By Harriman Nelson

20.2

Doc Jamison was waiting for Lee in the Med Center lobby. “Can someone go get him some fresh clothes? There’s coyote and rabbit poop on these and God knows what else.”

“Very funny, Will,” Lee said, “Drew and the cops helped scrape some off…I have some clean sweats aboard the sailboat."

“I’ll go for them,” Jiggs said, who along with just about every other employee had followed us over. I'm sure he realized that Chip, as Lee’s self- appointed ‘keeper’ wouldn't budge from Lee's side as he was now.

“And bring something for Drew as well,” Lee said," he’ll need something for after his strip and exam, too."

“The paramedics said I’m fine," Lee. "I'll just go home and shower."

 “I don’t care what they said. If I have to let Doc poke and prod me, so do you.”

“Pulling that naval rank 'has its privileges' again, Lee?” Ron interrupted, putting his cell phone into his pocket. “Though I suppose you can’t help it. By the way, I spoke to mother on the phone, she says she’s glad you’re okay. Where’s your mother?” he added, looking around, “you’d think she’d be here.”

“As if it’s any concern of yours,” Ames said. “Besides, we’ve already spoken with her and she's on her way.”

“By the way, Father," Ron said, deciding to drop the subject, "the jet ski’s just arrived. I saw them down at receiving. Seems to have been a mix up. They’re all yellow.”

“I'll take care of it. Will…the sooner you treat our boys, the better.”

“Of course, oh, come along with us, Chip. You can ride shotgun if Lee needs a little extra persuasion during the exam.”

I did notice, when I left and headed to Recieving,  that most of Lee's crew remained behind in the Med Bay lobby.  So did Ron, surprisingly. 'Dutiful brother' I hadn't expected.

When I returned to the office suite, Angie informed me that the police had recovered the vehicle and taken it to their forensics lab. But I wasn’t paying much attention. Emily was sitting by the coffee table, a carafe of coffee and a box grocery store bakery doughnuts awaiting our indulgence.

“They'll do in a pinch," Angie said. "There are some in Lee's office as well. I asked the manager if she could have some boxes driven over. I kind of promised that we'd be adding their business for helping to stock Seaview on a regular basis. That is, if you...don't mind? I can cancel. But at least we still have the doughnuts."

"Oh, I mind real well, don't I Emmie?" I laughed.

"You'd better believe it. Harry, I’m so glad he’ll be okay. By the way, now that the excitement's over, are you  all hyped up for your bachelor party tonight?”

“I’d rather spend the night just sitting with you."

"I just remembered something," Angie said, "I'll be right back."

I very greatly doubted she'd remembered anything, but felt the need to give us a little privacy.

“Harry,” Emily said, hesitating, “about the Chippendale’s show. I’ll admit some of the young men were attractive, but I wasn’t about to stuff money into their G-strings. I thought the whole thing was rather disgusting. But don’t tell Angie and the girls. They liked the excitement of it all. But just because I didn’t really enjoy the show, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy watching those Vegas show girls and strippers Ron’s hired for your bachelor party tonight. I understand.”

“I told him I didn’t want that, but…”

“But he’s your best man and it’s his job to insure a very rowdy testosterone filled evening for everyone. It’s tradition, isn’t it?”

“I guess,” I sighed.

“Just promise me you won’t be blurry eyed, and hung over for the ceremony. And keep an eye on Lee. I’d hate for him to forget something during the ceremony that would make us have to get married all over again.”

Just then two well attired men knocked on the open outer door.

“Captain Nelson-Crane here? No one’s in his office….”

“I’m Admiral Nelson. The captain is in the Med Center.”

“Yes, of course. We’re from Raymondo’s Lamborghini dealership. We have a complimentary loaner car for the captain. It’s an older model, but we hope it will be satisfactory. Hope he doesn’t mind blue.”

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate the gesture.”

“Here’s the key. Are you authorized to sign for the captain?”

“Sign what?” the sweats clad and stitched (on the other side of his forehead this time)Lee asked from the doorway, followed by Chip, Ames, and Jiggs.

“These gentlemen are from Raymondo’s,” I said holding out the key, “ they brought you over a loaner car.”

“What? That’s very generous….”Lee said as I handed him the form for his signature.

“We stand behind our vehicles, and are at a loss about the accelerator and brake problem. It's never happened before. Our technicians are investigating with the police auto forensics right now to determine the reason.”

“Thank you,” Lee said returning the signed form to them. “I’m sure my insurance company will want to know what happened.”

“So do we. Well, we hope you like blue. We didn’t have any black or red in the same model.”

“No problem,” Lee laughed. “I’m very grateful.”

“Hey, Lee," Chip said, after they’d left, pointing,  “doughnuts!"

“Some in your office," Emily said.

“Last one there’s a rotten egg,” Chip said and departed.

“Hope he leaves us some,” Ames said, following him out.

Lee laughed. "By the way, Emily, don’t worry about tonight. We’ll make sure Harry doesn’t get too plastered."

“Thank you, dear.”

He leaned down and gave her a little kiss on the cheek before leaving the office.

“He’s such a good boy, Harry,” Emily sighed, “I’m so glad he’s yours.”

“Ours,” I corrected.

“Ours,” she repeated with a motherly smile.

While Lee won’t have any kind of legal relationship to Emily, at least he has her heart.