NEW ORLEANS
(SEQUEL TO FORT WORTH)
BY LOREN MOORE & CLARA
WERSTERFER
LOREN WRITES;
THE
NEXT MORNING AFTER BREAKFAST, LOREN TOLD CLARA TO
WAIT IN THE LOBBY WHILE HE WENT TO THE TRAIN
STATION TO BUY THEIR TICKETS. WHEN LOREN RETURNED
HE HAD A SMUG LOOK ON HIS FACE.
“LOREN I WILL BE SO HAPPY TO GET BACK TO THE
RANCH. DID YOU GET THE TICKETS?”
LOREN PATTED HIS VEST POCKET AND SAID, “YES CLARA
I GOT OUR TICKETS BUT WE’RE NOT GOING BACK TO THE
RANCH. AT LEAST NOT NOW, THESE TICKETS SAY NEW
ORLEANS!”
SO
LOREN AND CLARA BOARDED AN EAST BOUND TRAIN THAT
WOULD TAKE THEM TO NEW ORLEANS. THE TRIP WOULD
TAKE TWO DAYS SO LOREN HAD TICKETS IN THE PULLMAN
SLEEPER CAR. DURING THE DAY EACH OF THEM HAD A
SMALL COMPARTMENT WHERE THEY COULD SIT ON A SEAT
AND LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOW AT THE SCENERY.
AT
NIGHT A PORTER WOULD COME IN AND MAKE DOWN A BED
FOR THEM TO SLEEP. BUT MOST OF THE TIME DURING THE
DAY CLARA WOULD RIDE IN LOREN’S COMPARTMENT WITH
HIM AND ONLY RETURN TO HER COMPARTMENT TO SLEEP.
THEY WOULD TAKE THEIR MEALS IN THE DINING CAR.
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT CLARA OR LOREN HAD
EVER TRAVELED IN FIRST CLASS LUXURY LIKE THIS AND
THEY ENJOYED IT.
CLARA KEPT ASKING LOREN QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW
ORLEANS, BUT HE COULDN’T ANSWER THEM. HE TOLD HER
THAT THE ONLY PART OF NEW ORLEANS HE HAD SEEN WAS
THE DOCK AREA ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. WHEN
LOREN HAD OWNED A SHIP HE HAD MADE THE RUN FROM
GALVESTON ISLAND TO NEW ORLEANS. WHEN HE GOT THERE
HE HAD HIS CARGO UNLOADED AND BOUGHT ANOTHER CARGO
TO TAKE BACK TO GALVESTON. SO GOING TO THE TOWN OF
NEW ORLEANS WOULD BE AS BIG AN ADVENTURE TO HIM AS
IT WOULD BE TO CLARA.
WHEN
THEIR TRAIN PULLED INTO THE STATION IN NEW ORLEANS
LOREN HIRED A MAN WITH A HORSE AND CARRIAGE AND
TOLD HIM TO TAKE THEM TO THE BEST HOTEL IN NEW
ORLEANS.
CLARA WRITES;
THE CARRIAGE DRIVER ASKED
LOREN IF THEY WANTED A LARGE HOTEL, MID SIZE OR
SMALL. LOREN THOUGHT A MOMENT AND TOLD HIM TO
PICK A MID SIZED ONE WITH GOOD DINING ROOM.
THAT WOULD BE THE LA
RICHELIEU, REPLIED THE DRIVER. IT IS CENTRALLY
LOCATED ON CHARTERS STREET AND NOT TOO LARGE. IT
HAS AN EXCELLENT DINING ROOM.
UPON ARRIVAL AT THE
HOTEL, TWO BELLBOYS CAME OUT TO COLLECT THE
LUGGAGE FROM THE CARRIAGE DRIVER. LOREN PAID THE
DRIVER AND THEY ENTERED A VERY ELEGANT LOBBY.
HE AND CLARA WERE BIG
EYED ADMIRING THE ART WORK AND FURNISHINGS. NEVER
HAD EITHER OF THEM SEEN SUCH BEAUTIFUL THINGS.
LOREN WALKED TO THE DESK AND ASKED FOR TWO
ADJOINING ROOMS.
WHEN THE CLERK INQUIRED
AS TO HOW LONG THE STAY WOULD BE, LOREN SAID IT
WOULD DEPEND ON HOW WELL THEY LIKED IT, BUT FOR
NOW, TWO OR THREE NIGHTS WOULD DO.
AFTER LOREN FINISHED
REGISTERING, HE AND CLARA WERE ESCORTED BY THE
SAME TWO BELL HOPS TO AN ELEVATOR. THEY WERE ON
THE SECOND FLOOR, WHICH MADE CLARA HAPPY AS SHE
COULD WALK AND NOT HAVE TO RIDE THE ELEVATOR,
WHICH ALWAYS MADE HER STOMACH LURCH WHEN IT CAME
TO A STOP.
THEIR ROOMS WERE NICELY FURNISHED WITH A LARGE
BOUQUET OF FLOWERS ON A SIDE TABLE. THE BELL HOP
ASKED CLARA IF SHE WOULD LIKE A MAID TO COME AND
UNPACK FOR HER. CLARA WAS TAKEN ABACK AS SHE HAD
NEVER HAD SOMEONE PACK OR UNPACK FOR HER. BUT SHE
HAD NOT BEEN A LOT OF PLACES IN HER YOUNG LIFE,
EITHER.
NO,
THANK YOU. I WILL HANDLE THE UNPACKING, SHE TOLD
THE BELL BOY. THE BELL BOY THEN ASKED IF SHE
WANTED THE DOOR OPEN BETWEEN HER ROOM AND
LOREN’S. IT IS KEPT LOCKED UNLESS THE GUESTS WANT
IT OPENED FOR CONVENIENCE. YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK
MR. MOORE THAT QUESTION SHE REPLIED.
LOREN WRITES:
WHEN
THE BELL BOY ASKED LOREN IF HE WANTED THE DOOR
BETWEEN HIS AND CLARA’S ROOM UNLOCKED, LOREN TOLD
HIM NO. THEN LOREN KNOCKED ON CLARA’S DOOR AND
TOLD HER HE WAS GOING TO THE DOCK AREA WHERE HE
USED TO COME WITH HIS SHIP. WHEN HE RETURNED HE
WOULD MEET HER IN THE LOBBY AT 6 O’CLOCK. AT THAT
TIME THEY WOULD EAT SUPPER IN THE HOTEL DINING
ROOM. AFTER SUPPER THEY WOULD HIRE A CARRIAGE AND
SEE SOME OF THE NIGHT LIFE OF NEW ORLEANS.
LOREN WENT TO THE DOCKS AND WATCHED THE SHIPS
COMING IN AND THE MULATTO DOCK HANDS UNLOADING
THEM. LOREN KEPT LOOKING FOR HIS OLD SHIP, BUT SHE
WASN’T THERE. HE SPENT MANY HOURS JUST WANDERING
UP AND DOWN THE DOCKS REMINISCING ABOUT YEARS GONE
BY. THEN LOREN WALKED BACK TO THE HOTEL LA
RICHELIEU AND WENT TO THE LOBBY. IT WAS 10 MINUTES
TO 6 BUT CLARA WAS ALREADY THERE.
WHEN
THE MAITRE DE SHOWED LOREN AND CLARA TO THEIR
TABLE, CLARA ASKED LOREN WHAT HE HAD DONE WITH HIS
DAY. “I JUST HUNG AROUND THE DOCKS ALL DAY
RELIVING SOME OF MY PAST. THE DOCKS HAVEN’T
CHANGED ALL THAT MUCH. IT’S THE SHIPS THAT HAVE
CHANGED.”
AFTER THEY FINISHED SUPPER, LOREN AND CLARA WENT
OUTSIDE AND HIRED A CARRIAGE FOR THE EVENING.
LOREN TOLD THE DRIVER THEY WANTED TO SEE THE NIGHT
LIFE OF NEW ORLEANS.
CLARA WRITES;
The
driver drove the two blocks over to Bourbon St.
Sounds of music escaped from the open doorways
of the bars and saloons that lined the
street. People lounged in front of the
bars or leaned against the gaslight poles.
Clara
had never seen nor heard anything to compare
Loren had visited once when he was working there
and
wasn't as shocked as Clara was. The driver
drove slowly for a few blocks before making
another turn
on St
Ann St down to Jackson Square.
Here
was another place like nothing they had seen
before. There were shops, street vendors and
pubs. Across the way, Loren and Clara could
see the Mississippi River. Loren instructed
the driver to head toward the river and
drive along the shore. They saw the lights
of a riverboat with paddlewheel. Loren
inquired of the driver if they could pay for a
ride on the river. The driver replied that
he was sure they could. After stopping,
Loren approached the boat and asked about a
ride. He was told they would be
leaving
within the next hour for a two hour cruise.
Loren paid the passage for the two of them and
went
to the carriage to get Clara and pay the
driver. He then made arrangements with the
driver to come back to the pier and meet
the boat to take them back to the
hotel.
Walking up the gangplank was very exciting for
Clara
who had never been on a boat before. There was
a row of seats on the deck and a casino/bar
which they
entered. Clara walked around and looked at the
roulette wheels and the poker tables. All these
games of chance were a mystery to her who had
never seen the
likes
of this before. They each ordered a cup of the
chicory coffee. Clara kept putting sugar and
cream in hers, but she sort of wrinkled her nose
and let it sit. Loren finished his, but didn't
think he wanted it again. “Shall we go sit in the
deck chairs?” she asked Loren. “Yes, that would be
nice” said Loren.
They
had hardly taken their seats, when the boat got
underway. The whump, whump of the paddlewheel
was very loud and Loren suggested they move to
the
front
of the boat.
The moon was full and there were lights on the
boat making it very bright and walking
was easy. They found two chairs all alone on
the front of the boat in a secluded
corner. Loren pulled his chair closer to
Clara’s before sitting down. After just enjoying
the breeze and the silence for a few
minutes, Loren reached over and took Clara's hand.
“Are you having a good time” he asked. Clara,
who
nodded
and smiled. “I wish this night could go on and
on” said Clara. “Well we may not be able to make
the night
continue, but we may be able to make the
pleasure of the night and each other's
company go on for the rest of our lives. That is, if we are together as man and wife.
Do you
think you could put up with me for years?” Loren
asked.
LOREN WRITES;
“OH
YES, LOREN. BUT WE MUST WAIT UNTIL WE GET BACK TO
YOUR RANCH SO MAE AND RAMON CAN PARTICIPATE IN OUR
WEDDING JUST AS WE DID THEIRS” CLARA WHISPERED.
“YOU DON’T KNOW HOW LONG I’VE WAITED TO HEAR THOSE
WORDS.”
“CLARA THAT’S A LONG TIME TO WAIT BUT IF THAT’S
WHAT YOU WANT, THEN THAT’S WHAT WE’LL DO” LOREN
SIGHED AND DROPPED HER HAND.
WHEN
LOREN AND CLARA GOT BACK TO THE HOTEL, HE TOLD HER
THEY WOULD CHECK OUT TOMORROW AND GO BACK TO THE
RANCH. WHEN LOREN WENT TO BED THAT NIGHT HE WAS
STILL DISSATISFIED WITH HAVING TO WAIT TO GET
MARRIED. HE LAY IN BED A LONG TIME THINKING ABOUT
THAT BEFORE HE WENT TO SLEEP.
THE
NEXT MORNING AFTER BREAKFAST LOREN TOLD CLARA HE
WOULD GO BUY THEIR TICKETS AND SHE SHOULD WAIT FOR
HIM IN THE LOBBY. LOREN WAS GONE FOR OVER AN HOUR
AND WHEN HE DID RETURN, CLARA ASKED HIM IF HE GOT
THE TICKETS.
“NO
CLARA, I ONLY BOUGHT ONE TICKET AND I WAS LUCKY TO
GET IT. IT WAS THE LAST STATEROOM THEY HAD ON THE
PROMENADE DECK.”
“STATEROOM, PROMENADE DECK, LOREN WHAT IN THE
WORLD ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? TRAINS DON’T HAVE
PROMENADE DECKS.”
“YOU’RE RIGHT CLARA, BUT I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT A
TRAIN. I’M TALKING ABOUT THE DELTA QUEEN, A BIG
PADDLEWHEEL RIVER SHIP THAT MAKES THE RUN FROM NEW
ORLEANS TO ST LOUIS, MISSOURI AND BACK. WITH THE
MANY STOPS IT MAKES, IT TAKES SIX WEEKS TO MAKE IT
TO MISSOURI. DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE
THAT BOAT RIDE?”
“OH
LOREN THAT SOUNDS WONDERFUL. YES, YES, YES I’D
LOVE TO GO!”
“WHOA CLARA, THERE IS JUST ONE PROBLEM WE HAVE TO
SOLVE BEFORE WE CAN GO.”
CLARA’S ENTHUSIASM VANISHED AS SHE ASKED WHAT
PROBLEM?
“WELL CLARA I TOLD YOU THAT I COULD ONLY GET ONE
STATEROOM. SO THAT MEANS WE WILL HAVE TO BE MAN
AND WIFE BEFORE WE BOARD THE DELTA QUEEN AT FOUR
O’CLOCK TOMORROW AFTERNOON. WILL YOU MARRY ME IN
THE MORNING?”
“LOREN YOU SNEAKY OLD MAN, YOU PLANNED THIS JUST
SO YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO WAIT TO GET MARRIED.” LOREN
JUST GRINNED. “OK, IF YOU CAN ARRANGE IT, I’LL
MARRY YOU IN THE MORNING.’
LOREN WENT TO THE HOTEL MANAGER AND TOLD HIM WHAT
HE WANTED. THEN HE WENT BACK TO CLARA, GRABBED HER
ARM AND TOLD HER TO COME WITH HIM. “WE’VE GOT SOME
SHOPPING TO DO AND THE FIRST THING WE’RE GOING TO
BUY IS TWO LARGE TRUNKS TO FILL UP WITH THE
CLOTHES WE WILL WANT FOR OUR SIX WEEK CRUSE ON THE
DELTA QUEEN.”
CLARA WRITES;
INSTEAD OF GOING BACK TO THE ROOM, LOREN AND CLARA
WENT OUT
THE
DOOR WHERE THERE WAS A WAITING CARRIAGE. "TAKE US
SOME PLACE WE CAN BUY A WEDDING DRESS.' LOREN TOLD
THE DRIVER, WHO
GAVE
THEM A BIG GRIN AND SAID, "YES SIR, RIGHT AWAY,
SIR"
THE
SECOND STOP THEY MADE, CLARA FOUND THE PERFECT
GOWN.
IT WAS PINK AND WHITE WITH AN EMBROIDERED
BODICE AND FULL SKIRT.
CLARA
SELECTED WHITE SHOES AND A WHITE VEIL. "NOW, MR.
MOORE,
LETS
FIND A SUIT FOR YOU, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO BUY ENOUGH
CLOTHES
TO LAST
US FOR THAT LONG CRUISE"
NEXT
DOOR AT A MEN'S HABERDASHERY STORE, LOREN MADE A
DECISION ON A NAVY BLUE SUIT
WITH A VEST AND MATCHING ACCESSORIES. THEY
ASKED IF THE PURCHASES COULD BE DELIVERED TO THE
HOTEL AND WHERE TOLD THEY
COULD.
THE
TWO SHOPPERS CONTINUED DOWN THE STREET, BUYING
THINGS AT
RANDOM AND GETTING THEM DELIVERED. CLARA HAD
TRIED ON SO MANY
DRESSES, SHE WAS GETTING A DISHEVELED LOOK. LOREN
JUST SMILED AT HER WHILE SHE CHATTED AWAY WITH THE
SALES PEOPLE.
THEY HAD
REALLY HAD A GREAT DAY, BUT BOTH OF THEM WERE
GETTING A LITTLE SILLY. THEY WERE GIGGLING
LIKE SCHOOL KIDS AND ALMOST GIDDY BY SEVEN PM.
LOREN LOOKED AT CLARA AND SAID "WE HAVEN'T
HAD A BITE TO EAT ALL DAY SINCE
BREAKFAST AND WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE HOTEL AND
SEE IF WE CAN FIND OUR ROOM WITH ALL THOSE
DELIVERIES PILED UP."
THEY
MADE A STOP AT A SMALL RESTAURANT WHERE THE
SERVICE WAS FAST AND THE FOOD VERY GOOD.
LOREN HAILED A CARRIAGE FOR THEM AND
CLARA SAT DOWN AND TOOK HER SHOES OFF. "MY FEET
ARE KILLING ME" SHE TOLD LOREN, "BUT I HAVE NEVER
HAD SO MUCH FUN. DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH WE HAVE
BOUGHT TODAY? I HAVE NOT HAD THIS MANY
CLOTHES
IN MY WHOLE LIFE, ALL PUT TOGETHER"
LOREN RUBBED HIS
CHIN AND SMILED AT CLARA. "YOU WILL PROBABLY BE
NEEDING ALL OF
THOSE
THINGS, CLARA. MAYBE A LOT MORE TOO. I'LL HAVE TO
BE GOING LOTS OF PLACES ON BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE
AND I DON'T INTEND TO LEAVE YOU BACK AT THE
RANCH
WHENEVER I LEAVE."
THE
CARRIAGE PULLED UP IN FRONT OF THE LA RICHELIEU
AND CLARA
HAD TO PUT HER SHOES BACK ON. SHE HOBBLED IN
HOLDING ON TO LOREN'S ARM. "HOPE I AM ABLE
TO WALK DOWN AN AISLE TOMORROW, MR. MOORE.
OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE TO CARRY YOUR BRIDE TO THE
ALTAR.
MAYBE YOU COULD GET A BELLHOP TO DO IT FOR YOU"
CLARA SNICKERED.
LOREN WENT UP TO THE DESK CLERK AND INQUIRED IF
EVERYTHING HAD BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE FOLLOWING
MORNING. WHEN HE
WAS SATISFIED WITH THE ANSWER, HE AND CLARA
PROCEEDED TO THE
ELEVATOR WHERE CLARA WAS MORE THAN HAPPY TO GET
THE RIDE UP. WITH TONGUE IN CHEEK, LOREN ASKED
CLARA IF SHE WAS SURE SHE
DIDN'T
WANT TO WALK UP THE STAIRS.
LOREN WRITES;
THE
NEXT MORNING LOREN KNOCKED ON CLARA’S DOOR AND IT
WAS OPENED BY THE HOTEL MANAGER’S WIFE. LOREN
SAID, “I JUST STOPPED BY TO TAKE CLARA DOWN TO
BREAKFAST. MAY I SPEAK TO HER?”
“CLARA WILL BE EATING BREAKFAST IN HER ROOM THIS
MORNING, MR. MOORE. WHY DON’T YOU GO DOWN AND HAVE
BREAKFAST WITH MY HUSBAND. HE WANTS TO TALK TO
YOU.”
LOREN WENT TO THE MANAGER’S OFFICE AND FOUND HIM
SITTING AT HIS DESK DRINKING COFFEE. WHEN LOREN
WALKED IN HE WAS HANDED A CUP OF COFFEE BY THE
SECRETARY. THE HOTEL MANAGER TOLD LOREN THAT ALL
HIS INSTRUCTIONS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT.
THE
PARISH PRIEST WOULD COME TO THE HOTEL AND PERFORM
THE WEDDING CEREMONY AT 11 O’CLOCK. THE HOTEL WAS
GOING TO OPEN A LARGE BANQUET ROOM FOR THE
CEREMONY AND RECEPTION. THE HOTEL MANAGER’S WIFE
WOULD BE CLARA’S BRIDE’S MAID AND THE HOTEL
MANAGER WOULD STAND WITH LOREN.
THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH TIME BETWEEN THE WEDDING
CEREMONY AND RECEPTION FOR LOREN AND CLARA TO GO
TO THEIR ROOMS AND CHANGE INTO THEIR TRAVELING
CLOTHES. THEN HOTEL MAIDS WOULD FINISH PACKING
THEIR TRUNKS AND THE TRUNKS WOULD BE SENT ON TO
THE DELTA QUEEN AND TAKEN TO SUITE 103. FINALLY,
THE MANAGER CALLED IN THE CAPTAIN OF THE BELLBOY’S
AND TOLD HIM TO ASSIGN A BELLBOY TO STAY WITH
LOREN UNTIL THE WEDDING.
LOREN WENT BACK OUT INTO THE LOBBY AND SAT DOWN IN
ONE OF THE OVER STUFFED CHAIRS. HE DECIDED HE WAS
TOO NERVOUS TO EAT BREAKFAST. AS HE WAS SITTING
THERE LOREN LOOKED UP AND THERE STOOD ONE OF THE
YOUNG BELLBOYS. LOREN GOT UP AND WALKED OUT THE
FRONT DOOR ONTO THE BOARDWALK. THE BELLBOY
FOLLOWED ALONG BEHIND HIM LIKE SOME LITTLE PUPPY
DOG.
LOREN WALKED AROUND THE BLOCK AND THEN BACK INTO
THE HOTEL. HE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO GO TO HIS
ROOM AND GET DRESSED FOR THE WEDDING. LOREN’S
FAITHFUL PUPPY DOG WAS WITH HIM EVERY STEP OF THE
WAY, INCLUDING COMING INTO HIS ROOM. LOREN PUT ON
HIS NAVY BLUE SUIT AND VEST. BY THIS TIME IT WAS
10:45 SO HE WENT BACK DOWN STAIRS AND FOUND THE
HOTEL MANAGER STANDING AT THE OPEN DOORS OF A
LARGE BANQUET ROOM NEXT TO THE HOTEL DINING ROOM.
THE
MANAGER GRABBED LOREN BY THE ARM AND LED HIM
THROUGH SOME TABLES AND CHAIRS TO THE FAR END OF
THE ROOM. THERE WAS A BIG FLOWER COVERED ARCH
THERE WITH A PRIEST STANDING UNDER IT. “WE’LL
STAND HERE LOREN AND CLARA WILL BE COMING IN THE
DOOR ANY MINUTE NOW.”
JUST
THEN A PIANO STARTED PLAYING THE WEDDING MARCH.
LOREN COULDN’T HELP BUT THINK OF THE CHILDISH RIME
“HERE COMES THE BRIDE, BIG FAT AND WIDE. HERE
COMES THE GROOM, SKINNY AS A BROOM.”
JUST
THEN CLARA ENTERED THE ROOM. SHE WAS DRESSED IN
HER PINK AND WHITE GOWN AND SHE HAD ON THAT WHITE
VEIL. IT LOOKED TO LOREN LIKE CLARA WAS FLOATING
INSTEAD OF WALKING. CLARA WAS CARRYING A SMALL
BOUQUET OF FLOWERS AND THE HOTEL MANAGER’S WIFE
WAS FOLLOWING ALONG BEHIND HER.
AFTER THE CEREMONY LOREN AND CLARA HAD GONE TO
THEIR ROOMS AND CHANGED CLOTHES. WHEN THEY GOT
BACK TO THE BANQUET ROOM, THEY SAW THAT A BUNCH OF
HOTEL GUESTS HAD BEEN INVITED IN FOR THE RECEPTION.
THE HOTEL HAD FURNISHED CHAMPAGNE AND EVERYONE WAS
HAVING A GOOD TIME. LOREN JOINED IN THE FUN AND
EVERY TIME SOMEONE WOULD PROPOSE A TOAST LOREN
WOULD DRINK ANOTHER GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE. CLARA JUST
SIPPED HERS. SHE WASN’T USED TO DRINKING ANYTHING.
BEFORE THEY KNEW IT, IT WAS TWO O’CLOCK AND TIME
TO LEAVE FOR THE DELTA QUEEN. LOREN WAS REALLY
TIPSY. AS LOREN AND CLARA WENT TO THEIR CARRIAGE
THE HOTEL MANAGER HANDED LOREN A MAGNUM OF
CHAMPAGNE.
WHEN
THE CARRIAGE GOT TO THE LOADING RAMP OF THE DELTA
QUEEN, LOREN GOT OUT AND LEANING AGAINST THE SIDE
OF THE CARRIAGE, HELPED CLARA OUT. ARM IN ARM THEY
WALKED UP THE RAMP AND AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP,
STOOD AN OFFICER OF THE SHIP.
LOREN ASKED IN A VERY LOUD VOICE, “PERMISSION TO
COME ABOARD?” THEN HE SALUTED THE OFFICER AND
TURNED LOOKED UP AT THE FLAG FLYING OVER THE PILOT
HOUSE AND SALUTED IT. LOREN WOULD HAVE FALLEN OVER
BACKWARD IF CLARA AND THE OFFICER HADN'T CAUGHT
HIM.
“PERMISSION GRANTED” SAID THE OFFICER WITH A BIG
GRIN.