Page 33 of Sky Song
“I wish I could tell you what you want to know, but if I do, it will lead you to more questions, Cricket,” Lyle suddenly said, and she thought he was looking out of the window when he said it. She didn’t feel the warm energy of his attention like she did every time he trained his eyes on her. “My earlier life was not good. There was nothing in it that you’d want to hear, especially not the events that gave me my scars.” He raised his mauled hand and touched his scarred upper lip, whether unconsciously or to make a point, she wasn’t sure.
Cricket repositioned her tense hands on the small oval steering wheel. “Why don't you let me be the judge of that? My early life on Earth wasn’t rosy, either.”
“Your life might’ve been harsh, but I can tell it wasn’t violent. Even when you handle a gun, you’re gentle.”
“Is it a tactful way of saying I’m not a fighter?”
He was silent.
“I’ll have you know, I’m not afraid of using a gun. I fired at a burglar once, in self defense.”
“Did the guy survive?”
“Of course! I… missed. But it scared him off.”
Again, Lyle said nothing, and the weight of his gaze on her was heavy and warm.
They drove for another hour or so, chatting about Meeus and the scenery, before Cricket started to circle back.
“Wait,” he suddenly said. “I want to show you something.”
He reached for the panel again, curving his fingers under and pulling until the hard lid popped off, the little iron hinges bent out of shape.
“What are you…” Cricket couldn't comprehend the hinges. The power of those hands - it’s like he wedged a crowbar into the panel.
The rider halted and started issuing a warning against unauthorized access. Great. She was going to get a huge fine and maybe have her driving privileges revoked. She and Terrance would be able to commiserate together.
Before she had a chance to tell Lyle to put the lid back on, he deftly operated the little screen that was revealed, entering a weird combination of numbers and symbols, pressing several buttons simultaneously, until the warning voice stopped mid-word.
“All good now,” he looked and sounded exceedingly pleased with himself. “We can proceed.”
“And where, pray tell, shall we proceed?”
His lips curled in a small smile. “Up.” Tapping the screen, he made the rider move.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” It was getting too nerve-wracking for Cricket’s law-abiding conscience. “We’ll get arrested.”
“We will not get arrested. We’ll go real slow and obey every air traffic rule.”
“You wouldn’t know what our traffic rules are.”
“They’re the same everywhere,” he assured her confidently.
The rider purred and wobbled from side to side, and Cricket realized with dismay that they were airborne. Only a foot or so off the ground, but definitely flying. “Lyle, quick, how do I bring this thing down?”
“I’ll show you later. First, let me show you how to get it up.” He gently pulled the little lever that protruded from the previously hidden dash. The rider’s nose pointed upwards, and they began ascending.
Cricket gripped the useless steering wheel tighter, feeling a perspiration pop up on her chest and back. “Do you… Do you know what to do?”
He reached for her hand and gently pried it off the steering wheel. “Place your fingers on top of this lever. It’s very sensitive. Try it. Feel us going up? And don’t forget to watch for the opening in the traffic stream like you do on the ground. Yes, like that, don’t be afraid.”
Obeying his commands uttered in that strangely smooth accented way of his, in the low, dreamy voice, Cricket did as directed, and little by little, guided by her unsteady hand, their rider climbed high enough to enter the first-level altitude reserved for small passenger vehicles. Thankfully, there were only a few flying in the same direction, and they gave Cricket a wide berth, instantly recognizing the uncertain pattern of a new pilot. If they only knew…
Lyle helped her lock in the altitude and set the course, letting the rider’s autopilot do most of the work. They were circling Shadush’s airspace in a wide low loop, passing over the villages and parks, over the squat Mount Anatra, over Cricket’s own neighborhood. The blue sky spread over them in an endless umbrella of blue, textured here and there with white clouds, and the sun Kle lit up this beautiful world.
“It’s the Hall of Knowledge, isn’t it? I think it is. And the hospital. Lyle, there’s my hospital, look!” With wonder, Cricket turned her head this way and that, looking around and down. She could see the park and the city center in one sweep. She could even detect the edge of the great gulf that separated Shadush from the other continents. She could see everything.
Laughter bubbled from her throat, giddy and filled with pure little-girl happiness. “We’re flying! Oh, my God, I never knew… Lyle, we’re flying!” Unable to tear her eyes away from the indescribable panorama spread out before her, Cricket foundhis hand by touch and held it, feeling his answering squeeze. Babbling like a girl, she pointed her finger at things below and laughed, overcome by the sheer wonder of being so high and taking it all in.
