“Correction, up to here with seafood. I’ve got a serious hankerin’ for a terrestrial critter, okay?”
“Heathen,” she said playfully.
A waitress took their entree orders, while another delivered the wine and clam chowder. Both sipped at their soup in awkward silence.
“What field of study are you pursuing at the postgraduate school, Jerry?” Emily finally asked.
“Huh? Oh, I’m in the engineering acoustics track,” he replied nonchalantly.
“Acoustics? I would’ve thought someone with your experience would be more interested in the unmanned systems curriculum.”
Jerry wiped his lips with his napkin, giving him time to think of how to word his response. “I seriously thought about it, Emily. I admit that I have more experience than most in the submarine force with unmanned underwater vehicles, but I also lack the equivalent experience in more traditional submarine missions and systems. The postgraduate school’s Undersea Warfare Curriculum seemed like an excellent way to bridge that gap, and the acoustics track will give me a better understanding of a submarine’s main sensor.”
“I hadn’t looked at it that way,” she responded thoughtfully. “From a big picture career perspective, it sounds very reasonable.”
It was also a lie. He had originally intended to pursue an emphasis on autonomous systems, but after his first class he went straight to the chair of the undersea warfare group and explained his concerns over an earlier relationship with a current faculty member in his chosen curriculum. Jerry then requested that he be moved to the acoustics track. It was his second choice when he applied to the postgraduate school, and this would preclude any perception of impropriety by moving Jerry out of Dr. Davis’s academic chain of command. He wanted to protect Emily, as well as himself, from any unpleasant investigation that could seriously impact their careers once their prior relationship became known.
“Would you be willing to come and talk to my class?” asked Emily. “You’re a bit of a celebrity in the unmanned systems lab after
“Who? Me? Seriously?” Jerry was both surprised and uncomfortable with the idea.
“Certainly! You’ve done innovative things with UUVs and the resupply concept you thought up was sheer brilliance.”
“It wasn’t all me, Emily,” protested Jerry.
“Regardless, you came up with a new function for an established UUV on the fly and made it work. The thought process behind executing the concept is what is important to pass on to my students. Besides” — Emily leaned forward, a slight grin on her face — ”you’re here and
Jerry opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it. His lips pursed into a frown. He couldn’t think of a good rejoinder. Recognizing that he had been checkmated, he sighed and said, “It’s hard to argue with that kind of logic.”
Her reaction wasn’t quite what he expected. She became somber, swallowed hard a couple of times, and spoke quietly. “I wouldn’t force you to do anything you didn’t want to.”
Alarm bells went off inside Jerry’s head. While the words he heard were directly related to her request, the tone implied something else. Hopeful, but still cautious he replied.
“It’s not that, Emily. It’s just… well, I’m not very good at public speaking. Correction, I’m only slightly above abysmal. But, if your director and the undersea warfare chair have no objections, then I guess I can come by and share some insights with your class. Nothing formal, mind you, just some thoughts about what we did and how we did it.”
Her expression lightened only a little, but she sounded appreciative. “Thank you, Jerry. I’m sure there won’t be any problems from Dr. Hunter or Commander Evington. And I know my students will enjoy hearing how you worked through the problem.”
“I’ll settle for not boring them,” Jerry replied flippantly.
“Jerry Mitchell! I have never found you boring!” exclaimed Emily angrily. Her sudden emotional outburst took them both by surprise. At first, Jerry just sat there, bewildered. Then he noticed the tears welling up in her eyes, and that she had started trembling. He reached across and gently placed his hand on hers. She began crying, muffling the sobs in her napkin, and clenching his hand tightly. It was a little uncomfortable when the waitress brought their food. Emily only nodded as the plate was laid in front of her. Jerry said, “Thank you,”
After what seemed like an eternity, her sobbing finally slowed down. Jerry leaned forward and softly asked her, “Are you going to be all right?”
Emily sniffed and ran the napkin across her cheeks and eyes. “I think so. I’m so sorry, Jerry.”
“About what, Emily?” His heart was beating rapidly “For crying?”
“No. No. About what I did over two years ago! I was frustrated, disappointed, and I acted foolishly.”
“Yeah, well, I seemed to recall that I wasn’t any better. No, actually I was worse. I was the one that got angry, not you.”
“But I made you angry. I… I drove you away.” Emily paused to breathe and wiped her eyes again. “And that hurt you. I know it did. I’m so very sorry!”
Jerry pulled his hand away from hers, and gently lifted her chin. “Enough of that, Marcie,” Jerry’s use of her nickname on
Jerry then took his wineglass, raised it, and offered a toast. “To a second chance.”
Jerry’s feet were killing him. Thank God the reception line was almost done. How Emily could stand there for so long in high heels mystified him. As if she had been reading his mind, she leaned over and whispered in his ear, “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to sit down.”
“Ditto,” remarked Jerry. “I’ve been regretting breaking in those new hiking boots for the last half hour.”
“Told you so,” she said sweetly, as she greeted another well-wisher.
“Thanks… dear,” growled Jerry.
The wedding ceremony had gone off perfectly, with everything happening, as it should, when it should. Jerry wasn’t surprised. The joint chiefs of staff could learn something about coordination from his mother and his sisters, who were absolutely thrilled to help Emily with all the planning. All he had to do was nod sagely, and stay out of the way.
Emily had been relieved to find the entire Mitchell family so loving and accepting; her own parents had been divorced for many years and they still had issues. As the only child, she constantly found herself as the rope in a never-ending game of tug- of-war. Emily had already been leaning toward Jerry’s home state for the wedding, more as neutral ground than anything else, but once she found all those “enchanting” hiking trails up on the North Shore, the deal was sealed.
Finally, the last couple approached them. Jerry and Emily had both been waiting patiently for this reunion.
“Emily, you look radiant!” exclaimed Patterson, as she rushed up to hug her. “I always knew this day would come.” She turned to Jerry and gave him a big hug as well. “Even when the two of you were too damn stubborn to admit it!”
“I’m so glad you could make it, Joanna. We were surprised by your RSVP, we know how busy you and Representative Hardy are this month,” Emily replied.
“Nonsense! We wouldn’t have missed this for the world!” beamed Patterson. “Besides, we both needed a break from the campaign trail. I’m just glad the Minnesota caucuses were last week. Very convenient.”
“Congratulations, Emily, Jerry.” Hardy smiled broadly as he gave the bride a hug. “I have to admit I wasn’t as prescient as my wife, but I am just as pleased that the two of you woke up and pulled your heads out of your rears.” He slapped Jerry on the shoulder as he shook his hand.
“Is it true you’re going to be an executive officer?” asked Hardy with disbelief.
“Yes, sir. I’m slated to be the XO of USS
“Good Lord, I suddenly feel old. I think I need a drink,” Hardy moaned. Jerry thought he did look much older,
