I'm wrapping up my other stories and this idea came to me. I had to look hard to find what Bell's first name was. It might not be correct so give me some artistic license where that is concerned. Hope you like it!
Coincidences
Chapter 1
The Michener had arrived at the Port of New Orleans. The normal things that Mike dealt with when arriving at port was not part of his duties. All he had to do was stand idol on the deck and watch others perform their duties. He was not terribly shocked to see Seaman Henry Bell walking towards him. Mike liked the young man and knew he would be taking a special interest in his career. He like Bell's intensity. Bell held out his hand to Mike, and Mike happily shook it.
"May I ask, what now, sir?" Bell asked.
"We rebuild the fleet again." Mike said simply.
"Without the James?" Bell asked. They both leaned against the rail and watched all the activity.
"The James was only a ship. It was the crew that made her what she was. While some of the crew has passed on or left; the spirit is still there. So, I will be making a formal request where you are concerned. I need an assistant of sorts. It might be what you envisioned for your career, but it might help you further it, if done correctly." Mike explained.
"Permission to speak freely?" Bell asked.
"Of course. When haven't you?" Mike teased.
"Why, sir? Why me? I don't understand." Bell asked.
"There is something about you that I like. Maybe I see a bit of myself in you. The way I was before all this. I know you grew up in Texas. Any family?" Mike asked.
"A twin sister, sir. My mother and stepfather died during the Red Flu. She is actually in Natchez." Bell replied.
"Sorry for your troubles. Will you be visiting her? Natchez isn't so far from here." Mike said.
"Possibly, sir. I was waiting on orders before I called her. Sarah is a college student there. We don't see each other as often as I would like." Bell said.
"Then if you accept that offer, I order you to go to Natchez and visit your sister." Mike said.
"Yes, sir." Bell said simply.
"I will be here for a couple days. Here is my business card. I have my cellphone number on it. Once you are finished in Natchez, call me. I will have my own orders and we can get started. I'll be staying here in New Orleans." Mike explained.
"You like New Orleans?" Bell asked.
"I enjoy good food and drink. I loved New Orleans before the Red Flu. I tried to get stationed down here but Christine…my wife, wasn't thrilled with it. She wasn't much for big cities. Plus, I enjoyed her cooking more." Mike admitted.
"Where is she now, sir?" Bell asked.
"She died. My entire family is gone now. I suppose if I retire, I can live where I would like now but New Orleans isn't the same city it was." Mike remarked.
"What place is?" Bell remarked.
"True." Mike agreed.
"If that is all, Sir? I will go rent a car and go visit with Sarah." Bell asked.
"That is all. Call me in a day or so." Mike answered. As Bell walked away; Mike began remembering a time when he and Christine argued about moving to New Orleans. She wanted Mayport and he liked New Orleans. Instead, he took one more deployment, the one to the Arctic, hoping for a promotion to Captain. It would make desk duty more palatable.
He and Christine were not necessarily suited for one another, as they found out as their marriage progressed. Sure, they loved one another; but the marriage started in lust and mixed emotions. Three kids later and they stayed in it because it was what they believed was best for the kids they both adored. Once Mike got home from the Arctic, they were going to a therapist to figure out if they even needed to bother trying to save their marriage.
Mike remembered almost twenty-two years before. Before Christine, before being a cop. A young woman named Beth. The love they shared was intense. He was the son of a cop and Beth's father didn't feel he was good enough for his little girl. Mike never understood it until he had two daughters of his own. At that point in his life, he wasn't good enough for any girl, but Beth loved him anyways.
They had snuck away for an intense weekend at a cheap motel. Mike had taken Beth's virginity, which she happily gave. His mistake was that he should have headed them to a judge or preacher. He would have married her in a heartbeat, but lust got in the way. By Monday morning, Beth's father had found them. Mike was beaten within an inch of his life and Beth sent away to an aunt in New York. Mike had no idea how to find her. He looked but eventually heard rumor that she was engaged to be married to some investment banker or something of the sort. He began police academy and met and married Christine, having Kaitlyn six months after their vows were said. Mike was never good at being a good man.
He often wondered about Beth. He hoped she had found happiness with her banker and had the half dozen kids that she wanted. It was something they had talked about. They wanted a house full of kids that they constantly embarrassed because they couldn't keep their hands off one another.
Instead, he ended up with Christine. One of his friends had nicknamed her 'The Cold Fish.' She was a little aloof towards Mike. Towards their kids even. She had never really wanted to be a mother and so a half dozen kids was off the table immediately. Kaitlyn was conceived before they were even married. Hannah was the product of a drunken night for both of them where protection and birth control was forgotten, and Lucas was a shore baby. In her own way, Christine loved her kids but when Mike was deployed, they were often at a babysitter's. Once Kaitlyn was old enough, she become the caregiver, something Mike hated. It grew her up too fast.
Christine had had her affairs. Mike was faithful. She was a neglectful parent while Mike spent every possible second with their kids. They were polar opposites of one another. His biggest hang-up was that she was never sweet Beth. The only good thing that came out of their marriage was their kids. Mike missed them dearly and every day, he wished he had one of them with him.
He was too old to remarry and start a family. If he ever settled, he might look into foster care, but the idea of dating, engagement, marriage, conceiving a child and then raising them from infancy didn't agree with him. Mike didn't have a good track record. He didn't want to screw another relationship up and he didn't want to fall in love with a baby that he might lose.
Once Henry Bell found a cheap rental vehicle, he began the trek to Natchez, Mississippi; where his twin sister, Sarah was a pre-med student. They were particularly close, and Henry adored his sister. She was younger by four minutes but was the boss. She looked exactly like their mother, Beth. Their stepdad, Eddie had adopted them early on, but Beth had always let it be known, they had a biological father that she had loved intensely. The problem was, she had never told them who the mystery man was. Halfway to Natchez, Henry called Sarah.
"Hey, sis. I ended up in New Orleans and am headed for you. I have a couple days off before I start my new assignment." Henry explained.
"Oh, that's great. I'm done with finals too. We can actually spend time together!" Sarah said excitedly.
"Are you working somewhere, though?" Henry asked.
"Yeah, one of the plantation houses. Giving tours. I'm still in my house on Fremont too. My roommate moved out and the new one won't be here 'til next week. We can just move the futon in there and you sleep in that room." Sarah said.
"Perfect. And you dumped that guy? What was his name?" Henry asked.
"Yes, I dumped him. He didn't much care for my big brother. Hey, when you get here; Mom and Eddie's attorney mailed me some stuff that was in her safe deposit box. I guess the bank finally allowed him to open it. We can go through it when you get here." Sarah said.
"Anything interesting?" Henry asked.
"I was waiting for you. The attorney thought there might be some letters pertaining to our biological dad. I didn't want to unearth something without you." Sarah said.
"Don't get your hopes up. He's probably dead." Henry said.
"Or not. Mom talked a little about him to me. She really loved him a lot. She loved Eddie but with our dad, it was different." Sarah said.
"And he dumped her. Alone with twins. What kind of man would do that?" Henry asked.
"According to Granddad, whose honesty does come into question. Maybe he never knew. He might be missing a family now too." Sarah said.
"Maybe but I doubt it. Alright, I'll be there in a while. Behave yourself until I get there. And do not stress about not having money for groceries. We'll go once I get there." Henry told her.
"Aye, aye!" Sarah said.
"Love you, Bug." Henry said before hanging up.
The truth was, Henry hoped that their biological father was alive. Eddie had been a good man and he had done right by them. He loved and provided for them and loved their mother deeply. Henry had nothing to complain about where Eddie was concerned, but when he imagined his father, he imagined someone with a strong personality. A lot like Admiral Mike Slattery. Henry wasn't sure what had drawn him to the grumpy Admiral, but Henry respected him. He even liked him.