“Jumping from a Plane”

Enid Writer’s Club April Roll Call. Must be 150 words or less. The prompt: “Jumping from a plane.”


The engine coughed, then died. No option. Quickly shouldering on the parachute, I made ready.

God knows how I would miss this plane. She had been good to me through so many dog fights, even having survived the Red Barron, but not today. Nothing more than a faulty engine and a soon-to-be-fired mechanic.

Racing to the rear of the plane and sliding open the door, I gently kissed the fuselage. โ€œIโ€™ll never forget you,โ€ I said and jumped.

When I landed, my disapproving wife was standing there.

โ€œHarold! Youโ€™re an embarrassment,โ€ she said, hands on hips.

โ€œThat may be,โ€ I responded, whisking my white silk scarf over my shoulder, โ€œbut Iโ€™ve got three more quarters.โ€

The kids standing outside the Piggly Wiggly waiting their turn on the kiddie plane groaned as I inserted my coin and waited for those magical words.

โ€œBarron Killer Nine, you are cleared for takeoffโ€ฆ.โ€

149 words