Chapter Sixteen: New Atmosphere
MAX'S POV
I arrived in San Diego late but the Admiral's friends were up waiting for us. The car ride there was silent and awkward as I gave off lots of nervous energy.
I ring the doorbell, the Admiral standing behind me awkwardly with my bags at his feet. We wait several moments before the door swings open revealing a tired middle-aged woman and a stern looking man.
"Ah, there they are." The woman smiles, stepping out of the way to allow us to enter. I pick up a few of my bags while the Admiral gathers the rest. "How was the flight?"
"Pretty good." I say, scanning the room. It's a tall ceiling and lots of pictures are strung up. It's certainly more welcoming than the Admiral's cabin.
"Here, let me take those." She grabs my bags from my hands and walks upstairs before I can object. The Admiral and the other man are talking quietly as I awkwardly stand there.
They seem to end their conversation, turning to look at me as the woman comes back downstairs and grabs the rest of my bags.
The man steps forward, extending a hand. I shake it. "I'm Admiral Klune and please call me that. It's nice to finally meet you, Max. I have heard great things about you."
I look at the Admiral skeptically. He shakes his head indicating that Admiral Klune doesn't know who I truly am.
I smile at Admiral Klune, dropping my hand back to my side. Admiral Klune's wife comes back down the stairs and shakes my hand. "Hello, dearie. I'm Michelle. It's a pleasure to meet you. You must be tired. Come, come. Let me show you to your room."
I look at the Admiral and he nods. I reluctantly follow Michelle up the stairs. We walk to the end of the hall and enter the last door on the left. Inside is a nicely decorated guest room. My bags are placed on the bed. Off to the side is a door leading to a bathroom and closet.
"What do you think?" Michelle asks, hopefully. She is smiling but her eyes are starting to droop a bit.
I smile and nod. "It's great. Thank you."
"Of course. Breakfast will be at eight. After that, you are free to go into town and explore. Thanksgiving Break hasn't started yet but you won't go to school until after just to make the transition easier. Your dinner with the Admiral and his family is in two days' time and I heard you get to meet his lovely grandson and his friends."
I nod, sitting on the bed. "Sounds great. Thanks again." She nods, leaving and closing the door behind her. I sigh, flopping backwards. I fall asleep like that, exhausted after being stuck in a plane for several hours.