On Wings of the Morning (33 page)

The three women embraced briefly, and then the coordinator was back at the door. “It’s time,” she told them.

Mrs. Ross went out to be seated. Betty and Mata could hear the organ briefly grow louder as the door to the sanctuary opened and closed. “Well, here we go,” Mata said. “Me first.”

Betty laughed as she slipped through the door to meet her father, who stood waiting in the narthex. He kissed her on the cheek and offered his arm. She took it. “I hope I don’t stumble,” he told her.

“You’ll do fine, Dad.”

An usher opened the double doors to the sanctuary. Every pew was filled, and Betty saw Mata and the bridesmaids standing in a line to the left of the minister, while Pete and the groomsmen stood to the right. Otto, wearing a dark suit, stood with the minister in his robes on the elevated platform in front of the altar.

The organist played a fanfare and launched into Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” from
Loehengrin.
Betty and her father stepped carefully down the aisle, the heads of the congregants turning to follow their progress. They arrived at the front and stood there as the processional came to an end.

Otto smiled as Betty and Mr. Ross came up. The minister began, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and these witnesses…”

Otto could not help thinking of the long path that led him here. After the accident and Alice’s rejection, he expected he would never be close to a woman again. And here was Betty, so kind, so true, so beautiful.

“And do you, Otto, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” Otto said in a firm voice.

That wasn’t so hard, he thought, and tried to remain focused on the ceremony. He had always been a daydreamer and it seemed that recently most of his dreams came true. He was not only flying: he was actually paid to fly. The war was over and business was good. He looked to the future with great anticipation.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. Captain Kerchner, you may kiss the bride.”

Otto kissed Betty with perhaps more fervor than the occasion called for. He didn’t care. They then turned around and stood together facing the congregation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Captain and Mrs. Otto Kerchner.”

The organist started Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” from
A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Otto and Betty walked quickly down the aisle, kissing again in the narthex. “Well, how do you like being Mrs. Kerchner?”

“I love it!” she told him and wrapped him in a huge hug.

The rest of the afternoon passed as if in a rapid montage from a movie. James drove them from the church to the reception at Betty’s parents. Otto had the impression that they greeted what seemed like everybody in town, followed by a meal with multiple toasts. They finally made their escape, with James driving them to Betty’s house. There they changed clothes and drove themselves to the airport where they would fly to Minneapolis for their honeymoon. Jimmy had the J-5 ready for them.

They climbed into the Cub and ran through the preflight. “Are you ready, Mrs. Kerchner?” Otto said, smiling.

“I’m ready, Mr. Kerchner!”

“Let’s go, then,” and he advanced the throttle. The Cub bounced over the frozen grass and then reached for the sky.

Otto and Betty were flying.

THE END

I have always wondered about acknowledgements, which sometimes run to dozens of names. Could that many people involved in the making of a book?

Writing this novel showed me that the answer is an emphatic “yes!” I couldn’t possibly acknowledge all those who contributed individually without omitting someone, so I’ll list them in groups. A sincere and heartfelt “thank you” to you all.

-The writers of Write by the Rails, the Prince William County-Manassas Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club. You provided encouragement, insight and expertise throughout the long process of creating Otto’s story.

-My twenty or so “beta readers.” Your attention to detail and honesty vastly improved what I had done.

-All those who told me about the experiences of their friends and relatives during World War II. Your stories touched me and affirmed the connection between fiction and reality.

-My family and friends, who listened to me talk about this work for over a year and kept smiling. In particular, I want to recognize my father Clyde, and my wife Becky. Our two daughters Alyssa and Amy, as always, kept me from taking myself too seriously. They thought the story would be improved by the addition of vampires and zombies. Sorry, guys: maybe next time.

First-time novelist and long-time Northern Virginia resident Dan Verner retired in 2003 from a 32-year career teaching English and creative writing to high school students, and writing, human relations and computer skills to adults. Since that time, he has scored essays for the College Board, contributed columns and articles to local papers, and managed Free Lance Writing, his writing, editing, and consulting business. Dan has authored over 1000 short essays and devotionals on a variety of subjects, and maintains three blogs.
On Wings of the Morning
resulted from a life-long interest in aviation and in World War II, particularly the air war in the European Theater of Operations.

When not writing or editing, Dan enjoys reading a wide range of subjects and genres. He listens to and sings music ranging from the blues to choral works to folk songs. He plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, electric bass and hand bells and teaches an adult Bible study class.

Dan and his wife Becky live in an empty nest with their cats Nacho and Tuxedo. Amy and Alyssa, their two adult children, believe this book would have been improved by the inclusion of vampires and zombies.