Not Goodbye
The pier was filled with families and well-wishers. The subs were scheduled to depart at 0900 and the USS Stingray was waiting for her crew to finish boarding. A girl with dirty blonde hair tied into a bun and wearing nursing scrubs pushed her way through the crowd, a teddy bear clutched to her chest. Her eyes scanned groups of sailors; searching for her sailor.
Buckman was standing with Mike and Sonar when he saw a short girl push her way between two sailors. "Shelly! Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you were on duty all day." She walked over to his group and smiling she said, "I was, but one of the other nurses offered to finish my shift today. I had to take her weekend schedule but at least I get to see you off." They walked a little way from his friends, much to their delight and her embarrassment. When she couldn't hear his friends snicker any longer she turned towards Buck and sighed, "I wanted to give you Ben," the teddy bear she had had since she was five was now clenched in front of her, "…he will keep you safe."
Laughing, he took the bear from her and tucked it under his arm, "Thanks kid. You know that this does nothing for my man card, right?"
The smile slipped from her face as Shelly reached up and held onto Buck, "Be safe okay? You're my best friend, I love you David, so you better come back to me." They stood wrapped around each other; before Buckman pulled away, he quietly said, "Don't worry, I'll see you soon."
