The State Fair Chapter 1

Chapter 1
The State Fair
It was a time when he achieved all the notoriety of the day and thrilled
the pounding hearts of everyone in the crowd. Yet, he found himself en
route by foot from New York City with all its clamor and reckless pace
to his seemingly quiet, non-eventful city in Akron, Ohio. The night was
quickly turning from dusk to dark. The events of the week were still
fresh in his mind. Bud liked to keep his mind active and off the thought
of his long journey home.
Early in the week, the state fair started with thirty-cent nights to get
the fair off to an event everyone anticipated and could hardly wait for.
Bud was seeing to the glider’s preparation most of the day Monday and
into the early evening. The young man set apart time Tuesday evening
to see the fair.
Bud laughed to himself as he thought how Frankie C. grabbed him
at the entrance and insisted on buying him a cotton candy. “Bud,
whenever you’re at a fair, you got to have a cotton candy,” said Frankie
C. He was the kind of guy you meet for the first time and swear you
knew him your whole life. Bud met him early Monday morning, when
Frankie C. was making fun of the Detroit Gull, which was an early
American glider Bud and a few other guys used. He was as kind of a
young man as you would ever want to know. Bud liked being around
him, even if he had to put up with a little ribbing from time to time.
Frankie C. was caught up with the Dixieland band playing away a
tune he loved to hear. Bud watched and laughed as he saw him taking
pleasure with the toe-tapping band. Everyone could see Frankie C’s
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snapping, clapping, and dancing to the music. Oh, yeah! The old
ragtime tune pulled everyone over to the gazebo.
Bud was suddenly turned by the passing crowd and lost sight of
Frankie C. in all the excitement. Bud’s expectations changed. What a
perfect evening it would be if he could spend time with this cute gal he
was recently acquainted with. He searched the fairgrounds in hope that
he would see Jude any moment.
Bud felt a sudden gust of wind and drizzling rain. He ran quickly to
the nearest tent covering for shelter he could find. As Bud turned
around, he saw Jude’s big eyes. She looked over toward him and
flashed a smile that warmed the hearts of all her friends.
“Well, hi,” said Jude. She threw her arms around him and hugged
him so tightly. Bud’s heart took off, as the moment was suddenly
reality. Jude had a way of opening Bud’s life for anything to happen.
They walked hand in hand through the drizzling rain as they skipped
left and then right somewhat down the middle of the midway. As Bud
and Jude splashed unending puddles, their sneakers became soaking
wet. They chuckled out loud at the amusement the rain brought and just
how drenched they were.
Jude saw they were amidst the carnival booths and tugged Bud over
toward one of her favorite things in life to do. The hullabaloo that each
game had was lost when they were together. In the distance, Bud heard
a man holler out, “Bring that gorgeous gal across and she’s an instant
winner.”
Jude’s big eyes showed the intrigue as she spotted the stuffed
puppies hanging on the wall. Bud was up for the opportunity to show
the carnie up. The carnie explained the game so fast that Bud really
didn’t get all the facts down before the chap owned his thirty cents and
threw him a trio of balls. Bud figured the pastime to be as simple as
throwing all three balls unhindered at any of the five holes in the divide.
Bud threw the first ball past the hole with no quandary at all. Jude
clapped and tossed her hair about, cheering Bud along. The carnie
mouthed, “Lucky throw.”
Bud glanced at Jude and his smile gave way to the confidence she
gave him. The second of the three balls was released to another gallant
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toss. The carnie turned his back and refused to watch him turn another
sure winner. He knew the gal was going get the dog anyways. Yet he
hoped the lad would make a fool of himself, too. Jude and Bud found
joy in showing the carnie up. They continued their stroll down the
midway and shared great times on the bobs, bumper cars and Ferris
wheel. Jude liked Bud and found him to be quite funny. She had a way
of getting him to do almost anything to make her laugh. As the evening
grew to a close, they found themselves embracing a moment in time
that would all too soon be gone. The glances between them brought
warmth to one another.
Morning came quickly. Bud found himself in preparation for the
schedule which faced him today. He made his way over to the
fairgrounds, where the Detroit Gull awaited today’s flight. Bud walked
between the two towering canopied tents and over the many ropes
drawn tight to support the structure. He could judge how his timing
would be as he hopped over each series of ropes toward the Detroit
Gull, which was in sight now.
The rain from last night really provided seemingly perfect weather
for today’s air show. As Bud approached the craft, he walked from one
end to the other to see to the glider’s checklist. The slate always
consisted of the glider’s overall form, wingspan, framework,
instruments and the control stick. Bud felt assured with his summary
and was ready to begin his part in the air show.
Secured and prepared in his mind, Bud gestured to the gentleman in
the airplane he was ready for takeoff. Bud could feel the yank of the tow
rope as the airplane pulled the glider over rough terrain, which was his
runway. A myriad of thoughts crossed his mind as he began his flight.
His aircraft was an 1803 single-wing glider. Bud took a look over his
shoulder and saw the sun glistening through the back of the Gull. I
leave a hurried world at the fairgrounds and join a world of peace in
the air.
He felt the front wheel release from the ground as the glider jerked
up and he entered a world into which few men would venture. The
crowds pulled closer together on the fairgrounds to watch Bud’s flight.
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How soon would it be until the plane released him? These same
thoughts would enter his mind each time and stir those anxious
feelings, when Bud had no control over the Detroit Gull. Finally, the
airplane lagged and descended below the glider. At 1,300 feet, Bud
could guide the craft as he pleased. The adrenaline was pumping at
what seemed like a normal rate when the glider was soaring. Bud began
his free fall, which led him into consecutive aerial loops. The crowd
pointed and cheered him on as they saw he was beginning the show.
Each time he began his descent, Bud maneuvered the Gull to the left
to receive the wind, which would carry each flight to a longer duration.
Bud kept his wits about him at all times. He knew exactly where he was
presently and, more importantly, the direction the Gull was heading.
The wind drafts were perfect in aiding the glider into the first loop as
Bud pulled the joystick toward him.
Bud could feel his heart draw each time he went upside-down and
began to fall into the next loop. The thrill of each loop was manifest as
he was soaring in the sky. Bud knew he must achieve nineteen loops to
erase William Sperry’s current record. He had attained eighteen loops
the previous evening. Rivalry brought out the best in both of them, even
though people thought it would surely kill them someday. Loop after
loop Bud counted, and he kept track of where he had been. First four
loops, then eight, then fourteen, then seventeen. With two more loops
left, Bud was positive enough wind was present and height to achieve
the new world’s record for the most consecutive loops. The Gull took
the first and second loop with ease. Bud brought the Detroit Gull in for
a picture-perfect landing to the roar of the crowd.
Bud released the straps behind him, which held him securely into
the glider, and jostled out of the tight-fitting cockpit. When he hopped
out, he could see Sperry making his way through the crowd with a smile
of envy. Apparently, he really doubted Bud would take his record away
so easily. William ran up, shook Bud’s hand briefly, and threw his arms
around him and bear-hugged his buddy.
Sperry was always a true sportsman and that was why people loved
the man so much. The two friends proceeded to walk away from the
Detroit Gull, the crowd and the flash bulbs from the many cameras
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making the historic event which had taken place. William and Bud both
knew the thrill was in the accomplishment of soaring and not the
notoriety. Although one could bet if Sperry would have won, he would
have time for both Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and the New York Times!
William Sperry and Bud Sutherland were as different as day is to
night to most people. Sperry could be found telling jokes in bars and
running with the boys. He loved using abrasive language to attract the
women. Bud enjoyed spending time with his friends. Bud never looked
down on William’s life, it just wasn’t for him. Yet, the common spark
in both of them, which they shared, was gliding. Both men knew,
punching and poking back at each other, the kinship they lived as
friends. Respect like that can bring two totally different folks together.
Bud felt his heart tugging and pulling at him all day. He just had to
call Jude one more time before he left. Bud approached the phone
booth. He knew somehow they would just be friends. Somehow Bud
knew if he walked, with at least a good friend he was blessed.
Sometimes you have to be honest with yourself, even though you want
so much more. Bud put his ten cents in and listened as the phone rang.
Jude answered, “Hi.”
Then the phone somehow disconnected as Bud replied. What in the
world happened! Aww, gosh, this just can’t be happening to me!
He quickly put another ten cents back in and dialed her as quickly as
he could. Bud thought somehow the whole friendship was on the line
now. She answered, a little upset this time! Bud apologized for the
disconnection, like it was even his fault at all. On top of that, Bud was
struggling for any words, thought, Aww, I can’t even say what I know,
she’s made my life complete.
The quiet time was just as hard for the both of them. “Jude, your
friendship means so much to me and I’m glad we shared a great day
together.” Bud started drifting to the events of that special day and lost
focus again. Where’s the hang-up when you need it! “Um, I hope you
know, that I care for you and appreciate the great day we spent
together.” Aw, man!
Something was still bothering Jude. He didn’t even try to kiss me,
what’s wrong with him? Jude remembered laughing as he showed the
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carnie up and they were so wet jumping through the puddles of the
midway holding hands. Her spirit changed suddenly, she didn’t want to
hurt him. He must care for me. “Bud, you’re such a wonderful guy.”
Bud knew he was finished now! He quickly jumped in: “I’m leaving
for Akron tonight.”
Jude talked with him awhile and later said, “Bye, I have to go, take
care.”
Bud was ticked at himself, I really blew this relationship. Why were
some friendships so easy and natural and others such a struggle? Yet,
that was the whole point of relationships that mattered. You had to get
through the highs and lows to make it, when life’s two-by-fours hit you
square in the face and left you breathless. Then the two could pick up
the pieces and help each other up on their feet again! Yet, Bud needed
some more time and friendships to arrive at that key relationship with
love!
Bud could see the lights slowing down behind him as he was walking
back to Ohio. The outline looked like a farm truck. The farmer asked
Bud, “Would you like a ride to the Ohio border?”
Bud answered, “I sure would, sir, thanks!” Bud was exhausted and
knew the farmer’s company would do him good. He threw his pack in
the back and jumped into the seat next to the farmer. Together they
began the long trip to the state line.
The picture was odd to Bud, that just earlier in the day the crowd had
cheered him on the fairgrounds and now he finally received a ride home
from a perfect stranger. Was the farmer an angel? Naaaah! Without
hesitation, Bud inquired, “What do folks call you by?”
The elderly man answered in a tender, quiet voice, “Carl.”
Bud was curious by nature and thirsted to know more of the
generous man who offered him a ride home. He knew in his heart Carl
was a listener, you could just tell that about him. This was Carl’s life
and characteristics he lived by, and that was what Bud had always
longed for. Bud wasn’t satisfied with a quiet trip home, when he had
Carl’s company.
“Carl, this truck runs like clockwork! What keeps it running so
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well?”
Carl cleared his throat and paused. “My brother Wilbur and I build
trucks up in Michigan and drive them to the owners in the central
states.” Bud listened intently. “Old Wilbur and I found out some
friends of our family who had cash to buy one. Here I am.” Carl’s gentle
smile gave away the pride he and his brother took in their work. “I’ve
always dreamed of building trucks someday, and I do!”
Within a while, they both slipped into their own safe worlds.
Bud could remember how, as a boy, he built model gliders with skill
and purpose. He would check the wingspan for proper balance and
weighted the nose of the glider to carry it through the toughest gusts of
wind. He could recall waking early Saturday morning, grabbing his
tattered jacket and rushing off with his sneakers hurriedly tied.
Moments later, he would arrive at Armitage Hill and Bud would test his
model glider for the first time to see how far it would soar. You could
see the excitement in his eyes as he ran out the side door. He let the
screen door slam behind him as his steps turned quickly from a walk to
a run. Bud could do this walk in his sleep. Yet, today he went with
confidence and purpose in his heart to watch the glider soar. Bud
arrived at Armitage Hill and climbed it with ease. Bud could remember
releasing the glider to the wind currents from the top of the hill. He
watched as the glider reached the heights he never dreamed he would
reach someday. Bud did carry his dream handheld glider into a real
glider he shared at the Goodrich Glider Club.
Bud dozed off shortly after, with his head resting against the door
window. His head was bouncing with each bump in the road.
Carl watched quietly and smiled as he saw Bud trying to rest with the
window as his pillow. Carl continued to drive on past the night until the
early morning.

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