GAME DAY
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Ashlyn's Apartment
Samantha dragged herself into Ashlyn's apartment and flopped on the couch.
"I can't believe I am doing this." Sam said. "I haven't slept. I hope you appreciate this, I was in Jersey last night and drove back just for you."
"Oh, what are best friends for?" Ashlyn said.
"The last time we did this you were trying to impress Roger. I cooked, left and you got the credit." Sam said grabbing a pillow.
"Yeah and he dumped me a week later, maybe having you cook isn't such a good idea." Ashlyn teased.
"Excuse me? He dumped you for that Knicks' cheerleader with the big brains." Sam laughed. "Don't blame my cooking."
"Whatever." Ashlyn said. "Now what am I making."
"Football food, DUH! I have hot wings, nachos, Hero sandwiches, corndogs, Cole slaw and potato salad." Sam said throwing her the keys. "You can get the stuff out of the car."
"Have I told you you're the best?" Ashlyn said.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wake me in 30 minutes and don't spill anything in my car." Sam called out as she put the pillow over her face.
Two hours later Ashlyn woke Sam up. "Hey it's almost noon."
"I thought you were going to wake me up in 30 minutes." Sam said sitting up.
"You were sleeping and had that big 'I'm dreaming about Giambi' smile on your face, so I figured I'd let you sleep." Ashlyn laughed.
"Yeah, it was a good dream." Sam said with a smile. "Is everything done?"
"Just have to put it all out." Ashlyn said getting a tablecloth.
"Ethel, this is a football game, not high tea." Sam said rolling her eyes. "Put everything on the coffee table."
"You're so bossy, have you always been this bossy? God you're bossy." Ashlyn laughed as she went to the kitchen.
"You love it; you could never survive without me." Sam laughed and started to go into the kitchen when there was a knock at the door.
"Coming," Sam called out.
"Ah, hello, I was looking for Ashlyn." Gunny said.
"Hi, remember me? Samantha Danaher. We met the other day." Sam said smiling at Gunny. "Ashlyn is in the kitchen. Come on in."
"Thank you, it's nice to see you again." Gunny said.
"Same here," Sam laughed. "By the way, how's the gluteus maximus doing?"
"It's just fine." Gunny said turning red.
"Yo, Ethel!" Sam yelled. "You have company."
I thought her name was Ashlyn. Gunny thought.
"Hi Gunny, glad you could make it." Ashlyn said walking in. "Where's your friend?"
"He's coming later; he had to take care of something." Gunny replied.
"Oh ok, so can I offer you something?" Ashlyn asked.
"Sure, what ever you have would be fine." Gunny said.
"Gunny have a seat; Sam why don't you help me in the kitchen." Ashlyn said.
"Thanks." Gunny said as he eased into a chair.
He watched these two women walk into the kitchen. Ashlyn was about 5'7, with long straight thick blonde hair, blue eyes, and she had that golden California glow about her. If she weighed 140 pounds, it was a lot. But she had a good build, not too skinny and curved in all the right places. Samantha was different. She was about 5'3, maybe 120 pounds, same curves but located differently. She had long thick wavy auburn hair and that creamy Irish complexion.
"I cannot believe you called me Ethel in front of him." Ashlyn said ready to smack her.
"What?" Sam laughed innocently.
"Would you like me to tell him how we got our nicknames?" Ashlyn threatened with a laugh.
"Go ahead. It's not like I care." Sam laughed.
"Sam, did you bring anything to drink with you?" Ashlyn asked in a worried tone.
"Jeez, you couldn't even remember to pick up a six?" Sam shook her head. "It's a wonder you can get to work."
"Now what?" Ashlyn asked.
"I have an idea." Sam said walking back into the living room. "Gunny?"
"Yes," Gunny replied.
"Let's you and I go for a ride." Sam said. "Ashlyn only has skunky stuff in the fridge. It's the curse of our careers, we forget to shop."
"Ok?" Gunny said.
"Ashlyn would go, but she needs to be here when the others arrive." Sam said.
Gunny and Sam went to her car. "This is your car?" Gunny asked staring at the 1957 Corvette. "Commander Rabb would flip over this car."
"This is my baby. I've had it since I graduated from college. I worked a lot of hours for Phoebe." Sam said proudly. "Who's Commander Rabb?"
"Someone I work with." Gunny said getting in.
"Phoebe and I have been through a lot together; almost as much as me and Ethel." Sam laughed.
"Why do you call her Ethel?" Gunny asked. "Is that her real name?"
"Nope, it's a nickname. Hey, she's never been married." Sam said. "Have you ever been married?"
"Nice change of topic." Gunny laughed. "No I haven't been married."
"Well, that's good, you're both still marketable. Too many complications when one has an ex around." Sam said speaking faster than she drove.
"Do you have a nickname too?" Gunny asked as he held onto the dashboard for dear life.
"Of course I do." Sam laughed.
"Which is?" Gunny asked when they got to a stoplight.
"You know, it's rather ironic that she met you." Sam said.
"Why's that?" Gunny asked. "And what was your nickname?"
"Well, she's my best friend and I love the movie the Quiet Man and that had John Wayne in it. And John Wayne was in the Sands of Iwo Jima, which was about marines and you are a marine. It's like Six Degrees of the Corps." Sam laughed.
"That is the strangest logic I have ever heard." Gunny laughed. "You never did tell me your nickname."
"Oh look, we're here." Sam said. "And it's Lucy."
"Lucy and Ethel?" Gunny asked as they walked into the liquor store. "Something tells me I should be scared."
Alexandria Wines and Spirits
"Why would you be scared?" Sam laughed. "So Gunny, involved with anyone?"
"You ask a lot of questions." Gunny said with a smile. "Why did you drive to Alexandria?"
"It's in my nature, I'm a reporter." Sam smiled. "I live near here and they have the best prices."
"Samantha Danaher, SAM DANAHER!" Gunny said with realization, "You write The World According to Me."
"That's me." Sam said. "Hey Gunny, Ashlyn's my best friend and a great person."
"She seems like a great person." Gunny said.
"She is. And, here's what we are going to do." Sam said. "When we get back, you are going to ask her to dinner. Nothing fancy just nice."
"Are you setting us up?" Gunny asked; she was even bolder than Ashlyn.
"Of course I am. What are best friends for?" Sam laughed. "Look, I know she's interested and I can tell you are too. Why do the dance?"
Before Gunny could respond someone walked up to them, "Good afternoon Galindez." Clayton Webb said. "What brings you to Alexandria?"
"Football party with a friend, Sir," Gunny replied.
"Oh I see." Webb said looking at Sam with a wry smile.
"Oh no not me, I'm not his friend." Sam laughed. "Who are you?"
"Clayton Webb." Webb replied.
"I'm Samantha. Gunny's a friend of my friend's." Sam said.
"Nice to meet you," Webb said shaking her hand.
"So, Mr. Webb, what brings you here?" Gunny said.
"It's a liquor store, Galindez. I'm here to get toilet paper." Webb said sarcastically.
"That's aisle 6," Sam shot back with sarcasm matching his. "It's next to the gin."
"I am here to pick up a bottle of wine." Webb replied, why am I chatting with them?
"Oh cool." Sam said, "Try the Ramsey Lot 5 Merlot, it's one of the best from Napa."
"Thank you." Webb said in a dismissive tone. I'm getting wine advice from a jarhead groupie?
"Well, we better be getting our stuff." Gunny said. "Nice seeing you Mr. Webb."
"Yes, Galindez," Webb said nodding. "It was a pleasure meeting you…"
"Sam will work." Sam said shaking his hand. Webb shook her hand and they went their separate ways.
"Isn't he an interesting person? Bet there's a story there." Sam said as she turned to look at Webb.
"Mr. Webb? You aren't serious." Gunny laughed.
"Oh yeah I am. How do you know him?" Sam asked.
"Through work," Gunny replied.
"I need to come visit your work." Sam said as she handed Gunny a case of beer. "Let's go check out the wines."
"Sam, I don't think that's a good idea…" Gunny began and just followed her shaking his head.
"Hey again," Sam said to Webb as they showed up in his aisle.
"Hello." Webb said as he was looking at bottles of wine.
"I'm telling you, go with the Ramsey. It will impress anyone." Sam said. "Why are you buying it?"
"To drink," Webb said again with sarcasm.
"Well I didn't think you were going to bathe in it, if you want something to bathe in go with Perrier-Jouet; more bubbles." Sam shot back.
"Galindez, who is this?" Webb asked with a very amused laugh.
"It would take too long to explain sir." Gunny said.
"Let me." Sam interrupted. "I'm Samantha Danaher. My best friend invited Gunny to our Army/Navy party; we realized we forgot to get beverages, so while she is playing hostess we came here. Then we ran into you; remember that was about 5 minutes ago. We discussed what wine your should get, you thanked me for my opinion with a condescending smile and I think that brings us to this point."
"Interesting," Webb said. Gunny's jaw almost hit the ground.
"Well this has been fun." Sam said with a smile. "Oh Mr. Webb, that wine, not good. There wasn't enough rain that year, the grapes didn't harvest well."
Gunny looked at Webb and shrugged as he followed Sam to the register. Webb, amazed at what had just happened, put back his selection and picked up a bottle of Ramsey.
"I have never seen anyone annihilate him so quickly." Gunny laughed as they got outside.
"I bet you he buys the Ramsey." Sam said with a wink.
"You and Ashlyn are very interesting women." Gunny laughed.
"You have no idea." Sam smiled.
They returned to Ashlyn's place. Tiner had arrived along with some of their friends. They laughed, ate, drank and watched the game. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Everyone that is but Sam, Navy trounced Army, 58-12.
MAC'S APARTMENT
"Harm, do you think you could help me here?" Mac said as she picked up some toys.
"Mac, I'm getting the food ready for the game." Harm called back.
"It doesn't take that long to throw chips and salsa in a bowl." Mac replied. "I thought you were in charge of AJ."
Little AJ was in Mac's guest room taking a nap, while Mac picked up every imaginable toy off the floor. How someone so small can make such a mess. She laughed. She then realized, the mess maker was actually Harm, he was a bigger kid than Little AJ. She finally got all the toys back in the box when Sturgis arrived.
"Thanks for doing this Mac." Sturgis said as he walked in.
"No problem." Mac said with a smile.
"So where are your house guests?" Sturgis asked.
"Harm's making a mess out of my kitchen and Little AJ is taking a nap." Mac said.
"Hey Sturgis," Harm said coming out of the kitchen. "Right on time."
"You look at home." Sturgis said to the apron clad Harm.
"Hello, I'm awake." Little AJ called from the bedroom.
"I'll get him." Mac said walking away.
"No, I want Uncle Harm." Little AJ said as Mac walked in.
"I'll take you to him." Mac informed the child.
"No, I want Uncle Harm." Little AJ repeated.
"Don't we all?" Mac said under her breath. "Harm, can you come here?"
"What's up?" Harm asked as he walked into the room.
"Uncle Harm, I need to talk to you." Little AJ said.
"What's up sport?" Harm asked kneeling down.
"I gotta tell you something alone." Little AJ said looking at Mac.
"I'm going." Mac said and left the room.
"Now, what is it that you couldn't tell Auntie Mac" harm asked.
"The stars are gone." Little AJ said sadly.
"Excuse me?" Harm asked completely lost.
"My stars are gone on my pull up." Little AJ repeated.
"AJ, I don't understand." Harm said.
"My stars are gone." Little AJ said, putting his hand on his forehead in a 'duh manner.'
"AJ, can we try this from the beginning again. Please?" Harm asked.
"Big boys always have stars after naps. My stars are gone." Little AJ emphasized. Little AJ then pulled down his jeans.
"What are you doing?" Harm asked quickly.
"My stars are gone." Little AJ said pointing to the front of his pull-up. "Uncle Harm, daddy knows what that means."
"Oh," Harm said finally getting it. "Well, why didn't you say you had an accident?"
"Big boys don't have accidents, the stars just disappear." Little AJ said. "I'm a big boy."
"You're right. Let's get you changed and go watch the game." Harm said picking up his bag.
"Thanks." Little AJ said.
They changed his pull-up and went to join Mac and Sturgis in the living room.
"Everything ok?" Mac asked.
"I'll fill you in later." Harm whispered.
The three settled on the couch and Sturgis sat in an armchair.
"Looks like quite the family setting." Sturgis said with a smile.
"One never knows." Harm said quietly and they watched the game.
ASHLYN'S APARTMENT
After the game, it was just Ashlyn, Sam, Gunny and Tiner.
"Hey Jason, do you really want to sit here?" Sam asked.
"Huh?" Tiner asked.
"Grab that tray and bring it into the kitchen." Sam directed.
Once in the kitchen, Sam turned to Tiner. "Ok, it looks like my friend is interested in yours. Let's say we give them some time to get to know each other."
"Okay?" Tiner said.
"There's a local bar near by. You can celebrate the Navy win and I can drown my sorrows about the Army loss." Sam said.
"I should tell you that I am not interested in you that way." Tiner said innocently.
"Not a problem." Sam laughed. "I'm not going to seduce you. I'm going to have a beer with you."
"Oh, ok." Tiner said, turning red.
"Relax, Petty Officer. This is just a way to give them some alone time." Sam said, walking back into the living room with Tiner in tow.
"Thanks for taking those trays in." Ashlyn said.
"No problem. Listen the Petty Officer and I are gonna go to Flannigan's and grab a beer. See ya later." Sam said grabbing her jacket.
"Wait, Sam what are you doing?" Ashlyn asked suddenly nervous.
"I told you, Jason and I are going for a beer." Sam smiled.
"Sam, could I talk to you in the kitchen?" Ashlyn asked.
"I'll be right back." Sam said and followed her friend into the kitchen. "What?"
"He's not your type, what are you doing?" Ashlyn asked.
"Leaving you and that marine alone," Sam said. "Just go back inside and sit down."
"But…" Ashlyn started to protest.
"Just go." Sam said walking back into the living room. "Come on Jason, let's blow this Popsicle stand."
"I'll see you later Gunny. Ashlyn it was nice seeing you again." Tiner said.
After they left, Gunny turned to Ashlyn. "What was that all about?"
"Sam decided that we should have some alone time." Ashlyn said turning several shades of red.
"That was nice of her." Gunny smiled.
"She's a real peach." Ashlyn laughed.
"If you want, I can go." Gunny said not sure of what he was sensing.
"No, only if you want to." Ashlyn said.
"I'd like to stay a bit." Gunny smiled.
"So would I." Ashlyn said. "I think I should tell you. It was Sam's idea to put my information on that post care sheet. I'm normally not that forward."
"Remind me to thank her." Gunny said. They sat and chatted for the remainder of the evening. .
FLANIGAN'S PUB
"So Jason what can you tell me about Clayton Webb? I figure since you and Gunny work together, you know him too." Sam said getting right to the point.
"Mr. Webb? Well he's sort of a mystery." Tiner said.
"A mystery man, I like that." Sam laughed as she lit a cigarette.
"How do you know him?" Tiner asked.
"I don't really. Gunny and I ran into him in the liquor store." Sam said.
"Honestly, I think he's kind of dull." Tiner said.
"Dull, not so good, what can your write about dull?" Sam said.
"So, exactly what do you do?" Tiner asked, wanting to change the subject.
"I write a column called 'The World According to Me, it's picked up in several papers nationally." Sam smiled.
"Really, that's you?" Tiner said.
"Guilty." Sam smiled.
"I've read your stuff. " Tiner said.
"That's nice to hear; maybe one day I'll do something on you." Sam smiled.
"Really? All about me?" Tiner said enthusiastically.
"Ya never know." Sam laughed.
"Based on your column, you've been all over." Tiner said.
"Yeah, I have." Sam said.
"What made you decide to go into journalism?" Tiner asked.
"What made me go into journalism?" Sam laughed.
"Well, it is an interesting profession." Tiner said.
"I became a journalist because I have a lot to say." Sam stated. "I got the chance to do the column because my editor was tired of me complaining. I pitched the idea and he liked it."
"Really?" Tiner asked.
"Do you say anything besides really, Jason?" Sam laughed and signaled for another beer and tequila.
"Sorry." Tiner replied turning red.
"Relax. Anyway, I have lived all over the world, a real Army Brat. The most time I have spent in one place was in New York. There were times where I couldn't go with my father. So I stayed with my grandparents." Sam stated. "They're all gone now."
"Oh, sorry about your dad." Tiner said. "What about your mom?"
"Never knew her, she died during childbirth." Sam said. "It was always just me and dad."
"Sorry." Tiner said, not sure what to say.
"It's ok, thanks. But let's talk about something more interesting." Sam said with a smile. "Tell me more about this Clayton Webb."
Poor Tiner, what could he say? Sam was not going to give up. They finished the beers and left. He liked Sam; she was cool in a big sister sort of way. He had never met anyone like her. He then thought about Clayton Webb. Sam was on a mission; Mr. Webb won't know what hit him. Tiner thought.
MAC'S APARTMENT
It was 8 o'clock. The game had been over for a while, Sturgis had left and Harm was returning to the living room after putting Little AJ to bed.
"Did he go down without a fuss?" Mac asked.
"Yeah, he was worn out." Harm laughed, sitting next to her.
"You hungry?" Mac asked getting up.
"Not really." Harm said. "I can't believe you are."
"What, I just spent the last 2 hours playing tag with Little AJ." Mac said. "You would be hungry too if you had gotten up and joined in."
"It was more fun to watch." Harm said. It was fun to watch, he let his mind wander as he watched them. Thinking that they could have such a family setting.
"Harm, Harm, where are you?" Mac said standing in front of him.
"Sorry, I was thinking." Harm replied.
"About what?" Mac asked.
"Our deal." Harm said quietly.
"Our what?" Mac asked.
"Our deal." Harm mumbled.
"Our seal?" Mac heard him clearly, but wanted to make him say it louder.
"Our deal, our deal. Okay." Harm said.
"Well, what about it?" Mac asked.
"I was just thinking, that one day we could be sitting here watching the Army/Navy game with a kid of our own." Harm said.
"It's a possibility." Mac said sitting next to him.
"How about a movie?" Harm asked nervously, as he jumped up from the couch.
"Okay?" Mac replied. "Pick one."
"Do you have any war movies?" Harm asked, looking at the romantic titles.
"From Here to Eternity." Mac said shrugging.
"Ok, do you have something with less kissing?" Harm said.
"Harm, what's with you?" Mac laughed.
"Nothing, just after that game I want something with… action." Harm said, thinking his response sounded good.
"Well, there's plenty of action in From Here to Eternity." Mac said, "Eternity, a very interesting word, don't you think?"
"Huh? What?" Harm said a bit confused. "I'll go make some popcorn."
Mac smiled as she watched Harm walk away. This is too easy. She laughed quietly. Harm returned and the movie started. With each romantic scene Mac moved closer to him. By the end of the movie, she was practically sitting in his lap. At the end of the movie, they were curled up together on the couch.
Stage one complete. Mac thought as she drifted off to sleep.
