Chapter 16 - Page 229 - Flying To America

   "Please, please, please Jim," Rhasha pleaded, "can I drive that car?"

   Jim smiled, remembering how Rhasha had wanted to fly the company jet in Africa. "Sweetheart," he said, "there's to many people here right now. In a few days, I'll let you take me for a drive."

   That wasn't the answer Rhasha was looking for, but at least now she had something to look forward to. "Thank you, thank you, sweetheart," Rhasha said. "I'll drive it really carefully. You'll see."

   Jim knew she had never driven a vehicle with an automatic transmission. He decided to wait until she tried to drive the limousine, to spring that surprise on her.

   Raymond helped Jackie and Simbatu pack their luggage in the trunk and picked up the luggage Jim had dropped, loading that in the trunk as well. When Mario and Chuck joined them, Jackie and Simbatu helped them with their luggage.

   Jim walked over to Raymond and shook his hand. "Raymond," he said, "how's everything with you and the family?"

   "My family and I are doing well, Jim." Raymond grinned.

   As the others joined them, Raymond glanced at Rhasha, who was hanging onto Jim's arm. Shanha was hanging onto Jim's other arm. "It looks like you're doing pretty good yourself, Jim," he observed.

   "Raymond," Jim replied, "I've never been happier in my life."

   As Jim introduced everyone to the chauffeur and gave him some literature on Africa, Jackie watched with a puzzled look on his face. "Jim," he finally asked, "is it common in America for the boss to introduce his guests to the chauffeur?"

   "No Jackie," Jim chuckled, "but Raymond is my friend as well as my driver." Raymond beamed.

   They bid good-bye to Mario and Chuck and slid into the limousine. Soon the limo was pulling away from the hangar. As the company car joined traffic on a busy Dallas highway, Jim's guests watched everything excitedly.