T-minus 30 days until the wedding!

Chapter 20

October 1, 1925 P.D.

That morning, Matt would report for his first day of medical school at Grayson University in Austin City. He was also aggravated that until he and Rachel were in their manor (he was still trying to get used to saying their manor) he would be staying in his old room at his childhood home.

Rachel and he reluctantly agreed that since he was no longer entitled to a dorm on base, Redmon was his best option. Harrington to Redmon was over an hour by car, and the commercial shuttle service transit fee on the Harrington-Mayhew-Redmon-Howell route was "scandalous" according to popular opinion. Why wasn't there a public shuttle transit from Harrington to Redmon? Redmon was only fifteen minutes to Austin City by public shuttle transit, so Redmond it was.

And you need to focus on the beginning of medical school, not me, love, Rachel had said.

Lew had it worse. He had no family on Grayson to fall back on. The Goodsons, however, opened their home to their son's friend. He and Matt shared his childhood bedroom, but neither complained. Lew was grateful for their kindness and gave the Goodsons his subsistence stipend as rent, not wanting to freeload off anyone.

So that morning, he and Lew boarded the shuttle for Austin City and Matt's uni-link chimed.

"How's the weather in Redmon this morning?" Rachel asked.

"Cold and cloudy," he responded.

"I'm going to miss seeing you at lunch," she said.

"You only have about 30 people or so to keep you company," he teased.

"Ha, ha. Tell Lew good morning for me. I love you."

"Ditto, sweetheart."

#

Also that morning, the officers from the Office of Shipbuilding gathered in the AF-325 auditorium for what the Office of the High Admiral called an Officer Professional Development event. Admiral McCann and the Alvarez Field Chaplain entered the auditorium with their yeoman. Someone called out attention on deck! and they rose to their feet. He stopped behind a lectern and looked over the crowd. He turned on his memo pad and spoke.

"At ease, ladies and gentlemen," the admiral said and the took their seats. "Chaplain Huntingdon will now offer a prayer over this meeting."

When the prayer was finished, the chaplain left, and the admiral looked over the gathering.

"I see many ensigns here, fresh from the academies. I hope that you're settling in, that you take pride in your work, that you feel a sense of accomplishment. That you belong to something bigger than yourself."

He took a breath and continued.

"However, some of your fellow officers have forgotten why they're here, which is: a person with exceptional leadership capacity and specialized training. Navy officers are highly educated, specially trained military leaders who manage the Navy's personnel, ships, space infrastructure, and weapons systems."

"I'm sure you're all aware of the current Exhaust travesty. Sadly, last week one of you discovered a spacer on the floor of his dorm during an Exhaust-induced seizure. That spacer is now with the Tester, his test of life ended too early. No commanding officer wants to write a condolence letter to a family, especially over something as senseless as a drug overdose."

"Two spacers and an PO2 are undergoing treatment in the hospital from the effects of the drug; their condition is described as day-to-day. After the blood testing done last week, seventeen of your shipmates were found to have Exhaust in their systems. Since last Tuesday, four of your shipmates have been arrested for the manufacture and sale of the drug. Two of those were officers."

There was a shocked murmur throughout the gathering.

"I won't say their names and ranks, because it doesn't matter. Officers, charged with leading and training their sailors, made and sold the drug in full knowledge of the danger of it, the illegality of it. They forgot, or simply quit caring, about their Oath of Commission. They will be dishonorably discharged from this Navy, and then serve a prison term for their crimes."

The admiral gestured to his yeoman and the screen behind him illuminated. The Grayson Navy coat-of-arms was seen and the next slide for the presentation was shown.

"This is your commission oath. I want you to take a minute or two to read it."

He waited a couple of minutes and spoke. "I took the same oath you did 30 years ago. The oath hasn't changed. Times change, but duty and integrity does not. I took an oath 30 years to support and defend Grayson; all of you took the same oath. Those officers in the brig that took the oath aren't supporting and defending Grayson now."

He pointed to an ensign in the front row, who popped up from his seat. "When did you commission?"

"August 24th, sir."

"A little over a month ago. How did you feel that day?"

"It was the proudest day of my life, sir."

"As it should be, you worked hard for that day. Is your family proud of you?"

"Yes sir!"

"Do you think the families of those officers in the brig are proud of them?"

"No sir."

"You can take your seat."

"Aye sir."

He gestured for his yeoman to move to the next slide in the presentation.

"When I was promoted to Admiral and given command of the Office of Shipbuilding, the Office of the High Admiral gave me three days to submit my Command Philosophy statement. At first, I thought three days for something like that? Then it occurred to me: I should have been able to give the High Admiral my command philosophy the day I got my stars. The three days was a courtesy to settle into my command. Three days doesn't seem that long, does it? I've had 30 years to get it right, I should know what my command philosophy is by now. There it is."

He turned and pointed to the screen.

"A copy of it will be transmitted to all of you. I have a homework assignment for all of you. I want a one-page essay about what this command philosophy means to you. Due by close of duty hours tomorrow."

October 3, 1925 P.D. 0930 Hephaestus Station, Manticore Officer's Berthing

Angela Mayfair, for the second time in her life, was given a physical piece of mail. She knew what it was. Although she had already acknowledged her "save the date" message from Rachel, she smiled when she opened the envelope and elegant invitation. The calligraphy was hand drawn!

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Mayhew

and

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Goodson

Invite you to share in their joy of the marriage uniting their children

Rachel Diane Mayhew

and

Matthew Isaiah Goodson

This celebration of love will be on Saturday, October 31st, 1925 P.D.

At six in the evening, Protector's Cathedral

Grayson, Austin City, Mayhew Boulevard

Reception to follow, Protector's Palace Ballroom

What was amusing was the system-wide message put out by Queen Elizabeth herself about the invites.

"In the interest of international diplomacy and friendship, I would be most appreciative if the commanders of those personnel invited to Mayhew wedding approve the leave for said individuals. I myself will attend, and it would be delightful to see them at such a joyful occasion."

Grayson, Mayhew home

Grace Myerson heard a knock on her door and looked up from the work on her desk.

"Got a minute?" Rachel asked.

"Of course, m'lady."

Rachel smiled and took a seat in front of the desk. "Do you know of anyone looking for a caretaker position? I've been procrastinating, but I need to find someone. I'll be in my new home in a matter of weeks."

Grace smiled. Katherine and Elaine said that they would be nudging Rachel in her direction. "I do, m'lady. My daughter."

"Do tell," Rachel suggested.

"She's 24 and excelled at home economics in school. After high school, she was hired here as a housekeeper. After a time, she transitioned to the kitchen staff, and then the laundry staff. She's now the head of the palace laundry service."

"Would she be willing to speak with me?" Rachel asked.

"I can call her now, if you'd like?" Grace asked.

"Thank you," Rachel said. "I'll be in dad's office."

"Yes, m'lady."

In her dad's office, she finalized the wedding reception plans and Ben told her of the RSVPs that were arriving every day. Grace appeared at the door with a younger woman. Rachel saw her and greeted her.

"My daughter, Gillian, m'lady."

"Let's go to the library and talk," Rachel said.

Grace squeezed her daughter's hand and she left with Rachel. In the library, Rachel thanked Gillian for meeting with her.

"So, Grace tells me that you've worked various positions in this home, and now you're the head of the laundry service?"

"Yes, m'lady."

Rachel thought of the unenviable job of laundry for the entire family and their armsmen. "An unending task, to be sure."

"I've grown used to it, m'lady."

"How many people are in the laundry service?"

"Six, m'lady."

"Are you interested in making a change? What I mean is that I'm looking for a caretaker for my new home. For a while, it's only going to be myself, Matt, and two armsmen. Does that interest you?"

"Yes it does, m'lady."

"Do you have time today to see my home?"

"My time is yours, m'lady."

She left the library from the corridor, "Nate? Robert?"

They poked their head out of a security office.

"We're headed to the new house with Ms. Myerson. Can you get us a car?" Rachel asked.

Matt had hers, but the palace motor pool had 11 to choose from.

"Certainly, m'lady," Nate said.

Twenty minutes later, they left Mayhew Steading for Harrington. She put her uni-link in her ear and called Matt.

"Can you meet us at the house? We're on the way with a potential caretaker," Rachel said.

"I'm here already. I was getting some measurements of the living room and basement," he said. "Thank goodness that you found someone! Mom asked around, but no dice. We just don't have housekeepers in our circles."

"All right, I'll be there soon," she said.

"Drive safe, love you."

#

When they arrived at the new house, Gillian wasn't inclined to call it a house. It was, in fact, a manor. Matt opened the front doors and they all went inside. Internally, Gillian was amused that there wasn't any furniture in the front area of the home.

"We're still furnishing the place," Matt said.

"We spend so much time at on base and planning the wedding, we don't seem to have enough time for anything else," Rachel added.

"M'lady, may I make a suggestion?" Gillian said.

"By all means," Rachel replied.

"Hire an interior decorator, they'll have this furnished in no time. All he or she needs are your desires and a budget," Gillian suggested.

Matt and Rachel looked dumbfounded. Why didn't they think of that?

"May I see the rest of the manor?" Gillian asked.

"Manor?" Matt asked.

"Yes, Mr. Goodson. That's what it is after all," Gillian said.

They went to the kitchen where there was a dining table and chairs, but nothing else. Gillian noted the nook, toilet, storage closet, and a room that that was probably meant to be an office. They went upstairs and the only room that was furnished was the master bedroom.

"So, what do you think? Would you like the position?" Rachel asked.

"M'lady, I'd be honored to accept your offer."

Rachel and Matt smiled in relief and Gillian was thrilled. She would finally have a home to manage! Her mother was going to be so proud. Rachel and Matthew were good people, and they did need help. They had a manor and no idea what to do with it.

"To make it official, can you send me a resume and your salary requirements?" Rachel asked.

"I already have, m'lady."

#

"What were you measuring for earlier?" Rachel asked Matt on the return to the palace.

"The best place for a billiards table. Dad's wedding gift to me," he said.

"So where does it look to be the best place?" Rachel asked.

"That space off the living room with the bay window," he replied.

"We can place some gym equipment and mats in the basement," Rachel mused, mentally mapping the space in question.

Upon their return to the palace, Gillian was congratulated by her mother and palace staff on her new position. Rachel went in search of her parents and found Katherine on her uni-link with Ben.

"…another lesson learned, I guess. Tester knows we've had enough broken bones in this home," Katherine said ruefully.

She ended the call and let out a breath.

"Broken arm for Lawrence."

"How?" Rachel asked.

"He and his brother were trying out coup de vitesse moves in the piano room," Katherine said, exasperated. "Some of the keys will have to be replaced."

"What were they thinking?" Rachel asked.

"They're ten and eleven years old, who knows," Katherine shrugged, "and they're not worried about the broken arm or that they were doing such a stunt in the piano room; they're worried that you'll be angry about the piano."

Captain Webb appeared at the office door. "M'lady, a Mr. Shipley is at the west entrance, with his son. They're here to speak with Honor."

"Our Honor?" Katherine asked and stepped from behind the desk.

"Yes, m'lady," he replied.

"Any idea what it's about?"

"Apparently, there was an incident at the school's community center earlier," Captain Webb stated.

Katherine sighed. What fresh drama was Honor bringing them this day? She heard the girl fussing loudly from the direction of the west entrance and walked faster.

"Honor?" she asked when she arrived.

Honor was angry and wiping tears. The man saw Katherine and bowed. He elbowed his son and he bowed as well.

"Tester's blessing on you, Mr…?" Katherine asked.

"Shipley, m'lady. This is my son, Samuel. I'm sorry to disturb you this afternoon."

"It must be important enough for you to come all this way. Would you care to step inside? There's no need to be on the doorstep," she offered.

In the foyer (which most homes would call a living room) Mr. Shipley explained why he was there, and the entire family gathered to listen. Samuel Shipley had never been so embarrassed.

"There was an incident at the community center earlier. Words were exchanged, and my son said something he shouldn't have. He's-"

He was interrupted by Ben and Elaine's appearance. He bowed and grabbed his son's jacket collar for him to bow. They stood straight again, and Mr. Shipley continued.

"Tester's blessing on you, welcome to my home. May I ask what brings you here this afternoon?" Ben asked.

"As I was saying, m'lord, my son said something he shouldn't have. He's here to apologize," Mr. Shipley explained.

"He's a jerk and he wouldn't know an apology if one hit him in the face!" Honor retorted and wiped her falling tears again.

"Honor Mayhew!" Elaine exclaimed, shocked. "What a rude thing to say!"

"I agree with your mother, Honor. That was an unseemly outburst. Perhaps you'd like to hear what this young man has to say before you say anything else?" Ben suggested.

"You're not supposed to make girls cry," Bernie said to Samuel.

Ben pinched the bridge of his nose. "All of you- except Honor- go back to whatever it was you were doing. Boys, perhaps you can show your sister what you did to the piano? And how you're paying for the repairs out of your allowances?"

In the piano room, the boys were apologetic to Rachel and explained what they were attempting to do while she examined the keys.

"I'm going to miss it here…kind of. Never a dull moment," Rachel quipped.