My Journal by Harriman Nelson- Lean on Me

43
Home
89
90
91
92
88
93
87
86
85
84
83
82
81
80
79
78
77
76
75
74
72
73
71
70
69
68
67
66
65
64
63
62
61
60
59
58
57
56
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
20
21
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2

My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

43

“Corned Beef & Cabbage?” I asked, incredulous, looking up at Sharkey from my chair in the ‘front porch’. We were underway toward the U.S. Navy base in Naples. I’d figured I might as well make Seaview useful in a joint ‘fox and hound’ exercise they would be conducting for the Mediterranean area. It would help keep the crew’s mind off Lee and Chip at least for awhile.


Everyone knew about yesterday and while they didn’t actually blame their acting captain for Lee’s indecision about returning, they knew Chip hadn’t exactly helped matters either.

 

“That dish is hardly Italian,” I said, returning to the topic at hand.

“It ain’t Chinese either. This way, he figures Mr. Morton can’t be at odds with the skipper's choice of Chow Mein. And the crew won't take sides either.”

“Diplomatic, but...I’m not sure that Cookie’s prepared Corned Beef & Cabbage before...”

“That’s why I want permission to assist. I’ve made it lots of times. It’s a real top seller at my diner.”

“Very well, it shouldn’t be a problem for tonight, but once we’re attached to the Navy for the exercise there won’t be any leeway regarding your duty station.”

“Are we gonna’ be the fox or the hound?”

“Neither. We’re going to be the observer. Our equipment will be better able to see who’s doing what and keep track of things.”

“Damn."

"I know, Francis. I was looking forward to a little action, myself. So had Mr. Morton. You might want to warn the crew to tread softly. He's livid that we can’t get our feet wet.”

“Can’t say I blame him...after all this just...hanging around...”

“Are you upset that we're still in European waters?”

“Who me, sir? Not with  skipper out there, going who knows where and doing who knows what. Everyone's glad we're nearby. Just in case, if you know what I mean. You know.... I wonder where the skip is right now...”

“At least we know they’re on their way to Carrera. ”

“How...how much is it gonna’ cost him to ship his new car home?”

“Enough,” I sighed. “I doubt the Lamborghini folks are going to spring for that as well.”

“Oh I don’t know, sir. After all, they’re gonna’ use the car for their commercials.”

“Chief,” Chip said, approaching with his ever present clipboard, “I thought you requested galley duty today.”

“Yes sir. Just making sure with the admiral...”

“I gave you permission, didn’t I?”

“Er, yes sir. Sorry sir,” Sharkey said and vanished.


“I’m sorry, Lad,” I said, “I hadn’t realized….”

“Oh I know,” Chip said as he sat down across from me, “but it doesn’t hurt to put a little fear of God in him.”

“Or of Acting Captain Morton. You know, Chip...you may have to get used to the idea of removing the acting part.”

“Lee’ll come back. After all, if I don’t pat Seaview’s bulkhead, he’ll have no choice if he wants to keep her happy. By the way, I told Cookie that when he starts up with Italian again, Eggplant Parmesan would be a good idea.”

“I don’t believe we have any eggplant aboard.”

“No, but once we dock in Naples, we can get some.”

“You, um, like the dish?”

“Not particularly. But Lee does.”

“Point  taken. Happy cook, happy boat. Chip? I really am sorry we won’t be in on the action regarding the exercise.”

“Yeah, well...at least we can be doing something. Ames has been complaining that he’s having a hard time postponing some of the proposals for our services.”

“It won’t be much longer before Lee’s back at NIMR and Seaview will be available...”

“Just hope it’s as her skipper.”

"So do I, Chip. So do I."

 

Corned Beef & Cabbage. Oh gawd, how am I going to tell Lee. If he calls, that is. At least I know he’ll be glad about  Seaview’s little jaunt with Navy.

 

Entry #44