They said they were going to Honolulu, and Beth, the stewardess, told them how much they were going to love it and that it was a tropical paradise. She had been there once and said it was unforgettable.

“My brother’s stationed there. He’s a navy pilot,” Audrey volunteered. “He loves it. I don’t think he’ll ever want to come back.” They chatted for a few more minutes, and then Audrey and Lizzie went back to their seats for the remainder of the flight. Audrey read a book, and Lizzie went to sleep. They landed in San Francisco and took a cab to the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. They had dinner at the hotel and went to bed early so they’d be fresh for their long flight to Honolulu the next day.

They boarded the Pan Am flight the next day, at Treasure Island, and were in awe when they saw the enormous Boeing 314 Clipper. It was the largest airliner of its time. Normally it could carry seventy-four passengers, but only carried twenty-five on the long flight to Hawaii. All passengers traveled first class on the flight. There was a festive atmosphere as soon as they got on the plane. Other passengers were going on vacation too, and it was a delight to leave cold wintry weather, and head for bright sun and white sandy beaches. They could hardly wait to land. And in the meantime, the flight itself was memorable. The four stewards met their every need. The Clipper had an upper flight deck, a lower cabin divided into five seating compartments, a large lounge that converted into a dining room, and a bridal suite. The flight took sixteen hours and flew overnight.

The Clipper glided smoothly on the water when it landed on Sunday morning after the luxurious flight. They stopped in front of the terminal, and two beautiful Polynesian girls were waiting to give each passenger a flower lei. The sky was a bright cameo blue, the weather warm. It was dazzling. When Audrey looked up, she saw her brother walking toward her in his white summer uniform. He lifted her right off her feet when he hugged her, and he smiled when he saw Lizzie. Audrey noticed a look pass between them that was different from the way he had looked at her before. Lizzie’s long blond hair hung down her back in gentle waves. She was wearing a light blue dress the color of her eyes, and the dress molded her figure without being vulgar. He walked both women out of the airport, looking proud.