Buttercream Imagines

30: Engine number four

Josh's pov
Sometimes the most important gifts are given unwittingly. I set about in checking the instruments in preparation for my last flight of the day, a short trip from Atlanta to Macon. It was 7:30pm christmas eve, but instead of tucking into mom's turkey dinner, i was busy getting other people home to their families.

Above the low buzz of talking passengers, i heard a rustle behind me. I looked over my shoulder. Just outside the cockpit doorway was a fresh-faced boy of about nine gazing intently at the flight deck. At my glance he turned away.

"Hold up," i called "Come on in here." I had been about his age when i first saw a flight panel lit up like a christmas tree and i could hardly wait to get my pilots wings. But now that im 24 and first officer at a commuter airline, i wondered if i had made the right choice. Here i was spending my first christmas eve away from home and what was i accomplishing? How was i making my mark in the world, let alone doing gods work, just hauling people from city to city?

The boy stepped cautiously into the cockpit. "My names Josh" i said sticking out my hand. With a shy smile he put his hand in mine "Im Sam." He turned to the empty seat beside me "Is that for the captain?"

"It sure is and thats where captain Jim sits." I patted the worn fabric "Would you like to try it out?"

Sam blinked at me from under his ball cap "I dont know . . . i mean . . . well, sure if its okay." I lowered the seat so he could slide into it. The captain loved to give demonstrations of the planes gadgets to the kids, but what would he think about one sitting in his seat? Well, its christmas, i thought.

I glanced out at the luggage carts being wheeled toward the plane, thinking of the gifts i wouldn't be able to give in person to my parents and friends the next day. Sam told me him and his family had flow in from Memphis. I checked my watch. The captain would be here any minute, but Sam looked so thrilled, i didn't want to cut short his fun. I gave the instrument panel another once-over, telling Sam what each button and lever did.

Finally captain Jim clambered aboard. "Howdy partner." He gave Sam a broad grin. "You know son," He drawled, "I dont mind you staying with us for a while if you'll switch with me." Sam let the captain take his place and i made introductions.

We began previewing the startup checklist. I kept thinking the captain would send the young boy away, but he was still peering over my shoulder when the ramp agent radioed to ask if we were ready to turn on the first engine in start sequence, number four.

I relayed the question to the captain, who was studying the weather reports. "Im still going over these," he said "Yous go ahead and start it."

"Okay, starting . . ." i said, positioning the switches. Then i did a double-take "Did you say 'yous'?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

I looked over at the captain, and back at the flight panel. "Right." I flicked the planes flashing red beacon light to signal the start.

Then i turned to my new assistant.

"You ever started a plane before, Sam?"

Eyes wide, he shook his head. Following my instructions, Sam carefully turned a knob on the overhead console that switched on the igniters. Then he pressed a button as big as his hand to start the engine. Finally, with both hands he slid forward a lever to induce the fuel. The engine hummed to life.

Sam slowly let go of he lever and stepped back, awestruck. He'd gotten to start an aeroplane, an honest-to-goodness airliner. Im bot sure if i'd have believed it myself at his age. I thanked sam for helping us out.

"No, thank you, sir," Sam said "This was really great!"

As he backed out of the doorway into the cabin, the plane resonated with the sound of the engine he'd started. "You have a merry christmas, son, you hear?" the captain said.

Sam looked like he was about to cry with happiness.

"I will, sir, i will. Thank you!" With one last look at the flight deck he turned and walked down the isle. We started up the other engine, took off, and arrived in Macon about 40 minutes later.

Early christmas morning, as we settled into the cockpit for the trip back to Atlanta, one of the gate agents tucked in. "Hey guys, some kid's mother came by this morning. She wanted to make sure i thanked you for showing her son around last night. Said he couldn't stop talking about the cockpit. She left this for you."

The gate agent set a red tin on the centre console.

Well i'll be," the captain said. He bit into one of the chocolate chip cookies from the tin. Then he unfolded the not tape to its cover and read it silently.

He sighed deeply and turned to me, "Boys got cancer," he said and read the note out loud:

Dear sirs,
       Thank you for allowing Sam to watch you work on christmas eve night. Sam has cancer and has been under going chemotherapy in Memphis. This is the first time he's been home since the treatment began. We drove Sam up to the hospital, but since he loves aeroplanes, we decided to fly him back home. I am not sure if he will every get to fly again. His doctor has said that Sam may only have a few months left. Sam has always dreamed of becoming an airline pilot. The flight we took from Memphis to Atlanta was exhilarating for him. He wasn't sure flying one of your 'little' planes would be as much fun, but you two gentlemen gave him the greatest christmas gift imaginable. For a few short minutes his dream came true, thanks to you.

I looked out at the runway gleaming before us in the sun. When i turned back to Jim, he was still staring at the note. A flight attendant came in and told us the passengers were ready for departure. She stowed the cookies away and went through the checklist. Then captain Jim cleared his throat and called out, "Starting number four."

Id want to be home with my loved ones, exchanging gifts for the holidays. But that little boy showed me that sometimes the most important gifts are given unwittingly and the most precious we get come from strangers. I can serve gods purpose no matter where i am, as ling as i let the spirit that moved me that night guide me always.