Page 11 of Spring Break with a Pilot

“What does that mean, transport?”

“I’m a pilot. We have a recovery house run by one of the teams’ brothers. We’ll take her there. They’ll help her get over what she’s been given, counseling if she needs it, then help her get a good job. It would be best if we got her out of town today, before they can find what clinic she’s at.”

“Can I go? I want to see this place, know more about what it does.”

“I was hoping you’d want to. It might be easier for her to have another survivor along. I may have helped her to get out, but I’m another man she doesn’t know. We’ll spend the night there, then go visit your mom the next day.”

“I’ve never been in a plane before.”

“We’ll take the helo this time because they don’t have a landing strip at the farm. But if you’d like, I’ll get you on the company jet for a ride someday.”

We’re at the hanger within an hour. Pax and Nyla show up thirty minutes later. Pax pulls me aside. “They were putting it in her damn water bottle. Her memories are sketchy. She may have been raped. Clinic did a rape kit.

I shake my head. “She has no one. She grew up with her grandparents and moved here with a friend when they died. Her friend took off a month ago. She’s an only child with no other relatives, no money, barely twenty-one. Silo’s brother Bram knows we’re on the way.

“Damn glad you were wired up. Oh, and Jed says we’re to bring Detective Ford in on what we know. We called him and he did his own debriefing with Trish. He wants to keep this quiet for now since he doesn’t know who he can trust in his department. We need to find these motherfuckers and nail Enzo, Dennis, and whoever the top fucking dog is. Jed wants them bad.”

He glances over to where Melia is talking with Trish. “She going with?”

“Yeah, I thought Trish might feel safer with another woman along. Someone else who got out. Then I’ll take her to her mom.”

Pax nods. “How you doing?”

“Me?”

“I saw you fall. You going to be able to make it work with her?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

He laughs. “When you figure it out come see me. I’ll help you over the rough spots.”

The flight is easy. The women sit in back vacillating between holding hands, crying, and talking.

Bram and Silo’s farm is serene and quiet. Perfect to rebound. A big old house with lots of rooms and space. Bram and a young woman meet us in the field after we land.

“Welcome, Trish, Melia. I’m Bram. This is Mia. She and her mother both live and work here with me.” He crosses the distance and gives me a bro hug and slap on the back. “Good to see you too, Silk.”

He provides the tour and explanation as we walk the grounds. “We have the main house, guest house, bunkhouse, and barn. We still raise a few crops, cattle, goats, sheep, and chickens. Most of them are pets. We have dogs and cats running around and horses to ride. People who stay with us are required to help with the chores, including taking turns in the kitchen, cleaning the buildings, and laundry.

“Individuals in the group have suffered addiction, mental or physical abuse, assault, poverty, abandonment, homelessness, loss of jobs. We are all in it together here and support each other in our struggles. We work hard to make this a safe place to recover and start over. This is not an end spot. This is a get on your feet, learn what you need, and start the life of your choice place.

“We help you learn the skills you need to find a job and location where you can start over safely.

“No booze, or drugs. You’ll receive a medical exam, any meds you require, help getting straight and counseling, all dependent on your needs.”

He turns to look at Melia and Trish. “I’ve been homeless and unemployed. I’m a recovering alcoholic, drug user, and abuse survivor. I was a farmer, army medic, and now counselor.

“Silk and I have known each other a long time. He’s vouching for you. You’ll be in the main house.” He looks up. “Silk, you and Melia can have the guest house tonight.”

“Mia, please show Melia to the guest house, then Trish to the house and get her settled. If you ladies would like to help with dinner it would be appreciated. I need Silk to help me in the barn for a little while. We’ll be inside soon.”

In the barn, he turns to me. “The damn tractor is acting up again. Same issue as before. Don’t really want to break down and buy a new one. I heard you guys just signed on a new guy with lots of mechanical knowledge. Think HARDCORE can help me out?”

“I’ll look at it. If it’s too much for me, I’ll talk to Diesel. His assignment is almost over. He’s with Silo right now. You know Jed will approve any repairs. You’ve come through for us more than once.”

I change the sparkplugs but I’m pretty sure there’s something wrong with the carburetor. We’re at least able to get hay out to the field for the animals.

Stopping at the guest house to clean up, I realize there’s only one bed. I imagine Melia naked with her dark hair spread across the pillows lying there waiting for me to come home. Welcoming me into her arms after a rough mission. Contentment washes over me at the image of her being by my side. After taking a shower, I pull on sweats and a T-shirt from the guest clothes in the dresser before going to the main house.

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