My Journal by Harriman Nelson- Lean on Me

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My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

32

“Newscast about the skipper coming on,” Sparks’ voice came over the PA after Chip and I had just entered the Wardroom for dinner. The monitor came to life.

“We learned today,” the CNN reporter was saying, “that Captain Nelson-Crane has regained his sight after his long battle with inflamed optic nerves, and has traveled to Italy to catch up with the Piccadilly Culinary Tour that he’s been on. The first stop for the captain, other than the border crossing between Austria and Italy, was Venice.

“Greeted by the mayor, as you see here, the captain was welcomed with the ‘key to the city’, for his heroism in Paris.

“When asked what he’d like to see in Venice, the captain said, “Everything!” First, however, he said, once he and Commander Jackson checked into their hotel, he wanted to lay a flower wreath on the canal where a beautiful American girl was murdered by an as yet unidentified assailant some time ago.

“Later, the captain and commander joined members of the tour  for dinner at the renowned Antiche Carampane.

“After their meal, they toured  the Palazzo Ducale, or the Doge’s palace, Doge meaning Duke. Both men were said to have been especially impressed seeing the very rooms on the top floor where Giacomo Casanova had been imprisoned and later escaped from. Next, both men decided to do a little sightseeing on their own, which included Bellini’s Antiques, and a Venetian glass works workshop.

“And now, in other news...”

 

Just then, as the monitor went blank, the mess specialists brought out the special, Cookie and Sharkey hovering anxiously behind them, by the 'tween through, waiting for me to take the first bite of the Risotto and Calamari as my fellow officers watched for my response.

I took a big bite, no sense being skimpy, even if I was, to put it bluntly, scared stiff. I sure didn’t want to spit any of it out. Cookie and Sharkey would be crushed.

“Mmm,” I said, chewing, “very nice.” It was too. Then I took a bite of the Calamari. “This too. Well done.”

Everyone sagged in relief, and my fellow officers began to chow down. As for Cookie and Sharkey, well, both had soppy grins on their faces and slapped each other on their backs, then headed back to the galley.

And  for dessert? Well, Cookie told us it would be ready later tonight. I can make a guess, though. Probably some homemade Ice Cream to which they’ll add maraschino cherries or something. In any case, I know Seaview’s officers and crew will feel a special kinship to their skipper tonight.

At least we hadn't gone fishing for cuttlefish off our starboard side to augment the risotto. I tried cuttlefish once and no way would I ever wish to repeat the experience.

Entry #33