On Wings of the Morning (30 page)

Otto occupied himself with reconstructing the airport during the spring. Betty came out regularly to take the Cub up. Occasionally Otto would ride with her in the J-5. She was building time. He had all the time he wanted for a while. They sat in the office and had long talks through lazy afternoons.

Mata told him that the time he and Betty spent together was the subject of much town gossip. Otto said he didn’t care.

***

Betty sat across the table from Otto at the farmhouse. She was also a frequent visitor at the house now that she was a widow, and when Otto had to go over to the airport, sometimes she went with him, and sometimes she stayed and helped Mata. They enjoyed talking with each other.

Today, they were talking about business. Otto had plans and he wanted the two women in on them.

“We need to plan for the end of the war,” he said. “There is going to be a tremendous increase of interest in flying and we have to be ready for it.”

“So,” said Mata, “we buy surplus aircraft and rent or re-sell them.”

“You’ll need funding,” Betty told them.

“Mata is in charge of finances,” Otto offered.

“We have some cash reserves,” Mata said. “But we also need a bigger barn and some of the milking equipment needs replacing. I’ve been holding off until the end of the war.”

“I think it’ll all be over by the end of the year,” Otto surmised. “We’re on the continent and driving forward daily. And we control the air. The Nazis are finished. It’s just a question of how soon.”

“Do you wish you were still over there?” Betty asked him, taking his hand.

“I would like to be with the fellows and help with the effort, but if I had made two more missions I would have rotated home and become an instructor.” He smiled wryly at what could have been.

Betty patted his hand. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Mata stood up and got the coffee pot. “Do you want me to leave you two love birds alone?”

Betty giggled. “Maybe later,” Otto laughed.

Mata poured more coffee. “I think we need to incorporate the airport, get town sponsorship and sell stock.”

“Whoa! Those are big steps!” Otto told her.

“Not all at once, silly. And we’ll have to wait until the war’s over. It’s not like we’re going to do all this this afternoon.”

“I know my dad’s bank would be good for a loan. He really admires you, Otto, and thinks the world of you.”

“Are we agreed then?” Otto looked at both women. They nodded and he sat back in his chair.

Betty spoke. “Now I have an idea that’s sort of related to business, and it’s to have a charity ball to benefit the USO. We can have a band in from Minneapolis and sell tickets and make some money for a good cause. What do you think?”

“I think it’s a great idea,” Mata said. “Where would you have it?”

“Mom and Dad have said we can use their place. We can have it in maybe late May or early June.”

“The war will be over by then,” Otto pointed out. “I mean the war in Europe. I believe we’re going to have to invade Japan, and that won’t happen until late next year unless something unforeseen happens.”

“In any case, there will be a need for funds,” Betty noted. “So let’s get started.”

Otto stood up. “Planning social events is not my strong suite, so if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do. I’ll help any way I can. Just tell me what to do.”

“Oh, you can assure yourself we’ll do that,” Mata smiled, and she and Betty chuckled.

Otto left them talking about guest lists. He felt more comfortable on the farm or at the airport or in the air than he did at a social event. Still, it was a good idea. They would have to see how it all panned out.

***

Betty and Otto were working in the airport office one day later that week. The airport was quiet. A car came up the gravel drive, and Betty looked out to see who it was. “Otto, it’s Mata!” she exclaimed and ran outside to see what Mata was doing there. She never came unless she had told them she would be coming.

Mata got out of the car, leaving the door open in her haste. “Betty! Otto! The Germans have surrendered! The war is over in Europe!”

Betty raced to her and they embraced, jumping up and down like two schoolgirls. Otto came out, wiping his hands. He smiled a broad smile as he embraced the two women. “It’s finally over. I don’t believe it. Well, one down and one to go.” They stood there a while, the three friends, too overcome to think what this turn of events might mean for their lives.

***

The charity ball took place the last Saturday in May. Mata and Betty had enlisted some help, but they spent the better part of the week before at the Ross’s mansion, decorating and taking care of final details. Otto had to stay at the farm and supervise the hired men since Mata generally did that. She came home Friday evening, looking tired but satisfied.

“So, how is it going?” Otto asked her.

“We’re ready,” she told him. “I just have to go over tomorrow morning and help Betty with a few details and then come home and get myself ready.”

“With all this business, you haven’t told me who your date is.” Betty had asked Otto to escort her, and to wear his uniform.

Mata blushed. “It’s Pete Johanssen, two farms over.”

“Mata, I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend. We’ve been out a few times, but nothing beyond that.”

“How did I miss this?”

“You’ve been busy with Betty.”

“Yes, well, good for you, sis. I hope you have a great time.”

“I know you will with Betty.” She winked at him.

***

Otto had had his uniform cleaned, and he dressed carefully the next day. He came out into the living room. Mata clapped her hands. “How handsome you are, brother! Betty will be on the arm of the handsomest man there!”

“Well, I’d better get going. Thank you for letting me use your car.”

“Yes, well, this isn’t exactly a pickup affair. Pete will be along to get me in a few minutes, so you’d better get going.”

Otto drove carefully to Betty’s house, parked and knocked on the door. He was somewhat surprised when Betty opened the door herself. She looked radiant in a blue dress with her hair done up. Otto gave a low whistle. “You look wonderful,” he told her.

“And you are so handsome,” she said, drawing him by the hand into the vestibule.

“Where are Sarah and James?” he asked.

“They’re at my parents’ helping with the dance. They’ll stay there overnight, so after the ball it’ll be just us here. Now come in and let’s have a little pre-event drink.”

Otto followed her into the living room where the silver cocktail service was set up. She mixed up two cocktails, plopped an olive in each one and offered him one. He took it. “A toast!” she exclaimed.

“A toast,” he returned, somewhat more weakly.

“To winning the war, to the USO and to us!” She clinked her glass on his.

“To winning the war, the USO and us!” he echoed. They both sipped from their martinis. “Sit down, we have a minute,” Betty said. “Are you ready for your coming out in society?”

“Like a deb? I guess so.”

“Most people haven’t seen you since you got back. They want to see their war hero.”

“I’m not exactly something to look at,” Otto said.

“If they see what I see, they’ll be just fine.”

“There were plenty of stares at the funeral.”

“Yes. Thank you for coming. What a show that was.”

“The minister didn’t say anything about Tom. Is that customary?”

“Apparently it is, although he asked me if there was anything I wanted him to say about him. I said no. What I meant was I didn’t care
what
he said about the son of a bitch.”

“That’s so unlike you, Betty,” looking at her with a level gaze.

“Yeah, well, no one knows how bad it was. And it was my own damn fault for marrying him.”

“Well, water under the bridge.”

“You like to say that, don’t you, Otto?”

“It helps me get through.”

They finished their cocktails and then stood to go. Betty took Otto’s arm and they went out the front door.

“Ooh, you have the car,” she exclaimed. “Very nice.”

Otto opened the door for her and she got in. “Thank you,” she smiled up at him.

Betty was clearly excited about the upcoming event. “We’ve raised over $20,000 from our little town. Can you believe that? Of course, everyone wants to help the boys. Everyone has someone in the war in some way.”

She kept up a steady flow of comments during the short drive to her parents’ house. They had to line up behind other cars turning into the long circular driveway. When they reached the head of the line, James opened Betty’s door and then came around to park the car for them. “Good evening Captain,” he said with a slight bow.

“Good evening, James,” Otto returned. Betty took his arm and they walked the red carpet that had been laid out for the occasion. They walked through the ornate double doors that Otto remembered from their dance lessons. A uniformed butler announced two couples before them and then it was their turn:

“Mrs. Betty Brown and Captain Otto Kerchner!” he intoned. There was mild applause from couples gathered in the parlor. Otto and Betty stepped into the room. Betty waved to a few people she knew. Otto felt as if everyone were staring at him. They moved rapidly to the side of the room.

The orchestra Betty had hired for the occasion started playing. She looked at him in recognition: “It’s ‘Teach Me Tonight,” she said. “One we practiced dancing to in high school. Let’s dance, Otto. I want you to hold me in your arms. I’ll even let you sing to me.”

Otto laughed and took her easily into his arms. “No singing,” he promised. “I’ve given up on that.”

Betty laughed and they moved around the small dance floor with a few other couples. “You dance divinely, Captain K,” Betty told him, smiling.

“As do you, Mrs. Brown,” he returned. “I had the best instruction from two ladies of my acquaintance.”

The soloist finished the song,

One thing isn’t very clear, my love. Should the teacher stand so near, my love?

Graduation’s almost here, my love. Teach me tonight.

They clapped for the orchestra, which swung into “In the Mood,” an up-tempo number. The band was good, and played all the popular songs. The soloist took the mike and said, “And now a special trip number for all you guys and gals in the service. This dance is for you and this song is for you. Two other women joined her and they launched into “Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy.” The couples jitterbugged as if they were on fire.

After a couple more up-tempo numbers, the band slowed it down with “The White Cliffs of Dover.” Betty had Otto hold her close. Otto couldn’t help but think of Alice, who sang along with the song when they danced to it a world and eons away. Betty looked up at him. “Why so serious, Otto?”

“Oh, nothing. This song just reminds me of something.”

“Or someone?”

“Or someone.”

“Someone like Alice?”

“Well, yes.”

“Mata told me you got a letter from her.”

“I did.”

“And?”

“I threw it away. That part of my life is over. I prefer to focus on what’s going on now, including and especially you.”

Betty held him closer. “I’m glad.”

“So am I,” Otto answered.

The band took a break, and the dancers filed into the dining room, which had been set up with a display of Army food. Otto groaned inwardly. He understood that the food was to show support and solidarity with the troops, but he had had enough Army food in the Army. He and Betty took small plates and a few forkfuls of the offerings and made their way to the garden, where tables covered with white linen had been set up. They sat down and were soon joined by Mata and Pete. Otto stood up as Mata sat down. “Good evening,” Betty said. “Mata, you look absolutely lovely. Pete, you’re lucky to have such a beautiful date.”

“I know,” Pete answered.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this and it’s going so well,” Mata said. “I hope we raise a lot of money for the USO!”

“We’ll announce a final figure near the end,” Betty assured her, “after we’ve had time to count it.”

The two couples sat and listened as the orchestra started playing again. This time the song was “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Betty took Otto’s hand as she hummed along with the song. The vocalist came in,

I’ll be seeing you in all the old familiar places

That this heart embraces all day through…

Otto smiled at Betty. He couldn’t remember being this happy for a long time.

***

Betty took the microphone about midnight to announce the totals. “I am so pleased to tell you that tonight we have raised over $22,000 for our USO. Isn’t that wonderful?”

The couples gathered in the garden applauded and then began saying their good-byes.

Otto and Betty went over to her parents. “Mom and Dad, thank you so much for letting us have our soiree at your house. It was the perfect place!”

Otto shook hands with Betty’s dad and her mom kissed him on the cheek. “I know you both worked very hard,” Mrs. Ross told them. We were happy to provide the place.”

“Well, we’ll be going,” Betty said. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Good night,” they said to each other.

Betty and Otto walked out into the warm evening. Otto opened the car door for her. He came around, got in, started the car, and they drove off.

“I hope you can come in for a few minutes,” Betty told him. “And no excuses about having to get up with the cows.”

“Well, I guess I can.”

“You’d better, mister,” and she laid her head on his shoulder.

Otto stopped the car in front of the house. “We’ll have a nice nightcap,” Betty promised.

She opened the door and they stepped in. She threw her arms around him and kissed him long and hard. “Alone at last,” she whispered, and winked. “You sit here in the living room and I’ll change into something more comfortable. Take off your jacket.”

Otto obediently did as he was told. He sat looking around until Betty came in dressed in what he would call not very much. He gulped.