Chapter 50
"You what?" asked Andrew. "Just a couple of weeks ago you were in love with him yourself, and now you're calling him dad?"
"That was before I met Donny and we started dating," replied Sheena. "That was just a school girl crush. I'm sure you've had your share of crushes in your time."
"None I ever referred to as mom after I didn't LOVE them anymore," sneered Andy.
"Well, no one can be as perfect as you are Mr. I'm-too-good-to-try-an-artificial-leg," said Sheena. "What are you afraid of? It won't bite you."
"Back off, Sheena, you don't know what you're talking about here so stay out of my business," growled Andy.
"You don't scare me, but you're afraid of something," replied Sheena.
"I said back off, or get out, brat!" exclaimed Andy.
"Alright, I'm staying, but just to keep you company until mom gets here. She said she'd be here the next time someone came to visit the coach."
"It's nice to know she can find time in her busy schedule to fit me in," smirked Andy.
"Cool it, you asshole. You are not in danger of dying, thanks to coach AJ, and he might. Who do you think needs her more?"
"Alright already! Maybe I was out of line. Can we change the subject, please?"
Sturgis and his father arrived at the hospital just before lunch and asked to visit Admiral Chegwidden. Laura told them, "Just a moment, I will need to tell Mrs. Chegwidden."
Chaplin Turner turned to his son and said, "You didn't tell me the Admiral had gotten married son."
"That's because I didn't know it myself," replied Sturgis. "It must have happened since New Years. I don't think anyone at work knows about it, because they'd have said something."
"Could he have gotten back together with the woman he was dating before Christmas, Ms. Cavanaugh?" asked Chaplin Turner.
"No, I'm positive that didn't happen, pop."
"I wonder who she is then."
Just then Laura came back to show them to AJ's room. Going in quietly, Sturgis walked up to the bed first, and simply said, "Sir, we're all praying for you to get better as quickly as possible."
While Sturgis was talking to AJ, Chaplin Turner held out his hand to Tami and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Chegwidden. I'm Chaplin William Turner. I'm a friend of the Admiral's, and my son was under is command. We just now heard the Admiral had gotten married, so I'd like to offer my congratulations, even though it's a bit belated."
Feeling uncomfortable keeping up the lie in front of a Chaplin, Tami nonetheless shook his hand and said, "Thank you, Sir, it's been enlightening to meet all of the people that love and worked with him."
"I'm sure it has child, he's a very good man."
"Yes, Sir, I know that."
Sturgis made his way over to where his father and Tami stood. Offering his hand as his father had done he said, "I'm Sturgis Turner. I'd like to offer my congratulations also. He was my CO for several years and I admired him greatly."
"Don't refer to him in the past tense, please. It makes it sound like he's dead," she said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I'm so sorry, Ma'am, I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
"That's okay, I just don't like to think of losing him."
"None of us do, Ma'am. He'll be in our prayers, and if there is anything we can do for you, just let us know."
"Thank you, I appreciate it, and I'm sure he will to when he wakes up." Just then her tummy grumbled.
Chaplin Turner asked, "How long has it been since you have had a decent meal, Ma'am?"
"I had dinner before I left the house last night."
"Will you allow us to bring you something from the cafeteria?"
"If you wouldn't mind, that sounds wonderful."
"Of course we wouldn't mind. What would you like?"
"Just a sandwich and coffee. Something easy to eat here in the room."
"No problem at all," Sturgis said and the two left the room to get Tami some food.
To be continued…
