Afterward, Barbara wanted to know where she would be working next, but it was not easy tracking down Jackie Cochran. She kept telephoning her, first at the ranch in Indio, then to Floyd Odlum's office in New York, and finally to several army offices in Washington.
"It's all snafu out here," Jackie reported from Washington. "What I wanted hasn't quite come about. Yet. It may be months, maybe not even until fall before there's a women's air ferrying program up and running in this country like there is in England. Most of the brass in Washington agree we need one, even have to have one. But getting the green light to start one is mired in bureaucracy and red tape. I've been spending most of my time back in England with more American girls, to help the British with their women's ferrying command. Want to go back and be an ATA Girl again?"
"I'd love to," Barbara admitted, "but a personal matter here is going to keep me stateside, at least for a while."
After Barbara explained about the child custody court battle she was involved in, Jackie offered her help.
"Lloyd knows some very sharp lawyers. Just ask him. Meanwhile, I've got to get back to London. You'll be one of the first to know when the WAFS are recruiting."
The phone call left Barbara without a job she had counted on. She didn't need the money, she needed the work, and to feel a part of the war effort. After being in the thick of it in London during the Blitz, she felt left out, waiting for Jackie's dream to come true.
Wanting to stay close to Tim so she could visit him often in Wisconsin, and needing to stay close to Chicago for court action regarding custody of her godson, she went to see her old friend, Red Olafson. She also wanted to fly again.
The airport west of Chicago looked deserted when Barbara drove there. No planes were on the flying field, and those in their hangars looked like they were covered with spider webs. Not a sole was walking outside and she wondered if anyone was at work inside the office building. When she knocked on the door, no one answered. Finding it unlocked, she entered and saw the reason why no one had answered and there was no activity outside.
Red hobbled over to the door on crutches. He nearly waved them overhead, he was so glad to see her.
"What happened to you?" Barbara asked.
"Kind of bought the farm, but not permanent," he replied with a sly smile. "Only on the installment plan. I'll be flying again, but my Doc says not for a couple more months. Meanwhile, everything around here, which wasn't much, got sort of grounded with me."