Page 2 of The Ampersand Effect

grin.

“Aye aye, Captain!” Tobin laughed, exiting the helicopter with

a mock salute.

Inside the hospital, a youngish woman with a hospital badge and a camera approached, extending a hand. “Captains Parrish and Maes! We’re delighted to host you today. Thank you for agreeing to the rides. We’ve got some pretty excited passengers ready to take to the skies! I’m Katie, one of the Special Events Coordinators, and your liaison for the day.” Katie’s eyes squinted with genuine pleasure as she smiled.

“If you’ll follow me, please.” Katie led them through a series of hallways and double doors to a community room where the first passengers were already waiting. “Do you need anything? We have refreshments in the back—I can grab you something while you wait.”

“We’re good, Katie. We’ll grab something between groups. Thanks,” Eddie replied congenially.

Tobin got her bearings while Eddie continued talking with Katie. From previous conversations, she knew the plan: divide the passengers into a morning group, break for lunch, then finish with the second group. The larger groups assembled here for a brief explanation of what to expect and to let the kids ask questions, followed by a cockpit tour before the flights.

Spotting a parent and child triplet huddled near the far side of the room, Tobin noticed the youngest sibling looked a bit terrified. She checked her pockets for Parrish Aerial enamel pins and began walking toward them. Catching the mother’s eye, a silent question passed between them; the gentle smile she received gave her consent.

Tobin approached the family, noting the older brother’s mouth gaping in awe. He nudged his younger sibling, eyes fixed on Tobin. She winked and smiled.

“Hello, young aviators. My name is Captain Maes. I’m so excited to have you on my flight today. What are your names?”

“I’m Jonah! I’m ten and I want to be a pilot when I grow up!”

Tobin could feel his excitement humming around him. She couldn’t wait to get him in the air and share in his joy. Saluting him, she said, “Captain Jonah, I’m honored to share the air with you this morning. Have you been in a helicopter before?”

Jonah looked to his mother, as if to make sure she’d heard Tobin address him by title. Tobin’s heart pulsed with affection.

“No,” he admitted sheepishly, clearly fearful Tobin might rescind his new rank. “But I’ve read all about them! What are we flying in today? A Black Hawk? A Bell? Oh—is it a Sikorsky? Please tell me it’s a Sikorsky!” He began bouncing on his toes, barely containing his energy.

Tobin’s smile widened. “What if I told you that we’re riding in a fully customized Sikorsky S-76B?”

His eyes went wide. She heard an almost imperceptible breath leave his body before he whispered reverently, “Like Kobe.”

“Exactly like Kobe. May they all rest in peace,” Tobin dipped her head, recalling the crash and its nine lost souls.

When she lifted her gaze again, she found the mother’s eyes. She was still cuddling her younger son, who peeked sheepishly from the safety of her embrace, half-curious, half-hesitant.

“And who is this young flyer?” Tobin asked gently.

The mother whispered something inaudible to her son and coaxed his face from her shoulder. A tiny, sniffly squeak escaped: “Micah.”

Tobin knelt to meet his eyes. “Hi, Micah. Are you feeling a little unsure about the flight today?”

He nodded, swiping a hand across the tears streaming his cherubic cheeks.

“Would it help if you sat in my captain’s seat before we took off? You can see the controls, see what I see. I’ll even let you wear my special sunglasses—a piece of the uniform no pilot ever flies without.” Micah peeked up at her, his body easing just slightly. He nodded. Then his eyes lit up as a thought struck. “Can I honk the horn?”

Tobin chuckled as she stood up. “Sure, Micah. Let’s give the hospital staff a good scare!”

She pulled the pins from her pocket and handed one to each of the boys. “You guys can each have one of these. They’re special memory pins—every time you touch yours, you’ll remember exactly how you felt today when you got to fly with us. I’m so excited to show you guys the sky!”

Just before she turned away, she caught the mother’s eye—a silent, emphaticthank youshining back at her.

Tobin smiled and made her way back to Eddie.

“You saved the flight for that family,” Eddie noted as Tobin rejoined her.

“I may have promised the little one he could honk the mechanical horn,” Tobin replied her voice buzzing from the exchange.

“I’m sure the hospital is going to love that!” Eddie chuckled.