Chapter 2

[Charlie writes from Milan, Italy]

The airport looked about the same as when we left it. Our vehicles and Prince were still there where they had been left when we departed hurriedly. We had circled around a few times to look at wind direction and determine if there were people waiting for us. We saw nothing but noted that there was almost no wind.

One after the other, Duck and Mallard set down. Andy and I donned our vests and went down the ramp. Two four-wheelers were being readied. The Humvee was left for the moment. The four-wheelers were ready and the Trio drove them down the ramp to us. Andy and I took one and motored slowly toward the road that the Italians had taken when coming here last time with the Trio back about fifty feet. In easy sight of the planes, we stopped. Everyone had radios.

We waited. Andy said, "Everyone, we will wait here. Duck, hold fire unless we fall or request fire."

Without pressing the mike key, I said, "Andrea, what do you think?"

"Who knows, Charles. We want this to work. Guiseppe wants it to work but who is in charge of their people and responses? We will wait for the next move. Let's get the Trio up with us. If they don't have an English speaker, it doesn't bode well. If they do, Bobbi will be able to overhear them talking."

I nodded and had the Trio pull up beside us. We waited.

Almost twenty minutes went by. None of us fidgeted. Actually, I thought the Italians did pretty well. They didn't know exactly what day we were coming, just that we were coming. Five of them rode up on horses. They stopped and two men dismounted and walked to us. Andy and I stood and walked forward a few feet to meet the men coming.

One man said, " Buongiorno. I am Guiseppe. Are you Signor Charlie?"

"Greetings to you. Yes, I am. This is my wife, Andy. It's good to meet you in person, Guiseppe."

"Yes, Charlie. It is good to meet. Signora Andy, you are a pleasure to meet in person. You're as beautiful as your voice over the radio."

"Thank you. With us are my brother, Jacob, and Charlie's sisters, Bobbi and SJ."

Guiseppe said, "I am pleasured to meet you, too. My wife's brother, Marco, is with me. We wanted to come meet you today. We would apologize to the young lady who was shot..."

Bobbi's head snapped up. "That would be me."

Guiseppe moved to her quickly and took her hand kissing it gently. "Signorina Bobbi, we are sorry for what happened to you and, on behalf of my community, I apologize. I am very glad to see that you look in good health now."

Bobbi said, "Your apology is accepted with thanks. I hope that we can be friends." She reached for him hugging him and kissing his cheeks.

Marco said something in Italian. Bobbi gave a merry laugh. She hugged his neck and kissed his cheeks. She said, "Marco wanted to be hugged and kissed also." She was smiling as she stepped back to stand next to Jacob. His arm was around SJ.

I said, "Guiseppe, we must know. What happened after we left?"

Guiseppe looked nervous. He said, "I will ask Marco to speak. He is our leader now."

He then launched into Italian that started out with "Marco."

Marco nodded and spoke slowly and clearly. He stopped frequently for Guiseppe to translate. What he said was verified by Bobbi and was the following:

"After you left, we decided that we should govern ourselves in a more organized way. We didn't want to dictate to people but wanted enough government to establish a common policy that we voted to adopt and then to enforce that policy. What happened with you before was a tragedy and, with better preparation, should not and would not have occurred.

"I was elected as leader with the title of coordinatrice. We have guns but are careful to be sure that only responsible persons have them available. We had one family that wasn't willing to go along with the majority. Enrico had the idea of shunning them. After a month, they left because no one would talk to them or trade with them. We have found that shunning works for us. About half of our people came to our area after most people had died. That family was one of the newcomers.

"We came to the airport and looked over what you had left here. The plane and vehicles were of no interest to us. No one knows how to fly and we have no supplies of gas. The radio did interest us. We looked at it and figured out to operate it after finding some books. Guiseppe has talked to you since he is our best English speaker.

"That is our story. We are much more comfortable in our community now. Surprises, like what happened here at your last visit should not reoccur. We want to live in peace with those who come in peace to us. You had shown peace to us. This time we will truly follow up and swear to you that any time you spend with us will be peaceful and as friends.

"Thank you for coming to Milan. We want to be your friends and hope there will be others in Europe who will also be friends with us and with you."

He and Guiseppe both smiled at us anxiously.

I took a breath and smiled. I released Andy's body and extended my hand to Marco. He took my hand and shook it vigorously and then hugged me and kissed my cheeks. I was a little startled. He said something and Guiseppe said, "It is our custom."

"Thank you. I understand. I am looking forward to our time together in person. I think we have the beginning of a great friendship and partnership." We joined our hands and held them up in victory turning each way to let his people and mine see that we had reached an understanding.

We gathered a travel party to go to their village while others stayed to perform those duties that we did to maintain the planes and to see to the vehicles left here. They could be moved to a better place. Major wanted to go over Prince to determine its airworthiness. Our plans didn't include long hops and it had been and could be a useful plane.

Mom Janice said, "I am staying at the airport. Andy and Charlie, you are in charge and I have complete confidence in the two of you. Among others, take Poppa and Momma after I talk to him."

When we left, we made a sizeable party and Grandpop was almost subdued. Andy and I were with him and Grandmom. Andy said, "What did Janice Mom say to you?"

"She reminded me to not make any agreement without your approval. She said it would be a long walk back to Preservation with her kicking my backside every step of the way. I promised her I would be good." He paused. "How do you two deal with her?"

I chuckled. "I give her back what she hands out. She is willful and I have learned how to deal with willful women."

Andy put her arm around me. "Charles, I hope you don't deal with your mom the way you dealt with me in my willfulness. I don't think your fathers would allow it." She smiled and nipped my ear.