My Journal by Harriman Nelson- Lean on Me

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My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

64

 

It was morning, and we were underway at cruising depth toward Scotland. Lee had remained aboard as he wanted to conduct some ‘at sea’ tests for the planes enroute. I could tell that Lee was agitated because they were working fine and he hadn’t been able to  figure out why they had failed in the first place. But he had kept his irritation  under control and even managed a little sleep last night, at least according to Joe. He still had those dark circles under his eyes, though.

 

I’d arrived in the Observation Nose just in time to hear him finish giving Chip a battery of orders before he was to board the flying sub to take him back to the tour.

“And keep me posted, Captain,” he ordered, while Joe descended into the flying sub.

“I wish you’d stop calling me that.”

“Too bad.”

“Your gear’s all stowed, Skipper,” Kowalski, said as he neared. “Sharkey says we’re ready to go whenever you are.”

“I suppose,” Lee sighed. “You know, Chip, I really wouldn’t leave right now except we did promise Mrs. P. we’d be back before the tour finished up, and Seaview appears to be over her little tantrum. Only…I still don’t think it’s a tantrum....”

“We’ll get to the bottom of things in Scotland. Have  a good flight.”

“I wish I could pilot,” Lee sighed.

“Who’s going to know?”

“I’ll know. And it’s been so long, I might even scratch the paint.”

Chip snorted. “You can scratch the paint any time you like.”

“Very funny,” Lee said, then turned to me. “You sure you don’t want to come along already, Harry? Mrs. P. kind of likes you.”

“Why do you think I’m staying away!” I laughed then grabbed his shoulders. “Take care, son. I’ll meet you in Ireland like we planned.”

“Right,” he replied with a huge grin, and began his descent into the flying sub, his ring glinting. The Nelson ring that I’d placed in his temporary cabin for him to see as soon as he woke up.

Temporary cabin…I’d laughed when  I’d gone there in the wee hours. The crew had scrawled Captain’s Cabin on a sheet of paper and taped it to the door. And this morning, when I’d headed to the Wardroom and passed by, it was still there. A good omen, surely?

 

Entry #65