As I woke, I could hear the rain pounding on the roof. It was really coming down. I thought I should probably go do bus duty and get some of the people who were far off. First stop was Nelda and Ernie, over to pick up Henry and Nancy, Susan and Kevin, then Juanita. The kids said they would drive over in the El Camino.
On the patio, the air was on low, with the fans circulating the heavy damp air. When Sue came out, she asked me, "Should I put on my swim suit for old times sake?" Everyone who had been on the patio the morning that Sue and I met had a good laugh.
Martin said to Sue, "Don't take this wrong, but your breast size is much more manageable now that you've had two little ones. You don't hardly sag, even as large as you are, but I have to say you look a lot more normal now than you did when you sported a couple of balloons on your chest."
"Thank you, Martin," Sue said. "My hubby seems very happy with them too. The kids don't seem to mind that they are smaller. I don't either. I feel very sexy in my current size. The way big Steve chases me around, I think he's content."
Mercy leaned over to me and said, "And I think they are scrumptious, delicious, and fun."
Sue heard her and gave her a hug. "I like your B's just fine too, Mercy. We all seem to enjoy all our parts."
The typical Florida weather had the rain stop and the sun out before everyone had finished breakfast. The rain band probably didn't cover much area at all. All of the raindrops on the plants glistened and sparkled, displaying the freshness of a morning rain.
Tiny said that before we went into the shop this morning, we should go out to the Aero Park to check on the building progress.
When Tiny, Phil, and I went to the Aero Park, he directed me to a mass of activity just on the other side of the park's big maintenance hangar. There were a half dozen S&S Construction Company trucks with at least four dozen men pouring concrete in one area and six big concrete trucks lined up. Just in back of that was another large expanse that was being fitted with pipes being prepared for a large slab. Across from all of this were two more distinct areas that were being staked off for more construction. Between the two areas a couple of bulldozers and graders were preparing the ground surface with shale and gravel for paving.
I looked at Tiny and asked, "Why do I get the impression that someone is building four really big hangars here?"
"They are, Steve," Tiny said with a straight face. "The new company is building four hangars that can each accommodate two Gulfstreams or several other types of aircraft. Since S&S specializes in General Steel buildings, we got a deal on four, so I just told them to go ahead and build four."
I was a little shocked. "What are we going to do with four hangars?"
"Well, we know that we need two. One for your three planes plus we're looking for another 200 and another 210. We've made arrangements for a Gulfstream V and a Lear. If we don't need the space across the ramp from the other two hangars, we can rent out one. The end one in this group is for helicopters. I have one small company with two helicopters committed to rent space, plus I think we might house one of a TV network's two helicopters. If I can find one more company with two more aircraft, that hangar will be pay for the two on that side."
Now I wasn't shocked, I was stunned. "Who's going to manage all of this?"
"Easy, Boss, your best charter pilot says he has to take it easy, as he may not pass his flight physical and would love to still be a part of us. He's lined up several flight crews, and has signed us up with a national air charter group that we can use to sell time when we don't have local charters."
While I was leaning on the front of my truck, Pete Santos, the Aero Park owner, walked up with his hand out to shake mine. "How are you doing, Steve. I can't thank you enough for expanding my little airport. Your addition out here will put us on the map. It's going to allow me to have some of the best electronics available. More and more people will be stopping by here. I'm already making arrangements for a larger fuel concession so I can begin selling bulk fuel at discounted prices, and your Glenda has your cook from your main shop opening a small snack shop in the addition to the operations building."
Pete was very animated. "I'm searching for a couple of more good mechanics for the increased business I'm going to get. I've already found two men for you that Tiny asked me for. I'm glad you'll have a couple of your own men since your needs alone would swamp us. We'll still do a lot of your work, but your day to day work will be handled internally for you."
I smiled at Pete, but gave Tiny and Phil a wayward glance, "I'm glad you're happy with the construction. What do you think of all of this talk about helicopters?"
"I hate those things," Pete said. "They are scary as hell. Something without wings shouldn't be allowed to fly, but they sure are convenient for what they're used for. The company coming in here has a great safety record. All of the pilots are ex-military with a ton of hours. The mechanical crew they have is very well known and will be doing a great business in repair. Like I said, your new additions are going to be a real boon to me."
Pete came in closer to me and asked, "Since you're going to have a nice office building between these two hangars, John's going to need some office help. I have a niece that has just finished business school at Hillsborough Community College. She doesn't have any office experience yet, but I'd bet she could learn to be a very good office manager for you. I know she's dependable, because she's worked for me a few summers and part time while she's been going to school. And the best thing is that John thinks the world of her."
"Tell you what, Pete, tell her to go down to the main shop and see Ruth. I'll let Ruth know she's coming. We might have to have someone work with her to set up the office, but she sounds fine for the job." I turned to Tiny and asked, "Where is this office building going to be?"
Tiny pointed toward an area between the two big hangars that was ready for the slab to be poured and said, "Right between the two hangars. It will have doors into both hangars, plus it will have locker rooms for the crews and mechanics."
"Tiny," I said in amazement, "How did you come up with all this so fast? I just asked you to do this a couple of days ago."
Phil blew it for Tiny by saying, "Shoot, he's had this planned for months. As a matter of fact, he was going to start construction a couple of days ago anyway. You gave your blessing just before he started."
Tiny looked a little sheepish but said, "We were making enough money renting out your airplanes, that I knew it was going to pay to expand the charter and rental business. If we are going to do it, we might as well jump in with both feet. We have the right people to make it work; all we needed was the tools."
"You have any other surprises, Tiny?" I asked, waving them into the truck so we could go to the shop. Pete waved at me on the way to his maintenance hangar.
At the shop, Debbie had moved into Sue's desk and her desk had been removed and replaced by a table with chairs. There was an attractive brunette that I didn't know sitting at my desk. Debbie introduced her as Annette, her new assistant, and that she was working with her closely for a few days to teach her what she needed to know.
Debbie looked at me coyly, "I put some messages for you to return up in the big office. You don't mind using that for a while do you? I need your desk down here right now."
I frowned but went upstairs to the huge office. The desk had all my stuff on it, including a framed picture of Sue, Mercy, Stevie, Mike, and Lizzy. As I was looking at everything, Debbie came in with a cup of coffee for me. "What do you think, Steve? Think you can work up here for a while? Everyone in the company wants you to be in here, so I went along with it and moved you up here."
I walked over to the big windows and looked down onto the work floors. "I hate to be so far from the activity. I know I don't do anything with them very often, but I feel like I've abandoned the men that make this place work."
"They're the ones that want you up here, Steve. Every one of them knows that you're the glue that holds us all together. You've given us all so much; we want you to have an office that's special. Maybe this will convince you to spend more time finding new things for us to do. All of us have this feeling of anticipation that something new is going to begin any second. We wait for it. We actually hunger for it. You sneaked the business park in on us, then all of a sudden, we have a huge construction company that keeps getting bigger. We never know what's next. There's a rumor you're starting a charter airline now too."
"Thanks for the confidence, Debbie, but Tiny's behind the charter stuff. Once again, I'm just along for the ride."
"Yeah, sure, Steve."
"So Debbie, where's the stack of messages that I need to return?"
Debbie was a little red-faced, but handed me a single message slip. It was from Sue. The ruse was so funny that I laughed loudly. Debbie laughed as well. My laugh must have been a signal, as Ruth stepped in the door followed by Phil and Judy. Tiny walked in behind them and said, "Son of a gun, we finally got him in his office."
Phil, Tiny, and Ruth all had cups of coffee and sat at the small conference table. Ruth and Phil both had folders in their hands.
"Has someone called a meeting?" I asked.
Ruth said, "I have a couple of questions about the new charter company."
Phil added, "I'd like to show you the idea Atlanta has."
Debbie said, "Maybe I should stay to referee."
"I'm leaving," Tiny said happily. "I have some number crunchers that need to be watched."
Ruth asked me her questions and I answered as best as possible, since I didn't know S&S had a new division for air charter service. There it was though, a folder with S&S Air Charter Service, Inc. The folder contained several employment applications with a printed sheet that listed pay scales. That would be Tiny's work. I told her about Pete Santos' niece so she wouldn't be surprised. I told her to give her to Debbie to train for a while, then to let Judy work with her to teach customer service.
Phil showed me Atlanta's plan to service the road construction companies. Previously the construction companies had to bring the equipment into their shop for repair but we were now going to have mobile repair centers for on site repair. We were offering maintenance agreements that included preventative maintenance checks. We were guaranteeing that we would keep them in business or provide a loaner if it couldn't be repaired on site. He said the idea could be duplicated throughout the company and should bring in some heavy profits.
I looked at Phil and said, "Get together with Abe and Tiny to make sure of the numbers, then make it happen. Both you and Abe will benefit from this one."
Phil said, "It's going to increase Atlanta's numbers about fifteen percent overall. It's that big."
"Make sure that where we institute the plan, the pricing is appropriate for the area," I cautioned. "Areas like Chicago need to be more to account for the unions, as well as the cold weather. The units will have a higher failure rate in that frigid climate than those in the warm areas. Remember to always use Abe's clause for customer damage."
Phil was making notes and said, "I'll get Tiny to help me come up with the initial numbers, then I'll have Ryan begin to roll out the marketing. This will be big if we can do it in all of our branches."
When Phil left, I took my cup and sat at the big desk, then noticed the pink message slip and called Sue.
"Are you in your new office?" Sue asked.
"Yes, I've already had meetings with Ruth and Phil in here. I'm not sure I really like being up here. It's lonely and not full of activity like downstairs. I feel a little disconnected. You know Debbie's moved into your desk."
Sue said, "Debbie and I talked about that a while ago. You'll still have the use of the desk downstairs, but they all want you in the big office. They want that room to reflect you, so put some pictures of oil wells and oil platforms in there, maybe a model airplane, or a couple of model motorcycles. Make it look like your office."
"I guess I'm not around that much anyway, so it really doesn't make a difference. Now I know why you raised hell about your new office at the plant in the park."
"You got it. I still get to be involved, but now that the thing has been set in motion, everyone just keeps giving it a push, and the company just rolls along. Our people make it succeed. We only have to keep finding people who want to succeed with us."
There was a pause then she asked, "Are you coming home for lunch and the gym?"
"Sure, but you sound like something's up."
"I think you need to take both Nelda and Ernie to the doctor. Ernie is having a real bad day, and I've been watching Nelda. I think she's having chest pains but won't say anything."
That'll make you get a cold sweat. "I'll be right there. Call their doc and see if he'd rather us just go straight to the emergency room." I hung up and was going downstairs instantly.
I told Debbie that I had to leave, as Ernie and Nelda weren't feeling well and was in my truck, pushing traffic all the way home.
As I pulled up to the patio, there was an ambulance in front. I rushed through the house, noticing the worried look on Juanita's face in the kitchen. On the patio, Nelda was laying on a couch with a paramedic attending to her. Ernie was sitting in one of the big chairs with his shirt open and another paramedic working on him. Sue, Mercy, Glenda, and Hanna were standing ready to help any way they could. I noticed Martin sitting at the table watching with a worried look.
The paramedic looked up and said, "We need to transport Mrs. Wainwright to the hospital immediately. I've called for another unit for Mr. Wainwright. What hospital do you want?"
Sue said, "University Community Hospital. Her doctor will meet you there."
All four women had big tears running down their faces as they shifted their attention to Ernie. He was out of it. The paramedic had him hooked up to a monitor and had given him some kind of injection.
A second ambulance showed up and the paramedics rushed in with a gurney. They loaded Ernie on it and took him outside. Both of our two seniors were on their way to the hospital.
The four women began preparing to leave. Sue said, "Let's go in the Expedition and Steve's truck. That way we'll have two vehicles there." She turned to Juanita and said, "Are you going to be okay taking care of the kids by yourself."
"We'll be here to help her." The voice came from Star who was walking in the door with DeDe. "We'll stay until you all come back."
Sue and Mercy gave the two girls a hug then went in to get their purses.
I thanked DeDe and Star, and went out to my truck where Glenda and Martin were standing by the door. Mercy and Hanna rode with Sue.
The hospital was a zoo as usual, the emergency room filled with people with hangnails, broken bones, and cuts. The desk nurse told us that both of our old people were being attended to and we would know something soon. Sue signed for them so the hospital people knew the expenses were going to be paid for.
Glenda and I went for coffee for everyone and returned with coffee and muffins. We had skipped lunch, so everyone enjoyed a muffin.
About an hour later, Nelda's doctor came out and told us, "Nelda's had a serious heart attack. She's stable right now but there has been a lot of damage. We'll just have to wait and see." Then he paused and said, "Ernie didn't make it. He had what appears to be a heart attack after having a massive stroke. I don't think he was in any pain after the stroke. His heart just quit."
The girls were all visibly weeping, but holding up, while hugging each other from the sad news.
A nurse came out to get the doctor and he left. We sat down to wait to see what we should do, then a few minutes later the doctor came out. He looked like he almost had tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry; I couldn't do anything else for her, Nelda has passed. They were both in such good shape, then both became ill together. I feel your loss, they were both special people."
I asked, "What do we do now, Doctor?"
"I'll have a hospital administrator help you. They'll direct you as to what to do. I'm sorry to have to leave but I have another emergency coming in. Good luck and Martin, you take care of yourself and don't let this get you down, okay?"
Martin nodded, "I'll be fine, Doc. These two were my friends, I'm just sad."
A hospital administrator came out with some file folders and talked to us for a few minutes. We made arrangements for the couple to be taken to a funeral home out by the park. We would have to talk to them about a cemetery and whatever it takes.
We went home to hug our kids and know that it was probably best that the couple left together. It was really sad to lose our two senior friends. I called Ernie's attorney to let him know. He told me that he would get with me after the funeral, as I was Ernie's and Nelda's executor. It would figure that he would have me do this for him. I didn't begrudge him at all for it though.
Sue had called the shops and everyone in the park to let them know. Soon people began showing up on the patio with long faces. Losing our old couple was a blow to all of us. People from the park began coming by to offer their sympathy, as many people in the park had met Nelda and Ernie and loved the cute old couple.
I asked Juanita to call our caterer to have them bring out some food so we wouldn't have to worry about supper. There was going to be a lot of people in and out and we might as well have enough to feed them.
The funeral home called and wanted someone to come out to make arrangements. Sue said she would come with me so we went to the place in Lutz to talk to the funeral director. On the way, I called Ernie's attorney back and asked if he had made any arrangements. He said that there was a contingency fund set up, but no directions or arrangements. I told him that we would take care of the arrangements then.
Sue and I set up the funeral and burial in a local cemetery. We ordered a stone for the couple and arranged for visitation one evening and the funeral to be Saturday morning. There was no way the little funeral home was going to hold all the people who wanted to attend, so I suggested we have the funeral at our place. I would order the big tent and everyone could leave from there for the cemetery.
That evening, there was a pall over the place as everyone felt the loss. I finally announced to everyone, "Look, Nelda was a feisty old lady who enjoyed life and loved us all. Ernie came to us, and changed from a stingy old man, to become a lovable husband to our sweet Nelda. Both of them enjoyed having fun and joked with all of us. They're probably both sad to see us acting like this. Let's talk about all the fun we had with them, and have a happy wake for them instead of a grief fest."
I looked around at people coming out of their stupor, "Do you know that Nelda used to ride with me when I flew to different places. When she would go with me, she would follow me around the airplane while I did the pre-flight inspection, then sit in the right seat and read me the startup checklist items. She was always full of questions and never ceased to amaze me. She hated the toilet on the plane and made me land when she had to go to the bathroom."
That got it started. People began telling their stories of their encounters and relationships with Nelda and Ernie. Sue told of how Ernie and I had made a deal while enjoying Cuban coffee and cigars. Shawna told how Nelda had been right there when she needed help with CJ one day. Everyone had a story to tell.
That night, Sue and Mercy snuggled up to me, hugging me. We all felt the same thing, none of us was immortal. We kissed and hugged, falling asleep with our own memories of our dear friends.
Friday, the big tent was in place, but we didn't have a big party. A lot of people came out, but everyone knew that we would say goodbye to our old couple in the morning.
The funeral was attended by hundreds of people. Ernie was a very well known businessman. Several of Nelda's relatives showed up, saying that they wished they had spent more time with her. I did too. There were too many years in Nelda's life when she didn't have any close friends or support.
Martin and I each said a few words at the funeral, then went to the cemetery for the graveside ceremony. The funeral director had done a good job arranging everything. They even had the headstone in place. That was a nice touch.
After the funeral, there were a lot of people back at the house, filling the tent and patio. We had the caterer come out as if it were a big Friday night party. People stayed till around six or seven, then everyone but a few park people and our crew left. Star and DeDe had been at the house almost continuously since the couple died, and seemed to be welcomed by everyone. I guess the two finally got what they wanted. They were becoming part of the crew.
I think a lot of the crew drank a little too much Saturday night. We finally cleared the patio about midnight and headed to bed. Sue and Mercy were playful and demanded some personal attention, until I wore out and became a spectator to their wild lovemaking. Those two didn't want to quit.
Sunday morning found me awake at six thirty, wondering what woke me. It was raining again, hard. I wondered if it was going to be a long rain or just a shower. I slid out of bed, showered, dressed, and went out to the patio. Glenda was already there, watching the news and weather.
"It looks like it's going to rain all day," Glenda said. I noticed she was in her sexy Sunday morning gown and robe. Tiny and Ruth came though the back door with Sandy and Mandy. The ladies were in ultra-sexy gowns. Yep, this was Sunday.
I decided I should go get the cart people so they wouldn't have to ride over in the heavy downpour. I picked up Juanita first. She was dressed in a near transparent gown and robe that really got my motor running. She had some sexy perfume on as well. Next was my sister who keeps surprising me with some of her sexy stuff. Kevin seemed to like it.
Nancy and Henry got in, and we went down to get Ryan and Michelle. They squeezed in, with Michelle wiggling around on Ryan's lap. It was going to be a fun Sunday.
Back at the patio, I was treated to Mercy and Sue dressed to terrorize men. The surprise was DeDe and Star, they were there, but wearing only semi-transparent gowns. They both said that they spent too much time nude, or partially nude, dancing. It was nice to tease someone with some clothes on for a change.
We made our usual big breakfast, but this time the two new ladies helped, just like they had been doing it all along. They thought it was funny how the other ladies teased me by rubbing their breasts on my arms, back, and chest as we passed. It doesn't take a lot of that until I have a protrusion that rubs on them as well.
After breakfast, a lot of the people decided to head home for a while and come back later to watch TV or play some games. All the little ones were in the living room where they were easy to watch. I spent the morning with Charlie, Jim, and Hank, playing with all of the toddlers. The older kids were becoming able to play with more sophisticated toys and we were using big plastic blocks to build castles and fences.
We had a couple of big plastic trucks, with big wheels, that the kids enjoyed pushing all over the floor. Surprising how fast time flies when you're having fun. It seemed like only ten minutes passed until it was lunchtime. Ben and Beth were in Costa Rica, so we were staying home for Sunday dinner. Sue and Mercy had made a bunch of roasts with all the special trimmings. Not surprising was the turn out. The place was packed for lunch. The little ones went down for a nap, which is cute, as they lay in two piles. The older ones all lay together with a light blanket thrown over all of them. The little ones sort of snuggle together. I'm sure all us parents hoped they would remain close. While the rain continued, everyone ate, and watched TV, played games, or played pool.
While Sue and I were sitting at the table, sipping a drink, DeDe came to sit with us. DeDe asked, "I have my pilot's license, complete with instrument rating now, and have been working toward my instructor's endorsement. I'm just about at my required hours to complete it. I know you guys have planes and I also heard you are starting a charter service. I'd like a job. I've been working toward this for years and I'm almost there. Star is just about finished out at USF with her business degree, and she'll probably be hitting you up for a job too. What do you think, could you use a pilot?"
Sue said, "I don't have anything to do with the charter stuff, but I can ask the guy who is in charge out there to give you an interview. You might have to do some small plane charters for a while before anything else."
DeDe answered, "Anything would be good. I'm getting older, and my body isn't going to make me money dancing much longer. That's why I've been working at this for so long. It's taken me almost five years to get all the hours and time in the different airplanes. I've recently been checked out in a King Air. You guys have one of those, right?"
"We sure do," Sue said. "It's a dream to fly and so fast. We've flown all over the U.S., and even to Alaska and Costa Rica."
"You two are so lucky," DeDe bemoaned. "You're able do things most people will never do. Steve's one of those people that good stuff happens to. We've watched him since he came here. He's not necessarily stuck up, but he is picky. He wouldn't go out with either Star or me, but he sure did take to you."
Sue saved me, "I got lucky. I showed up, on a rainy day like today, wanting to catch him and I did. Two kids later, I still have him."
DeDe said, "And another wife or something, with still another kid."
Mercy heard her and came to sit on the other side of me from Sue, "Yep, I'm another wife or something. I don't know whether I'm Steve's or Sue's but I'm definitely one or the other." "You guys are too much," DeDe said, laughing. "Even for a trailer park. Anyway, I'd like to be a charter pilot or instructor, or whatever I can be, as long as it has to do with airplanes."
I smiled at DeDe and said, "I'll make sure you're a part of the puzzle out there."
Star came up and asked DeDe, "Did you put the arm on him for a job?"
"You bet and he's already promised to let me try," DeDe said.
Star looked at me and asked, "Did she tell you I graduate this semester?"
"Yes Ma'am, she did," I said.
Star smiled, "If you have a place for a retired dancer with a business degree, I'd sure like a shot. I don't have any normal business experience, but I can run a strip joint. Want to open one?"
Sue answered for me, "I just don't think Steve and a strip joint would work. He wouldn't spend enough time there. Mercy and I try to take up all his spare time, and with the kids, he just doesn't have time for that."
Mercy added, "This guy goes to bed and gets up with the chickens. The hours of those places wouldn't work for him.
"I agree with that," Star said. "I'm looking forward to having a normal life. Getting up at a decent time, working eight to five or whatever it takes, then possibly finding some unsuspecting guy to make an honest woman of me."
Mercy commented, "Star, you're an honest woman. I've always thought you were a straight shooter. Don't doubt yourself; you have what it takes to get a good man. You just have to be exposed in the right places."
The rest of Sunday was nice, even though it rained hard all day. Glenda had put out big mats by all the doors for people to wipe their feet on as they came in. When it was pizza time, everyone was restless, wanting some form of activity.
Charlie came over to me and asked, "How about a little hot tub time? Shawna said that Judy and Glenda would watch the kids. I think we could fill the hot tub a couple of times with everyone."
I asked Sue and Mercy, they both smiled and said, "Let's go."
Charlie, Jim, Hank, and Tiny, and all the women went up to the hot tub. It was early, but since it was still raining no one was there. We had not even begun to play when Ryan and Michelle, Henry, Nancy, Bear, Crystal, Hap and Margie, and Kevin and Susan showed up. The only way everyone could fit was if the girls sat on our laps. A game of musical laps began as there was always one fewer lap than girls. It was fun, but disconcerting, as I was avoiding my sister and was sure Henry was having the same problem. It all worked out and I think everyone had a nasty good time. I like a smaller group personally, but it was fun to have the big group.
Back home on the patio, we all had a few last drinks before it was time for us all to head to bed. I think we had laid our friends to rest and we were now comfortable with it. We were pretty much back to normal.
Mercy and Sue loved me up for a long time. I had not had an orgasm at the hot tub, as I was too concerned with Susan. Sue thought that I shouldn't worry about it, as she said to just look at Ben and Beth. I was still weird about it and wanted my two ladies instead, anyway. They did a good job showing me they appreciated my love.