Last Flight Out: The Story Behind The Story

Everyone knows the story of Kavita Davidson, and Lily McCourtney. Okay, maybe not everyone, but everyone should know. "Last Flight Out" is the tale of a forbidden romance.

Recently, I have been talking on Facebook and through emails with a few readers who were kind enough to talk "shop" about the story they read. Their questions were deep. One of the questions that kept coming up was, "Is Last Flight Out based on a true story?"

The answer is, no, it wasn't, however, it was inspired by the true story of Mary Kay Letourneau, and a story I read one day in the Columbus Dispatch. And also, a lot of things in the story was taken from real life, including the characters.

I thought it was about time to address the real life story of the story itself, and in the process, perhaps to answer any further questions anyone may have about it. This way, instead of telling the story and answering the same questions over and over again, I can just send them a link to this post.

Let's first begin with the truth about "Kendrick South", which includes, "Kendrick Park" and Kendrick High School". In the story, "Kendrick" is the community in which the story takes place. In reality, "Kendrick" is actually a combination of South Columbus, (in Ohio) and a little community known as "German Village".

"Kendrick South High School" was based off of the real life high school known as "South High School" - which is just located East of Parsons Avenue on the South side of Columbus, Ohio.

However, in between South High School and German Village (West of Parsons Avenue) is a middle school called "Barrett Middle School" which covers 6th, 7th and 8th graders if I'm not mistaken. When I describe "Kendrick High School" in the book, I am actually describing "Barrett Middle School" - and here is why: You see, I used to go to Barrett Middle School but I never went to South High School so I had no idea how South High School looked on the inside, which prompted me to go ahead and turn Barrett Middle School into "Kendrick South High School". So when you read in the story that there are three floors to "Kendrick High School", you know I am talking about "Barrett Middle School". They have three floors. I'm not sure how many floors or levels they have in "South High School".

And as for "Kendrick Park" and the recreation center where Kavita taught art once a week voluntarily, I am referring to the real life Schiller Park, located in German Village of Columbus, Ohio. (Which is what the pictures you are seeing are of.)

So yes, while the story itself is fictional, the place that inspired it is very real, and once upon a time, was a huge part of my life. And Barrett Middle School is just blocks away, East of Schiller Park.

German Village is most famous for Schmidt's Sausage Haus, located right in the heart of German Village. (I recommend highly you pay them a visit next time you're in town. Very good food!)

I also used to live in German Village and it's quite the beautiful place. It's cobblestone and brick laid streets really jump out during the Fall when the foliage starts to turn. They have (or did have) mom and pop type diners and deli's, a few art galleries, a book store, small coffee houses, and more. In fact, I used to sell my poetry cards in a shop in German Village which is closed down now, but was featured once on an episode of "Ghost Hunter's". (I wish I knew then the place was haunted, wouldn't have minded at all to do my own investigation.) But that was then and now, I'm not exactly sure how much German Village has changed through the years because in all honesty, I haven't been back there for over ten years. Maybe 15. But if memory serves, it was a very expensive place to live.

To the right, you will see a picture of the recreation center that sits on the far southeastern side of Schiller Park. In the story, this is the "Kendrick Park" recreation center where Kavita taught his classes. To the left of the entrance, you will notice windows that have been bricked up. Back in the day, they were windows. That is where, in real life, they used to hold arts and crafts class for the youth.

To the right of the entrance is where the indoor basketball court used to be and is featured in the story. They also have an outdoor basketball court or at least, they used to have one. Since it's been so long on my last visit there, I'm not sure what the place looks like these days.

From the angle of the picture from where the picture was took, it appears as if Kavita could have taken the pictures himself from his front porch as in the story, Kavita moved in right across the street from the park and the recreation center. In the story, the place he moved into used to be a video store, and in real life, it did used to be a video store, however, I did take some liberty in the construction of his building.

You see, in the story, the building in which Kavita lived was a lot bigger than the one that stands in real life. His building was an arts supply store in front, a frame and matting section in the middle and a private studio in back where Kavita worked from. His living quarters was up top, where a staircase from his studio went up to. This was fabricated on my part as the building isn't designed in that manner in real life. However, the Cherry Blossom tree I describe to the side of the house in a small yard enclosure is accurate. So are the iron fences and gates I described in the book. From where Kavita sat in his yard, he had a good full view of the park.

And so, as for the surroundings, German Village, and Schiller Park were the inspirations to "Kendrick Park" in the book.

Now for the characters.

Another common question some readers of the story have asked me is; "Are the characters based off of real people and is Kavita based off of you?"

The answer is yes, and then no. Yes, the characters in the book are based off of real life people I met and knew, and lived in the area, however, I did not base the Kavita character off of myself.

I drew inspiration of the Kavita character off of a friend of mine who was in fact a pen and ink artist. His uncle, also a dear friend of mine, is a well known pen and ink artist and this is where I gained my knowledge of that field and was able to apply it to the Kavita character. Now I must say this; that the real life "Kavita" never did have an actual relationship with an under-aged girl. That part of the story is fictional. But the over-all character and mannerisms of Kavita was based off of my friend.

Nick Culberson, Kavita's manager and lawyer, was also taken from a real life friend of mine. And as in the story, my friend was a lawyer, whom I met once while dinning one night in German Village. And like Nick in the story, my lawyer friend was from Seattle, Washington.

In reality, my lawyer friend and the friend I based the character Kavita from, never knew one another.

The character of "Mary Stewart", as in the book, was based off a real life teacher from Barrett Middle School which I dated briefly.

The character of "Lilly McCourtney" was based off of an actual girl who lived down the street from my sister in German Village. Where this young lady lived, was the very edge just outside of German Village and ironically, was the beginning of the 'poor side' of town. Oddly enough, just east of German Village, you go from the very rich to the very poor. And this real life "Lily McCourtney" did have a troublesome home life, just like the fictional "Lily". I only knew her through my nephew and my sister, who was (and still is I think) the neighborhood babysitter.

Sherry Pence, Lily's BFF in the book, was also taken from a real life friend of my nephew's at the time.

Another common question often asked me is; "Who wrote the poem that Lily recites in the book? And why did I include it in the story?"

The poem in question is titled, "A Dead Eagle's Love". And I wrote it. I actually wrote it about five years before I came up with the story idea for the book. I included it in the story because I needed something to capture Lily's internal pain of being abused. I couldn't come up with a new poem at the time and reflected to "A Dead Eagle's Love" and thought it would be the perfect poem for the story. The poem itself holds its own meaning for me, but could also be related to Lily's plight as well. It was the perfect poem for her to write in the story. (I pat myself on the back for that one.)

Lily's other friends from school were also based on other real life friends of my nephew, however, and oddly enough, none of the characters in the book were based off of my nephew. (Sorry dude.) But if it's any consolation nephew, I did base the character "Jerry" off of you in my book, "Of The Light". So it's all good.

Lily's uncle and his family were basically "created characters". 

But as you now know, the bulk of the story and many of the characters within were based off of real life places, people and events. They all came together to help me create the story for the book "Last Flight Out". And for those people, they have been somewhat "immortalized" forever. I bet they're happy about that. Maybe.

And from the many pictures I have posted with this post, you can see the real beauty of "Kendrick Park" or in reality terms, Schiller Park. It's a place that I hold dearly from my past and documented my love for it in a story. I have a lot of memories of that place, most of which, if not all, are amazing memories.

I also documented Schiller Park in my book, "Of The Light" as well. It's just simply a great place of inspiration.

But as is the case for just about all of my stories, reality almost always meets fiction. The lone exception thus far is my book, "Year Of The Cat", that is totally fiction from top to bottom. No characters were ever based off of real life people, contrary to popular belief. Plus, I have never been to "San Felipe". (Which is the only thing that is real in that story besides the insane asylum.)

And I think it's important to set the record straight where my books are concerned. If you look around the internet long enough, you might find some very misleading reviews of my work. One in particular where "Last Flight Out" is concerned is that the age of Lily McCourtney is twelve when in fact, her age in the story is fifteen when it starts and nothing happens between her and Kavita until her sixteenth birthday. So be wary of what you read in regards to the many bogus reviews of that book. Most of the people who review it never did in fact ever read it. But that's the way it goes in this business. Just like with everything else in life, there are your honest people and there are are your bold-face liars and bullies or whatever you wish to call them. It's just the way of the world, unfortunately. You would think people would have better things to do than to lie and be mean. Oh, well.

There is also a belief that the main female character in my book, "Year Of The Cat" was based off of a real life girl, but that too, I'm afraid, is not accurate. It is true that I told a "then fan" of mine I based the character off of her, but that was just me trying to "be nice". I have since learned a valuable lesson in those regards. So just be cautious when reading reviews of my books, and take them with a grain of salt. I'm sure you will be able to distinguish truth from rubbish. Most of the reviews that are "bad" were taken from the free sample chapters that are offered on Amazon, and nothing more. I'm sure real readers are capable of seeing right through the garbage.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this little peek at the real life inspiration(s) of my book, "Last Flight Out." It's been fun sharing it with you. I also hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures of the "real life" Kendrick Park too. Perhaps now you can see how inspiring Schiller Park is, and why I captured it in the story. If any of you have any other questions, or if I missed anything, feel free to let me know. I always enjoy hearing from my readers. And who knows, maybe I left something out in this post and you can remind me and I can always do an update.

Last Flight Out (Promo) Romance

Last Flight Out - Book Review

Gina, of  "Behind A Million And One Pages" blog, just got done reviewing my book, "Last Flight Out". And for all of you who may be wondering, yes, she has had it since September I think? And no, I had no worries about if she would ever get it read, I waited with great patience. (And from recent events, people were accusing me "not waiting long enough" and so forth. Well, this is a perfect example of me knowing the difference between bloggers who are sincere and bloggers who are not. Gina is a wonderful woman and I am very grateful to her for reading my book. Even though, I think she had a rough time of it because of the theme. She braved it out and for that, I thank her. Thanks Gina! LOL Now click on her link below and read the review on her blog. Thanks.

 http://behindamillionandonepages.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/review-last-flight-out-by-carroll-bryant_23.html

Last Flight Out - Inspiration

Art inspires art. This is the way it should be. The moment art ceases to inspire more art, this is when we fail as a society. - Carroll Bryant

I have had people ask me what inspired my book, Last Flight Out. The truth is, the Mary-Kay Letourneau story was dominating the headlines when I was thinking of writing a romance. The only thing I knew about the idea was that I wanted it to be dramatic. And while I was all caught up in the Mary-Kay situation, I started to imagine what would have happened if it was a male teacher and a female student.

As most of you may know, Mary-Kay Letourneau was a 30 year old teacher who had a sexual relationship with her then 13 year old student. If you ask me, she got off easy - had she been a guy and the victim a girl, well, let’s just say she got off easy.

So, I started to imagine her situation reversed when I read in my local paper about a male teacher and a female student. I followed that story through and started to wonder what my story could be about. The general idea was born now, based on two real events I had read in the paper but as for the details? I still wasn’t getting anything.

Then I heard this song on the radio. It is called, “Last Flight Out”. It is sung by a gospel group, Plus One. I knew this song was actually in praise of God, but the lyrics could go mainstream also and be relatable to a relationship. I also loved the title. I knew this would have to be the title of my book and when I heard the song, I had the vision of my story. The characters, everything, it became crystal clear.

I couldn’t wait to write it.

This book, along with Children Of The Flower Power, were already published before I started my blog, so I never got the chance to “showcase” them in the manner I have (and am doing) with Of the Light and Year Of The Cat. So now I am taking the time to do it. Mostly because, ‘Flower Power’ was perhaps my favorite book to write and Last Flight Out has my two favorite characters (that I have written.) Kavita Davidson and Lily McCourtney.

I envy their love for each other. Forgetting the age difference, these two formed a wonderful friendship through the magic of art and then fell hopelessly in love. The way they are with each other - I would love to have that someday. I just envy it. Maybe that’s why I wrote them in the manner I did. Maybe deep down, I wanted to be Kavita.

I have also been asked about the other song. It’s a song in the book that plays on the radio while Lily and Kavita are painting together one day in his studio. Lily sings it to Kavita and it initiates a romantic moment. That song is called, “I Will Rescue You”. It is also performed by Plus One.

Here are the songs that inspired the story and made the book what it is. It is art inspiring art. Just the way it should be.

Last Flight Out - Chapter Three

Lily has just closed the door to her locker when her friend, Sherry Pence, bounces up to her. “Hey girlfriend, you ready for a wild weekend?”

“We just have to stop by my house on the way so I can grab some clothes.”

“No problem.” She indicates, making their way outside where the crisp and cool breeze hits them like a freight train. “It’s starting to get colder.” Sherry needlessly points out as they both snuggle in more tightly under their heavy coats, turning the corner and walking down the sidewalk before she thinks to ask. “Doug isn’t going to be there, is he?”

“I don’t know.” Lily replies. “He still hasn’t found a job yet.”

“He gives me the creeps.” Sherry squirms. “I don’t know how you can live under the same roof with him.”

“I hate him.” Lily plainly states as she has stated so many times before.

Sherry tries to speak for her in her reply. “You hate everybody, don’t you?”

“No.” Lily clarifies. “Just him. And my mom. They were so meant for each other.”

“He needs to get his fat ass up off the couch and get a job.”

Lily couldn’t have agreed more. “That’ll be the day. Getting a job would mean he’d have to give up his welfare checks.”

“Why do they even bother? All he does is spend it at the bars.”

“He’s a loser.” Lily confirms, when both girls raise their hands to their foreheads and made the letter ‘L’ with their fingers and thumbs while simultaneously shouting, “Loser!”

They laugh it out of their system when Lily brings up some of the days prior events. “Sherry, guess who Miss Stewart brought to art class today?” But before she even gives her friend a chance to answer, she does the honors herself. “Kavita Davidson!”

“Who?” A confused Sherry looks on.

“Kavita Davidson. Remember? When we went on the internet and I showed you his paintings on his website?”

“Oh, that guy. I remember now.”

“Well, Miss Stewart invited him to sit in on our class. And get this - he said he was impressed with my drawings.”

“No way?”

“Way. Oh, and he said he loved my poem, too.”

“A dead eagle’s love? You read him that?”

“I recited it for the whole class.” She whistles.

Sherry reacts somewhat shockingly. “No way! I thought you said you didn’t want anyone to know you wrote it.”

“I know, right? But I couldn’t help it. Something just kicked inside of me when I saw him and I felt compelled to share it.”

“Did you tell him why you wrote it?”

“Hell no! I don’t ever want to tell him that. I don’t want anybody to know. You’re the only one besides me who will ever know what that poem is about. And you promised you would never tell.”

Sherry stops walking, which grabs Lily’s attention and causes her to do the same. With a straight and sincere face, she tells her friend. “And I never will. You know that.”

Lily walks up to her and swings her arm around her shoulder. “I know. You’re my BFF.”

Sherry smiles brightly. “Forever and ever and ever.” They resume their pace as Sherry changes the subject. “Jason and Eric said they would try and sneak some beer over tonight.” Lily ignores it at first, and doesn’t respond so she repeats it. “Did you hear me? Jason and Eric are going to try and bring us some beer.”

“I heard.” Lily now acknowledges, a little stand-offish.

Sherry attempts to read her reaction. “What’s wrong, you and Jason having problems?”

“I don’t know.” Lily begins to confide. Suddenly, she halts in her tracks. She begins to look all around her, taking in the neighborhood, looking at it in dismay. “Is this it for us?” She asks.

Sherry hasn’t a clue. “Is what it for us? What are you talking about?”

“This?” Lily now showcases with her arms. “Are we going to live the rest of our lives in this dump and turn out like our parents?”

Sherry stands more confused than she had ever known herself to be. She stands there exchanging glances with her friend, trying to reason her behavior. When she falls short of figuring it out, she moves closer to her. “What’s wrong, Lily?”

Lowering her head, she almost couldn’t find the words. “Nothing.” She finally blurts. She lifts back up and gives her friend one more stare while the cool wind blows back her medium length, brown hair. “It’s just so dreary, don’t you think?”

“That’s why we’re best friends.” Sherry reminds her. “To help each other through it.”

“BFF.” Lily repeats. “For ever and ever and ever.”

“Always.” Sherry sums up as the two return to walking.

They soon find themselves just outside Lily’s house. Not much to look at, but at least it was a house. Sherry begins to hug the fence post where the gate was supposed to be, but is missing. “I’ll wait here for you.”

“Come on, Sherry. You do this every time. We’re only gonna be a minute.”

“Fine.” Sherry succumbs to her friend’s plea. “It better be a New York minute.”

They race inside the door and try to scamper pass the couch where Doug is planted, and towards the stairs in the hall to her room without being disturbed however, no such luck. Doug turns his head in their direction. “Get me a beer Lily, before you go upstairs.”

“Get it yourself.” She counters, taking her first step while Sherry was already halfway up.

“I said get me a God damn beer!” He shouts at her.

“Don’t talk to me!” She bellows.

She flies up the stairs before he could get to his feet where he ends up standing at the bottom looking upwards. Lily’s mom, Lorie, enters from the kitchen. Doug turns to her. “I’m getting real sick and tired of all her back-talk.”

Lorie hollers out to her daughter. “Don’t talk to your father like that!”

Lily hollers out in response. “He ain’t my father!” Then slams her bedroom door. Doug approaches from behind. “That girl needs a whooping.”

Inside her bedroom, Lily frantically seeks out some wardrobe for her overnight stay. Sherry assists by walking to the dresser to get some extra panties. “You only have three pairs left in here, which one you in the mood for?”

Lily walks over. “What? No. There were five in there this morning.” Then it occurs to her. “I don’t believe it.” She then walks to the door and opens it, sticking her head out. “Tell your husband to stay out of my panty drawer. You freaking pervert!”

Doug is walking back to the couch with a can of beer in hand when he defends himself. “I didn’t take any of your panties out of your drawer! I only take them out of the hamper! Shows what you know.” He giggles.

“Doug!” Lorie addresses the issue, stepping back out from the kitchen.

“What?” He asks, lifting the can and taking a swallow. “It’s true. I don’t steal her panties out of her drawer.”

“It’s just a point.” She replies. Doug takes another drink.

“Screw your point. Just get in there and finish making my supper. I’m starving to death here.” He then snickers bitterly. “I’m beginning to get in a real bad mood. If you know what I mean.”

Back upstairs, the girls just finished stuffing Lily’s things into a plastic grocery bag. “That should do.” Lily figures. They appear ready to go back down and leave when Sherry pops a most unusual question, which took Lily by complete surprise. “Is he cute?”

Lily turns to look at her. “Who?”

Sherry walks up with a teasing, devious grin. “That Davidson guy, he’s cute, isn’t he?”

“You’re such a whore.” Lily teases in return, then making her way to the door.

“I got my answer.” Sherry surmises, following close behind.

They hurry down faster than they did going up. No sooner did they reach the front door when her mother calls out from the kitchen. “Lily, come here and get this garbage.”

“I thought that was Bobby’s job?”

“Bobby already has a job delivering pizzas.”

“Have Doug get it!” She cries. “My God, it’s not like he ever does anything around here to begin with.”
She pushes Sherry out the door and heads back towards her mom. Doug gets another two cents worth in the conversation. “You better watch your mouth, girl. I’m about to bend you over my knees.”

“I bet you’d love that, wouldn’t you?” She tosses back at him, while rushing to pick up the garbage bag.

“My last nerve girl!” Doug venomously lashes out. “You’re on my last nerve.”

Lorie walks over to her. “You need to show Doug some respect.”

“I don’t need to show him shit.” Lily fires off.

“Watch your language young lady.”

“You always take his side.” Lily moans, opening the back door. “Why are you always taking his side?”

“I’m not taking anybody’s side.” Her mother replies. “And when are you going to get a job and help out around here like your brother?”

“He only got that job to get away from you.”

“At least he isn’t wasting his time drawing pictures and daydreaming.” She harshly accentuates.

Lily stops on the porch and looks back at her. Shaking her head, she leaves her with a parting shot. “I hate you. I hate you both.” She races to the back fence and tosses the bag then runs around the side to the front where Sherry is waiting on the sidewalk for her. “I really need to leave this place.”

“What would I do for a best friend?”

The two girls grin. Lily proposes an option. “I could live with you. Then we could be sisters.”

“We’re already are sisters. And my parents would never go for it.”

Lily sighs. “Story of my life.”

The two pick up their pace. “Hey Lily, if you were ever to run-away, where would you go?”

“South Carolina.” She answers. “I would go and live with my uncle Johnny and his wife and two kids.”

“Think he would take you in?”

“Probably, we talked about it before, but I don’t know. You know?”

“So, why haven’t you left then?”

“Do you know how hard it is to find a BFF?”