And You Will Find Love

California, Autumn 1936

Barbara had made up her mind on the terribly lonely flight back to California. She would go ahead with her air show. She'd fly her heart out, for Paul.

The October Sunday, bright and hot, looked like the Fourth of July at Barbara's airport. American flags flew over the roofs of both hangars and flag bunting hung from every tree and telephone pole. She couldn't afford to hire a band, so she borrowed Buck and Edna's old phonograph. George rigged it up to some loudspeakers so she could play John Phillip Sousa marches everyone could hear.

Weeks before, Barbara had tried recruiting local pilots to fly for her. Everyone turned her down. Their excuse was always the same: "Sorry. Got another show to fly in that day."

It didn't take her long to learn who's show they referred to. Ken Knowland usually staged air shows at his airport in Bakers-field every Sunday. He advertised "The Air Show of All Air Shows" scheduled for the same day as Barbara had rescheduled hers.

Knowland had called and said he was sorry but his event had been scheduled a year in advance. Barbara wasn't sure she believed him, but would give him the benefit of the doubt. He had, over the weeks, called her several times to invite her to dinner, but she kept declining because she was so busy. Still, she thought she'd like to know him better. Ken was, after all, besides being the handsomest man in California who had offered to take her out, the only man. Not counting Moose Mondrowski.

Despite the competition for a crowd, Barbara was encouraged by the numbers that turned out for her show. Mostly complete families: father, mother, children of all ages and sizes, aunts, uncles, grandparents, even their dogs and one cat.

Since she and Leila would be the only pilots flying in her Air Show and Flying Circus, Barbara recruited George to take over the microphone. He would be both announcer and record-player.

She borrowed a phonograph and some John Phillip Sousa records from Edna, and George wired it up to some loudspeakers. Edna took charge of a ticket booth and collected stacks of greenbacks from eager spectators while Buck sat next to her wondering what all the excitement was about.

Moose ran a hot dog, soda, and ice cream concession between the two hangars. Generously, he agreed to split profits fifty-fifty with Barbara, knowing she would repay him part of what she owed him out of her half of the take. It was okay with her; at least he hadn't asked for a trade.