What if he were to paint Gabi’s plane like a swallow, all sleek and shiny? Would it be enough to earn her forgiveness and bring her back?
He visualized the design and made a mental list of what needed to be done and in a burst of decisiveness, he set about drafting a plan and drawing up preliminary sketches.
When satisfied with his efforts, he showed his plans to the maintenance crew who confirmed that the design complied, more or less, with field camouflage regulations. All he needed was permission from Captain Bauer.
That night, Heinz approached the captain.
“Captain Bauer, may I discuss a proposal with you regarding Cadet Richter?”
The captain eyed him warily. “What is it, Dorfmann? Hasn’t she been through enough?”
“Yes, Captain. She’s been through more than enough, and I’m sorry for what we made her go through. I just want her to come back and become a fighter pilot.”
“And how do you propose to do that?”
“I was thinking if we spruced up her plane and painted it like brand new, she may change her mind.”
Captain Bauer rubbed his nose. “I’m not sure,” he said. “Have you spoken to maintenance?”
“Yes, I’ve drafted the design and have their endorsement. It’s based on a swallow, you know, because she loves swallows.”
“No, I didn’t know that she had a thing for swallows.” He studied the design. “You know that Gabi’s father does not want her to fly. He will not be pleased if we change her mind.”
Heinz kicked at the dust on the ground, annoyed for not thinking of the general himself.
“I can try speaking with him,” he volunteered, although he didn’t have the slightest idea how he would approach her father on such a matter.
The captain shook his head. “No, leave it with me. But go ahead and start on your design.”
Heinz’s eyes flashed his excitement. He saluted and raced off to recruit the other cadets; the plane would need a thorough scrub down.
The following week Heinz worked closely with the painters, refining the design and colour scheme until they were all satisfied. Meanwhile, Captain Bauer met with Gabi’s father to advise him of the cadet’s plan.
“If Cadet Dorfmann thinks that this token gesture will make up for what they put Gabi through, then he’s sadly mistaken,” the general snapped.
“General Richter, we both know that Gabi’s passion is flying. It would only be a matter of time before she was back behind the controls of a plane. She’s good… a natural. It’s her destiny to fly, and you know it.”
The general sighed. In his heart, he knew that Gabi, like an addict, lived for the rush. She needed the thrill that came from facing danger head-on and would seek it out, one way or another. Yes, it would only be a matter of time before she needed her next dose but he would see to it that her doses were safely administered.
“When will the plane be ready?”
“By the end of the week.”
“All right. Gabi should be discharged late next week. We’ll come past the academy and Cadet Dorfmann can show her the plane.”
Heinz christened the plane ‘Swallow’ and he marvelled at his creation, with its under-carriage of shadowy grey and burnt orange, dissolving into silvery white at the tail. The top of the plane was cobalt blue, its wings black or possibly a shade of dark brown that shimmered in the sun like old engine oil. Finally, and most importantly, its name was emblazoned in large red, gothic font that ran down both sides of the fuselage directly below the cockpit.
Heinz approached Captain Bauer to find out what had come of his meeting with the general.
“They’re dropping by later this week. It’ll be up to you to convince her, though.”
Gabi was discharged from the hospital the following week. Her father had come to drive her home, and she sat quietly in the back of his limousine pondering how she would fill in the days, aside from her engineering studies and the naps she promised to take. Horse riding would be out of the question, as would be most of the outdoor activities she enjoyed. She could help Chef in the kitchen or Frau Hermann with some domestic chores- her prospects looked depressingly tedious at best.
The journey was long, their route past the academy to collect her belongings a significant detour that had Gabi both perplexed and annoyed at the same time. Why couldn’t her father just have her things sent home? But he was most insistent and Gabi saw no value in arguing the point so she kept her mouth closed and brooded. They drove on to the compound and continued to the hangars.
“You’re going the wrong way,” Gabi informed the driver, who took no notice of her and pulled up alongside an enormous sliding door.
“Papa, where are you going?”
The general kept his face stern. “I have to attend to something first.” He nodded to the driver and stepped out of the vehicle. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Gabi fiddled with her bandaged hand, tugging at the cotton, puzzled by her father’s behaviour. What was he up to? She peered about the deserted yard—not a single mechanic or student could be seen, and she thought it most strange.
The general returned a few moments later. “Gabi, please get out of the car. There is something I think you should see”.
Gabi huffed her displeasure but did as she was told, climbing out of the vehicle and walking towards the hangar, her head bowed low in keeping with her mood. The doors parted and a team of cadets hauled a plane onto the tarmac, glistening in the sun like a lacquered boot. Gabi stared at the craft, her mouth open to speak, but she could not find the words and she turned to her father for help.
“Isn’t she beautiful?” Heinz said, appearing from a shadow cast by the plane. “We did it for you, Gabi. It’s a swallow, you know because I know you love swallows. We’re so sorry, please come back.”
“You painted my plane like a swallow so I would return?” It didn’t make any sense. Her father had made it clear that he did not approve of her flying so what was his part in all of this?
“Papa, are you sure?”
He nodded, a poised grin reaffirming his endorsement.
Gabi’s face burst into a contagious smile that swept over the gathering. She bounded over to Heinz, throwing her arms around his hulking frame and squeezing. “Oh, Papa, isn’t Heinz wonderful?”
Heinz blushed, and the general raised an inquisitive brow.
It was a lavish apartment in a much sought after district of Berlin, with views of the Spree river and Charlottenburg Palace from its rooftop terrace. Gabi could just make out the monolithic blocks of the city centre, and her heart fluttered with nerves. Today, she was to receive an award for valour at the Reich Chancellery and the thought of standing before a crowd left her stomach in knots.
She could pretend to feel poorly. After all, her ribs did ache when she breathed deeply, as did her shoulder and arm. Her vision was still not as it should be, not to mention the ghastly scar above her left eye. But her conscience would have none of it, and she resigned herself to her duty.
The Mercedes Benz cabriolet pulled away after depositing its two passengers at the entrance of the Reich Chancellery in Wilhelmstrasse. Gabi and her father entered the building where he was immediately greeted by some dignitaries and escorted inside. Gabi dawdled along behind them, staring down at the marble floor and lifting her gaze only enough to see where she was going.