Catherine and Steve went to talk in a bar that had outdoor tables. A soft breeze touched their faces as they talked.

"I'm sorry you and your sister had to go through that so young, practically children," Catherine told Steve after he told her his family story.

"And what do you think about my dad taking me and Mary away from him?" Steve asked.

"I think even after all that he's still your father. And he must have suffered a lot from your mother's death, too. I agree that taking you two away from him wasn't the best choice, but that doesn't mean he doesn't love you and your sister. Well, that's what I think. You'll think that I, with Mom and Dad alive and the "right family," can't have an opinion on that, and maybe you're right."

"No, you have your opinion and I respect it," Steve said.

"Thank you. Then consider going to see your father sometime."

"I'll think about it, Catherine. Maybe you can come with me. Do you know Hawaii?"

"No, but I'd love to," she answered.

"Okay. When we get a chance we can go."

"Well, I guess you'll meet my mom before I meet your dad. She asked if you could join us for dinner on Saturday. I told her you must have other plans for a Saturday night, but she insisted I ask you."

"Saturday night is great, Catherine," Steve answered.

Catherine was happy. "Okay, I'll tell her. But I'm just going to ask you if not to take the things my mom says so seriously. She sometimes makes me red with shame."

Steve laughed. "So she'll tell me all your secrets?"

"I don't have any secrets," Catherine told him.

"We all do," he replied.

Catherine laughed. "Well, So I'm an exception? I always thought I was different."

They were there talking for a long time until Catherine's mother called worried.

"Sorry, Mom. I didn't realize the time had passed. I'll be home soon, I promise."

"Ok," Carol answered.

"Sorry, Steve. I have to go."

"No need to apologize, Catherine. Thank you for listening to me and I'm sorry if I was too boring."

"You weren't boring," she got up and Steve walked her to her car.

"Come in, I'll drop you off at your hotel door," Catherine told him.

"No, go home. I'd rather walk," Steve answered.

"Okay. Good night, Steve."

"Good night, Catherine."

Catherine was going home and thinking as she drove. She wondered if Steve didn't want her to drive him to the hotel door because she wanted to flirt with other girls in town, and that thought made her jealous. "Stop it, Catherine," she said to herself, but the thoughts kept flowing.

When Catherine parked outside her house, she couldn't stand the conjecture she was making in her thoughts and called Steve just to see if he'd returned to the hotel.

"Hi, I just wanted to say I'm home," Catherine told him.

"Great, Catherine. I'm at the hotel, too, and can you guess what I'm going to do now?"

"What?" She asked.

"I'll watch my sixth movie of the day. I don't have anything else to do in this damn hotel."

"Well, pick a good movie at least," she told him.

"I'll try. Good night, Catherine."

"Good night, Steve." After she knew he wasn't with another girl, Catherine got out of the car and went into the house.

She went straight to her mother's room. Carol was sitting on the bed reading a book and smiled when Catherine came in.

"Hey! I thought you weren't coming home today, so I had to call you."

"You know I would back, Mom. Since when do I sleep outside?" Catherine answered.

"Where were you and with whom?" Carol asked.

"I was at a little bar talking to Steve. But don't worry, I didn't drink alcohol, I just drank juice."

"Great. You know that drinking and driving isn't a good combination."

"I know, Mom. I talked to Steve about dinner on Saturday and he accepted your invitation."

"Great. Tomorrow I'll think about the menu," Carol answered.

Catherine lay in bed and put her head on her mother's lap.

"What?" Carol asked her.

"It's nothing," Catherine answered and remained silent for a while. "Dad called me today and asked me if I was seeing anyone from the base. I'm not seeing Steve, Mom. We're just friends."

"I didn't say anything about this to your father, Catherine. He didn't hear it from me."

"Really? Then it was someone from the base," Catherine told her.

"It seems so, daughter. Be more careful next time."

"What gossip people!" Catherine thought out loud and her mother laughed.

"Go rest, daughter. Tomorrow you get up early for another day's work."

"You're right." Catherine got up, kissed her mother on the cheek and wished her good night. She went to her room, took a warm, relaxing shower and then went to bed. She put the phone in the nightstand so she could hear the alarm the next day. She closed her eyes and was thinking about the day she had had when a ringtone announced that she had a new message.

"Good night, Lieutenant."

Catherine smiled and answered the message. "Good night, sailor."

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