Read The Girl Who Could Fly Online
Authors: Victoria Forester
Betty instinctively put an arm on Pipers shoulder. Our Pipers a good girl. I aint saying that we dont got our problems with her, but she didnt never hurt no one.
No, of course not. I understand. Weve encountered many people, just like you, whose circumstances are . . . unique. Its nothing to be concerned about. We know exactly what to do. Dr. Hellions manner was warm and reassuring and the tension in Bettys jaw lessened. Right now Agent Agent has a few questions that hed like to ask you. Would you mind if he spoke with you for a moment in private?
Agent Agent stepped forward and guided Betty and Joe to the porch, leaving Piper alone with Dr. Hellion. Piper found herself tongue-tied and mesmerized as the full force of Letitia Hellions attention shone on her.
It seems like youve been having quite a morning. Dr. Hellion smiled. Piper nodded. I dont suppose you are used to getting so many unexpected visitors?
No, we sure dont, Piper agreed.
Perhaps you also had something strange or unexplainable happen to you this morning? Like hearing a voice but not seeing anyone there?
Pipers mouth flew open.
How did she know?
The expression on Pipers face confirmed Dr. Hellions suspicion. Perhaps well speak more about that later. But for right now, Piper, why dont you tell me about your flying? Dr. Hellion spoke about flying as though commenting on the weather.
Well . . . After all the trouble, Piper didnt know if she should answer. Letitia Hellion instantly saw the confusion in Pipers face and bent down so that she was eye level with her. Placing her hand on Pipers small shoulder, she held her wavering blue eyes in the strength of her green ones.
I know that you dont know me very well yet, Piper, but I hope one day youll think of me as a friend. If you let me, I could be someone who could really help you. Dr. Hellion paused, seeing the lines of confusion and uncertainty that crossed Pipers forehead. Maybe you are thinking right now,
She doesnt understand. No one understands what its like to be so different. To be constantly hiding who you really are and lying about it too.
I also know, though, that you dont like lying. It doesnt make you feel very good.
Piper was struck dumb. That was exactly how she felt! How did Dr. Hellion know?
You are also wondering what you can possibly do about it. And the truth is that you dont really know what to do, or who to turn to, and you are starting to have moments when things feel completely hopeless.
Piper realized her knees were trembling. Wh-what do I do?
Thats a very good question, Piper. And I can help you answer it. But first I need to see how far along you are with your flyingif youve progressed to inverted loops or maybe even reverse propulsion.
You mean fly backward? Piper hadnt even thought of trying that yet.
Its a very advanced skill and I wouldnt expect that you would have reached that level yet.
Ive floated ever since I was born but I only just got at the flying. Id appreciate a few lessons. Then again . . . some folks round these parts dont take to it much. Piper glanced over to where her ma and pa were talking with Agent Agent.
I understand. Its not easy to do what you do. There are consequences. Dr. Hellion nodded solemnly and Piper knew she did understand and, whats more, felt understood.
Ive met many others, just like you. Once I have assessed your flying skills we can sit down and decide exactly where youd like to go with it.
You mean you want me to fly? Now? Here?
Yes. Can you do that for me?
Piper looked about as though expecting to get in trouble for merely considering the idea of flying. Youre sure it wont cause no trouble?
You have my word. Dr. Hellion gave her word firmly. Getting to her feet, she stepped away to give Piper room. Please take your time. Whenever you feel ready. Talk me through it if youd like.
Piper was well aware of the many eyes that were watching her, not to mention Betty, who was closely minding her from the porch.
Well, if youre sure. Piper took a deep breath and turned so that she couldnt see her parents faces. It sure made a change to have someone actually taking an interest in her flying, and she suddenly felt excitement welling up inside of her.
See, she explained to Dr. Hellion and the men closest to her, any of you could do it, if you put your mind to it. All you have to do is stand still and think about the sky. Piper silently repeated her special words and a rush of tingling swept through her body. A moment later her feet left the ground. Next thing you know, youll be in the air. Simple as that.
Piper flew.
Everyone looked up.
All of the men present had seen many unexplained and classified phenomena. For them, the extraordinary had become routine. It was precisely why they had been subjected to a painstaking selection process, exhaustive training, and ongoing assessments. And yet even so, those same men unwittingly let expressions of wonder and awe slip across their hardened features and let gasps escape their weary lips as they watched Piper fly.
No question, Piper McCloud was special, even among the special.
Once in the air, Piper decided to keep it simple. Turning a few spins, she followed them with a quick loop-the-loop and finished with a pirouette.
Dr. Hellions breath fell away. Dear God, she really can fly.
CHAPTER FIVE
P
IPER, THERE are others . . . like you. And a place where you will belong. Dr. Hellion spoke quietly and Piper leaned forward to drink in every single word.
No fooling?
True to her word, Dr. Hellion had seen to it that Piper didnt get into any trouble once she landed. Afterward, Dr. Hellion went into the house with Betty and Joe and stayed there a long time before calling Piper in to speak with her privately. In no time at all Piper felt like Dr. Hellion was an old trusted friend.
The only trouble with flying is that it gets lonely up in the sky when youre the only one, she told Dr. Hellion confidentially. I was thinking that maybe I could teach others to fly and then everyone could do it. I mean, its not so hard once you get the hang of it. Once she got started talking about flying, Piper couldnt stop.
Dr. Hellion listened carefully to every single word. Is that what youd like?
More than anything. That and learning to fly better because I wanna fly clear around the world. Pipers face lit up at the thought of it. Then I can see everything and maybe there are other fliers out there that no one knows nothing bout. Maybe I could find em. Or at least meet a lot of interesting people in far-off places.
Sounds like you have it all figured out.
Piper shrugged. It seems to me that it dont hurt none to get yourself a dream and a plan. Cause if you dont, then youll never go nowhere.
I couldnt agree more. Well, Piper, its good that youve told me all of this because your mother and father and I have just been sitting here discussing your future and I suggested to them that it might be in your interest to come with me for a while.
With you? Where?
My institute. It specializes in assisting special needs children, like yourself, in learning skills so that they can fulfill their dreams.
You mean Id get to go to school?
Like I was telling your parents, well teach you everything you need to know.
Id sure like to fly better. Piper couldnt wait to get some good flying lessons.
There is also one other thing you should know, Piper. What happened to you this morning in your roomthat voice you heard. Well, I dont want to go into too much detail and I certainly dont want to scare you, but unless you have protection, there are those out there who have an interest in getting to you. Unfortunately, they have great means at their disposal. At the institute, we can see to it that you are safe.
A shiver went up and down Pipers spine. Why would they wanna get at me?
Its very complicated, and frankly, its not something Id like you to worry about. When I spoke with your parents, they told me that the final decision to go to the institute or not would be left up to you. Based on your circumstances, I think it would be a wise decision, on your part.
Without hesitation, indeed without even thinking, Piper wholeheartedly agreed with Dr. Hellion, who happily got to her feet. So its settled.
Like a whirlwind, Piper rushed up to her room to tell Betty, who was in the middle of pulling clothes out of Pipers drawers. Dr. Hellion says shell teach me everything Ill need to know, Ma. Aint that great? Piper blurted out. And Im gonna go to her institute.
I figured as much. Betty nodded, and Piper suddenly noticed an unmistakable look of great concern on her mothers careworn face.
Betty and Joe were simple country folks at their wits end. They loved their child with all of their hearts and didnt want her going away for even one second. All the same, protecting Piper from the likes of what had happened earlier that morning was now a heavy consideration. Dr. Hellion promised to keep their Piper out of harms way. She also patiently pointed out that Pipers special needs required an individually crafted learning program specifically designed for her abilities. Had the McClouds given any thought to how they were going to address that? No? Well, Dr. Hellion was an expert with exceptional children. Her facility was created for just such occurrences and would gather any resources necessary to see to it that Piper had all she needed. No expense would be spared.
While it was true that the McClouds were sticklers for their routine, they were not unkind people. They would have cut off their right arms before knowingly hurting Piper in any way. And so with the greatest reluctance and against their best instincts, they were letting their only child be taken from them.
Betty had already packed Pipers warmest sweater, woolen gloves, and socks. Everything Piper owned was all neatly arranged in an old carpetbag that was light to carry, even to Pipers arms. Seeing her clothes all packed up jolted Piper out of her euphoria and stopped her short in her tracks.
Ma, what are you doing with all my clothes?
Fancy institute or not, Im figuring youll need a stitch or two to cover yourself with. Betty pushed Pipers long underwear into the bag.
But . . . Piper didnt understand. Why are you packin em all up?
Youll have to leave with Dr. Hellion and you wont be able to live here anymore.
What? Pipers confusion grew. But that aint right! Why cant I walk to the institute like I see them Miller youngens walk to school every day? It didnt occur to Piper that it would ever be otherwise.
Dr. Hellions institute is real far, Piper. Too far to walk to and too far to come home from, even on holidays.
All at once, Piper came to realize that there were greater implications to what had seemed like a commonsense decision. She sank down on her bed. No!
Now, now, child. Dont get yourself into a state. Like you says, Dr. Hellions got everything all figured out.
Piper noticed that her mothers hands were shaking as she folded the only handkerchief the McClouds had ever owned. Made with a delicate linen and embroidered with tiny bluebirds, the handkerchief had been carefully passed down through the generations. Betty had only ever used it once and that was on her wedding day. Neatly folding it and placing it in the old bag, Betty was now quietly bestowing it on Piper. The simple gesture woke Piper up to the finality of leaving her parents and the farm.
But I didnt know. Piper wrung her hands. What was she going to do now? She wanted to go to Dr. Hellions institute but not if it meant leaving her home and her ma and pa. Suddenly a simple decision had become very complicated and Piper couldnt figure her way to an answer that didnt include disappointment and regret. How had she gotten herself into such a muddle?
Youll be safe, and theyll give you special schooling. Betty could see Pipers mounting concern and tried to reassure her. Youll get to meet other youngens, maybe make some friends.
Piper shook her head. I dont reckon Ill go now.
Betty sniffed, turned away quickly, and gathered up a hairbrush. Aint nothing in this life comes easy to any of us, child. Every road you walk downs got a price. Sooner you learn that the better. Dont matter the direction you go, therell be some bad mixed in with the good and you just gotta learn to take the one with the other. Winding Pipers Sunday hair ribbon around the brushs handle, Betty tucked them in the bag and closed it with finality. You done went and chose your path and there aint nothing your pa and I can do about it now.
At first Piper didnt understand what her ma was angling at, and then at once things snapped into focus in such a way that they did make sense. Betty had told her and told her not to fly. Shed warned her to keep her feet on the ground and Piper hadnt paid her any mind. Sure as anything, shed gone and caught that baseball and everyone saw. The whole situation was out of her ma and pas hands. Like a detective unraveling a case, Piper traced the steps she had taken to arrive at this moment. Leaving with Dr. Hellion was only the latest ramification of the choice shed made to jump off the roof while lying on the tree branch that day. There wasnt anything she or her ma or pa could do about it now. It was Piper, and Piper alone, who had brought all this about.
I didnt never think this was gonna happen. Piper breathed quietly, shaking her head in wonder.
Betty handed Piper the carpetbag. Mind your manners now.
I will, Ma.
See to it you clean your plate. Betty sniffed, turning away quickly and roughly pushing the back of her hand against her cheek. Best be getting a move on. Dont want to keep all them folks waiting on us. She left Pipers room abruptly and bustled down the stairs.
Piper took one last look around the only bedroom shed ever known before picking up the old bag and reluctantly leaving. When she opened the porch door she noticed that the fancy cars were packed up and the men in dark suits were waiting next to them at the ready. Dr. Hellion smiled when she saw her. All ready?
Piper nodded sadly. Off to the side, Joe stood forlornly waiting.
Im going now, Pa.
Joe sighed, thrusting his hand into the pocket of his overalls and pulling out a beautifully carved wooden bird. He handed it to Piper and she took it gently, turning it over reverently.
Was gonna be for your birthday, Joe spoke slowly. I expect nows as good a time as any. Made it myself.
Tears sprang into Pipers eyes. Its beautiful, Pa. Most beautiful I ever saw. Pipers fingers traced the delicate lines on the feathers of the bird that Joe had painstakingly spent hours creating. It was truly a labor of love.
Well be waiting right here for you when youre ready to come back to us. Joe patted Pipers shoulder awkwardly. He wasnt used to so much talking.
Piper nodded through her tears. She felt Dr. Hellions gentle hand on her shoulder and allowed herself to be guided away. Agent Agent lifted her up into the helicopter and expertly fastened safety straps across her chest, which firmly held her against the soft leather seats. The next thing she knew, the door was closed and the engine was revving up. It was all happening so fast.
The helicopter lifted off and Piper watched the strong wind created by the blades blasting against her ma and pa. They stood stalwart against it and waved as the helicopter rose into the sky.
Piper kept her eyes fixed not on the sky but on the waving hands of her parents. Although she knew that they couldnt see, she waved back.
Long after all of the fancy cars had sped away and the dust had settled, Betty and Joe McCloud kept their eyes fixed firmly on the horizon where theyd last seen the helicopter. Neither of them moved for a long time.