“Papa. Ready for takeoff?”

Indeed. With calm and confidence. 

I’d seen him work for this license, grades, a side job. Accept challenges men twice his age dodge.

The plane lifted. Earth and sea folded away beneath us. 

He talked to the tower in a Captain’s voice. Like it was his first language. 

I let our time do what I’d planned. Show him I respected and trusted him 100%. Better than mere words.  

Landing? Smooth as glass.

“Thanks for trusting me,” he said.

I nodded. 

The flight was my way of showing him so – as he “now takes” off for college.

.