Leigh Ann studied Brad. "What's it like to be a jet-fighter pilot, and fly from the decks of ships?"
Unprepared for the question, Brad searched for an answer that would not offend her sensitivity. "Leigh Ann, flying is fun for me, whether I'm in a fighter, or rolling and looping an aerobatic biplane. Flying from a carrier, especially at night, is the most exhilarating and terrifying experience I've ever had. The sensations and visceral fear are difficult to describe."
He paused, carefully phrasing his words. "You would have to ride through a cat shot and a one-hundred-fifty-mile-an-hour trap — arrested landing — to know what the brain and body experience."
"I'm sorry," Leigh Ann smiled, "but I don't believe I would care to experience the feeling."
Brad chuckled. "That's probably valid thinking." Cautiously, Leigh Ann began to ask the questions that had piqued her curiosity since breakfast. "Where are you from..
where do you call home?"
Without removing his eyes from Leigh Ann's delicate face, Brad thought about the past Christmas. Because of the animosity between his father and himself, which had developed into an unspoken estrangement, Brad had elected to forego future trips home. His mother, who had not been pleased with his decision, had understood the reason for Brad's resoluteness. His father was not accustomed to having people thwart his wishes.
"Well, I was born in San Diego, grew up all over the world, and would have to say that my home is the aircraft carrier."
Leigh Ann sensed that there was something more lying just below the surface. Something about his family that Brad Austin did not care to discuss.
He glanced at the sailboats and then looked up at a section of marine F-4s departing Kaneohe Bay Air Station. "That's what I fly."
Leigh Ann followed the thundering jets until the fighter pilots had deselected their afterburners. "What kind of airplanes are those?"
Brad turned back to Leigh Ann. "Fighter-bombers. It's officially called the F-4 Phantom, but it has earned various nicknames in the past couple of years."
"It sure is impressive… mean looking," she said, turning to watch the two fighters climb out of sight, "and loud."
"That it is," he replied as the luncheon appetizers were delivered to their table. "Would you care for a glass of wine with your lunch?"
"That would be nice."
Brad ordered a glass of the house white wine for each of them.
They drank a toast to Hawaii and to the beautiful weather. "This looks scrumptious," Leigh Ann said as she raised her fork. "Do you know what type of fish these are?"
"Sure," he replied, turning to look at her meal. "That's mahimahi at the top of your plate. To the left is ahi, which is a yellowfin tuna. On the right is opakapaka, a variety of snapper. Below is a king mackerel… and I'm sure you have the center section figured out."
"Yes," Leigh Ann laughed. "Shrimp."
Brad ate slowly and sipped his wine. He waited until she had finished a bite before asking a question. "What are your plans for the future?"
Leigh Ann placed her fork thoughtfully on her plate. "Well, I would like to pursue my master's, and, hopefully, find a good teaching position."
Brad nodded. "You seem to have a clear goal in mind." "What about you?" she asked, raising her glass. "What are your plans for the future? Do you intend to make the Marine Corps a career?"
Brad looked into his wine glass. "I don't have any answers at the moment. Right now, due to our rudderless administration in Washington, I'm concentrating on getting through the next couple of months."
She detected a pronounced degree of antagonism in his normally affable voice. "So, do you have any brothers and sisters?"
"It's my turn to apologize," Brad said, realizing that he had let his hostilities invade the conversation. "I didn't mean to sound bitter."
"That's okay," Leigh Ann replied with a sincerity that surprised Brad. "I understand… I really do, Brad."
He smiled with a trace of embarrassment. "Yes, to answer your question, I have one older brother. He's in the navy, serving on a combat stores ship."
"Did he attend the academy, too?"
"Yes, he did," Brad said with obvious pride. "He is three years older, and helped me learn the ropes before he graduated. What about you? Any siblings to rival with?"
Leigh Ann grinned. "Yes, and we do have our moments of… let's say, misunderstandings."
Brad nodded.
"Eleanor, who is a senior in high school this year, is going through the rebellious stage." Leigh Ann smiled wryly. "That's why she stayed home… so the three of us could have some peace and quiet."
Brad laughed.
After lunch, they decided to save the swim for Waikiki Beach. Brad had suggested that they take the highway past the Nuuanu Pali. The drive through the Koolau Mountain Range would take them directly back to the outskirts of Honolulu.
Caught in an afternoon rain shower, they had to stop four miles from downtown Honolulu and raise the convertible top. They dove back into the shelter of the car, and Brad grabbed the towels from the backseat. He unfolded one of the thick pink towels and softly dried Leigh Ann's face.
"Thank you," she said laughingly, then reached for the other towel. "Your turn."
She patted his face dry, stopping when he took her hands and gently kissed her. Leigh Ann did not resist, returning the kiss with affection. "Is that part of your normal island tour?"
Brad grinned. "No… it's hard to schedule the rain."
She chuckled and softly kissed his cheek. "We better get back, before there's a cloudburst."
Brad nodded and placed the car in gear, then pulled back onto the highway. He reached for Leigh Ann's hand, gently folding her fingers in his. She smiled and moved closer to him.
Arriving back at the Royal Hawaiian, he walked Leigh Ann into the lobby.
"Brad," she said warmly, "I thoroughly enjoyed our outing.. even the soaking."
"It was my pleasure," he replied, then laughed. "I don't mean getting you wet was a pleasure."
She shifted her beach bag. "I really do appreciate that wonderful drive."
"Well, Leigh Ann," Brad said with an impish look, "since I managed to get your hair wet, we might as well go for the swim we planned."
"Okay, but how about a ride in one of the outrigger canoes first?"
"Wonderful idea," he answered. "I'll meet you on the beach in fifteen minutes."
"You're on," she replied gaily. "See you in a few minutes."
Brad returned the automobile and hurried back to the hotel, thrilled to be spending more time with this beautiful woman.
Changing into his swimming suit, Brad thought about the small amount of time he would have with Leigh Ann before she had to leave. Feeling an intense desire to be with her, he was considering the possibility of asking her to stay longer. He would be more than happy to pay for her room and associated expenses but doubted that her father would allow it.
Brad walked out to the beach just as Leigh Ann, wearing a provocative white bikini, came to join him. He found it difficult not to stare at her stunning figure. She was trim and shapely with beautifully tanned skin. Her scant top showed a hint of cleavage that accentuated her tiny waist and narrow hips. Her legs were the most beautiful he had ever seen.
Snapping himself out of his trance, Brad took Leigh Ann's hand and helped her board an outrigger canoe. They paddled out beyond the breakers, then turned and raced down the waves. After three more exhilarating round-trips they returned to the beachfront.
Weaving their way through the sunbathers, they walked hand in hand through the hot sand to the hotel. "Would you care for something to drink?" Brad asked, admiring Leigh Ann's tanned face.
"Sure," she smiled demurely. "A Blue Hawaii sounds good to me."
Brad ordered two of the specialty drinks. The day was going so well, he thought he would try to keep it going longer. He caught Leigh Ann's eyes. "At the risk of pushing my luck, will you have dinner with me this evening?"