for the future. When Nancy got out of the car, I gave her my lettered track and football sweater to wear. I am sure when she wore it Monday in school it did two things. She was now my girl and it certainly would get the attention of her friends. Even my 1941 Pontiac was, also, about to change! So I told Nancy I will see you for breakfast in the morning at 7:30 AM. I pick up Nancy for breakfast at 7:30AM. Instead of going to some local restaurant I headed for the Akron Municipal Airport. When we pulled in, this caused a look of puzzlement to Nancy. She had a 2/3 length white leather- like coat, black slacks, scarf, a white turtle neck sweater, and brown penny loafers. When arriving at Akron Airport, I was wearing Southern Air’s uniform of tan slacks, brown airline shirt, black tie, with our companies wings on the left pocket. My name was stenciled underneath: Capt . Don Ryan. On the left pocket was stenciled Southern Air Cargo Airline and Mail. Also, on the shoulders were the epilates with four bars of the Captains Rating. All of this was covered up with a smart brown leather jacket, so that Nancy could not see it, but she will at breakfast in Cleveland. We walked to the desk of Southern Cargo Airlines, that was staffed by a middle aged woman by the name of “Hazel”. Hazel ran operations, more too, you always wanted to be on the good side of Hazel. I am getting the Cleveland pick up and bringing It back to Akron . Bob will finish the trip to Pittsburg and Washington, D.C. Now, hearing all of this, Nancy found we were going to Cleveland, and while there will have breakfast. We will go to Burke Lakefront Airport. Hazel said,” What restaurant”? I said, “The Barge Restaurant”. At the end of Runway 9. Hazel said, “An excellent choice”. Are going to take this nice young lady with you? ‘Yes’, I said. As Nancy left the building going to the aircraft ramp, Nancy said,” You have to be kidding”! I said, “I am starving plus I have to get the mail to Cleveland”. As we were coming up to the planes, she said, “I have not been this close to an airplane this big”. I told her that the planes with the Southern Cargo Airlines/Mail carry mainly mail in a “Star Route Contract with the Postal Service”. . “How many people will it hold”. I told her “5 passengers and two pilots”. We did the prefight together. Nancy said, “How long have You been doing all this”? “I said”, at this level, one and one half years. While you guys where enjoying your summer vacations, I was in aviation school learning aerodynamics, engines, airframes, etc. I hold a multiengine, commercial, and instrument rating, along with a type rating in the Twin B-18 (C-45). I am the youngest pilot on the line. If I told my friends back a school , no one will believe me! said,” Tell no one, It is our secret”! I got her into the copilot’s seat and strapped her in. I gave her the standard safety briefing, evacuation of the aircraft, use of oxygen mask of the bulkhead behind her seat in case we had to go above 10,000ft.,radio etiquette on the radio, when to talk me, and when not to talk to me. I contacted Akron Area Control Tower on frequency 134.75 that twin Beech 243 was ready to taxi to the active runway. Akron Tower said, “Approved to taxi to Runway 28 and hold”. “ The control tower operator said, “Altimeter 30.18, Beech 243 is cleared to 3000 ft. direct, to Burke Lakefront Airport, contact Cleveland Center on 135.00 after leaving the pattern.’’ You are cleared for take off and have a good trip. “Beech 243, Thank you”! At this time the tail wheel was locked and full power applied to the throttles and lift off and climb established.
THE CLEVELAND BREAKFAST TRIP WAS ON!