Chapter 17
A Trophy For Alma Mater

So that is how Mike Claymore got his Class 1A drivers license two weeks before the end of his basic training course in the Navy. And that is why that Monday morning he is on his way to Halifax with the five ton Old Thor and a heavy equipment float to pick up an artillery piece that has been donated to the school.

Old Thor is a WWII tractor built by Crane Carrier and known as a M915 by the military. He rolls out of the base early and is into Halifax by noon on the dock. He has lunch then goes to find this big gun.

He is looking for a cold war anti-aircraft gun, a 3 inch fifty caliber semi automatic deck gun that has been donated by the USN to the RCN. The Navy decided to display it at the school at Cornwallis.

Orders are to pick it up at Fleet Maintenance yard at Cape Scott so he proceeds to that location. They are expecting him and inform him it will be secured on his float by 0800 Tuesday. Mike is free for the rest of the day so he calls a cab.

Mike asks the cabby, “What’s there to see here in Halifax?”

“What do you want to do? Touristy stuff like the citadel or booze and girls?”

“It’s a little early for booze, I think.”

“Hey, you’re navy, aren’t you?”

Mike chuckles, “Okay, do you have any historic booze palaces?”

“Hey, I sure do. Big Walt’s in Dartmouth. Have you ever been there?”

“Nope, not me. What makes them so special?”

“Big Walt’s has been there forever, started as a bootlegger back in the day with dance hall and smoky dancehall girls, if you know what I mean.”

“Sorry, I’m just a country hick. What are smoky dancehall girls?”

“Black girls to dance with or to give you that lap dance or to take to the back for whatever you arrange. It’s a dark old hall at the back so all kinds of things happen.”

“I gather we are headed that way now?”

“But of course.” he smiles enigmatically.

“Okay, drive on. What would they do at this hour in a dance hall?”

He just gets that mysterious smile again. “Wait and see.” They pass CFB Halifax Dockyard Annex and the power plant arriving in the Tuft’s Cove area then swing into a graveled entryway. Up over a bluff they park in front of what looks like an old WWII warehouse. It doesn’t appear to have been painted since then either.

Mike looks it over, “You’ve got to be kidding.” There’s a wide cement porch on the front with nearly twenty steps up to it in cement as well and a double lead pipe railing down the center. There’s a small flickering neon sign in a window that says beer.

There must be a dozen muscle cars parked in various conditions around the step in a hap-hazard fashion. Mike is sure a couple of them don’t even work. “Is this place safe?”

Just then a black couple in their twenties come out the door followed by a skinny white teen who approaches them to talk. The kid has a beer in his hand and Mike is sure he is not of legal age. The kid reaches out and paws the lady while her friend threatens him with a raised fist. Mike grumbles, “It’s a little early for that kind of action, isn’t it?”

“Well, do you want me to wait?”

Mike laughs, “I haven’t decided to go in yet.”

“Tell you what, give me a twenty and we are square then I will wait five minutes. If you don’t come out I skid addle. Fair enough?”

“Give me your name and number and we got a deal.” He gives Mike his business card putting his own name on it and suggesting Mike ask for him. Mike nods agreement and gets out of the cab. “Five minutes, eh?” He closes the door.

He approaches the couple and teen on the steps stepping around them and puts his hand on the door. Uncertainly he gives it a tug then realizes it opens inward so pushes it. Before he steps inside he looks back to his cabby and finds him chatting with the black female and the teen. The black man is gone, around back he figures.

He turns and tries to peer inside but it is a blur of shadows although soft music issues from the gloom. He steps inside letting the door close behind him. As his eyes become accustomed to the dark he notices there is a wide bar to his left and tables straight ahead of him. To his right is a huge dance floor with nearly invisible tables beyond it.

Over head fans turn in a smoke filled haze hardly stirring the air and there appears to be near fifteen people seated or standing with at least two couples dancing a slow sensuous dance on the floor.

Mike turns towards the bar and almost trips over a hulking black man seated at a table. He stands and Mike thinks this must be Big Walt. “Can I help you?” his voice rumbles in his chest. “Your first time here?”

“Yes, just checking the place out. My cabbie recommended it as a historic site.” he grins.

His voice rumbles again, “It is that. Big Walt started this dance hall right after the second world war and it has been going ever since.”

Mike chuckles, “I thought maybe you were Big Walt.”

“Oh no, he passed twenty odd years ago. I’m his little brother, Ike. Welcome to Big Walt’s. Enjoy yourself but stay out of trouble or you have me to deal with.” He gestures for Mike to move on.

Mike moves to the bar and a buxom black bar maid asks his pleasure. “Give me a Molson’s Export ale, I guess.” He thinks again, “Do you have draft?” then reconsiders, “Never mind, I’ll go with the Export.”

She slides it along the bar to him opening it as she let’s go. “You’re new here. I’m Billie and I’m free in about half an hour.” She gives him a big smile. Mike nods good naturedly as he puts bills on the bar. He turns to watch the dance floor.

Three couples are up dancing now and he notices one couple far over in the dark beyond the dancers. Mike strains his eyes to see them and he thinks she is giving him a lap dance but in a moment he is sure he is wrong. He glances back to Billie and she asks, “Do you like to dance?”

Mike nods and looks back across the floor. “Maybe you prefer that, do you?” Her voice is near his ear and he feels his neck getting red. He turns to her and drinks his beer. He’s wondering if his cab has left yet. “We can do what you like, honey child.”

Mike clears his throat, “Billie, I don’t think they are dancing… or even lap dancing.” He stares into the dark.

She whispers in a husky voice, “I know, they’re just having fun. Don’t you like to have fun?” She blows softly in his ear, “Keisha is an awful exhibitionist, isn’t she?”

“I never saw anyone do… at least not in public I never saw… it’s so open over there. Everyone can see them.”

“I think you like to watch,” her voice is hypnotic. “I’ll be available soon, we can go over there to sit.”

“What? No, I have to get back to work soon. I have a truck and they are loading it at the base on the dock.”

She sighs, “Oh, I scared you. I’m sorry, honey.” She brings him another beer. “It’s my treat. Please stay.”

Mike relaxes and says he will for a while. He thanks her for the beer but he can’t resist stealing a glance back across the floor. Keisha is now bouncing up and down in the guys lap with her tits bouncing in rhythm now free of her loose top.

Billie speaks low close to his ear from behind, “She’ll get him off pretty soon. He never lasts long when she rides him that hard. Oh, I think he just lost it! Whoa, that was spectacular! Didn’t you love that?”

Mike agrees in a hoarse voice, “Spectacular!” The soft love songs continue and the dancers seem to not notice. He glances back and sees the lovers now sitting across the table from each other. One of the dancing couples are taking a seat across in the dark near them.

The one called Keisha gets up and crosses to the other couple’s table. She chats for a moment and then sits down with them. Mike notices the couple are young and white.

Keisha gets up and comes towards the bar. She speaks to Billie, “A Pink Lady and a Sidecar, Billie.”

“Okay, this is Mike. He’s driving a truck, I think for the Navy.” She looks at Mike, “Right?” He nods. “And Mike, this is our bar tender, Keisha Mann.” Keisha goes behind the bar and fixes the two drinks. Mike watches Billie take the drinks and head around the dance floor.

“So I guess you are new here, Mike?”

“Yes,” he clears his throat, “I am… new… new here.”

She smiles mischievously, “You were watching me, weren’t you?”

“Uh, how could I not?” He nervously rolls his bottle between his hands before taking another drink from it.

“Did you like it?” she leans across the bar to him and he sees her exquisite breasts fully exposed to him in her open top.

Mike swallows quickly, “It was spectacular.”

“Are you coming?” It’s Billie behind him so he gets up and follows her to a table. “By the way, I don’t do that on a first date but if you want it I can speak to Keisha for you.”

“No, not me. How does she get away with that? Isn’t it illegal?”

“She’s old enough and she never solicits. The dance hall has nothing to do with it, they just turn a blind eye and provide a place for the girls to meet men. Most of the girls don’t charge for it, just a friendly drink or two. The place makes a profit on the bar and the juke box.

“But the public nudity and…” He shakes his head.

“No one complains, I guess,” she grins, “Would you?”

“Not likely, I’d be more inclined to hang out here.”

She runs her hand up his arm, “I knew you liked us, Mike. You were just shy at first. Will you dance with me?”

The music is soft and slow so they weld to each other and wend their way around the floor. Suddenly a group of six black girls and two guys arrive blinding Mike momentarily as the door is opened. He says, “I forgot it is still day outside. It feels like night in here.”

Billie’s head drops back on his chest as she cuddles her form to his on the floor again. She seems so defenseless and small to him but she feels exciting against his pelvis and he wonders if she is doing that on purpose. He steers her back to their table.

By now one of the couples from the new group have taken a table beside them and as Mike sits down he realizes the female is stroking the male at that table. Another female from the group joins them with a tray of beers as the first female ducks her head in her male friend’s lap.

Mike looks at Billie and she grins indicating she has seen. He looks back again and sees the female’s head bobbing up and down below the level of the table while the other female chats at the man seated across from her.

Mike feels very uncomfortable and shifts to get up but Billie reaches to touch his hand. She whispers, “Wait.” She watches them and when the man looks her way she shakes her head. He immediately pulls the woman in his lap upright and they move to another table.

Mike grins, “How did you do that?”

“He’s my brother.”

“Oh. but I do have to leave soon.” He smiles, “I may come back, Billie. I’m not totally turned off by your place.”

“I hope not, I love the way you dance.” Mike nods towards the dance floor and soon they are moving as one. After the dance is over he slides out the side door looking for his cab. Of course it has gone so Mike returns to the bar.

“Keisha, can you call me a cab. I have a number here if you can ask for Toni to come, I would appreciate it.”

“Oh sure, I know Toni. It was him that brought you here, wasn’t it?” Mike nods and she makes the call. “He’s on his way. Should be about ten minutes. Want another brew?”

“No, I better not.”

“Are you going to come back, Mike? I’d like to see more of you. You have eye appeal.” she smiles.

“I don’t think you suffer any shortage of admirers, Keisha, but I am taken. Hook, line and sinker taken, if you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, lucky girl. I hope she appreciates you.”

“I think she does. And I think that’s my cab. Take care now, pretty lady.”

“Oh, I love you. Bye!”

Mike jumps in with Toni and they head back to town. “I guess you better drop me back at the Fleet Maintenance yard, Toni. That place was quite the experience. Thanks for the tip.”

“There are a lot of nice kids hang out there. Of course you have to put up with the riffraff but I guess that’s the same everywhere.”

“Yeah, it has a nice atmosphere.”

“I sort of thought you might like it. You have that connoisseur quality about you.”

“Oh sure, doesn’t every navy truck driver?” They laugh together as he pulls in the yard. Mike pays the cab then goes over to the truck and checks how it is coming. He sees blocking that has been nailed and screwed into the deck to anchor the gun.

Some hands are working on it so he stops to ask, “How is it coming? Will you get her loaded tonight?”

“It’s pretty close now. They are bringing the gun over with a crane so we will see how it fits. You have around four tons of gun there so it has to be set in place correctly. No problem, we have all night to get it right.”

“I was hoping I might pull out with it tonight.”

“No way! It’s over-width so you can’t take it on the road in Nova Scotia until after 0800 and only till 1600 tomorrow evening. The Province says you can run till dark but the navy says 1600.”

Mike scratches his head, “I guess I better look up a bunk for the night.”

“See the Duty Officer. He’ll get you a room in barracks. We’ll have her secure and wired for lights come 0800. Don’t worry.” He watches behind Mike so he turns around to see a crane slowly moving into the open with the huge gun and mount all in one piece.

Mike just shakes his head and steps back to make way. The huge crane straddles his trailer float and carefully lowers the gun into place. Many hands around the gun wave arms signaling the progress and it goes well, Mike leaves to find the DO and get a bunk.

They fix him up with a bunk and he gets a good night’s sleep so that he is finished breakfast before 0800. He has already checked the blocking, chain tighteners, signage, and lighting as well as air pressure, oil pressure, oil temperature, water temperature, tires and brake settings.

He’s ready to roll but he has to have a pilot car across the bridge to Dartmouth. From there on he is okay with his wide load signs and flashing lights. He checks his paperwork in the office and meets with his pilot car operator. “I guess anytime you are ready we can get under way.”

The acquisitions manager nervously hovers, “Our engineers will meet you down there today. If you have any problems call us immediately, we will dispatch help promptly where ever you are.”

“I have it sir, I will handle it like a crate of eggs.”

“Are you making fun of me, young man?”

“Not at all, sir. I understand your concern and will do my level best.”

“Well good, see to it. Good day, young man.”

Mike climbs up into Old Thor, checks his mirrors, checks his instruments and selects the lowest gear. He toots the air horn and lets the clutch out feeling the great weight shift forward, a quick shift of gears and it rolls faster at a walking speed. He shifts again and it moves to a fast walking speed. One more shift and he lets it idle while he checks pilot car position and carefully checks each mirror.

He proceeds towards the exit of the yards on Provo Wallis Street and the turn onto Valour Way. Then a two block run to merge into traffic on Barrington Street running back towards the bridge. Now they are above the harbor and Mike follows the pilot car onto the approach to the bridge. He’s rolling about thirty mph now and everything sounds and looks okay.

They round the turn and they are on the bridge heading for Dartmouth. It’s a slow climb to the apex but a careful controlled braking down the far side to the landfall and out to Wyse Road. In the wide pedestrian way the pilot car waves goodbye and Mike is on his own. He swings onto Wyse and follows it around to Windmill Road, the highway to the valley.

Less than a mile takes him under the bridge he has just crossed and he winds his way through Dartmouth towards the hills beyond. It’s a constant rise so he grinds along about thirty mph keeping the revs cool with the demands for power on each upgrade.

By careful calculation he catches most lights green and has to stop seldom. He sees the sea on his left as he climbs watching for a spot he can pull over and check his load. Then he spots the Moosehead Brewery and is immediately cheered up. He swings in the wide drive and parks by one side of the huge parking lot.

He checks his watch and is surprised to see he has been on the road for an hour and a half already and he is still not out of the Dartmouth area. Going over the load he tightens a chain tightener here and a turn buckle there but overall it all seems to be in order. He retightens a loose tarp strap then climbs back up into his cab.

He watches for a break in traffic then starts shifting across the parking lot and rolls out onto the highway at close to thirty mph. He manages to get her up to forty two mph before he reaches Bedford but from there it’s ten miles of upgrade again and another hour goes by.

The next twenty five miles to Windsor takes him till nearly 1200 and he is still ten miles from the valley. At 1240 he spots Wolfville and knows he is on the down leg through the valley.

He once again checks his load and is pleased. He sees he has lost a small gray tarp on the rear but that’s all. So quickly he is back on the road again and wheels by Kentville at 52 mph. It is 1330.

He is making good time now but he knows he can’t make it by 1600. He thinks he will call in at Middleton and see what they want him to do. He could take it in if they send him out a pilot car. Otherwise he is running illegal after 1600.

It is after 1515 when he calls in from the restaurant in Middleton. “What do you want me to do?”

“Sit tight, I’ll call you back.”

He winks at Charlene and orders another coffee. “So your dad is an aero engine mechanic, is he. Does your mother stay to home or does she work out?”

“She has a career. She’s a secretary to the civilian manager of the airport.”

“And is it her you got this beautiful red hair from?”

“Her and my grandpa. He had flaming red hair. He sure was a sight,” she laughs in a quiet manner.

He loses himself watching her wait on another customer. She comes back to him and jogs his elbow. “Wake up!” Then she starts, “You sailors are always wondering the same thing. I know what you’re thinking. Is she red all over? Admit it. That’s what you had in mind, wasn’t it?”

“I’d wager you are,” he grins.

“Well I guess you’d win because I am,” she turns red, “well I am!”

“So what do you do for excitement around here?”

“Dances and drinking, I guess. We do have some good dirt track car races locally.”

“Do you like car races?”

“Yeah, and I’d love to take part in the annual car rally. I think that would be so wild.”

“They hold a local car rally, do they. I wonder how they fund raise for that. I’d like to see such an event take place at Cornwallis.” He muses over the idea. The phone rings and Charlene answers it.

“It’s for you, Mike.”

“Sounds like you have made friends there, Mike. Okay, we are sending out a pilot car that will meet you. Go as far as you can before 1600. Take care, lad.”

Mike looks at his watch. It’s 1540 so he has twenty minutes. “So long, little darling” He heads for the truck and is roaring through the gears before he passes out of sight. He pushes it and is almost to Bridgetown by 1600. He runs on into town and parks at 1605.

Five minutes later a pilot car flashes his lights at him and they are on their way. It’s about ten miles to the base.

Mike parks the truck in the motor pool and signs in at 1700 hours. Cliff comes over to meet him.

“You brought that baby in from Halifax?”

“I sure did. Well, me and Old Thor. That is one hell of a hauler and she handles like a dream.”

“I don’t think I ever heard anyone say that before. Most drivers bitch like hell over him.”

“If you listen to her purr you can’t go wrong, Cliff. You just have to listen to her.”

“Well, go grab you some grub. They’ll let you in. I called them.”

“Thanks, Cliff, I owe you.”

Mike goes to the mess hall and chats with the Duty Officer as he eats. It’s micro waved but it tastes good.

He leaves looking for Jackie. People are about and he thinks she is likely with Jack and Bev or maybe with Mary Anne if she is on base. He checks the gym and the swimming pool, goes by the postal office and winds up by the female barracks. When a wave comes to enter the building he asks if she will get Jackie for him. She agrees so he waits.

“Well, the wanderer returns. How was Halifax? How come you get all these excursions into town?” She demands information in an irritating way. Mike is not pleased. He has been anticipating a pleasant welcome home.

“Jackie, I am so happy to see you. I missed you the last couple days.” He attempts to kiss her but she waves him away.

“Did you bring me anything? Why have they always got you driving that monster truck now? What is going on, Mike?”

“Hey, aren’t you glad to see me back? I got back as quick as I could. Wait till you see the big gun I brought back for display here at the base. It’s a deck gun from a yankee warship.”

“I thought you were going to be a pilot, not a truck driver” She sulks and appears ready to go back inside.

“Let’s go for a walk. It’s a nice evening.”

She acts reluctant but does comply slowly. They wander towards the parade square and their favorite park bench. “I’ve been thinking more about my opportunities as a navy truck driver instead of a pilot. For one thing, I am now qualified to fill the position of truck driver.”

“I thought the idea of controlling all that power in one of those jet planes was what you wanted.”

“There’s a lot of power in Old Thor there, believe me.”

“What about your opportunities when you leave the service or if you leave the service?

“There’s more chances to get work as a truck driver anywhere.”

“I wanted you to be an officer so we could date,” she wines.

“Do you think you would have a problem dating a truck driver if it was me?”

“Well, if we were both in the service it wouldn’t be allowed.” She’s pretty certain of that but Mike knows from experience with Virginia how effective that rule is. He doesn’t argue with her.

“Why is this such a big problem now?”

“The Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston started accepting women last year and I have applied to them for a career in law. I’m expecting to be accepted, Mike. I thought you would be applying for flight training and we would be officers together.”

“I still have that option open to me. I haven’t made application yet for flight training but I still could. I just haven’t jumped into it.”

She snuggles up to him, “Well, I’m glad you haven’t ruled flight training out yet. Let’s go find a place we can be alone.” Against his own better judgment he slips her up to his room and they slide into bed together. They will have to get her out early since it’s a week day.


Chapter 18
The Lots Are Cast

When Mike finishes breakfast with Jackie, Jack and Bev they all head for the classroom. Chatter is about the gun Mike brought in from Halifax and Jack is dying to see it. “How will they unload that baby?”

Mike shrugs, “A portable crane I expect. I guess they have the area up front by the flag pole all set up for it.” They enter the classroom and continue their discussion.

“Mike Claymore?” It’s the instructor asking.

“Here sir,” he responds

“They need you down at the motor pool this morning. You’re excused class so please head down there..”

“Yes sir.” He speaks to the others, “They must be going to unload that gun this morning. See you guys later.” He heads for the motor pool.

He arrives to a complete surprise. In front of the large vehicle doors is a 1945 conventional Hayes in Navy blue He looks it over as he heads inside. “What do you think of it?” Cliff greets him by the pedestrian door.

“Looks good. Did we just acquire it?” He walks back to look it over. “By the way, do you know why they want me down here this morning? I see you are here.”

“I really can’t say but I might hint and suggest it might have something to do with this truck.” He smiles and Mike is really confused.

“I guess I better check in. See you later.” Mike heads on inside the offices. At the counter he asks, “Is somebody looking for me this morning, Marge?”

“Hang on Mike.” She checks with others in the office. She points upstairs, “Boss is looking for you.” She shrugs.

Mike goes upstairs and checks with the secretary. She tells him to have a seat. In about ten minutes the Chief Petty Officer Jeane LaPierre pokes his head out and waves, “Come in Mike.”

Mike enters the office to find Cliff there with the CPO2. Now he’s really curious. “You wished to see me, sir?”

“Yes, have a seat and we will be right with you.” Mike does so and notes they are consulting a map. He hears, “The American option would be closest but it would have to be bonded cargo with a bonded agent. We don’t have that option yet, the way I see it is 416 & 401 and that makes it about 33oo kilometers. Five to seven days tops, right?” Cliff nods showing agreement.

The CPO2 turns to Mike. “We have another gun to be delivered, Mike. HQ is delighted in how well you did the job with that one yesterday so they have suggested we send you to deliver this one. It’s going to the Parliament grounds in Ottawa. Do you feel up to a run to Ottawa?”

“Wow! Yes, sir!”

“We don’t think Old Thor can handle a trip that far so we got that Hayes that’s parked downstairs from Greenwood. Our people have checked it out, or I should say they are checking her out now but we are sure she is up to the job. Just a formality since Greenwood says she is up to date.”

“When do they want it done, sir?”

“They’d like you to be in Halifax tomorrow morning so we’ll try to get you out of here by noon. My understanding is they have it loaded on a low bed today so it should be all ready for you to hook onto it. You will be dropping the trailer in Ottawa and bobtailing down to Kingston.” He checks the map.

“Just west of Kingston, Millhaven actually and you will hook up to a trailer of explosives there, munitions actually, and bring them back to Fleet Maintenance in Halifax. You would be wise to take a read of the directory concerning the shipment of armaments and ammunition. They’ll give you a copy when you hookup because you have to sign out on the load.” He looks at Cliff then goes on.

“I don’t know if I am supposed to tell you this but it’s between us so here goes. You haven’t applied for career training after basic yet so if you handle this assignment as well as we think you will, you will be offered a job as a Navy Driver, HD class. Think it over and don’t mess up. Your free to go and you can borrow one of our copies of the explosives handling manual on your way out. See my secretary.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll do my best.” He spends the rest of the morning getting packed and reading the explosives handling manual. He is dreading seeing Jackie at noon but knows he has to tell her he will be gone for almost a week. This is the one damper on his enthusiasm over the run. He feels it could be a breaker for her and doesn’t like to think about that.

Jackie has the first word when they meet for lunch. “Where’s that big gun? I don’t see anything out front yet. Can’t you get it up, Michael?” She laughs and the others smile tolerantly.

“As it turn out, that is not what they wanted to see me about.”

“So what took all morning then?” She looks down her nose at him.

“Well, part of it was taken up by packing. They want me to deliver another deck gun to Ottawa.”

“And you accepted that offer, didn’t you! I can tell you’re excited about something so that means you are going. When?”

“After lunch I head for Halifax and from there I take it to Ottawa and then I have a load to bring back from Ontario.”

She stops and looks at him as if stricken, then wines, “When will you be back?”

“If I can hook on to the load coming back before the weekend I should be back next Monday. Otherwise it could be a week.”

Jackie turn away and walks towards her barracks. Bev runs after her, “Where are you going?”

“Leave me alone!” she cries dropping her head and stomping on.

Mike calls, “Please, won’t you come and eat with me before I have to go?” She goes on and Bev looks after her. She doesn’t know what to do so she follows her.

Mike sighs, “Oh well, let’s go have lunch, Jack. Unless, of course, you want to wait for Bev.”

“Oh hell, go get us a place in the lineup, Mike. I’ll wait here a bit for them. By the way, I think it’s great you are getting a chance like that.”

“Thanks, Jack.” He goes on into the mess hall and gets in line. He nods to friends but tells them nothing. He is not that close to others as he is with Jack, Jackie and Bev unless maybe Mary Anne but she has other interests these days and he doesn’t see her.

Before he gets to the head of the line Jack and Bev come to join him. Bev murmurs, “She’s in her room crying. She told me to get out. She was really nasty about it. I don’t know why she’s that way with me. I’ve always tried to be her friend.”

Mike knows why but says nothing. He knows she is jealous of Bev’s large breasts but even she won’t acknowledge it. It is her one asset she is not happy with since she has told Mike she wants to get augmentation surgery. He has always found her adequate so doesn’t understand her.

Jack says, “She’s just upset because Mike is going so soon to the end of our basic course. She’s afraid to lose him if she has to ship out and he is not back. I expect we will get our placement orders soon.”

They pick up their food and take a table by the windows. Mike is the first to spot her. “There she is. Don’t say anything about her actions, guys. Just let her eat and set the pace.”

She joins the end of the lineup but it is short now so before long she is joining them. She sits next to Mike. “I’m sorry I flew off the handle, Mike.”

“It’s okay. I know I upset you, love. I didn’t know how else to tell you.”

“It’s not you, it’s me. I’m scared to move on and I’m scared I won’t see you any more. You have been my kind protector on this course and I have come to rely on you. I got my own surprise this morning.” She hands him a letter.

He glances at it. “You’ve been accepted at the military college! Wow, you got it! They only started accepting female applicants last year and they want you! That’s really neat. I’m excited for you.