My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

40

“I’m really surprised Lee and Joe didn’t return with you,” Chip said  today in the Observation Nose, after I’d climbed out of the flying sub, which I'd requested come pick me up.

“I’m not. I think Lee wants a little normalcy after yesterday.”

“I got some milk and fresh baked cookies for the skipper,” Cookie called out hurrying toward us, his expression dropping as he realized his beloved captain hadn’t come back. “He’s not actually gonna’ continue his doggone trip after yesterday?” he asked, aghast.

“Afraid so, Cookie,” I said.

“But, he got busted up all over again and…”

“He’s fine,” Doc interrupted from the spiral ladder, “scalp lacerations requiring stitches, and heavy bruises, notwithstanding. I must say, he’s going to be heartily sorry to miss those,” he added, indicating the plate of cookies, “May I?”

“Aw heck, Doc, you can have as many as you want.”

Just then Chip gave a warning cough

“As long as you leave some for Mr. Morton," Will added.

I raised an eyebrow.

“And for the admiral, too," he finished.

“Good man,” I said and chose an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, (Lee’s favorite). It was no time before we three had scarfed all of the cookies down.

Just then O’Brien approached and turned on the monitor, “CNN,” he explained as it came into view.

“Bologna's 4.5 earthquake in Italy,” the reporter was saying, while a montage of images showed on the screen behind the anchor desk, “caused little structural damage to most modern buildings. However, there was heavier damage to a few of the older historic buildings of the region, and the total destruction of the famed Asinelli and Garisenda Leaning Towers of Bologna, the rubble of which you see here. Both ancient structures were built in 1109 and had been leaning for centuries. As you can see from the replay from the BBC, Captain Nelson-Crane and Commander Jackson narrowly escaped death from the fall of the towers.

“Commander Jackson was inside the Asinelli Tower  when the quake hit. The tower along with its wooden stairs and scaffolding, began to crumble from the inside out. Captain Nelson-Crane, immediately ran inside to help him get out. The commander had been badly injured and was unconscious by the time the captain reached him. Carrying his unconscious and badly hurt friend, the captain emerged from the tower in nick of time, only to be felled from the utter collapse of what was left of both towers on top of them."

CNN replayed the entire scene including Lee trying to save Joe’s life, and his agony believing he’d failed, along with Mrs. Piccadilly’s motherly support and Joe’s miraculous awakening.

The image changed to the exterior of the hospital.

“Captain Nelson-Crane,” the reporter continued, “was released from the hospital yesterday after having been treated for his injuries. Commander Jackson was released this morning after suffering a concussion, bruising, and broken bones. While doctors aren’t sure if the commander actually flat lined, Jackson did say that he saw and felt himself floating up and out his body but when he saw his close friend in such agony believing  him dead, he was suddenly back in his body, looking up at the captain and trying to make light of it, before he passed out only to wake in the hospital.

“Volunteers from the submarine Seaview assisted emergency crews, but have since returned to their submarine,  their help no longer needed.

“As for the captain and commander, both will be continuing their culinary tour, the captain saying it would take more than a belly shaker to prevent their tummies from their appointed rounds. While they’ll miss the culinary treats in Florence and Rome, as the captain needs to stay behind in order to have repairs made to his new car, the men will rejoin Mrs. Piccadilly's group in Naples, followed by a drive to Carrara to have the vehicle shipped via freighter to the United States. Ah, we have a live feed to the hotel....”

The hotel’s glass doors were patched with duct tape, some of its windows covered with plywood. Mrs. Piccadilly emerged from the hotel with Jackson on her arm, his left arm and right leg in plaster, but all smiles as he waved to the tour group and the assembled reporters, as bellhops followed with a cane and wheelchair, along with what looked like his and Lee’s luggage.

Suddenly several people began to point down the road at a car approaching. In spite of major dents to most of it's body, including its roof, hood, doors and trunk, it also bore deep scratches, broken headlights, a cracked windshield and broken windows. But it was still recognizable as Lee’s black and chrome Lamborghini.

As soon as Lee emerged the large crowd, most of whom were Italian, went wild.

“L’eroe! L’eroe!” they cheered. “Capitano Corraggioso! Capitano Corraggioso!”

Applause, applause, applause.

I had enough intellegence to figure out what the crowd was yelling. I was glad that Mrs. P. had hurridly leafed through her Italian/English phrase book and showed Lee the translations. Of course, he was embarassed by  ‘hero’ and ‘Captain Courageous'. But he smiled at the crowd with a little wave.

The bellhops quickly loaded Lee and Joe’s baggage, wheelchair and crutches into the mangled trunk which had to be secured with rope. Lee helped Joe into the passenger seat then embraced Mrs. P. and kissed her on the cheek. Then he gave the crowd another wave as he got into the driver’s seat, having to duck a little from the dented roof. I had to wonder if the car would even make 35 mph, but as Lee revved the engine, I put that concern to rest. His newest ‘baby’ might look a wreck, but her engine still sounded as powerful as any entry for the Daytona 500.

How long it will take to repair the car is anyone’s guess, and the boys were still trying to decide where to stay near the factory before I left for Seaview. Lee has orders, if only paternal, to call with that info.

It’s only a short drive, but it’s still not a good idea with a vehicle in that condition.

At least I don’t have to worry about them driving in the dark as I know Lee would never attempt it without a headlights.