My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

19

“Good morning, Admiral,” Angie greeted me. “One of the plumbers is here with the captain. Oh, and I’ve arranged for Riley to cover for me. He should be here any time, now."

"Is something wrong, my dear?"

"Don't you remember? Today's the bridal shower and luncheon. A few other crewmen also volunteered for other departments that will be lacking staff.”

“Volunteered or heavily suggested?” I asked lightly.

“Oh, all volunteers, sir. Hard to turn down that extra 'special event' pay. Actually it was HR’s idea to invent that. Since they’re on shore leave we can’t actually assign them to anything non official.  Just meet and greet, taking phone messages and the like.”

“Very well,” I said and entered my private office. Indeed I could hear the metallic tapping on the pipes.

“Well, it’s sure not in the sink’s trap," a voice  was saying, “besides the stopper wouldn’t have given it much room to fall down the drain, would it?”

“Probably not,” Lee sighed, “just wanted to make sure. I even helped the custodial crew check all of yesterday’s office trash with hand sorting and metal detectors in case it might have gotten mixed up in the soggy bandages from my finger. But, nothing.”

Ohmygod, they were talking about Lee’s ring. The ancient Nelson family ring…

“Are you sure you this is the last place you remember having it, sir?”

“No, not really. There was so much going on, I’m afraid I was a bit distracted.”

“It’s worth a lot of money isn’t it?”

“I might be exaggerating, but you could probably purchase the flying sub, maybe two of them, for what it’s worth.”

“Shit.”

“Exactly how I feel about losing it, but it's more than that.  It’s proof of the bond that the admiral and I have. I can’t think of anywhere else that I haven’t already searched," he sighed.

“Did you check your laundry? My wife’s sometimes found things I’d left in my pockets in  the washer or dryer.”

“I already had the institute laundry check. Well, thanks for all your help checking the sink.”

“Any time, Captain.”

“Morning, sir,” the workman said as he passed by my desk, followed by Lee, filthy, and odiferous, in dirty jeans and T-shirt.

“Harry?” he said and sat down on the edge of my desk, “I don’t quite know how to tell you….”

“I know. I overheard.”

“Well? I lost the Nelson ring! I can’t find it anywhere.”

“It’s not the end of the world, son.”

“But it's not only valuable to me, it's an ancient artifact!"

“It's still just a 'thing', Lee. And it’s insured."

“We couldn’t insure it for even five percent of what it’s worth, remember?”

“Yes, but Lee, the real worth of it is only what you said, what it means to you and me. A heavy monetary loss, yes. But, as long as we still have each other’s love and respect as father and son, well, the ring's not as important as that, is it.”

“I suppose, but I still feel pretty bad about losing it.”

“Well, you’d better go get cleaned up, and have the Med Center clean and re bandage that finger."

“Yeah, I guess that’s a good idea. Angie actually held her nose.”

“I can imagine. By the way, speaking of rings, Emily loved hers. She’ll probably be showing it off to everyone at the shower today. I can't believe I actually forgot about the bridal shower. They're going to hold it in the bungalow now that the water pipe's fixed. And your mother insisted I stay away from it regardless of the reason. Something about Emily needing both her place and the bungalow. So...I hope you don't mind a roomie on your sailboat."

"Fine by me. I'll head to the marina and bring her into Seaview's usual dock."

"After your visit to Med Bay."

"Okay," he laughed. "By the way you’re in the ‘Upcoming Nuptials’ section in the morning edition. Angie says the pictures aren’t very good, that they were probably public access. Emily’s high school photo, and the one of you when you got your fourth star.”

 “I remember that photo shoot. I was ordered not to smile. They wanted 'grim', 'grim' and more 'grim'."

“Well, I’m sure the wedding photographer will let you smile.”

“I wasn't aware we had a wedding photographer."

“When Emily found out Patterson’s damn good with a camera, she drafted him.”

“For pay, I hope.”

“More than the going rate, I think.”

“Well, you’d  really better get going Lee, before you stink up the entire suite.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” he said, giving me his sunshine smile and departed.

As soon as he’d left, Angie came in and sprayed the entire office with Lysol Disinfectant.

We spent the next few hours going over the client list that Lee and Ames had checked off, guaranteeing them reduced rates for Seaview’s services due to the delays.

“Anyone home?” a familiar voice interrupted.

“Jiggs?” I exploded in happiness and raced out to find my old friend, garbed in a rather well tailored Jos. A. Banks suit, and gave him a friendly hug. “I’m so glad you could come, after all!”

“Of course I made it in time. No way I was going to miss this! Though you sure didn’t give a man much notice! You’re not in any kind of trouble, are you?” he added with a smirk then 'what's happened in here, smells like a hospital."

“Admiral Starke, so good to see you,” she Angie said as she departed to give us a little privacy.

“Well, Harriman, word’s out you’re going to shut the place down for the big day. You sure that’s such  a good idea?”

“It’s a matter of logistics since most everyone’s going to be at the ceremony.”

Just then Angie announced Chief Sharkey wanted to see me and I had her send him in.

He was in civvies, and nervous.

“Go ahead, Chief,” I said after a moment, "but if you'd prefer a private discussion..."

“Oh no, it's not that...it's just that…”he hesitated, “well, you see…”

“Spit it out, man!” Jiggs ordered.

“Jiggs,” I warned.

“Sorry.”
“You were saying?” I prompted.

“Well,” Sharkey said, “Miss Emily, well…she kind of asked me if I’d walk her down the aisle.”

“Why, that’s absurd!” Jiggs spouted.

“Yes, sir, that’s sure what I think, sir. She should pick somebody more like, well, like one of the officers, but no, she wants me. Said it was her way of thanking me for all my help with the reception, the food and stuff. But I haven’t done anything really special like a wedding cake before, and…”

“Sharkey,” I squeezed his arm, “you’ve forsaken your own business to help out. Helping Cookie and the cafeteria staff ? True, she could ask Mr. Morton, or any of the Seaview officers to be 'father'. But she chose you. Out of gratitude and even affection, I’d say. So, I suppose you’re just going to have to grin and bear it.”

“But…what if I trip or stumble and bring her down with me? It's a disaster waiting to happen, sir…just a disaster….”

“She’s a pretty sturdy girl, Francis. There won’t be a problem.”

“Excuse me, Admiral," Angie interrupted from the doorway, "Mrs. Crane was hoping I could leave earlier than planned and Riley's agreed to come in early. In fact, he's already here," she added, nodding to him, just behind her.

“Very well, Angie,” I said. “See you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, sir. If you need me, sir, I’ll be at the bungalow for the shower, then lunch at the Gourmet Noodle Bar, and later tonight at the Chippendale’s Review.”

“Chippendales? You can’t be serious!” Jiggs exclaimed. “You’re all  going to watch men prancing around, gyrating, and  exposing themselves?”

“Actually, sir,” Riley interjected, “they don’t take everything off.”

“And how would you know, young man,” Jiggs said.

“Oh, I had a summer job with one of the franchises before I joined the Navy. Paid like, really well. Plus I was allowed to keep the cash the women stuffed into my thong. It was all in good fun, sir. None of the ladies, like, actually, well, did anything.”

“I see,” I said, embarrassed. “Well, have a good time, Angie, er, what  I mean…”

“I know what you mean, sir. Goodbye, sir. Admiral Starke.”

“Well,” I said, after she’d left, “at least my party won't be so ribald."

“It won't?” Riley asked, surprised. "I thought Mr. Nelson planned on Vegas showgirls and Playboy bunnies..."

“I told him I didn't want such things, but...he may have decided to ignore my wishes," I sighed. "I almost wish I didn’t have to attend at all.”

“If you want to leave early, sir, well, you can give any of us a pre- arranged signal and we can interrupt you with a message about ‘official business’. That way you won’t hurt Mr. Nelson’s feelings. He’s gone to a lot of trouble or so he's said.”

“Good idea," Jiggs said. "Just let us know the phrase or signal you decide on before tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir," Riley said and returned to  the outer office.

“By the way, Harriman,” Jiggs said, “If you don’t have a place to stay tomorrow night, you can share my hotel room.”

“Not you as well?” I groaned. "Emmie and I think it’s an old fashioned superstition without any scientific merit. But, her honorary ‘mother of the bride’, Mrs. Crane, insisted that I  bow to tradition. Why not stay with me aboard Lee's sailboat? I’m sure he’d be agreeable to an extra roommate, even though you'd have to bunk out on one of the galley's seating benches. He made me promise to use the stateroom where I can dream in complete privacy.

“Sounds good to me.”

“For now, why not help me go sample a few of the goodies the cafeteria is preparing in advance.”

“Like Morton, I never turn down free food.”

Several munchies later, and having fully approved of the marble sheet cakes that would augment the wedding cake, we rather waddled back to the office where Riley informed me that the skipper had docked his sailboat at her temporary berth and that the ladies had mentioned a plumbing problem in the bungalow before they left for their luncheon. He’d already sent the maintenance team over.

“I thought all the repairs had been completed,” I said, " I hope you don’t mind but I’d like to check on this myself and speak to maintenance.”

“Glad to keep you company.”

“What a mess,” Jiggs said as we arrived at the bungalow and entered the living room. It was littered with box after box of presents, wrapping and tissue paper. On the floor, the coffee table, the kitchenette counter, and all the way down the hall toward the bedroom and bathroom.

“Better stow this,” Jiggs said of a cast iron skillet with the hand written label stating ‘Use on his noggin when necessary’.

“Very funny. These look nice,” I said of a set of thick bath towels, and a Spa Day for Two gift card, complete with two spa robes. There was a set of everyday dishes, some scented candles, a china coffee service. A slow cooker crammed with recipe books and what looked like the home made quilt that my sister had begun years ago. I was surprised she'd even remembered to finish it. Or maybe she'd commissioned someone else to. I was glad she'd be able to attend the wedding tomorrow after her flight arrived. 

“It was only a minor problem with the adjoining bathroom's toilet,” one of the maintenance team said emerging from the bedroom, wiping his hands on a towel. “All fixed…oh, um, you’d better not go in..."

“Why the blazes not?” Jiggs said, and barged past him, then just as quickly came out, trying to bar my way  

But it was too late. My curiosity piqued, I’d already fallen in behind Jiggs and saw  boxes upon boxes, all opened on the bed. The contents were tastefully arranged, a colorful display of…bras and panties with labels from such notorious vendors such as Fredericks of Hollywood, La Perla, and Victoria’s Secret. But they weren’t pornographic enough to have turned Jiggs beet red. Then I saw what had caused such a reaction.

There, hanging over the top of closet door, was, I guess what you’d call a ‘teddy’. Complete with low cut bra, detachable tiny bikini, and black stockings. If that wasn’t enough to cause my mouth to drop open, a negligee was hanging up next to it. While, it too, was embellished with lace, it was so sheer I couldn’t really tell if it was white or powder blue! It was certainly not intended to hide anything.

“Harriman?” Jiggs chuckled. “I think we should clear out of here.  Your pants are getting tight.”

Oh gawd. He was right. I was turned on. Not by the lingerie, but by the thought of Emily wearing such things and how much I’d enjoy removing them!  Not that I hadn’t seen her without a stitch, but oh, the spice of anticipation.

“Ohmygod!” Lee’s voice interrupted my gaze. He must have just arrived without us noticing. I could swear that his tongue was almost hanging out of his mouth as ours were.

“Down, boy,” Jiggs said.

“After I’d docked,” he found his voice again, “Riley told me you came down here...my girlfriends never wore anything like that,” he mused in awe.

“Emily hasn't either, as far as I know,” I said.

“Out!” Mrs. Crane shouted as she barged in, returning earlier than expected. “Out, all of you! It’s bad enough I had to leave the luncheon early due to a migraine, but to find you three ogling Emily’s lingerie for her special night?  You’ve ruined everything! These were supposed to have been a surprise for you, Harriman.”

“I didn’t expect to see anything! I came down to check on the plumbing!”

“Well, it’s fixed now, isn’t it? I don't care if it isn't. Now, get out of here, all of you, and take some cold showers!”

I wasn’t the only one to take a last longing look at the teddy and negligee.

“Very very cold showers!” she ordered, disgusted with us.

And so, here I am, hours later, aboard Lee’s sailboat, in his moderately clean stateroom, alone, writing up my journal, and wondering if Mrs. Crane told Emily that I know what to expect the night after tomorrow.

It’s weird though. Somehow, knowing that she might know makes the anticipation all the more exciting.