six years.”
“But you taught physics.”
“I did. For thirty-four wonderful years.”
“What happened before that?”
He looked through the window.
“I worked for Northline Airways. I loved flying almost as much as I loved your mother.”
As the engines started, his fingers gripped the armrest.
I covered his hand with mine.
“Please tell me everything.”
He waited until we were airborne.
During takeoff, I noticed him silently counting.
When the wheels lifted off the runway, he released a long breath.
Then he began.
“January 14, 1977. I was thirty-one
