like him, despite himself, beginning to enjoy the slow deliberation of
his speech and movements that was so clearly a put on and finding
pleasure in the big slow smile that took so long to reach its full
bloom. David had to harden his resolve.
They were an hour early for the plane they were meeting and they found a
table in the restaurant overlooking the runways. David ordered an
earthenware jug of Sangria, and Debra sat next to Joe and put her hand
on his arm while she chatted, a gesture that tempered David's new-found
liking for him.
A private flight landed as the waiter brought the Sangria, and Joe
looked up.
One of the new executive Gulfstreams. They tell me she is a little
beauty. And he went on to list the aircraft's specifications in
technical language that Debra seemed to follow intelligently.
You know anything about aircraft? David challenged him. Some, admitted
Joe, but Debra took the question.
Joe is in the airforce, she said proudly, and David stared at them.
So is Debs, 'Joe laughed, and David switched his attention to her.
She's a lieutenant in signals. . 'Only the reserve, Debra demurred,
but Joe is a flier.
A fighter pilot. A flier, David repeated stupidly. He should have
known from Joe's clear and steady gaze that was the peculiar mark of the
fighter pilot. He should have known by the way he handled the Mustang
If he was an Israeli flier, then he would have flown a formidable number
of operations. Hell, every time they took off, they were operational.
He felt a vast tide of respect rising within him.
What squadron are you on, Phantoms? Phantoms! Joe curled his lip.
That isn't flying.
That's operating a computer. No, we really fly. You ever heard of a
Mirage? David blinked, and then nodded. Yeah, said David, I've heard
of them. 'Well, I fly a Mirage. David began to laugh, shaking his
head.
What's wrong? Joe demanded, his smile fading. What's funny about that?
I do too, said David. I fly a Mirage. It was no use trying to get hot
against this buck, he decided. I've got over a thousand hours on
Mirages. And it as Joe's turn to stare, then suddenly they were both
talking at once - Debra's head turning quickly from one to the other.
David ordered another jug of Sangria, but Joe would not let him pay. He
repeated for the fiftieth time, Well, that beats all, and punched
David's shoulder. How about that, Debs? Half-way through the second
jug, David interrupted the talk which had been exclusively on aviation.
Who are we meeting, anyway? We've driven across half of Spain and I
don't even know who the guy is. 'This guy is a girl, Joe laughed, and
Debra filled in.
Hannah, and she grinned at Joe, his fiancee. She is a nursing sister at
Hadassah Hospital, and she could only get away for a week. 'Your
fiancee? David whispered.
They are getting married in June. Debra turned to Joe. It's taken him
two years to make up his mind.
Joe chuckled with embarrassment, and Debra squeezed his arm.
