Dreams Above the Clouds

In the early 1960s, Judy Goodman and Beverly Caldwell, from vastly different backgrounds, yearn for escape and transformation. Judy, trapped in an abusive marriage in small-town Pennsylvania, dreams of freedom and adventure. Beverly, a privileged New Yorker suffocating under her family's expectations, craves purpose beyond society's shallow rituals. Both set their sights on the coveted role of Pan Am stewardess—a job promising glamour, independence, and a ticket to the world. Their journeys begin with hope, anxiety, and the weight of secrets, as they step into the competitive world of international air travel.

Escape from Red Lion

Judy's life is a daily struggle for survival under her controlling husband, Henry. With the help of her courageous neighbor Ronelle, Judy orchestrates a daring escape, hiding her plans and belongings, and finally seizing her chance when Henry falls ill. She leaves behind her past, her possessions, and her identity, boarding a train to New York and then a flight to Miami for Pan Am training. The act is both terrifying and exhilarating, marking the first step toward reclaiming her life and autonomy.

Glamour and Grit in Miami

In Miami, Judy and Beverly—now roommates—face the grueling realities behind the Pan Am mystique. The training is rigorous, demanding perfection in appearance, etiquette, and technical skill. The women must memorize routes, master emergency procedures, and maintain composure under pressure. The glamour of the uniform belies the discipline and sacrifice required. Amidst the heat and competition, Judy and Beverly forge a tentative friendship, united by ambition and the need to prove themselves.

Sisterhood in the Skies

As training intensifies, Judy and Beverly's bond deepens. They confide in each other—Judy revealing her secret marriage and the abuse she endured, Beverly sharing her struggles with family expectations and her mixed heritage. Their friendship becomes a lifeline, offering support, laughter, and solidarity. Together, they navigate the challenges of training, the scrutiny of instructors, and the ever-present threat of failure. The sisterhood they build is as vital as the wings they hope to earn.

Secrets, Lies, and Liberation

Judy's secret threatens her new life, as Pan Am's strict rules forbid married stewardesses. Beverly, ever resourceful, helps her plot a path to true independence—a quick Mexican divorce. Both women confront the lies they've told and the personas they've crafted to survive. Beverly's own family secrets come to light, revealing a hidden Filipino heritage and a network of relatives in Hawaii. The process of shedding old identities is painful but necessary for their liberation.

The Art of Reinvention

With their Pan Am wings, Judy and Beverly embark on a whirlwind of international flights. Each destination—Honolulu, Hong Kong, Paris, Rome—offers new experiences and challenges. Judy learns to savor freedom, confidence, and the thrill of possibility. Beverly, once defined by privilege, finds joy in simplicity, connection, and her growing relationship with her Hawaiian cousins. Both women reinvent themselves, embracing the world and their own potential.

Love at Thirty Thousand Feet

Love finds both women in unexpected ways. Judy is drawn to Joe Clayton, a Pan Am instructor whose kindness and steadiness contrast sharply with her past. Their relationship is slow-burning, built on mutual respect and healing. Beverly falls for Mark Oakley, a Texan Olympic swimmer with a heart for service and a zest for life. Their romance is passionate and playful, offering Beverly a vision of partnership rooted in equality and adventure. Love, for both, is a leap of faith.

Family Ties and New Roots

Beverly's journey leads her to embrace her Filipino roots, forging bonds with cousins in Hawaii and reconciling with her mother. Judy, meanwhile, finds family in her friendships—with Beverly, with Ronelle, and with the Pan Am sisterhood. Both women learn that family is not just blood, but the people who stand by you, challenge you, and help you grow. Their new roots give them strength to face the uncertainties ahead.

Turbulence and Triumph

Just as Judy and Beverly settle into their new lives, old dangers resurface. Henry tracks Judy down, threatening her safety and career. Pan Am discovers Judy's marital status, resulting in a suspension. Beverly faces her own crossroads as she contemplates love, career, and motherhood. Together, they confront these storms with courage, ingenuity, and the support of their chosen family. Their triumph is not in avoiding hardship, but in surviving and transcending it.

The World Awaits

Judy and Beverly seize the chance to travel the world together, fulfilling childhood dreams and Sinatra's promises. They explore ancient cities, savor new cultures, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Their adventures are tinged with the bittersweet knowledge that change is inevitable—marriage, career transitions, and the passage of time loom ahead. Yet, they embrace the world with open hearts, determined to live fully and love deeply.

Paradise and Promises

On the island of Mo'orea, Judy and Beverly find a paradise that feels like home. Amidst turquoise waters and tropical fruit, they reflect on their journeys and make a promise: to always be there for each other, to honor the sisterhood they've built, and to return to this place someday. The vow is both a celebration of their bond and a foreshadowing of the fragility of life. Paradise is not just a place, but the people you share it with.

Lightning Over Elkton

A routine flight from San Juan to Philadelphia becomes a nightmare when lightning strikes the Pan Am 707, causing a catastrophic crash near Elkton, Maryland. Beverly, on board in Judy's place, is among those lost. The disaster shatters the Pan Am family and leaves Judy grappling with grief, guilt, and the randomness of fate. The tragedy is a stark reminder of the risks and sacrifices inherent in chasing dreams above the clouds.

Grief, Legacy, and Flight

Judy is devastated by Beverly's death, haunted by the knowledge that it could have been her. She finds solace in honoring Beverly's memory—scattering her ashes in Mo'orea, supporting Beverly's family, and living a life worthy of her friend's sacrifice. Judy's grief transforms into a legacy of love, service, and resilience. She returns to the skies, flying Pan Am's most dangerous routes during the Vietnam War, determined to make her survival count.

The Enduring Power of Friendship

Years pass, but the bond between Judy and Beverly endures. Judy marries Joe, raises a family, and continues to travel the world, always carrying Beverly's spirit with her. Their annual girls' trips become a tradition, a testament to the promise made in paradise. The story closes with Judy, now elderly, returning to Mo'orea to fulfill her final vow—scattering Beverly's ashes and reflecting on a life shaped by friendship, courage, and the call to "come fly with me."

Come Fly with Me

The refrain of Sinatra's "Come Fly with Me" echoes throughout Judy and Beverly's lives—a symbol of hope, adventure, and the transformative power of flight. The song becomes their anthem, their guide, and their farewell. In the end, it is not just about the places they visited, but the lives they touched, the love they shared, and the freedom they claimed. Their story is a tribute to all who dare to dream, to fly, and to find family in the skies.

Characters

Judy Goodman

Judy is a resilient, intelligent woman from rural Pennsylvania, shaped by loss and abuse. Her marriage to Henry is a prison, but her spirit is unbroken. Psychoanalytically, Judy's journey is one of reclaiming agency, self-worth, and trust. Her relationships—with Ronelle, Beverly, and Joe—are lifelines, each helping her heal and grow. Judy's development is marked by courage: escaping her abuser, risking everything for a new life, and ultimately embracing love and adventure. Her arc is a testament to the power of reinvention and the enduring need for connection.

Beverly Caldwell

Beverly is the daughter of New York elite, raised in luxury but restless and unfulfilled. Her outward confidence masks deep insecurities about identity, family, and belonging. Discovering her Filipino heritage and building relationships with her cousins in Hawaii are pivotal in her self-acceptance. Beverly's wit, resourcefulness, and loyalty make her a magnetic friend and a fierce protector. Her romance with Mark Oakley reveals her capacity for vulnerability and joy. Beverly's tragic death is a profound loss, but her legacy lives on in the lives she touched.

Joe Clayton

Joe, a Pan Am instructor and former steward, is the embodiment of quiet strength and compassion. His relationship with Judy is built on patience, respect, and mutual healing. Joe's own background—growing up with sisters, valuing family—makes him attuned to Judy's wounds and needs. He is a stabilizing force, encouraging Judy's independence while offering unwavering support. Joe's love is transformative, helping Judy trust again and build a new life.

Mark Oakley

Mark is a Texan Olympic swimmer with a passion for helping others, especially children with disabilities. His easygoing nature, humility, and zest for life are a perfect match for Beverly's intensity. Mark's own losses—his family's death in a car accident—give him depth and empathy. His relationship with Beverly is playful, passionate, and rooted in mutual respect. Mark's grief after Beverly's death is profound, but he honors her by dedicating his life to service and love.

Ronelle Rorbaugh

Ronelle is Judy's neighbor and first true friend in Red Lion. As a Black woman in a prejudiced town, she understands the cost of courage and the importance of solidarity. Ronelle's unwavering support is instrumental in Judy's escape and survival. She is practical, nurturing, and unafraid to challenge injustice. Ronelle's own journey—building a family, facing societal barriers—parallels Judy's, and their friendship is a model of chosen family and mutual empowerment.

Diana Caldwell (Beverly's Mother)

Diana is a product of her era—valuing security, appearances, and social standing. Yet, beneath her polished exterior lies regret, longing, and a capacity for change. Her evolving relationship with Beverly, and her reconnection with her Filipino roots, reveal a woman capable of growth and self-reflection. Diana's journey is one of reconciling past choices with present possibilities, and her support for Beverly is a late but meaningful gift.

Henry Goodman

Henry is the antagonist whose control and violence drive Judy's flight. He is manipulative, charming in public, and monstrous in private. Henry represents the societal forces that seek to confine and diminish women. His pursuit of Judy, even after her escape, is a source of ongoing danger and trauma. Ultimately, Henry's power is broken not by confrontation, but by Judy's courage and the support of her community.

Sami

Sami, Beverly's great-aunt, is a hairdresser and quiet force of wisdom. Her presence connects Beverly to her Filipino ancestry and offers a model of resilience and grace. Sami's salon is a sanctuary, a place where secrets are shared and identities are reclaimed. Her survival after a violent attack is symbolic of the endurance of family and culture.

Karina and Ann

Karina and Ann, Beverly's cousins in Hawaii, are vibrant, welcoming, and grounded. They represent the family Beverly never knew she needed, offering her acceptance, laughter, and a sense of home. Their relationship with Beverly is transformative, helping her embrace her heritage and redefine what family means.

Rosamaria

Rosamaria, a senior Pan Am stewardess, is a mentor to Judy and Beverly. She embodies the ideals of the profession—competence, elegance, and kindness. Her own journey (marrying a passenger, moving on from Pan Am) offers a glimpse of the possibilities and limitations facing women of the era. Rosamaria's guidance is both practical and inspirational.

Plot Devices

Dual Narrative Structure

The novel employs a dual narrative, alternating between Judy and Beverly's perspectives. This structure allows readers to experience the contrasts and commonalities in their backgrounds, struggles, and growth. The interplay of their voices deepens the emotional resonance and highlights the universality of their search for freedom and belonging.

Symbolism of Flight and Travel

Flight is both literal and symbolic—representing escape, aspiration, and the risks of reinvention. The destinations (Hawaii, Hong Kong, Paris, Mo'orea) are not just exotic backdrops, but stages for self-discovery and healing. The recurring motif of Sinatra's "Come Fly with Me" ties their journeys to hope, adventure, and the promise of new beginnings.

Foreshadowing and Irony

From the prologue's return to Mo'orea to the repeated references to risk and loss, the novel foreshadows the eventual tragedy of the Elkton crash. The irony of Judy's survival—made possible by Beverly's sacrifice—underscores the randomness of fate and the price of freedom. The promise to scatter ashes in paradise, made in joy, becomes a poignant act of mourning.

Found Family and Sisterhood

The central plot device is the creation of chosen family—women supporting, rescuing, and transforming each other. The sisterhood of Pan Am, the deep friendship between Judy and Beverly, and the bonds with Ronelle, cousins, and mentors, all serve as bulwarks against isolation and adversity. The annual girls' trips and shared rituals reinforce the enduring power of these connections.

Historical and Social Context

The novel is grounded in the realities of the 1960s—limited opportunities for women, racial barriers, and the allure and constraints of glamour. The strict rules of Pan Am, the threat of exposure, and the challenges of divorce and abuse are all shaped by the era's social norms. The narrative structure weaves in real events (Sinatra's concerts, the Elkton crash, Vietnam airlifts) to anchor the personal stories in a broader historical tapestry.

Analysis

Come Fly with Me is a sweeping, emotionally resonant novel that uses the golden age of air travel as a lens to explore the timeless quest for freedom, identity, and connection. Through the intertwined stories of Judy and Beverly, the book examines the costs and rewards of reinvention—how escaping the past requires both courage and community, and how the pursuit of dreams is always shadowed by risk and loss. The novel is a celebration of female friendship as a force for survival and transformation, challenging the myth of solitary heroism and highlighting the necessity of chosen family. It also interrogates the myths of glamour and progress, revealing the grit, sacrifice, and solidarity behind the Pan Am mystique. Ultimately, the story is a tribute to all who dare to fly—toward hope, toward love, and toward the lives they are meant to live. The lesson is clear: the greatest journeys are not just about the places we go, but the people we become and the bonds we forge along the way.

Last updated: June 19, 2025