Chapter 19
The morning air was cool and clear, and Frank Burnett was setting a blistering pace. Mac didn't know the extent of Frank's exercise restrictions, but she was concerned that he over doing it.
Their route was different this morning; moving away from the ocean, passing the recreation center and then stopping at the high school to enjoy the morning sun rise.
"This the high school that Harm attended," said Frank, who pointed out the white stucco buildings with their blue tile roofs.
"Compared to the schools I went to in Yuma, this is like a university," said Mac, who was impressed by the lush lawns and immaculately kept grounds. Students were already arriving for early classes, many of them driving cars which were more expensive than her own.
"Trish had suggested private school for Harm, but I went to private schools and I always felt isolated. When the time came, we decided on public school."
"It's nice that you were concerned about what was best for him. Not many men would be willing to take on a ready made family."
"I stepped into a lot of people's lives, and most of them were not happy about it. Once Trish and I married, Harm Senior's friends stopped visiting her. It was tough on Harm, who missed Tom Boone and Bill Ross."
Mac was indignant. Both Captain Boone and Captain Ross had just lost some of her respect.
"That's wasn't fair to you or to Harm," Mac insisted. "If they were true friends of Harm Senior, they would have judged you solely by how well you've taken care of Trish and Harm."
"I know that 'the used car salesman' is what they began calling me. I could deal with it, but going to new schools and losing his old friends was tough on a child Harm's age. Luckily Harm participated in sports, which allowed him the chance to make new friends."
After watching the sunrise, Frank was ready to continue. "Lets head back and do a fast lap around the park," he suggested.
Mac was looking for an excuse to slow Frank down. "I'd love to, but I promised Harm I'd be back home by 0930 to pack for our trip to Coronado. That leaves us with one hour and fifty six minutes."
Frank's curiosity got the better of him. "I've noticed that you never wear a watch, but you know the time down to the minute. How do you do it?"
"Actually, I can measure time down to the second. I can't explain it, but I've had and acute sense of time it since I was a small child."
"You're a remarkable woman, Mac. Let's go and get our breakfast."
The cafe was crowded, but Frank and Mac were quickly seated in their usual booth.
When their waitress arrived, Mac was surprised to see that instead of Kitty, they were greeted by a tall blonde in her early thirties. She had a pretty face and she was curvy, very curvy, with an impressive bustline.
Mac's eyes popped. My god, I feel like I'm wearing a training bra.
Their waitress broke into a big smile. "Hello, Frank. It's good to see you again."
"It's nice to see you again, Tina. Where's your mother this morning?"
"Mom has a root canal scheduled, so I'm filling in. She told me that Harm is in town."
"Just for this week. Tina, this is Sarah MacKenzie. Sarah, this is Kitty's daughter, Tina. Tina went to school with Harm."
"I was Harm's date to the senior prom," Tina was quick to add.
A tall blond? Of course. That's Harm's preferred type.
"It's nice to meet you," Mac said halfheartedly.
Tina switched her attention to Frank. "If Harm can find the time, I'd love to see him so we can catch up."
Mac shot Frank a look which would have frightened a Marine Raider. Do not invite this woman to Harm's birthday party.
"I'm sorry, Tina. Harm is here on business, and he doesn't have any free time. I will let him know that you asked about him," Frank explained.
"Too bad. What would you like for breakfast?"
"Ham and scrambled eggs, with country fries and wheat toast."
"What about you, Sarah?"
"A Denver omelet with an English muffin."
"We're busy this morning, but I'll be back with your breakfasts as soon as I can," and Tina left the two alone.
Mac looked directly at Frank. "I thought you said that Harm didn't date much in high school."
"Tina and Harm were friends. They didn't date."
"He took her to the prom," Mac insisted.
"Tina's father was killed in a traffic accident during their senior year. Harm felt badly about it, and he invited her to the prom. Harm was the class president, so it was a big deal to her."
Mac's attitude changed. Harmon Rabb. Always the knight in shining armor for a damsel in distress.
When Tina brought their breakfasts, Frank spoke to her quietly. "I didn't mention it to your mother, but the reason that Harm is in La Jolla is because his father's status has been changed from MIA to Killed In Action."
Tina was visibly shaken. "From the time I met Harm in middle school, I hoped that his dad was alive. I remember when the two of you went to South East Asia looking for Harm's father. When Harm came home he looked like he'd been through hell."
"It was a difficult trip," Frank admitted.
"How is Trish taking it?"
"She's revieved that the entire ordeal is finally over," said Frank.
"Please offer my condolences to both Harm and Trish."
"I know that they'll will appreciate it," and Tina walked away while brushing aside tears.
Mac was about ready to crawl under the table and hide. I hope that you're proud yourself, MacKenzie.
"Frank, I feel like fool. I thought that Tina was Harm's old girlfriend."
"Kitty imagined Tina and Harm as a couple, but there was never anything resembling a romance between them," Frank said in a soothing voice.
Mac sighed. "The closer I get to Harm, the less I seem to know about him."
"Don't beat yourself up over it. The learning curve with the Rabb's is abrupt. Even after all of these years I'm still playing catch up."
Mac was picking at her breakfast when Tina brought the check. "I'm sorry that you didn't like your omelet. Can I bring you something else?"
"I'm not as hungry as I had thought." Mac took a deep breath. "Tina, we're having a surprise birthday party for Harm on Friday night. We would love for you to be there."
"Absolutely," said Frank. "It would take us back to the birthday parties when you and Harm were in school."
"I wish I could, but I'm going to night school and I have classes on Friday nights. It's early in the semester and I can't afford to miss any of them. Thank you, though."
Mac thought it over. "Harm and I are tied up for the next few days, but I'll speak to him about the three of us getting together for lunch. Are you free on Saturday?"
Tina's face lit up. "I am. This is sweet of you, Sarah." Tina gave Mac her phone number and left Mac and Frank alone.
"That was a wonderful gesture," said Frank.
"I suppose I'm trying to atone for previous errors in judgment. During our conversation in the park, Harm called me out on my unfounded jealousy."
"It means more than you think. Tina's father died deeply in debt, and without life insurance. Kitty couldn't hold it together. She lost the house, and then suffered some sort of breakdown. Tina moved to Las Vegas and began hanging out with the wrong people. She got involved with drugs and alcohol and made a mess of her life. She cleaned up, came back home, and works part time at a used clothing store and goes to night school."
If Tina had my Uncle Matt, things might have turned out differently.
"When it comes to making mistakes, I'm hardly in a position to judge anyone, Mac admitted."
Frank shook his head. "Do yourself a favor. Don't take that baggage with you to Coronado. You and Harm should enjoy yourselves without worrying about what's in the past. Especially when the two of you have such a bright future."
Tina came by to collect the check and Frank handed her a $100 bill. "Keep it."
"Frank, that's too much. Let me bring you your change," Tina insisted, but Frank shook his head no.
"Put it towards your school expenses."
"You and Trish have always been nice to me." Tina gave Frank a peck on the cheek and then said goodbye.
Mac smiled from across the table. "You're a good man, Frank. Any child would be lucky to have you as their father."
"I did my best with Harm. He and I are different in a lot of ways, but we have one thing in common."
"What's that?"
"It took each of us a long time before we found our true love."
"Frankā¦" and Mac playfully waved her finger at him.
"I'm sorry, but we said there would be no secrets between the two of us."
"Yes, we did, and I want it to continue. How about we pinky swear to it?" and Mac held up her right hand.
"You are an attorney. Is this legally binding?"
"It is between you and I."
"That's my girl," and Frank hooked his little finger with Mac's.
Wednesday, 14 October, 1998
1000 (Zulu -3)
USS Seahawk
Mid Atlantic Ocean
Captain Tom Boone, the commander of Carrier Air Wing Nine, sat on the cat and made ready to launch in his F-14D. CVW-9 was returning home after a 9 month deployment which had included operations over Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Deliberate Guard.
As the CAG, Boone commanded the nine squadrons assigned to the Seahawk; including two F-14 squadrons: VF-14, the Tophatters, which was one of the Navy's oldest active fighter squadrons, and its sister squadron, the Black Aces of VF-41.
Boone's aircraft was called the CAG Bird. It carried the number 100: "One-Double Nuts," and was garishly painted in the red and black colors of Squadron VF-14. Tom Boone had downed three hostile aircraft- all of them hard kills in aerial combat, so his plane bore three stars painted below his name. No other pilot in CVW-9 had even a single kill.
There had been a changing of the guard. Many of the Wing pilot's had flown in the Gulf War, but only Captain Bill Ross, the Seahawk's skipper; Rear Admiral Al Cherry, the Carrier Strike Group commander; and Tom Boone had flown in Vietnam.
Boone saluted the shooter and his F-14 raced down the cat. Now that the General Electric F110 turbofans had replaced the trouble prone Pratt and Whitney's, there was no longer any need to baby the throttles. Boone reduced power while his wingman, Lt. Alexander Brzenczyszczykiewicz, moved in next to him.
When the squadron naming committee had seen Brzenczyszczykiewicz's name, it took them ten seconds to christen him as "Alphabet."
This morning's mission was a routine 60 minute training flight. Boone made it a point to fly with every member of both F-14 squadrons and Brzenczyszczykiewicz, who was on his first deployment, showed a lot of promise.
Boone held up an open palm to indicate a combat spread, and Alphabet rolled smoothly below the CAG and took up station a mile to his right.
"Ready for a little fun, Skates?" Boone asked his RIO, Lt. Elizabeth Hawkes.
"When I'm riding with you, CAG, I'm up for anything."
Captain Tom Boone was an old school fighter jock who had learned his craft in single seat fighters like the F-8 Crusader. Boone didn't have much use for a backseater, so being selected to fly with the CAG as his RIO was either a high honor, or a cruel punishment.
As one of the top RIO's in the Wing, Skates considered it to be an honor and was enjoying her ride with one of the most experienced aviators in the US Navy.
Boone went into a high speed Chandelle pulling nearly 8 gs, and was now moving in the opposite direction of his wingman.
The maneuver was executed perfectly, but the Chandelle had been Harm Senior's trademark, and Boone knew that his friend could have done it better.
"Alphabet's still with us, CAG," said Skates. She had flown with Brzenczyszczykiewicz and knew that he was a damned good pilot.
"Fast Eagle One to Two," Boone called.
"Two," Alphabet answered.
"I see a container ship running at two o'clock. I'm going down to see if they're awake."
"Roger that." Alphabet watched as the CAG broke left and rolled into a dive.
Tom Boone was a master of aerial gunnery, and he liked nothing better than making low level passes, especially at ships. The ship's masters occasionally complained about being buzzed by Navy jets, but for the most part they enjoyed their free airshow.
Boone began his first pass by skimming just above the waves. When they passed over the freighter they were low enough for Skates to say, "Looks like the doors on a couple of those containers are unlocked."
Boone made a few more high speed passes and was climbing back to altitude when Skates gave him a weather update.
'We've got a storm front closing in."
"Fast Eagle Two, we've got weather. Do a quick plug and then RTB," Boone ordered.
"Roger. Climbing to angels 10."
There was no actual need for either aircraft to take on fuel, but it was normal to practice refueling during training flights. The rough air would only add to the challenge.
Once the two aircraft reached altitude they rendezvoused with the KA-6D tanker; an A-6 Intruder converted for fuel delivery. The air over the mid Atlantic was turbulent, but Boone made an easy plug, took on a few hundred gallons of fuel and then made way for Alphabet.
The young aviator made a smooth approach, made contact on his first attempt, and plugged with no problem.
Boone would never say it to the young man's face, but he was pleased with his performance.
"We're heading back to the boat, Skates. Sorry we had to cut it short today," Boone said.
"It never lasts long enough with you, CAG," she answered in a teasing voice.
Boone smiled. Skates was alright. Naval aviation was dominated by men, and she was one of the guys.
Alphabet trapped first. The Seahawk was rolling gently, but he caught the three-wire and taxied away to leave Boone with a ready deck.
While Boone was on approach, the sea had become rough and the deck was pitching.
"Flaps down, wheels down, hook down," Skates announced. The CAG would never make such a mistake, but it was her job to let him know their status.
"Auto throttle off. Going to manual," Boone replied without any fanfare.
Boone came down the chute, called the ball, and Skates sat back while the CAG spiked it on with a perfect trap.
It was no surprise. Tom Boone had made over 1000 arrested landings on 10 different aircraft carriers, including the HMS Ark Royal and the HMS Eagle, when each had operated the F-4 Phantom II.
"You did good today, Skates," Boone said as he taxied his Tomcat to the elevator. The CAG Bird didn't sit on deck, it nested in the hanger.
"Thanks, CAG." Captain Boone's vocabulary didn't include words such as 'Excellent', so 'Good' was high praise.
After the debriefing, Boone went back to his stateroom to shower and change into a clean uniform. He was anxious to go up on deck and smoke a cigar before it began raining.
It's a hell of a Navy when a man can't smoke in his own cabin, but he decided to check his email.
Boone's inbox was full, but an email from Harmon Rabb Jr caught his eye:
"Hello Tom. I have important news about my father. I'm currently in La Jolla and staying with my Mom and Frank. I will return to JAG on Monday. Please give me a call when you return to NAS Oceana. Best, Harm."
Boone frowned. If it was good news, Harm would have said so in the email. Boone sent a quick reply, shut off his computer and sat back in his chair.
The walls of his stateroom began closing in until Boone was back inside the tiny cabin he had shared with Harm Senior on the Ticonderoga. Two glasses of the Johnny Walker Black Label they'd smuggled aboard were sitting on the table, a Jenny Lake record was playing in the background, and Harm was tape recording a letter to Trish which he hoped would reach her before Christmas.
Hi, Sweetheart. The Zoomies and the boy's from the Connie are bombing The Trail tonight, so Tom and I have the whole night off. Say hello to the folks back home, Tom.
"Hi, Trish. It's the guy you should have married. Tell Little Harm I said Merry Christmas.
Harm spoke to Trish about the upcoming instructor position at Pensacola, and then he began discussing his long range plans for their future. In order to eventually command an aircraft carrier he would first need a deep draft command, which meant spending considerable time at sea with the Surface Fleet, and away from home.
Sweetheart, we'll have to tough it out. I can live without flying, but I can't live without you and Little Harm.
Now Boone was circling over the crash site in North Vietnam. He could see the destroyed Phantom on the ground, and he was pleading for Harm to answer him on the emergency radio.
Air Force search and rescue would be on scene in five more minutes.
Five more minutes and Harm would be in the chopper and on his way to a hospital in Da Nang. Five more minutes and he'd be in a transport heading home to San Diego and recuperating while his pretty young wife waited on him hand and foot. Five more minutes and Harm would take command of one of the Navy's new Nimitz Class carriers. Five more minutes and he'd watch Little Harm graduate from the Naval Academy with honors. Five more minutes and Admiral Harmon Rabb Sr. would retire as Chief of Naval Operations and draw his pension.
It should have been that way, and it would have been...with five more minutes.
Boone snapped out of it. He grabbed his cigars and headed up on deck to clear his head.
After 29 years, he still couldn't let go.
Harm and Trish had finished their breakfast and were enjoying coffee at the kitchen table when Mac and Frank returned home.
"How was your walk?" Harm asked Mac, who didn't say a word. She walked over to him and planted a big kiss on his lips.
"What's that for?" Harm asked.
"For being a sweetheart."
Harm's mind raced over the things he had done recently. With Mac, this usually meant the things he'd done wrong, but he drew a blank.
"We ran into Tina Thomas at the cafe this morning," Frank said.
"How is Tina doing?" Harm asked, and surprised that Mac hadn't suffered a meltdown after meeting one of his female friends.
"She's looking good. She's back home and going to night school, and seems to have her act together."
"That's wonderful," said Trish. "Tina was always a nice girl. It's her mother's fault that things turned out so badly for her." Trish had raised a six year old son by herself, while Kitty Thomas couldn't raise a 17 year old girl.
"I invited Tina to join us for lunch on Saturday," Mac said to Harm.
Harm was shocked, but pleased. "I'd like that. Mom, can you and Frank join us?"
"I'm afraid that Frank and I are tied up on Saturday." Trish knew that they'd be busy cleaning up after the surprise birthday party.
"That's too bad. You'll like Tina, Mac."
"If she's a friend of yours then I know I'll like her," she said sincerely.
Harm nearly fell out of his chair. Whatever Mac had eaten for breakfast, he'd make sure that she ate it every morning.
Frank stood up. "I'm going to shower and then head over to the club. Chet Dawson and I are going to put in nine holes."
Trish frowned. "You know what the doctor said about you over doing it by playing too much golf. You need 5 hours of moderate exercise per week, and nothing strenuous."
"We're playing nine holes and using a cart," explained Frank, who was lying about the cart.
"In that case, don't drink too much at lunch, and no more red meat for you this week. I want you to order fish or chicken for lunch," Trish insisted.
"Yes, dear," Frank groaned. "Harm, I hope that you and Mac have a great time in Coronado," and he went into the master bedroom.
"I suppose that I should get ready to go to the gallery. Enjoy yourselves at the resort, and I'll see you both back here on Friday." Trish looked over at Mac, who nodded in understanding that they were to return home at 1800. "Goodbye, Darling," and Trish gave Harm a kiss on the cheek.
"So, what mischief have you been up to this morning?" Mac asked Harm.
"I sent a few emails before breakfast, and now I'm washing your bed sheets."
"How helpful you are. Tell me, Mister Rabb, what other domestic skills do you possess?"
"You'll have to come over for dinner and try my meatless meatloaf."
"Dinner sounds wonderful, if it includes staying for breakfast." Mac gave Harm a long hard kiss. "I need to shower and then start packing."
"Take along the blue dress," Harm said.
"I've already worn it on this trip."
"You wore it to the gallery with my Mom, not with me. And bring the pearls."
Mac sighed. "I don't feel comfortable wearing them. Wearing those pearls makes me feel as though I'm stealing a Rabb family memory."
"It's the opposite. My mom no longer wears them, so seeing you in the pearls reminds me of how much my dad loved my mom. Those memories are hard to maintain inside this house," which Mac understood to mean Frank's house.
"I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't adore the pearls. They're magnificent. I'll bring them along and wear them at dinner."
They kissed again, and after Mac left the kitchen, Harm poured another cup of coffee and sat down at the table, happy and relieved at Mac's apparent change in attitude.
Rabb, you and Mac should have had that talk in the park years ago.
It all seemed to be coming together, but Harm wondered if he and Mac could actually sustain a long term relationship?
In the short term, what about his returning to active flight status? Mac didn't like him flying any more than his mother had liked his dad flying. Harm had long suspected that the real reason his mother didn't marry Tom Boone was because he was an aviator.
Whether Trish had asked Boone to stop flying and he had refused, Harm didn't know. Harm did know that every week he delayed his eye examinations and the surgery needed to correct his vision meant slipping further and further into the abyss of non flight status.
Was an F-14 going to be a deal breaker? When the time came to discuss it with Mac, Harm imagined it would get ugly.
