My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

20

“Harriman, wake up,” Jiggs roused me from a sound sleep.

I’m not sure what I said in response, it was so hard to leave the nice dream of Emily holding my hand, and walking with me along a beautiful beach.

“C’mon, get up. There’s been an accident.”

“Wha…”my befuddled brain suddenly realized he’d said ‘accident’.  “Who? What? Where? Emily? Lee? Chip? The President?”

Jiggs sat down on the edge of the stateroom's bed.

“Harriman…” he began, not quite knowing what to say, then, “it was just on the morning news….”

“Well?”

“Lee…they say that a red Lamborghini with a ‘Baby’ on the front personal plate went out of control. Smashed through the guardrail and went over the cliff. Exploded on the rocks….”

I think I passed out.

“Easy, Harriman, easy…”I heard as came to, Jiggs holding me up, patting my back.

“Lee?” I barely managed in a stunned whisper?

“The cops aren't there yet. No way to know for sure it was Lee's. None of the witnesses  caught  the rear license plates and other red Lamborghini owners could have similar personal plates like his. It’s still only breaking news from a bus load of school kids and the driver calling it in. Some say they saw two men jump out before it went over, there's a lot of confusion...Harriman, the gate did say that Lee and Ames left the institute in the Lamborghini earlier this morning..."

“Oh gawd.”

“Something about doughnuts being essential fuel for the busy day as the cafeteria’s just too occupied with other things right now to make any decent ones for the duration.”

The duration. What a terrible word.

I couldn’t cave into my emotions, not yet. Not without proof. I didn’t bother to shower and shave. Just pulled on my khaki’s. If I was going to receive bad news, I wanted to be in uniform. To help keep me from collapsing in sheer grief in front of my staff. They needed me to be strong.

By the time I got to the office, which was in about five minutes, word had already spread among the incoming staff. Crewmen on leave were streaming in as well. Angie had tears in her eyes as she simply dumped her purse on the floor next to her chair.

“Admiral? Admiral?” Kowalski asked as if I hadn’t heard him. Perhaps I hadn’t. “Is it true? Can’t believe it…I can’t…oh gawd. Not the skipper…not the skipper.”

“We’re not sure of anything yet. Are we, Jiggs," I managed though the tendrils of fear were squeezing my heart and ripping it out.

“No, sailor, the police haven’t confirmed anything yet. It could be someone else’s car, after all.”

“There’s only one red Lamborghini with a ‘Baby’ on it's personal plates in Santa Barbara,” Ron said as he put an arm around my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Father. I know how much you love…loved him.”

Emily arrived soon after, the increasing crowd clearing a path for her. She gave me a supportive hug, trying hard not to cry

Some were optimistic as no news was good news, though there weren’t many in that category.

Chip squeezed through the crowd, about to speak but Jiggs beat him to the point.

“We don’t know anything yet,” Jiggs said. “So I suggest we give Harriman a chance to breathe. Downstairs, everyone. You stay with him, Emily, Ron. I'm afraid you'll have to stay," he added, to Angie. "Ready for any call from the captain or other...official calls.”

Soon Emily and Ron were with me inside my private office, the door left open, our ears pining for a call from Lee. I  sat down behind my desk, using it more for support to keep my legs from collapsing.  “

For awhile we just sat in shock, Emmie standing beside me, squeezing my shoulders.

“I think you'd better delay the wedding,” Ron finally said,“and the bachelor party of course.”

“Yes, of course,” Emily said.

“A bit premature, don’t you think?” a bruised and disheveled Ames said at the door, alongside a cop, Angie behind them, wiping her eyes in relief.  "Lee just got himself a couple of bumps and bruises. Might need a new set of stitches though.  He’s still trying to talk himself out of visit to the Med Center."

“It was quick thinking on the captain’s part,” the officer said. “Apparently, the car’s automatic systems accelerated the car uncontrollably, and he couldn’t get the brakes to work. Might have stopped the car by crashing it into a telephone pole but there was a school bus coming around the curve, so he steered the car smack into the observation platform. Had the both of them jump out before it hit the guard rail and went right through and over. They weren’t wearing seat belts. But all things considered, I won’t issue a citation,” he added, lighthearted.

“Sorry about all the trouble, "a familiar voice said as Lee entered, supported by another cop holding his arm. Lee was disheveled, his face sporting hastily applied SBPD bandages, and ugly bruises. I could also see that had some dark scrapes and bruises under his torn jeans and Tee shirt. 

I  couldn't help enveloping  him in my arms, rubbing my hands over the bandages and bruises.
“The Med Center,” I ordered regaining control over my emotions, “I don't care if the paramedics looked you over. Now. And not one word about being fine. In fact, I’ll go with you.”

“Angie?” he asked, “I don’t suppose you can see if the new Spudnuts delivers? I’m afraid the doughnuts we purchased got fried.”

“Right away. Even if I have to go get them myself.”

“No. Let's not tempt fate. If they don't deliver, just  some of those packaged doughnuts from one of the vending machines.”

"I'll check right away," she said, grabbing his arm, as if to make sure he was real.

“That bachelor party still on then Mr. Nelson?” Ames asked.

“Only if they still want to go through with the wedding. Lee’s going to look pretty awful up there in the front of everybody.”

“I think he looks splendid, just the way he is,” Emily said, giving Lee a kiss on his bruised cheek.

“The party’s on then, Pops,” Ron said, “Don't forget. Seven o’ Clock tonight. The Hilton.”

"Yes, son."

“And the wedding tomorrow at noon,” Emily said, gleam in her eye.

One could almost hear the building itself sigh in relief, as Lee, and I headed to the Med Center via a hastily summoned golf cart,  amid the applause and cheers of the crowd in the lobby and beyond. The heart and soul of Seaview, and I supposed, the institute itself, was alive, alive alive, oh.