Lucky Ticket

Chapter One

Mary Barlow is a computer software specialist for one of New York’s finest software corporations. The corporation is a world leader in anti-theft information software. The many hackers around the world, that have been stealing their way into many companies financial records, and private papers ,will soon be very disappointed, when the many companies buy her software, and install it in their systems. The Hackers will soon find out that they can not crack the software code to get in, and Mary has the privilege of promoting it herself, because she is the one that helped design it. It is a simple software, where if a hacker even tries to get into anyone’s system, a tracker, which is the bug of the software , attaché’s itself to the hacker’s computer site without being noticed, and sends back information to the victims computer telling it where the hacker's location is. With this information the company can have the hacker arrested and successfully prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Software Corporation is now sending her to Los Angeles, California in a couple days, to a Software Conference, to promote her new software, The Tracker. Mary started at the corporation fresh out of college a year ago. And now she is one of the company’s main assets, and at $150,000.00 a year plus benefits, she does not plan on going anywhere, anytime soon.


Chapter Two

Mary’s boss Ted Reid was just sitting back in his chair puffing on the remains of a Havana cigar, after having his secretary call Mary to his office. Coffee and Danish are ready and waiting for Mary’s arrival, because like any boss in this business, he likes to keep his specialist's happy. Even though he has 60 other specialists working for him Mary is his bright and shining star at this time. This conference that he is shipping Mary off to was very important, and if she was successful, could produce millions of dollars for his company. And now he hears a knock on his office door, as his secretary ushers Miss Barlow in. Ted rose and greeted Miss Barlow, and offered her coffee, and a Danish before their little meeting. With coffee and Danish in both of their hands, and now seated at the small business table in his office, Ted was not talking to Mary about her upcoming sales pitch, at the conference.Ted was asking about small things, like how is Bobby? And what he was doing now days? Bobby, is Mary’s only brother, who came to New York with her seeking employment. Bobby landed a job as a journalist, for one New York’s newspapers, and doing very well. He is older at 24, and a very brilliant journalist. They are currently sharing a apartment together, being that everything is so expensive in New York. Both brother and sister are not seeing anyone, and they are not dating anyone special. This had surprised Ted when Mary told him, as he peered at Mary now through his 50 year old eyes. Mary is far from being, what was called back in his days of going to school, a nerd. He is looking at a young woman with long freshly washed red hair, which is slightly scented with lavender. Her sparkling green eyes, with flecks of gold belie the intelligence that lay behind them. Her creamed colored non blemished face, and her skin was that of a model's. Her small mouth, and sparkling white teeth when she laughed would melt any man’s cold heart. Her long legs, and small framed body more or less glided across the floor, when she walked into a room. At 5ft 10 inches, she was as tall as Ted’s 6ft, when she was in heels. Today she is dressed in a light yellow flowered dress, with white heels, and she is completely glowing, like the bright morning November sun. If Ted was not married to his wife of thirty years, and was at least 25 years younger, he could see himself chasing this woman! But he loves his wife, and three children deeply, and this job also, has supported them well through the years. This job is a lot better, than when he was a youngster, and going from door to door, selling vacuum cleaners for a living.

Chapter Three

The small talk is now done, along with the coffee and Danish, and Ted and Mary are still sitting at the small meeting table. The talk has changed to Mary’s presentation, to all the major companies that are going to be, attending this year’s conference. Mary’s presentation was very good, and needed very few changes, and the product she is going to present, actually sells itself, without any extra help, unlike in Ted’s day, when he knocked on a customer’s door selling vacuum cleaners. Ted would put his foot in the door, when a customer would open it,just as the company told him to do, and on some occasions walked away with a badly swollen foot, when a housewife would slam the door on his foot. And on other occasions was met at the door, by a hungry man eating dog, or a bad housewife, who did not do her morning vacuum cleaning of the rugs yet. The last was the worst sometimes. Ted would vacuum rugs to demonstrate the vacuum’s amazing power, and would end up doing the living room, and dining room, and the bedrooms. And no matter how much he pressured her, she would not buy the stupid thing after he finished, and he was immediately showed the door, with his own sweat still dripping from his body. Ted knew what a hard sale was, and this product of Mary's proved itself, again, and again, without failure. He was already planning on all the money, that was going to be had, by the Tracker. Mary and her associates, are to get 25 percent of the proceeds, and the corporation was to end up with 75 percent, and the software would sell in the millions. Mary was gathering her papers of her presentation up from the table, and Ted rose from the chair, and moved to his big oak desk.

Chapter Four

Ted was at his desk, when Mary had all her papers picked up and put back in her briefcase. Ted had just got through opening up his top drawer on his desk, pulling a envelope from it and handing it to the now standing Miss Barlow. In it Ted said, was a little advance from the business funds, for her trip to California, and also the plane ticket, in which his secretary called for, and picked up herself at the airport. Miss Barlow is to leave for California via J.F.K. airport at precisely 9:00 a.m. Friday morning ,and all the reservations for her stay at the Hilton Hotel, have been confirmed, and she would arrive a day early, to relax before the conference began. Ted and his wife would not be coming, until conference day, via corporate jet, because there was personal loose ends to tie up here, after Mary left for California. Ted said to Mary. "Take the day off, and go out shopping for your trip", in which Mary thanked him,turned and left his office, briefcase in hand. Mary had passed Ted’s secretary, who wished Mary all the success in California,on her presentation. Mary headed back to her office after passing pleasantry’s with Ted’s secretary, and poured herself a cup of coffee, in which was always brewing somewhere in the many offices of this company. She turned the pot off, and rinsed the pot out, knowing she was not going to see it for 5 days. She sat behind her desk for a minute, pondering about this morning’s events. Her mind was picking over some of Ted’s questions, not about her trip, but on her personal life, she knew it was to get her to relax, before reading her presentation. It was true that neither she, nor her brother had anyone, that they were seeing, that is to say, on a steady basis. After all who could enjoy a date, when her mind would always be on her work, and her work consumed all her time. Their apartment in Brooklyn was hardly ever used, except for sleeping, and they would only see each other occasionally, on weekends. She and her brother agreed on one thing, like many young people, there was always time later for serious dating,and that their jobs were more important now. Oh, she went out on dates, but none struck her as momentous, and no one pulled on her heart strings. And yes, there were a lot of men asking about her, but she would always turn them down, because her mind was always on something else. Her mind was set in order, get a job, make money, see the world, date, marry, have kids. She only had the first one so far, and she is busy on the second, 150,000.00 dollars a year is really nothing, in the world we are living in today. She looked up at her wall clock, coming out of her daydreams, and she saw that a half hour, already had sped away from her life! She had things to do before getting on tomorrow’s flight at J.F.K., she removed the envelope from her briefcase, and now opened it. She found her boss very generous, giving her money for the trip. She counted the bills out, and found there was 10,000.00 dollars there, and put this in her purse. She then removed the ticket from the envelope,and it had TWA written across the front, and of course a First Class seat stating, 26 window. She would be on the right hand side of the plane, toward the front of the right wing! She put this away in her purse, with a little tremble in her hands.

Chapter Five

Mary had arose from her desk, and closed her briefcase, and looked around after grabbing her purse, then putting on her coat,and making sure, that she did not forget anything. She closed her office door, and walked to the elevator, pushing the down floor arrow button, and was waiting on the car to arrive. Mary got on the car when the doors opened, and pushed the G button, for the ground floor, which the car descended smoothly. The doors opened, and Mary saw that the receptionists were at their booth, and giving people directions, to the many different areas of the big building. Andy, the doorman was at his post,standing by the main door, and he greeted Mary warmly, when he saw her. They exchanged remarks, on how cold the weather had been for November already, and Andy asked her, if she would like him, to hail her a cab. Andy told her to stay inside, and he would come get her, just as soon as the cab arrived. Andy was just a minute, as he walked in from the cold and misty weather, to retrieve Mary. Andy opened the cab door, and Mary rushed to get into the heated back seat, of the cab. Andy closed the cab door, and Mary gave the cabbie instructions on where she wanted to go. She arrived at her apartment in Brooklyn, and quickly removed her clothes, and took a shower,only after making sure all the doors were locked. After all, this was New York City, and this was Brooklyn, and the crime rate the officials say was going down, if you could believe that! After reading every mornings newspaper's through the month about rapes, shootings, muggings, vandalisms, and robberies she kind of doubted their findings. Her brother was at work, and she knew that he would not be here until 8 p.m. tonight, as she planned on her nice, hot, long shower, and try to get this cold feeling away from her bones. Mary did not tell Ted, that she was terrified at taking a plane to California, and after all, it was only 2 months after that terrible day of September 11. Mary was in her office, when the first plane hit the towers, and she could feel the building shake, when the first tower fell. Even though it was over 40 blocks away ,the dust it created blocked the sun, and it was dark in a city, that was always full of light. All those people in those buildings, and planes, that lost their lives that day, shook her, and her beliefs of a compassionate God, and was thrown out an open window. Then the rest of the day, all you heard on the news in New York, was about not 1 plane but 4! How could this happen in a country noted for its safety to all Americans? Like her, many Americans lost faith also in the airline industry ,and she grew concerned about her safety along with other Americans. How safe are we? she asked. And then another plane came down,a few weeks later, but this was not done by a terrorist, but a deicing problem or pilot malfunction. Yes, she is scared of flying, even with all the now stepped up security across the nation. She stepped into the shower hoping to drain the coldness from her bones, not only from the weather, but from her fears that everyone has, after September 11.


Chapter Six


Mary stepped out of the shower feeling warm at last, and refreshed. She looked at the clock ticking away, and at the small hands pointing, stating it was 3: oo p.m. Mary hurried, and had her clothes on in record time, trying to capture the warmth of the recent shower. She was blow drying her long red hair while running a brush through it,to get out any developing tangles that might occur. She was ready to go out, and shop a little, and maybe grab something to eat. She took her purse from the kitchen counter were she had lain it, and she opened it, and withdrew the wad of money that Ted gave her. She withdrew 500.00 dollars, and put the rest in her dresser drawer, where she would take it to the bank in the morning, before her flight, and get traveler’s checks. Mary tucked her plane ticket inside a small zippered pouch inside her purse, not wanting to see it, less be thinking about it. For tomorrow would come soon enough, right now she was running out of serious shopping time. She put her briefcase away with her presentation inside it, just inside her walk in closet. And she put on a coat, that covered her bare legs. She grabbed her purse, and left the apartment, and within seconds after hailing a taxi, was speeding off to Manhattan. Inside the cab, she reached inside her coat pocket making sure she had her only connection to the outside world, her cell phone. The cabbie left her off, after being paid, on the busy store front street in Manhattan. She walked inside one of the many dress shops,hoping to find something to wear to her presentation, and was immediately gratified, at finding a light green dress, that when she put it on heads would turn, and they certainly would pay attention, and besides it complimented her red hair. It was only 200.00 dollars, and the heels to match was another 50.00, and she was very elated at finding such a bargain, in such a short while. The sales woman wrapped her choices up, after Mary paid her, and she was still telling Mary how great she looked in that dress. Mary asked the saleswoman if she knew of any great places to eat in the area, and that she was famished after only having a Danish, that was an understatement. The saleswoman said that she knew of a place.That is, if she liked Italian, and it was just a couple blocks from the store, and it was called Bono’s, and that they carried a large menu with Chicken Marsalis, Spaghetti, Pizza, Salads, and any type of pasta or bread you could name. That made Mary’s stomach growl in anticipation, as she picked her things off the counter, she thanked the woman and left. It was only a short walk to Bono's, and Mary could actually smell the place before she arrived or even saw it. Mary ordered a Salad, and the Chicken Marsalis, with fresh Italian bread, and a glass of red port wine. She ate quickly wanting to get home before 6:30, and it now it was already 5:45. After she was through eating, the waiter came with her bill, in which she slipped the money in, along with the waiters tip. She got up, and put her coat on, and grabbed her things, heading for the restaurants exit. Mary was standing outside the restaurants entrance, waiting for a taxi, with her purse in one hand, and packages in her other, when from out of no where, a teenage kid snatched her purse, and was out of sight before she could even open her mouth. She grabbed her phone from her coat pocket and dialed 911 and the police shortly arrived. Mary gave her description of the suspect to the officer that arrived, and his name was Sgt. Wilkes. The Sgt. gave Mary little comfort by telling her that 99 percent of the time a purse snatcher took money and credit cards that he could get rid of, and he would dump the purse or wallet, in one of the many trash cans that are strewn about the city. And the snatcher would be hard catching, because too many victims, and witnesses give too many descriptions ,and not enough details of the snatcher. Mary thought about this and was a little embarrassed, thinking on her description of the boy that she gave Sgt. Wilkes. He was about 5ft 8 or 5ft 9, slim build, wearing a black jacket, and he had on blue jeans ,and he had sneakers on his feet, and no she did not see his hair color, because he had on a knit cap, that was black she thought. Sgt Wilkes said that he would patrol the area, in the hope of finding the guy, but told her not to get her hopes up. He also told her to call her major credit card holders and cancel any cards. Sgt. Wilkes then called a taxi to take Mary home, and the good officer, gave the cabbie his fare.


Chapter Seven

Mary arrived at her apartment at 8:00 shaken from her ordeal, her brother was already there ,and worrying about her being so late, because Mary was always there, before him. Bobby had told her that he would be home at 8:00 tonight, just to spend some time with her, and talk, before she left in the morning to California. His job was a hectic one, and sometimes it kept him away from their apartment long after Mary could stay awake and talk. And it seemed the only time they got to see one another lately, was on weekends, but even then something was always coming up, where they never saw each other even then. Mary was now in her brothers’ protective arms sobbing, and telling him of the purse snatcher. Bobby was soothing his sister telling her that the guy would be apprehended,and brought to justice, and for her not to worry. And shortly,her sobbing subsided, and she let go of her brother, and she sat on the couch, while her brother made some tea. At 9:10, Sgt. Wilkes knocked on Bobby’s and Mary’s apartment door, and Bobby opened the door to the big policeman, and invited him in. Bobby noticed that the SSgt was carrying in his left hand a small black purse, that looked like his sister’s. Mary came out from the living room, and the Sgt asked her if she recognized the purse, in which he handed it over to her. He found it in a trash can, about a block from where the snatcher grabbed it, and of course he said it's
empty, just like he told her it would be. He assured her, that all his men would be on the look out for the young man but, he said to her to make sure she got all the locks changed on her apartment door. Because now the snatcher also had her address, and he might come and rob her, when she or Bobby was not at home. Bobby told the officer, that he would call the locksmith first thing in the morning ,and get them changed, and he thanked Sgt Wilkes for all that he had done for Mary. They shook hands and the Sgt left. After the SSgt was gone Mary opened her purse, and she found that the only thing the snatcher left was her lipstick. She was crossing her fingers, as she opened the small zippered compartment where she stashed the airline ticket. She did not care about the small amount of cash that the guy took; just so that he did not find that ticket. That is all she was caring about as she opened it. Her heart sank, as her fingers came upon nothing, wanting to make sure her hands were not deceiving her, she took the purse and held it under the kitchen light, and peered in to emptiness. She had to call her boss.


Chapter Eight

Ted was at home with his wife and 3 children watching television, and eating popcorn, and watching their favorite show, Survivor. The phone rang at 9:30 and Grace, Ted’s wife, got up to answer it, and shortly Ted was listening to a now sobbing again Mary on the phone. Ted was more worried about Mary, than the airplane ticket that was stolen and was asking her if she was ok, and if the snatcher harmed her in anyway. Grace overheard the conversation and could not help to say to Ted. “That poor girl”., “Is she all right”? Ted was very understanding man, and told Mary not to worry, that he would be on the phone again, and call J.F.K airport to get another one, and he told her to get some rest, that 9:00 in the morning came early. He did not hang up until Mary assured him that she was ok, and safe and that someone was there with her. After Ted hung the phone back on the receiver, Grace had a few questions of her own. She wanted to know if Mary was all right, and saying to Ted that Mary is such a wonderful woman , and it is hard to believe that anyone would do this to her, Ted and Grace asked Mary over for supper about 3 times,and she became just like a daughter to Grace, a daughter that Grace could never have. Grace had 3 boys and wished for a girl, but it was not to be,the last boy she had, almost killed her, and her doctor told her she could not have another child! And now that Mary walked into Grace's life, Grace quickly took to liking Mary. And on occasion Grace and Mary went out shopping together, and Mary was always great with her boys, who were now 8, 10, and 12. Grace could not have anymore children of her own, and she so wanted a girl Mary found out, and it must be hard on Grace being home with a room full of men, and not being able to go out, and buy pretty things for a girl, or teaching your girl how to cook. Ted could now see this in Grace’s eyes, and knew what she was thinking, as he wrapped his arms around his wife, and told her everything would be all right, you will see, as he whispered into Grace's ear. We have 3 great boys, and a mother, and a very loving wife, that none of us could ever do without. He told her Mary was fine, and she could see for herself in a couple days, when they would fly to California for the conference. Maybe the reason Grace loved Mary so much, was because Mary had told Grace, that she lost her own mother, at the age of 6, and Mary and Bobby were then raised by her father, her father worked hard, and saw that Bobby and Mary never lacked the need for anything. Her father watched them both grow, and never remarried, and he passed away last year. And the nearest thing now to a relative, that they both have now, is an aunt in Colorado, and she is not in the best of health herself Grace learned. Grace also knows that Mary is very bright woman, and is a very hard worker, and that Mary could outwork any man, any day, of the week. Ted now let go of his wife, and told her that he was going to make some phone calls,and he would be in the den. And gave her a quick peck on her cheek and left.


Chapter Nine

Ted was now on the phone to one of the ticket agents of TWA, and he could not believe what his ear was hearing.
The agent had informed him that their computers went down about an hour ago. That some hacker got into their system, and the computers and files were all wiped clean by an unknown virus. Their computer specialists, are working on the system she told him, as they were speaking. She was sorry that Mary lost her ticket, and that now a new manifest of all passengers with tickets for the flight to California was being drawn up by hand, because the computers at this time are useless. They hope to have the computers fixed by tomorrow. She told him that tickets for the 9:00 flight, were almost gone anyway. And the only ticket she had left was for an aisle seat, in row 23, first class. He told her that he would take that one, and he would be right down to pay for it, and pick it up. Ted finally arrived at the airport at 10:15 and it was in complete bedlam, what with all the security walking about, and now the computers being down, and people rushing everywhere as far as the eye could see. He found the ticket agent, Barb her name was, and she was quite young, and very nervous with all the commotion happening around her. She again apologized to him for the inconvenience, as she sold him the ticket. With ticket finally in hand, Ted drove to Mary’s apartment, and knocked on the door, and Bobby answered it,and let Ted in. Bobby was still up, being a true journalist he was watching the late news on television. Mary, he said was busy trying to get some sleep before the morning’s flight,as Ted handed Bobby the only ticket left for 9:00, and said to Bobby goodnight, and left.


Chapter 10

Mary awoke refreshed from not having any dreams about her assailant. She could smell bacon, and eggs being fried, and knew Bobby was up and making breakfast. She looked at her alarm clock which awoke her, to see what time it was, and her still sleepy eyes tried to focus on the little hands. She finally made it out to be 7:15 a.m., and went to her bathroom for a shower, even though the smell of breakfast in the air was killing her. Her luggage was already packed and lying on a chair beside her bed. Her new dress and shoes were now safely inside a dress keeper that is hanging on the closet door. Her empty purse from last night was now filled with lipstick and a make-up kit, and a small package of facial tissues, a pen, notepad, and proof of identity, in case she was stopped for an airport security check. She also found her old wallet that she thought she threw out, and she put the money from her dresser drawer in that, until she could trade it at the bank for traveler’s checks. She was now all dressed from her shower, in a black pants suit, with a light green blouse, and black jacket over that. Bobby yelled that breakfast was ready as she walked out to the kitchen famished. Small talk and banter, from sister to brother, and brother to sister in America always is a morning’s tradition, and in this case theirs was no exceptions. Bobby finally remembered that Ted dropped by while miss gig a byte was on down time. He handed Mary her airplane ticket, and told her that he had the morning off to see that she got off safely. It was now 7:45 and they both had to hurry to make sure they made it on time to the airport. Bobby had already called a taxi service by phone earlier, and the taxi should be waiting outside the apartment, at this very minute. He peered outside from the living room window, and he could see that the yellow cab was outside waiting engine running, and probably the meter ticking away. They got everything of Mary’s that she would need inside the cab finally, with Bobby asking her, again, and again on how long she was going to be gone for ?And him standing over the bags, and shaking his head at her saying, "Unbelievable"! They stopped at the bank, and she traded the cash in for traveler’s checks, and she kept out just 200.00 dollars in cash just in case. And now they are on their way to the airport, and the time is 8:20 a.m.


Chapter 11


Mary and Bobby arrived at J.F.K. airport at 8:45 and the place was in complete chaos, what with all the security checks on baggage and passengers alike, and that now, Mary was finding out, that there was a computer outage, caused by a hacker and some kind of virus he planted. How ironic that she was going to a conference to sell her software to stop this very thing from happening. The Tracker, not only tracks the hacker but it immediately kills all viruses that the hacker leaves. This could never have happened if her software was in place at this moment. The 9:00 flight was now waiting for boarding as Bobby dropped the last of her luggage on the conveyor to be x-rayed, and now it was Mary’s turn to be scanned, by an armed guard for any metal that was on her. He gave her a hug, and wished her well as she went through the gate, and watched her as she handed her ticket to the stewardess, he watched as the stewardess checked off her name on the manifest, before going through the weather canopy, and entering the plane. Bobby stuck around, and went up stairs to one of the observation rooms, where families, and friends could see planes arrive and take off. He did not have to wait long, as TWA flight 17 to California taxied on the runway to take off. He could hear the engines whine as the pilot throttled the engines up for take off. The tower gave the all clear to the pilot, and he saw the big plane speed down the runway, and lifted off the ground, with his only family on board. He did not know why, but a single tear glistened and fell like a lonely rain drop from Bobby’s face. He also did not know why, but a feeling of loneliness’ set in, as he watched the plane climb, and slice through the heavy freezing downpour of rain on that November morning. His jaw now set, ,and his shoulder’s slumped, and he looked like a man, who just lost his best friend, Bobby turned and walked down the stairs to a waiting cab. Wanting his sister back!


Chapter Twelve

Mary was taken to her aisle seat, 23, in first class, by the cheerful stewardess who welcomed her onboard. People were being welcomed and seated everywhere in first class and as Mary was seated she could not see if anyone was seated in her old seat 26,by the window as of yet. Mary knew that the seat should be unoccupied during the whole flight, being that she had the only ticket for that seat, and if anyone was sitting there now, he or she bought it from a thief. Mary was watching as the plane was filling up, and the seat was still open. A stewardess was now helping this sweet looking old lady, who had a slight limp in her left leg, to her seat. And sure enough the sweet old lady was sitting in seat 26, window. Mary’s face went slack as she watched the close to 80 year old lady take her heavy winter coat off and put it in the compartment above. The old lady was still standing, and a gentleman was helping her to get the overhead compartment door to shut, she could not slam it hard enough for the catch to click, and lock. Mary looked at the sweet grandmotherly face, and rosy cheeks, with the brightest blue eyes, framed in silver glasses that she had ever seen. The woman was short at just under 5 feet and she was bent a little from age. She thanked the young man, after the door was shut, and very carefully, not wanting to break anything of hers, sat down in the seat. Mary was sure thrown a curve; there was no way this sweet woman would buy a plane ticket off a thief, specially a teenager at that, without questioning him, about how he happened to have a ticket, or turning him into the authorities. The right side of the plane was almost full and the left side had 10 seats left when the plane took off. The sweet old lady had 2 seats beside her empty, so when the pilot got to the altitude he was told to achieve by the tower, and the plane evened out, Mary wanted some answers, and her curiosity was like a cats. Mary movedfrom her seat as soon as she saw; the you may remove your seat belt sign come on. And she headed back to greet the elderly passenger herself. Mary greeted the sweet old lady, and asked her if she could sit, and talk with her awhile. The little old lady smiled at Mary, and told her sure that she would love the company, and she loved to gab. Mary learned a lot in the next 15 minutes about the old lady, its funny how you can sum up a lifetime in 15 minutes, and the sweet old lady was just as kind, and sweet as Mary thought she was.


Chapter 13
Mary learned that the old ladies name was, Betsy Williams and she had only one child, a son who will be 41 years of age at 10:15 a.m. today! And she is on this particular flight to bring to him his birthday gift. She lost her husband to cancer when Benny was 12 years old and never married again. She worked various jobs all her life as a waitress, a seamstress, a teller, and of course her major job, as a mother. She saw more baseball games and basketball games then any normal mother should, and always was there to cheer Benny on, no matter if Benny made mistakes, or not, he was still her son. Benny went to college when he got older, she had saved up enough money for that, and he also got interested in flying not the small planes mind you, but the huge ones, and he became a commercial airline pilot. He wanted to see the world, and he felt free, and at peace when he had the control wheel in his hands. Benny married at the age of 39, and his wife was 35 and a very gorgeous woman. Benny decided to make me a grandmother this past August, he and his wife were both thrilled to announce to me that the baby was a boy, and that it would be born in August. It never happened, the baby was a still born, and Benny’s heart was broke, and his wife was sad to find out that she could not have anymore children. I tried to comfort them as much as I could, and I told them there was always adoption, and that I would even give them the money to adopt a child. You see back when Benny was a youngster,I was not only saving for his education, I invested some money in stocks, and they are with Merrill-Lynch right now. I found her a very sweet mother and a very good person talking with.


Chapter 14
We were in the air now for 20 minutes, and it is now almost 9:35 a.m. we talked on for another couple minutes, when all of a sudden the right side of the plane started to yawl. The right wing tipped drastically towards the ground, as the pilots fought to take control, some of the passengers were thrown with sudden force from the left side to the right which further hampered the pilot’s control. The loud speaker was now crackling as the pilot tried to calm the passengers down, and telling them all to find a seat on the left side of the plane. I quickly got up from the 26 row seats, and headed to my own in 23 A., I forgot all about Mrs. Williams in my own fright, and looked to see if a stewardess found a seat for her. The 10 seats on the left side of the first class side were already filled, and there was 7 passengers left on the right including Mrs. Williams who was calm, and not afraid at all with the commotion around her. She never made an attempt to get out of her seat, and was quite content staying where she was, for the time being. The stewardess came around making sure that everyone was buckled in, and the plane was still dipping to the right side. The pilot came back on informing them that they were going to make an emergency landing and they would have to head back to J.F.K. airport, they already made the turn toward the airport, but first they would have to dump fuel out over the ocean, before landing. He also told them not to worry, that this plane could actually fly itself. He thought it was just a little icing problem, on the right wing, and if he descended in altitude it might melt off, giving him back complete control before landing. But he advised everyone to stay in their seats, and remain calm, and make sure that you are buckled up. And upon final approach to the runway to listen to the stewardess for further instructions. Mary after hearing this was more frightened than ever, and she did not know about everyone else, but saying the plane could fly by itself did not put her mind at ease at all. Mary looked at all the passenger’s faces, and she could see the same fear in all of them, and that included the stewards and stewardesses on that flight, all except for one that is, the old sweet lady Betsy who just sat in her seat buckled up, and smiling at her. Mary was beginning to feel guilty,about not asking Betsy to come and change seats with her. When the coast was clear and the flight attendants got busy in other sections of the plane, Mary unbuckled herself, and asked the man sitting beside her to please save her seat. The man was big and muscular and no one would even dream about stealing Mary’s seat while she was gone,specially with him watching over it. Mary was hoping that it would only take a few minutes to convince Betsy to sit in her seat that the big man was now protecting. Mary went back to the seat and sat next to Betsy, and asked her if she would like to go, and sit in her now vacant seat. Betsy just smiled, and said to her that everything would turn out just fine, and she needs not to worry. Everything was in God’s Hands, and the good Lord never failed her yet, and the Lord will give wisdom to the pilot to carry them through safely, this she knew, and told Mary that she was safe also, on any part of this plane, so there was no need of her to move, and she intended not to. Before Mary left her, Betsy said something strange to Mary, and Mary had heard the phrase time and again, when she was faithful to God. After September 11, Mary gave up on any God, and she did not attend any church services after 09-11. It went like this “God does work in mysterious ways.” “And he will not take anyone until his or her time is up on earth”. “And then he will hold you safe in the palm of his hand.” Betsy said this to Mary, with those big sparkling blue eyes, and smiling at her with that motherly face. She then thanked Mary for her kindness and told Mary to get back to her seat before she was caught,out of it, and remember this she said to Mary. If it was God’s will that she should perish, that her life was to end, then nothing on this planet could stop it. Mary went back to her seat that was being carefully guarded by the big man, and sat back down. Mary was thinking and wondering, if she was persuasive enough in trying to get Betsy to move, and she looked back at her,as Betsy smiled and gave her a wink.


Chapter 15

Inside the cockpit the pilot and co-pilot had there hands full trying to stabilize the dipping right wing. The instrument panel was bleeping, and the red lights kept popping on indicating different shut downs of the plane. Just as soon as they would get one blinking red light out, another two would pop on. They tried increasing thrust from the engines on the right side of the plane, and slowly decreasing engine thrust on the left. It seemed to help, but if they decreased the engines any further they just might shut down. Then the plane would go into a spin, and there would be no more regaining control, as it dove, and spun towards earth killing all that was on board. The pilot made a decision then,and evened out all the engines, he did not want to lose an engine. He and his co-pilot could see what was going on through the cockpit window with the right side wing, but they were helpless on doing anything about it. They both figured that at least a half of an inch of ice formed on the wing itself, and the left wing was completely bare. They asked permission to dive to 2,000 feet to see if any of the ice would melt. “Permission is denied “. Came a quick answer from J.F.K. airport and the voice said loud and clear “you are to remain at 15,000 and keep your heading at zero, five, zero and dump all your fuel in the ocean” “And after you have done this report back to the tower for further instructions”. “Do you understand TWA 17"? "Please respond” The pilot responded with a “Roger” and cut off the link. That is when the plane started shuttering and shaking, like someone with a bad cold and coming down with a high fever. And once again the plane wanted to roll over to the right, as the pilot fought to regain control of the massive jet. It was not hot in the cabin, but both men are now drenched from their own sweat. The pilot regained control, but the plane was still shaking badly, and still dipping to the right. It was now 10:00 a.m. and the plane is now well over the ocean as the co-pilot jettisoned the full tanks leaving only enough to land TWA 17.


Chapter 16

Back in the passenger sections of the plane, all faces are now pure white with fear. A couple times they all thought that this was the end, and they could hear the engines whine, and then the plane started shaking real badly. That was not the worst of it though, it was when the plane started to roll again to the right, that is when you heard prayers, and I love you, and wishes, sobs, and an occasional scream from one of the passengers, as they all made preparations for the worse. The pilot came on the intercom again, stating everything was under control, and that they would be feeling a slight turn to the left, as he banked the plane for the final approach to runway 7 at J.F.K airport, and that there was nothing to be alarmed about when they felt this. And please listen to the flight attendants for instructions on emergency landings. Thank You. And then a click, as the pilot turned the intercom off. The flight attendants came into the aisles of the plane, and started to gather the big fluffy white pillows , from each of the overhead compartments, and passed them out to each of the passengers. One stewardess had now gone forward and was on a small platform with a mike in her hand facing all the passengers. She explained that upon approach to the runway that everyone will be buckled in. The pillows are to be placed over your faces, with your bodies leaning forward and with your head down. This was just a safety measure because the pilot has to start braking as fast as possible when the tires hit the runway, to slow the planes speed as fast as he can. The pillows will protect you of any serious head injuries from glass or any loose objects that may be lying about in the plane. When the plane stops, and the all clear is given, please walk, do not run, to the nearest exits of the plane. And all the passengers could feel now the slight tugging on their bodies going to the left, as the pilot slowly made the turn. The plane began shaking violently again, as the pilot fought to bring the plane around. They had just lost 4,000 feet on the altimeter, and it looked as if the flaps might freeze, the plane was slowly responding, with its right wing still dipping, and the shaking continued until the pilot had the right heading to runway 7.


Chapter 17
Mary’s face was very white after the last bad shaking spell that the plane went through. She was frozen in her seat, like a fine porcelain doll, her bright red hair was brighter still against her pallid skin. With mouth slightly open, an she was just one step from, going into a state of shock. Mary is facing forward, and is not looking at anything, she has her eyes open but they are blank. In her mind she is silently wishing, wishing to see her brother Bobby, and to tell him how much she loves him, for always being there to lean on. Wishing somehow, that she would survive this. Wishing she had one more day, one more month, one more year! And also her mind had many questions. “How much pain am I going to feel?” “If I die what will Bobby do?” “If I survive how bad of a shape will I be in?” “Missing arm or arms, or leg or legs, and if I was to burn I think I would rather be dead. Mary slowly came out of her trance, and was starting to get color back in her face, she was feeling someone shaking her, and her eyes tried to focus to see who it was. The flight attendant was holding a glass of water, asking Mary to drink it, that it would make her feel better. Mary finally took the glass and gulped it down, in one swallow, it did not quench her thirst, and her mouth still felt cottony inside. She was not the only person to receive a glass of water; she had noticed that other attendants were around her handing out water to the other passengers. She turned in her seat to see how Betsy was. Betsy appeared to be as cheerful as ever, and still smiling at the passengers who stared at her. She mouthed words to them, every now and then, an encouraging word to this passenger, or that, as she sat there looking out the window most of the time. Mary wondered if Betsy now, was wishing to see her only son, wanting to kiss him, hug him, and tell him how much she loved him? A single tear suddenly appears on Mary’s face, as it slowly glides down her pallid face, and off her chin, and drops off into space.


Chapter 18
In the cockpit, the pilot is pulling back on the controls trying to gain altitude to no avail. He had lost 5,000 ft when he maneuvered the plane around to head straight to runway 7. He was now on the radio talking to the tower about this new developing problem, and told them his present altitude, and heading. The tower informed him that all aircraft are on a holding pattern at this time, and all of them are out of present danger. The emergency crews are out by runway 7 waiting upon your arrival. All runway lights are killed except for runway 7’s and you are free and cleared to land. Drop down to 7,000 ft and stay on your heading we will be waiting for you Captain. The pilot gave a Roger, and asked the co-pilot to start lowering the landing gear. The co-pilot hit a couple switches, and they both could hear a slight humming noise as the wheels deployed. A red light immediately flashed on telling the pilot that the right side landing gear did not deploy. The co-pilot was flipping the switch back and forth trying to get it to deploy and the pilot and co-pilot did not know if the landing gear was already down or not, and what they were now seeing was just a faulty switch. They had only one chance at the runway there was no time, or no fuel left, for a fly by, or a look see. The pilot informed the tower of the new problem and told them he was coming in hot. This landing was going to be real tricky, with the wing sagging and dipping to the right, and now no landing gear on the right side. He called the flight stewards in to the cabin, and informed them to get everyone ready. It was going to be a rough landing and they had only 3 minutes left till touch down. The pilot looked at his watch, it is 10:07 a.m. and he crossed himself, and said silently “I leave it in your hands my Lord.” As he looked at a picture of his wife, which he had always hung there on the visor before take off. A single tear could be seen glistening, and running down his tanned shaved face, running down off his chin and dropping into space.


Chapter 19

The Flight Attendant’s came from the cabin ,and quickly had everyone ready for the inevitable. They made sure everyone was in their seats, and fastened in. They had already taken all the names down, that had to switch seats, when the pilot ordered all available seats on the left side of the plane to be filled. This way if anyone was missing in a crash, they had a record of where that person was seated at least. That is if anyone survived! After the passengers were all set, the attendants then took their seats, and buckled up, and had their pillows ready, waiting for the Captain to give the word on the intercom,those words that no ships crew ever wanted to hear, in a emergency landing. Two words, that sent shivers up any Flight attendants spine. “Final Approach.” They did not have to wait long to hear those words, as everyone got ready for a rough landing. Heads are down, inside the pillows and many of the passengers are braced. Mary was holding the pillow tightly with her head inside the pillow, her knuckles white from the strain,that she was putting on the pillow. Head between her legs, just like the attendants had shown her. She is still wishing, and still hoping for a miracle, trying to get the thought of the big plane, as a big steel coffin out of her mind. She could feel the plane as it shuddered, and the feeling of falling was very present as the plane descended. Mary heard the whine of the engines, as the pilot throttled back and hit the brakes on the big jet at precise moment the wheel touched the pavement. The next few minutes seemed like a eternity to Mary, and probably to most of the passengers. The right side landing wheels did not deploy after all, and the pilot tried to compensate, by pulling hard to the left, and braking, trying to keep the right wing off the ground, as much as possible. But the wing was a lot heavier, than what he thought,and when the left landing wheels hit, he came on the brakes hard, and the monster right wing slammed the pavement, and tore off, hanging now by cables ,and electrical wires, and trailing the plane. It left a shower of sparks high in the cold frigid air, trailing after the plane until finally it tore loose. It left a gaping hole in the right side of the plane, and seats number 26, 27, 28, First class were now missing being ripped out when the wing tore off. Inside the plane the wind that came rushing in from the gape, tore at anything loose and threw it in all directions. Compartments flew open and personal belongings, dinner trays, glass objects, and pieces of steel, all became missiles, as the plane skidded down the runway on its right side. Passengers now did not have their heads in the pillow; they were now hanging on tight to their seats, and trying not to be sucked out the gaping hole. The plane was still going too fast down the runway, sparks issuing up from the metal being scraped off by the asphalt. The objects flying around in the plane found their targets, as they picked at them one at a time. Mary was no exception, she felt something hard slam into the back of her head, and felt pain, just for a second, as she drifted unconscious. The big man beside her held Mary’s head down, as he ducked also, from the flying debris. The left side landing gear tore loose, and now the plane with just the front wheels over the cockpit still intact, slammed to an upright position, with its belly now scraping the ground, the plane slowed fast, and shortly it came to rest,a little off centered on runway 7. Smoke was coming off hot metal on the plane, and the debris from the plane was strewn the full length of runway 7. Inside the plane not a single scream ,or not a single word was said, and all was quiet, for a few seconds, and the passengers could hear the ticking of cooling metal, and far away sirens that were approaching them fast. The attendants helped those that were able, to get unbuckled from their seats, and the balloon ramp from the plane was deployed, where the able bodied jumped to safety. The big man wanted to stay with Mary but, he was ushered off the plane by the attendants, and he was reassured that Mary would be well attended to, as soon as the emergency personal got there. All that was left in the plane now was Mary who was still unconscious and bleedingfrom her head wound and 6 passengers that did not make it, all lying strapped in on the right hand side of the plane, and of course the pilot. The pilot could still hear the sirens approaching, and he saw from his cockpit window, that the attendants got everyone off that could be moved, and now they were standing with them, far away from the plane. His co-pilot had left also, the pilot reached around, and grabbed his jacket from the back of the seat, and placed his pilot’s hat on his head, and put his jacket on. Taking one last look at the planes controls, and spotted what he was now after, on the visor. He tucked the picture in his jacket’s pocket, and left the cabin. He walked out to first class, and saw the damage, and the bodies of his passengers. He was getting ready to jump to safety when he heard a low moan. Someone here was still alive. Mary opened her eyes and tried to focus, her head was really aching, and she could feel something wet running down the back of her neck. She had no idea where she was, or what happened, and it was starting to slowly come back to her now!
Her head was now facing the gaping hole, where once a seat, with Betsy in it,once was, and now both were missing.
The pilot stepped into Mary’s view, as he stooped down to check her, and Mary’s eyes opened wide as Betsy appeared beside the pilot, Betsy gave him a kiss on the cheek, and hugged him, and she could hear Betsy plainly even though the pilot could not. “Mary, this is my son Benny.” As she gave him another peck on the cheek, she said to him. “Happy Birthday Son.” Betsy now headed to the open gape in the plane, where she was once seated, with Mary’s wide eyes following. Benny turned to see what Mary was looking at, and now Benny also saw what Mary was staring at. It was his mother, and at first he wanted to reject the image, until he saw a single tear glistening on his mother’s face, in the November sunlight, from the hole. He watched with Mary as the tear streaked down her face, and fell from her chin, and into space. She smiled at them both and disappeared. But, before she left Mary heard one more thing from Betsy. “Mary dear remember one thing.” “God loves you, and he will never forsake you.” And then she was gone. Bennie after wiping his eyes, picked Mary up, and carried her off the plane amongst the cheers, and applause from the other passengers, and emergency personal.

Chapter 20


Mary drifted from being conscious to unconscious, and when she finally awoke in a hospital bed, the first sight she saw when she opened her eyes, was Bobby. He looked a little haggard, and he had a worried look on his face. He soon perked up though, when he saw that she was awake, and hurried to the bed to give her a peck on the cheek, and welcomed her back. He then told her that she had another visitor earlier, he stopped in to see how you were doing, and it was great meeting a hero, we sat and talked for awhile, and then he said he had to leave. His name was Captain Benny Williams,he is the pilot who carried you out from the plane, after the attendants thought you were deceased. I have the morning paper, if you would like to see the whole story. But, I have to tell you I was the journalist who wrote the article. Bobby grabbed the paper from the chair, that he was recently sitting in, and held it proudly out to his sister. Mary could see it was front page news, a photo of Captain Williams was on one side, and a photo of his mother was on the other. Mary was now speed reading to find out more about Betsy, and came to the part where now Mary understood why Betsy was on the plane. Mrs. Betsy Williams’s body was not found, as the search continues on at the World’s Trade Center. Her grieving son, is a pilot for TWA airlines who stated that his mother came to New York City to trade in some stocks at Merrill- Lynch on September 11, 2001. As Mary read on about the crash, her heart almost stopped, when she saw the time that the crash was all over with, when Betsy was giving her only son a peck on the cheek, and wishing him a Happy Birthday, and it was 10:15 exactly. Mary thought yes, Happy Birthday Benny...


Epilogue

Things have changed since TWA 17’s crash. Mary is now making it a point to go to Sunday services again, and her brother Bobby is also seen with her. Her software was developed and Mary can relax for a little while. She made a little over 1,000,000.00 dollars on it. Bobby and Mary have bought a house in the Hampton’s. Mary is now dating, and hoping to find the right man, and Bobby is still working for the paper, the only difference is he is the editor now. Bennie Williams is still flying. He and his wife have adopted a child, she is 3 years old now and her name is Betsy. When anyone asks Mary today about the crash.She has this to say.. Yes I was frightned,but I should not have been. Because God was there, and I was in the palm of his hand, and covered with his other.


Dedication


I dedicate this book to all those who lost a loved one.
September 11,2001 was a bad day for every American.
Just remember that all heroes rise from the ash on that fateful day. And God is still in Control !!!!

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 23.06.2011

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Widmung:
To the many airlines and the holder of the LUCKY TICKET