Chapter 2 Mel Bakersfeld

Mel went down from the control tower to his office. The office

was silent and empty. He took a heavy coat and boots out of a

cupboard near his big desk.

He was not really on duty at the airport tonight, but because

of the storm he had stayed on to help. Otherwise he would have

been at home with Cindy and the children.

Or would he?

It's hard to know the truth about yourself, he thought. If there

had been no storm he would probably have found some other

excuse for not going home. He didn't seem to go home

immediately after work very often these days. Of course, the

airport kept him very busy, but — to be honest — it also offered an

escape from his endless quarrels with Cindy.

Oh God! He had just noticed a note that his secretary had left

on his desk, reminding him that he had promised to go to a party

with Cindy that evening. Cindy hated to miss a party if she knew

that any important people were going to be there.

He still had two hours. He could finish what he had to do

here in time to get to the party — but he would be late.

He phoned his home number.

Roberta, his older daughter, answered.

'Hi,' he said,'this is your Dad.'

'Yes, I know,' she said coldly.

'How was school today?'

'We had more than one class, Father. Which one are you

asking me about?'

Mel sighed. There were days when he felt that his home life

had become unbearable. Did all thirteen-year-old girls talk to

their fathers like this? He loved both his daughters very much.

There were times when he thought that his marriage had only

lasted as long as it had because of them. It hurt him to hear

Roberta speak so coldly. But who was to blame for her

behaviour? Perhaps she had seen her parents quarrelling too

often.

'Is your mother at home?' he asked.

'She went out. She hopes you'll try not to be late for the party

for once.'

She was clearly repeating Cindy's words.

'If your mother calls, tell her I'll be a little late,' Mel said. There

was no answer, so he asked: 'Did you hear me?'

'Yes,' Roberta said. 'Have you finished? I have homework to do.'

'No,' Mel told her, 'I haven't finished. Don't talk to me like

that, Roberta. I won't allow it.'

'Of course, Father.'

'And don't call me Father!'

'Yes, Father.'

Mel almost laughed, but instead he asked: 'Is everything all

right at home?'

'Yes. Libby wants to talk to you.'

'In a minute. 1 have something else to tell you first. Because of

the storm, I'll probably sleep at the airport tonight.'

Again there was no answer. Then Roberta said:'Will you speak

to Libby now?'

'Yes, please. Good night, Robbie.'

'Good night.'

The telephone changed hands, and he heard a small childish

voice say: 'Daddy, Daddy! Guess what happened today!' Libby

always sounded so excited with life.

'Let me think,' Mel said. 'I know. You had fun in the snow

today'

'Yes, I did. But it wasn't that.'

'Then you'll have to tell me.'

'Well, for homework we have to write down all the good

things that we think will happen next month.'

She was so happy and trouble-free. Mel wondered how long

she would remain like this.

'That's nice,' he said, 'I like that.'

'Daddy, Daddy! Will you help me?'

'If I can.'

'I want a map of February.'

He understood what she meant, and told her to look at the

calendar on his desk. He needed a map of February himself, he

thought.

He heard her small feet running from the room. Someone else

put the telephone down without speaking.

Mel walked out of his office carrying his coat. From here he

could look down over the crowded hall of the main terminal

building. He could not see a single empty seat. Every information

desk was surrounded by a crowd of impatient or worried people.

The ticket agents were working under severe pressure. As he

watched, one of them was speaking calmly to a young man who

had lost his temper and was shouting at her. Looking down at

another desk, he saw an agent quietly finding a seat on a plane for

an important businessman.

Nobody looked up and saw Mel. Most passengers never gave a

thought to the large number of people necessary to keep an

airport running. Of course, if people knew more about the

airport, they would also know more about its dangers and

weaknesses. Perhaps it was better for them not to know about

these things.

He walked towards Tanya's office.

'Evening, Mr Bakersfeld,' someone said. 'Are you looking for

Mrs Livingston?'

'Yes, I am.'

So people were putting their names together already! Mel

wondered what they were saying about his friendship with

Tanya.

'She's in her office, Mr Bakersfeld. We had a little problem.

She's taking care of it now.'

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