Page 8 of Forever Focused

“You and I are going flying,” Houdini said quietly. “Sometimes when you are frightened of something, you need to do it anyway just to reassure yourself that you are normal, still in control of your life and that it’s truly yours.”

“I can take him, Houdini…” his uncle said somberly, the implication hanging in the room before all of them, yet the quiet man with Poppy’s dark eyes just stared at him – and Michael moved slowly to get dressed.

“Thumper, wait downstairs,” Houdini began and turned his back to Michael as he moved to pull on his jeans. His Uncle Jackson left the room quickly, and he could hear his voice below talking to his parents. “My daughter saw something in you once… and your father saved my hide years ago, giving me a chance to be involved at Flyboys when I thought I lost everything. Life changes, but the steps we take are what define us as men.”

“Y-Yes, s-sir.”

“Stop that,” Houdini snapped. “You aren’t at the Academy anymore, so don’t ‘sir’ me, and don’t you dare ‘salute’ any of us. You are going to get your butt out of bed, come to work at Flyboys daily, and you are going to find your place with the rest of us – your makeshift family and your real one.”

Houdini glanced over his shoulder and smirked at him, before turning and extending his hand, waiting. Michael slowly put his hand in his, shaking it, and met the man’s hard eyes as his lips twitched.

“Welcome to Flyboys… now are you Thing One – or Thing Two? I never could get that straight, kid.”

“Thing T-Two…”

“Relax, kid. Breathe. You’re home, and it’s a fresh start from here,” Houdini said simply and walked out of the bedroom, before turning and putting a hand on his shoulder. “But first, do me a huge favor.”

“Wh-What's that?”

“Go hug your mother and tell her you are fine. Your mom keeps us in the air, so she’s central to everything we do. If you are going to be flying, you want her taking care of you and not freaking out or distracted. In my family, Poppy and Abby come first. I expect it to be the same as yours.”

Michael looked at the other man, searching his eyes, and realized that Houdini was giving him a few suggestions that he could apply later on, sharing how he expected things to work, if he ever came sniffing around Poppy again someday.

“W-Will do…”

“Oh, and one other thing?” Houdini smiled knowingly, “I stuttered for about a week. When you finally relax and start to let the stress from everything fade, it does get better. I promise.”

He felt tears stinging his eyes and hated that he felt so fragile right now – only to have Houdini chuckle as he patted him on the cheek.

“Shhh. It’s just us. Let’s go hit the runway, okay?”

“O-Okay…”

CHAPTER 4

* * *

POPPY

Six months later…

Michael’s… home?

Poppy stared at the email from Madison in her hotel room, shocked and horrified. She had just arrived in Austin to do a review on the area – and wanted to leave immediately. Touring Sixth Street, seeing the capitol building, or tubing down the Guadalupe did not sound as appealing as what people had told her compared to the fact that Michael was home.

Poppy,

I thought you should know that Michael is back from the Academy. Everyone has kept it very hushed and under wraps. He’s going to be working at Flyboys with your father – and he’s different.

I think he could use a friend.

I know things are strained between the two of you, but when you fly back in, ya’ might end up running into him. I wanted to warn you in case he’s acting odd, just say ‘hello’ and give him time.

Love ya’ girl!

Madison

Did he quit the Academy? Did that really even happen? What about the fees, the repercussions, the penalties? It was, after all, a college – and Michael had been about to start his third year.

---