A Christmas Carol, The Last Ship Version

Chapter 3-Christmas Present

Mike registered that it was cold wherever he was, and immediately recognized that he was in downtown Norfolk. An area that catered to the young officers who could only afford apartments and small townhomes. The nightlife was happening, and there were bars and restaurants everywhere. Mike looked at Christine, not understanding what was happening.

"We never lived here." Mike remarked.

"No. So, full disclosure; this isn't your Christmas present. It's Lt. Rawlings' Christmas." Christine explained.

"Why? Aside from work; I don't know her." Mike asked.

"True, but there has been a spark between you and she." Christine remarked.

"If there is; nothing can happen. I'm an Admiral and she's a lieutenant. It would be wrong in about a hundred different ways. Besides, she is young." Mike objected. Honestly, he had to admit, he was attracted to Maddie but nothing could come of it.

"Oh, Mike. Those rules stopped mattering. You know that. Besides; if given a chance to be happy, she would leave the Navy in a heartbeat, and I think you would too." Christine told him.

"I still don't understand why we are here." Mike said. Christine grabbed his arm and began pulling her with him.

"We are going to go inside the house where you will find that Lt. Rawlings has been nursing her sick mother, and she took a turn for the worse tonight. While she was waiting for your email, her mother was dying basically alone. Thankfully, Maddie got here in time but she lost valuable time and now she is alone in the world. As you know; that is painful." Christine explained. Just then; they walked into a room that had an empty hospital bed and medical equipment.

"The funeral home will be in contact in the morning, Miss." A woman is scrubs told Lt. Maddie Rawlings.

"Thank you, Sandy. Thanks for all your help and staying with her until I got here this evening." Maddie said.

"Miss…I realize you love your career; but don't let it rob you of your happiness. Your mom wanted you to be happy." Sandy said.

"Thank you. I just…see something with Admiral Slattery. I know he seems horrible, but I think somewhere deep down; he is a good man who is just hurting so badly." Maddie remarked.

"A lot of people are hurting. You are hurting now, but you don't take it out on everyone you're around. Please let me know when the funeral is?" Sandy asked as she picked her purse up.

"It'll probably me a memorial service. We could only afford cremation and I would have to fit it around my work schedule; but yes, I will let you know. Thank you again for everything." Maddie said.

"Let me know if you need anything." Sandy said after giving Maddie a hug.

Mike did honestly feel badly. Once Sandy left; Maddie sat down on the edge of the hospital bed and stared into space. He didn't know anything about her background, other than that her mother had been her only family. He had costed her hours with her dying mother.

"See?" Christine asked.

"Okay; I will admit, I feel bad, but I didn't know about her mom." Mike said.

"Granted, but what would you have done if you did? Give her the time off? Be less of a jerk? More supportive? You need to answer that in your own heart." Christine said.

"Can we leave? I don't like it here." Mike asked.

"Remember when my mom used to tell us to 'stew in your own juices?' You need to do that for a few minutes. You need to recognize your culpability in this." Christine said. Mike knew he didn't have a choice, but he didn't like it. How was he going to face Maddie knowing that because of him, she barely got to her mom in time? As he thought, Christine stood next to him but didn't say anything more.