As soon as everyone was eating breakfast this morning, I checked with Abe about the engine he had been working on for our entry into the light sport aircraft market. So far, the engine showed it was generating between 115 and 125 horsepower. This would put it in competition with the Rotax 914 or the Continental engine. We knew that the Rotax engine retailed for about thirty five grand and the Continental for around twenty, but Abe figured we could sell ours, fully certified, for somewhere around fifteen and still make a big profit.

The engine plant was building several small four cycle engines for carts, but our work in certified engines for aircraft was a new field. There were several hurdles for us to work on. What I really needed is a real aeronautical engineer, someone who could guide us in all of the phases leading to our goal.

John and Wanda were having breakfast with us this morning, so I asked him where I should look for the type of person I thought we needed. He suggested Craig's list, as there might me someone unemployed out there who would enjoy working with us. John said, "You guys are always doing something different and fun, just like you've given me a new life and a second career."

I went inside to pound on the computer for a while. After looking through Craig's list for some time, I created a job description for someone interested in building a new Light Sport Aircraft. There were some specific requirements, such as; experienced in aircraft design, familiarity with FAA regulations, and a full understanding of the requirements to certify aircraft and aircraft engines. They would need to live in or near Tampa, Florida during employment. I was smiling to myself, as this was the first time in all the time S&S had been in existence that we had to advertise to find a person we needed. Everyone who had joined us to date had been recommended by someone else. John told me to make sure I talked to Jimmy and his dad as they had a wide acquaintance with people in the industry.

Kathy joined me on the patio and asked, "Steve, I'm really thinking about home schooling all of the kids. None of them, not a single one, is being challenged at school. We pushed to get Bonita into first grade early and she is still bored with the slow pace, and is getting into trouble with her teacher. The teacher wrote this note to me yesterday, read it.

Dear Mrs. Sharp,

Your daughter brought a Harry Potter book to school today and pretended she was reading it instead of one our library books the children were supposed to be reading. You need to be aware of your child's deceptive nature and work to curb her dishonesty at an early age.

Mrs. Camp

First Grade

After reading the note and holding back my anger, I said, "I think we need to go see this Mrs. Camp. She needs to learn about our children and all of the children out here."

"Steve," Kathy said obviously upset, "Bonita can read, you know that. We've all taught her just like we've taught all the kids to read as quickly as they could learn. The boys spend more time playing outside sometimes, but when they have quiet time, they read older kids' books as well. The kids in the daycare are getting the same treatment and are learning to each of their abilities. Kate is an amazing teacher. She has women helping her that are just as capable. That's why I want to develop a home school for our kids. If we do this right, we can get on one of our boats and sail away to anywhere we want while teaching our kids more than they could ever learn in school. I know we need to be here too, but I want to be their teacher for a while."

"Yes, I have. All of them agree that we need to do something. They just don't know whether to take the plunge and attempt home schooling. Sue and Mercy both want to be involved. Sue says she has capable management at the clothing companies now and would be able to devote as much as two to three days every week, if needed. Mercy says she can help every day, and you know how Juanita is, she has all of the kids speaking Spanish as well as a native. That's another thing they have gotten in trouble at school for. Greg and Stevie were speaking in Spanish in front of a teacher. She thought they were talking about her, but they both told me they were planning on getting back at a bully who was trying to push Lizzy around. All the kids stick together, and when they are trying to keep others from listening, they speak Spanish. Most of the kids know how to sign to Bob and use that to tell each other things. It drives the teachers nuts."

I was grinning at how devious little ones can be and said, "What you and all of the moms decide is fine with me. Teaching all of these kids is a big responsibility to take on. You'll probably need to use the rec building and set it up in various groups. You'll have kids from Bonita's age up through what, around twelve? You might want to limit the age groups to those ten and under. Say up through fourth grade."

Sue had come up and sat with us, "I think we could teach any of the kids that live out here whose parents would want us to. I know we would teach them more than they are learning at school. I understand there are social benefits for kids in school, but these kids interact with each other very well. You know we can have a music program for them that could be very beneficial to all of them. We would definitely give them better physical training than they get now. I think we should try it, Steve."

Still smiling I said, "Like I was telling Kathy, Sue, you guys should do what you think is right. I'll be supportive of whatever you decide."

I had taken off and was heading to the R&D center when my cell phone started buzzing away, so I pulled it out to see who was calling. It was Chuck. "Hey, Chuck."

"Steve, I needed to call you. Mark Robins has just been shot. He's being taken to Tampa General. From what I'm told, he's critical, but should pull through."

I asked, "How in the hell did he get shot? I thought he was in court this morning."

Chuck said, "He was, and from what I've been told, the guy who set Mark up overpowered a bailiff and took away his weapon. Mark was apparently defending himself and the courtroom when he was shot. I don't have the details, but I was told Mark hit the guy with a chair and killed him. I'll know more later. I just wanted to tell you about it."

I turned around and headed back to the patio. As soon as I related what was happening, Mercy said she would go with me, as Sue had an appointment. Samantha was still on the patio and said, "I want to go to. Mark is a really good person. This might be an even better story. Is Chuck going to be there?"

"Ever the news reporter, aren't you, Sam?" I was smiling as Samantha was blushing.

Mercy said, "Let me talk to Shirley, Betty, and Caroline. They might know who to contact for Mark. We can stop by there on the way out."

When we stopped down at Betty's trailer and knocked on the door, Betty, Caroline, and Shirley came out of Shirley's place to see what was up. You could see they were all upset when they heard what had happened. I had to discourage them from going to the hospital now. Betty said, "We'll go look through his desk to see if we can find a phone number for his son. Mark says his son lives out in Cheyenne. We'll call him, Steve. You go make sure Mark is taken care of."

Mercy, Samantha, and I went out to Davis Island where Tampa General is located. When we asked at the emergency room desk, the nurse said that family was to wait in the surgery waiting room.

It was only ten in the morning, so this had to have happened as soon as court was in session this morning. While we were getting settled, Chuck came in with Jan, the FBI bureau assistant. Jan told us, "I have to get back to the office to fill out all of the reports, but before I go I'll make sure the hospital knows we will pick up the tab for all of Mr. Robins' expenses. We're so lucky he isn't hurt worse than he is and that no one else was injured."

We talked for about an hour before a doctor in scrubs came out and told us Mark was in recovery and would be put in a room soon. He gave us a room number and told us we could wait for Mark there. The doc assured us Mark was doing fine and was in remarkably good condition.

That news made us feel better, so we went to the fifth floor and advised the nurses' desk of who we were. They showed us Mark's room, but they cautioned us that four people at one time might be too much activity for someone fresh from trauma surgery.

It must not have been too many most of the time, since there were five chairs in the room. I called home as soon as we were in the room. Glenda answered and said, "Good that you called. Betty found out that Mark's son Gene was in Mobile. His wife said that Gene would be on his way as soon as she got hold of him."

"That's good news, Glenda, thanks. I'm not supposed to have my cell phone on in the hospital, so I'll give you a call again in a little while. So far we know that Mark is out of surgery, in recovery, and the doc says he is doing fine."

I had just shut off my phone when a gurney was wheeled into the room and Mark was transferred into the regular bed. He was dozing and didn't even wake up while being handled.

About ten minutes later, Chuck and Mercy noticed Mark waking up. Mercy went to him and Chuck took off for the nurse's station.

A nurse came in, then the doctor. Mark surprised everyone by becoming very lucid and alert. He was funny as he already wanted water first and food second. They only gave him ice to crunch up. He quickly went through a cup of ice that Samantha had found for him and asked for more. The nurse told Mark she would get him some soup for lunch, and if he kept that down, she would hunt up some chicken salad.

We were all feeling better about Mark when a taller, heavier, version of Mark walked in the door. He only glanced at everyone else and went straight for Mark. This must be Mark's son, Gene.

Gene wanted Mark to come home with him as soon as possible, but Mark kept telling Gene he needed to stay around Tampa and where he was living. When the doc came back and told Mark that he could go home tomorrow if he was able to get around on his own, Mercy assured Gene we would take care of Mark as long as he needed us. She told him, "You come stay with us too, Gene. See how much of a family we are to him here. You'll see that he will be very well taken care of."

Mark told everyone to go have lunch and to check with him later this evening or tomorrow morning as he was planning on getting out of the hospital then.

We all did leave, after making sure Gene had directions to the trailer park, as Mark told Gene to stay out at his place while he was in town.

The day was pretty well shot, so we all ended up on the patio having an early drink. Samantha was busily typing on her laptop, creating a story for the early news.

Mercy was busy organizing a room for Mark to stay in. Glenda said we had better be prepared for Betty, Shirley, and Caroline to become near permanent fixtures while Mark was here.

Gene did come to the patio for some beer and supper. The longer he was here, the more he was smiling, saying he now understood why his dad wanted to stay here. Mark's three ladies made over Gene as if he were royalty. Gene was laughing as he said, "Dad never was a ladies' man. Something must have come over him out here since he has three waiting for him to come home."

I did learn from Gene about his and Mark's experience as pilots. I was impressed that Mark had been flying for so long and used to give lessons at the old executive airport near here. I guess there was a lot to learn about Mark.

Tuesday morning, the patio was buzzing about Mark coming home. Don and Prissy, an older couple who are also Mark's neighbors joined Mark's three lady friends this morning. Everyone wanted to help but didn't know what to do. Gene was amazed at how so many people kept coming by the patio asking about Mark.

We did go down to the hospital around nine so we could be there when the doctor came around. We had just arrived when the doc stopped in, and after a brief examination, said Mark could go home as long as he had people to take care of him. In very little time, we had Mark out in Kathy's van and on the way home.

We first took Mark by his place so he could get some clothes. Gene said he would bring his dad to the patio and did so a little while later. Lots of people kept coming by to make sure Mark was fine, and after lunch, Mark told Gene to go home as he needed to be at work, not babysitting him here.

Gene did leave early to fly back home. It would be a long flight, but Mark wasn't worried about him, as he said Gene was a very good, very experienced pilot. I went with Gene to airfield to see him off and to see the airplane he and his dad were so proud of.

Mark had a nap in the afternoon, which made everyone relax. Sue and I were able to go do some work instead of worrying over one of our extended family that had been hurt. It's funny how Mark had instantly become part of us, but that's the way it is at the park. You are instantly a part of the family if you want to be.

At our evening gathering, Ruth told me, "You might have gotten lucky. A man from Melbourne called about your Craig's list job. He has been working for the military aircraft armament section of Scientific Atlantic. They have temporarily closed that entire group and he wants to apply for your engineering position. I think you should interview him as I don't have a clue about what he was talking about. If you want, I'll make an appointment with him. He said to call him any time, and he would come whenever you could talk to him."

I thought for a second, then said, "If he said any time, call him now and see if he can come for an interview tomorrow. I'm available almost anytime."

Ruth was immediately talking on her cell phone and waved at me. She handed me the phone and said, "You talk to him. You'll be able to give him directions better than anyone else."

The country voice on the phone said, "Hi there, this is Wes, the guy who you need to hire to help you build your light sport plane. Can you tell me what airfield would be closest to come into? I'll fly over in the morning and rent a car to come to the interview."

That put a smile on my face. "No need to rent a car. I'll meet you at the airfield. Look at your chart and you'll find a maintenance and training field near Lutz. When you land, you'll see the S&S buildings. Taxi over there and we'll tie you down or put your plane in the hangar. What are you flying?"

Wes answered, "Right now, I have an old Piper Aztec. It's too much plane for me, but for a while I was ferrying around a lot of people. It isn't as economical as the turbocharged models, but it was at the right price when I bought it."

"Just go into the charter office. Someone will come get you. What time do you think you might come in?"

There was a pause, then Wes said, "If you don't mind, the earlier the better. I'm really a little desperate. I've been delivering pizzas to keep from completely draining my savings. Jobs for engineers are a little hard to come by."

"Tell you what, Wes, we get up early here. Coffee and breakfast begins around six, so any time after that. Like I said, just let me know when you get here."

"I'll be there between six and six-thirty," Wes said. "I like to get an early start and like I said, I want this job. Not only because I need it, but it sounds exciting."

When I handed the phone back to Ruth, I said, "Hopefully, we've found someone for the project right away. If you got his whole name, do a background check on him real quick so we know whether we can offer him a job."

Ruth was smiling and holding up her notebook. "I have all his vitals right here. I'll go get started on it right now." Ruth walked into the house to use one of the computers inside.

As he sipped his beer, Tiny said, "So you're really going to start another company? Don't you know there's a recession going on? Everybody is laying off people, not hiring them."

"I can't stop progress, Tiny. We have the airframe and a sample composite body almost ready. Abe has the engine ready and tested. What we need is someone to make sure we're following all the correct engineering and FAA certification rules. I want the airplane to stay in the air after it takes off, and there is a lot about building an airplane I don't know. Fastest way to learn is to get someone that knows how to do it to teach us."

I sat back with a smile on my face, as I knew this was another little project that was coming together.

Chapter 7