Chp11: The Wilds with Winston
**Yes, I know that Hyde Park and Kensington Park are separate, but I believe since they are side by side, next to each other it would be less confusing to just write Hyde Park.
**Grand Bank Liquor Trade: during prohibition American and Canada fisherman working the Grand Banks would meet up with English, Scottish and Irish fishermen working the Grand Bank and trade cash for whisky and scotch. The fishermen would usually smuggle the cases in with their catch.
** Clench your fist at arm's length, and hold it with the back of your hand facing you. The width is 10 degrees. Hold your three middle fingers together; they span about 5 degrees. The width of your little finger at arm's length is 1 degree: Each finger represents approximately 15 minutes. Varies by hand size.
** In the old days: square headed triangle nails came in perforated metal sheets. Because they were expense, they were used only near the end of a project. They had to be snapped or cut out of the sheet. Thus, the term 'cut nails', has come to mean finish something, get it done. Similar to 'cut bait or fish'
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Moring after The Queens Gala: a-pov
Finally, the day after the Queens Gala. We get Winston out of quarantine. My poor man had to purge those nasty worms he picked up from somewhere. We suspect Elliott barbecuing before we left; All that raw meat he was sneaking our chow hound.
But that is water under the bridge. We spend the afternoon walking our dog to the nearby Sir John McDougall Gardens dog exercise area. Playing with our dog, during our extend lunch hour like any other young couple. Chatting with other dog owners and letting the calm, easy mood of the dog park chases our cares away. This is what normal means. This is what togetherness means. Not baubles and possessions. But experiences and commonality of thoughts and emotions. The intimate sharing that only soulmates can achieve in the crowded city. Right here and now we are the most perfect.
Walking back to the office we wander the Westferry road north to Byng street. The nice houses along the way. Nice people we pass and exchange greetings one does to passersby. No one knows us, we are just another young couple walking their dog. For the first time in my life, I feel worthy of my title, my life. Cutting across Marsh Wall we dodge London traffic.
We make are way across the South Quay Footbridge, stopping near the center, I take Christian in my arms and kiss him. Letting my love flow between us. We stand there for how long I don't know, till Winston loudly snores. Several people male and female cheer us, A dourly stiff as a board double breast power suited old business man with a newspaper rolled so tight, he could drive nail tucked under his arm 'never let her go lad. Woman like her come around but once' he dabs his eyes with a linen handkerchief.
We head west to London GEH once we reach the middle dock. We enter the sublime chaos of big business and Christian Mergers and Acquisition world. Its late when we arrive at Hyde Park after working thru the Firms bullshit. Another night stressed by my family from the grave. We'll walk our man, de-stressing and enjoy the evening in the beautiful walking paths and green fields. Heading to Lamp-peer house for a late supper and early bed; we may even get to sleep before midnight.
We have George are local CPO driver, drop us off at eastern foot path around the Tennis Courts and the Old Football Pitch. We'll cross South Carriage Drive and Kensington Road at Rutland Gate Crosswalk. I missed these forced couple only time with my men. You don't have others walk your dog, you walk him; rain sleet, snow it doesn't matter. Winston is our dog, our responsibility. Winston seems even more snobby and regal. Like he knows he's on home turf. Like he expects the Queen pop out of the flowers and shrubs to knight him. Sexy Christian ass as he scoops; MMMM I cup his ass. We head home faster before he takes me in the bushes. Wouldn't want to give security and the police a show.
We've been jogging from Rutland Gate crosswalk around the Serpentine Lake and Italian Gardens and back to Rutland Gate to home. Jason has a host of CPO and local security following us.
Mellowing over breakfast Friday morning. "Anna were flying to Scotland this afternoon to look at a house. It's one of the hidden properties from the Firm."
"Where exactly is this place?
"West coast, Loch Ewe on western most end of Isle Ewe. The house was built about eighty years ago. It was modernized about ten years ago. From the file its completely self-contained. Even has a helicopter pad and hanger. Jason sent a security crew to check it out. According to the people who do upkeep, the house has never been occupied. Its fully furnished and I'm having the pantry stocked for the weekend."
"ok, sound good. Why?"
"Because I want some wild, alone time with my countess."
"What ever will your wife say about you running off for a romantic kink-fest with me?"
"I believe her exact words will be MORE! MORE!"
I throw a sausage piece at him. "I'll have to inform the lady as to your American dalliances with the Countess." Winston pops up and charge the forlorn piece of pork on the floor.
He leans over and flicks the last sausage piece from my plate on the floor for Winston. "Blackmail away my lady. I've packed the balls, crop, and the jewelry for our escape weekend."
I rub my thighs together, wetting at his kinky words. The jewelry indeed, the eighty-seven-Thousand-dollar gemstone speckled nipple clamps. I can't wait to wear them again; my nipples are tingling. "That's ok I'll bring the strap on." I tease him
"When did you get one of those?"
"In about two hours when I can find a London sex shop."
"Really?"
"You'll just have to wait and see. Hubby." I leave the table to finish getting Winston ready for the day, shaking my ass likes it's on fire. Fire with anticipation for this weekend.
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The wind-swept south-western tip of Ewe island is rocky, bleak: has Uncle would say fit for only sheep and soldiers. Something here calls me, like in a past life I lived in a place like this. Lonely windswept house waiting for my husband to return. Return from the sea. The house is a two-story stone fortress of sturdy design. Encompassed by a weather fence. Stark and unadorned, Heathcliff would be at home here.
To the north, the north western shore of Loch Ewe around Mellon Charles. In front of us to the west is a small island and further out towards the sea is Sgeir an Araig, A larger green island. I can just see in the rapid falling of dusk the WWII fortifications around Rubha nan Sasan on the south west loch's shore.
Below the house is a gravel beach breaking to sand shoals uncovered by the low tide. The helicopter hanger is about four hundred meters east of us, below the crest of the ridge behind us. A stone lined tunnel cut thru the ridge to just outside the weather wall. The tunnel seems ancient and sinister.
Eric and three CPO will be camped out at the Hanger, they have water and a bathroom. Seeing me looking at the tunnel. "The Locals claim the tunnel was build during the troubles, and later as smuggling layover from Poolewe. They also say the smuggling didn't stop till the house was build. Seem Scotch was in demand on the fishing trades back to America during their dry spell." Eric our CPO offers.
"Yes, the Grand Bank Liquor Trade, one of my cousins made a mint off it, but he was out of Galway in Ireland. Tragical lost everything on the horses at Ascot, jump in front of the Express to Portsmouth."
"Well given your family history, no betting on horse." Christian tease me.
"I do very well with my William Hill betting shop in Bath. My account is twenty-four hundred pounds."
"That's 3 grand and change. Anna?"
"How much have you bet and won, on gambling not companies?"
"I owe Elliott three hundred and weekend on the Mia; Dad has my marker for fifty bucks from the last Mariner's game. And Mia is working my debt off on my Amex at Niemen's next week."
"What did you bet Mia on?"
"That I would find a soulmate and marry her."
"Her or him?"
"Mia didn't specify, after all they thought I was gay. But she bet this would occur before I turned thirty vs a whole year's wardrobe."
"Suckers bet. Fate had me in your sights and I always knew my Mr. Darcy was out there."
He smirks at me. With that wicked, something kinky is about to happen leer.
"Your mother?" I ask hoping to defuse the ardor while the CPO are present.
"Nothing, she doesn't bet. Grandma T owes me a hundred dollars an all eight apple jams and butters she makes in the fall. Granddad owes me tickets to the first playoff Seahawks game; when every that occurs."
"MMMM. Pigeons ripe for the plucking. Wouldn't you say so Winston. I must have my bookmaker Chuckie start making wagers with the Grey clan. Mommy needs a new fur coat!" I shake my hips when I notice the CPO have dumped the luggage in the anteroom and fled us.
"Are we that bad?" I look at their fleeing shadow in the tunnel. I turn back to my man, whose naked, hauling me over his shoulder; he carries me upstairs to the first bedroom he finds. I flop on the new bed mattress. "more!" Is all I can say as my cloths flutter in the room free from my body. Damm another ripped pair of panties, when will this man learn respect for ladies' unmentionables. "Yes!" As his wicked mouth moves the heavens and the earth.
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I walk the stony ridge on the sea swept hills north of the house. Bundled in wool blanket and warm clothes. Winston tags along, checking the grass and bush for interesting thing to smell and see. I remind myself how far I've come. How far Frankie and my life has changed from just a few months ago.
The newness and reality of a bright and happy life. Shocking my inner fears and doubts. I look out to the setting sun; Two finger** between the horizon and the red orb; about fifteen minutes till it sizzle the sea. I watch the sea bird chase each other inland to warm next and loving mates in shelter nests.
I look north to the dot sized houses of Mellow Charles. I sit on a boulder, an old 80's song invades my thoughts. I remember walking alone at beach on Ilse of Man. Sing it, lost in loneliness and pain. Morning after a Snow patrol concert. Leia and possess surprised me there. Made the whole thing a burden of pain and control. I couldn't dance, sing or enjoy the concert. With them watching and attacking everything I did.
I look out into the fastly hazing light. I sing the song to Winston. He sits looking at me, with those empathetic eyes.
"Here comes the rain again
Falling on my head like a memory
Falling on my head like a new emotion
I want to walk in the open wind
I want to talk like lovers do
I want to dive into your ocean
Is it raining with you
So baby talk to me
Like lovers do
Walk with me
Like lovers do
Talk to me
Like lovers do" Songwriters: Annie Lennox / David Allan Stewart: Here Comes the Rain Again lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
I look at the sizzle orb: still sings my made-up version.
"The rain is gone; My lover with smoky grey eyes, chased it away. We walk in the open wind; making love on the grass and sand. Making the world bent to our love. New emotions make new memories in me; of you and us and everything in between! When you touch me like lovers do; I get so excited. I scream your name in ecstasy. You talk to me like lovers do."
"Walk with you like lovers do. I dive into your ocean and it's never every rain again for us. So! Baby talk to me like lovers do, love me like you do. Making me forget the world when you're touching me. Words don't exist to tell you how much you mean to me. I love you!" Chris sings. Pulling me into his arms; kissing me like there is no tomorrow.
Lucky, he brought a torch and we wander in the twilight to home. I watch Winston spot on a bush; a sea bird I think launch away. My bird dog is stoked to do his first spot and flush. I'm stoked that my husband loves me, despite all my faults, flaws and baggage.
C-pov.
The sun rises behind the bluff in the east. The Shadow chased to shore, bird stretch and preen, the new days flights are launched. Breakfast is just a dive and splash away. I sit on the gravel shoulder of high tide. Sipping my bitter brew of coffee, I watch the water sparkle in the morning lights promise of a sunny good day.
The weeks have been a whorl-wind of events, emotions, and shocking discoveries. I have a heart! I have a wife who I love and she loves me. "SHE LOVES ME!" I crest on the emotions that my family has finally accepted who and what I am. More important I've accepted who I am. Finally, not the personas of power or narcissism. The Dom, the CEO, the scared little boy. I'm just me, a work in progress and it's the best I can be and do.
I sip my coffee reflecting back to the days before she became mine. The delusions of wining and dining her, showering her with expenses baubles and avarice indulgences. Those were pipe dreams of a closet scared little boy, believing I had to blind her with wealth and privileges so she wouldn't see the real me. The scared boy, the sadist, the control freak.
The wedding, the honeymoon; where she made me see the world, truly see the world. The reality of us, just us being together forever. I pick a pebble from the ridge formed by the high point of the tide assault on the Isle. Skipping it into the foams broken waves washing the sand. One. Two. Three. Four. Yes, four skips till it blobs and sinks.
Day four in London; I'm working hard as the clock whines down to quitting time. I sent Anna and her new PA Hannah to a spa to preen for the charity event tonight. Last night Duke of Lancaster's Summer Cotillion at the Great Wheel's Jubilee Garden. Was beyond boring and waste of time. The stolen lust, and collegiate sex in the Great Wheel. The party with court's fake and shallow peons was not.
Tonight, we have an Animal Rescue Charity at Barking & Dagenham College out near Romford. My suit is hanging on the bathroom door, the shower is smaller than I like in the esuite in my office here in Canary Wharf. I barely can sex my wife without flooding the bathroom floor. I plan some expansion of this office and the shower.
The door opens and two men, middle age of military bearing and aloofness enter. I didn't say they could. I see Jason behind them. "Mr. Gray. Our boss would like a word with you, please come with us."
"If I say no?"
"You wouldn't like the hospital visit. So please just come along?" He asks. I see Jason signal for me to do it.
I stand and go to the esuite and grab the wardrobe bag with my suits. I hand it to Parkford, our local CPO shadow. We leave the building and travel along A1261 east till we cross under the Thames in the Blackwall Tunnel. We turn onto A2 till it turns to Queens road. We travel thru Peckham and Camberwell, I watch us pass the Oval, famed cricket grounds. Even Anna can't explain the game to me. I'll stick with Rugby and Soccer.
We pass under the Vauxhall Transit Station; turning right on Albert Embankment. I see the White Castle on the River. From the Bond movies Elliott adores. We take a left into a gated secure road next to it. Shit we're going inside MI-6's White Castle.
Parkford stays with the car. Jason and I are escort thru the maze of security and hallways to an office. The door reads 'Sir T. G. Lawrence Deputy Director of Southern Hemisphere'. The first non-talking clone opens the door to a small office. We enter, a stiff proper matronly secretary command a young male secretary to get us coffee. She escorts into another office. An old man sits behind a massive wooden desk fit for a ruler of business or a tyrannical bureaucrat. His eyes speak of a hard-violent life, of death; too much death.
He sits looking out over the river. Miss Moneypenny indicate two chairs in front of his desk. Like the principle about to expel my dumb ass from school. Jason sits; I pick up my chair and move it to the side of the desk. So now the old man must turn to me to talk. I sit and accept the coffee. I notice Miss Moneypenny stays near the door.
"Well Grey? You're a hard man. Well I'm harder and meaner. So, shall we cut the bullshit and cut nails."
He has no accent or inflection., he could be from anywhere and nowhere. "Yes, Let's cut the bullshit. Why have you summoned me?"
"To discuss your Wife. Robert, her uncle was my godson. He doted on the Girl, thus with his passing I have stepped up to hold her interest like I would my godson."
"Stepped up; asshole! Where were you when her bastard evil father tormented her; her stepmother humiliated and nearly had her raped. Where were you?"
"I was engaged out of the country till last June. I've not been home in fourteen years. I've only risen to this office and responsibility since July. If I had known, If Robert had confided in me. I would have taken steps to remove his brother and his wife. I was just briefed by the Lord Chamberlain the day before you arrived."
"Alright. What now?" I accept he didn't know and if he had. The man is one of decision and action. Must be careful here.
"Well your file wants me to throw you out the window, if it could even be opened. Secondly, I thought Anastasia would looks very nice in Widows Weeds from your tragic hit and run. Test me, boy. I've been doing the dirty, dark work for god and country for fifty years."
"Why not?"
"Because you make Anastasia happy, loved; even a pragmatist and four-fail-marriage-loser like me can tell that. You've made her your sole beneficiary and put her in command of your world. In short your everything Robert wanted for her."
"We're do we go from here?"
"Not many words, you're like her step farther. Verbose is not your style. So, I will meet you both socially later at the Royal Military ball in Sandhurst. I will introduce myself as Robert's god father and apologize for being absent and away on duty for not helping Anastasia from her Father and step-mother. I hope to forge some relationship. I have no Children, no heirs. Only distant relations to leave titles and some property to. I hope to be part of your lives."
"Ok, Anna will decide. I personal would like you to have interactions with us. Anna needs family and friends that count when the days are cloudy and black. I understand how duty and a job can lead one astray. I let darkness lead me to BDSM. Anna made me realize I could live in the light and be happy. WE look forward to meeting you. Anything else?"
"Yes, I've arranged for you to receive diplomatic services entering and existing the country and any commonwealth. It will speed customs and red tape. I 've also ordered a threat assessment to Mr. Taylor on weekly basis as needed. I am scheduled to leave this office next year; my health is not what it used to be. I have a cottage down the road from your house near Bath."
"Thank you, I need to get home and change for the event tonight. Thank you for the visit." I say rising, shaking his hand. We leave, Moneypenny follows us to the outer hallway. "Grey. Don't let his mood fool you, he sees injuries or knows you've hurt the girl. You'll wish she could wear Widows Weed. Because if he doesn't, I will cut it off, blowtorch the holes, both. Understand me!"
"Yes, I do. Everyone has told me that since we married. I don't need that anymore; my Touch issues don't exist for her. You're as bad as Abby."
"Yes Abby. Her and Helen were once my teammates. You would be wise to remember that. Now go show that girl the love she deserves. Helen loved her like she was her own. Good day gentlemen." She turns back into the office
We walk out, the clones let us drive away. Parkford speed thru London to get us home to pick up my girl. "Jason who and What was that?"
"That was a big powerful evil guy telling you to behave and treat Anna nicely. Guys like him don't care about law and niceties; you screw up and we're both worm food."
"Ok. They have little to worry about. I'd never be able to hurt Anna." I say looking out into the city.
"I know Christian. Let's let Anna decide about the old man."
"He was general in the Air force; after a tour as a captain in the SAS. He's one of the good guys. Rumor has it he's been deep undercover somewhere critical; Took a lot of damage before he got out. He didn't stand because he lost both lower legs. An old buddy briefed me while you guys were upstairs. Take it as gospel when he threats you. Mr. Grey Gospel." Parkford tell us. We drive in silence.
Sitting on the tip of a Scottish isle in a Loch; thinking about my world. The old guy shows up in two weeks. Jason tells me everything is looking good. Frankie may be here before Halloween for his investment as Earl.
I stand and wander the sandy shoals. Skipping rocks along the waters edge. Thinking about how much the world has changed since I picked up from the pier side sidewalk a fallen jogger. I float the rock in a high arc. Watching it fall within the foam of a still submerged rock. I smile as I let the world shrink to inside my mind.
The first morning at the Firm. I want to kill and maim the assholes we fired. Kill and main the whole lot of the bastards. The place is a wreck. Lucky Roz and Sir John took precautions to minimize the damage and destroyed files. Still I stare into the copy room on the top executive level, overflowing with shredded paper, destroyed files. They did all this with five small office shredders.
All four floors at the top of the building are executive office. Each director had a ¼ of the floor. Deputies had 1/8 of two floors. Their assistants each took the 1/20 of the fourth executive floor. My Floor at GEH holds all the directors, deputies and assistant and PA's. One frigging Floor.
Here the top floor has four suite offices with esuite, bedroom, and private dining rooms for nine people. Plus, a frigging formal dinning room and board room. That it four office! There are more janitors on the top four floors than the rest of the 16 floors combined.
Roz and Barney have already found that the budget is bloated with no-show jobs and nepotism. Half the no-shows are former lovers, or girlfriend sibling or parents. The Business is hemorrhaging money, fully 60% of the revenues are for salaries. The asset situation is even worse, the royal tax twerps have given us a list of some three hundred properties spread over the commonwealth.
I will need Anna to keep me from firing everyone in the building and starting over. I walk to the conference room to review the executive accounts and personal. Already I've fired six female secretaries and PA's in less than ten minutes. Did these shanks not get the memo, I'M MARRIED! Does anyone think they can replace Anna? None of these women are close to my girl.
Half the shanks are wearing leather, like its my turn on because I was a Dom. Personally, I prefer Anna in lace and silks than leather. She could rock leather if she wished, but she like the comfort and ease of her chosen wardrobe. Must remember to buy her more panties, the flimsy things don't seem to last.
I must not let these shanks start rumors or hurt my girl. I will have a word with Jason. I watch my girl walk in, her hair is messy, not like it was ten minutes ago. "Anna?"
"So some ex-employee was talking trash about you offering her a job for sex." Anna laughs
"You know that untrue, that she was lying. I swear Anna I'd never" I contritely plea
"Christian Grey, of course she was lying. You don't have the energy to handle two women at the same time, you don't share and neither do I. So! Chill out!" Anna cuddle in my lap; Kissing me silly. I relax as I know my girl has my back.
By Close of Business (COB) we are tired and aggravated. Anna because she though more of her grandparents and her uncle. They were not the really into the business. They preferred academics and soldiering to the Firm's snakepit; unfortunately for Firm this is my chosen world. A not the first snakepit I've destroyed and rehabbed.
I will need to make sure she doesn't overdo it; family pride and ego can be a dead weight in business. We get Winston back next week; that should lift her spirits. Come to think about mine too. I miss my man.
I watch the boats head for deeper water. Several wave to me, I wave back. I make for the ridge above. I've walked to the very tip on northwest corner of the island. I find a worn stone bench nearly hidden in the brush. Sitting I stare out to sea. The distance clouds and the fishing boat turn to distance black spots on the blue sea.
I feel good, it would be better if a certain former coed, assistant PA, wife was here. I lay my head back and stare at the clouds in the sky. A brown mass blocks my view as lips claim me. Anna is kissing me. I pull her to my lap. Making sweet words and kisses to her. "Stop." She says. What the hell?
She hops off my lap and retrieves a wicker basket. Sitting the basket next to me on the bench. She lays a blanket for Winston, saves pulling burrs out of his coat. She remounts my lap. Moving the dishtowel cover. She brings forth muffins and coffee; well coffee for me, tea for her. We enjoy a breakfast ala fresco on the windswept point of Ewe Isle.
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Sunday, we wander the beach, swim a little in the sun warmed cold water. Let the day mellow us into calm before we return tomorrow. We have five days, five events and two business conference. Roz and Gwen will be here Thursday. Plus, we need to fly all over the country to various business and factories. We have Elliot and Kate this weekend to finalize the London house remodel. We've had to gut the interior to fix all the structural and internal utilities. Anna was very sad her library hidden compartment was removed.
The house was original built in 1720, expanded in the 1830 and 1880's. The upgrades and remodel since have damaged the structural integrity. Elliott revised plans call for steel internal structure, modern green interior and utilizes. Close to 2 million dollars start to finish. Kate thinks it will take about a year. But should see the house for the next two to three hundred years. The green upgrade to Lamp-peer house will take about two weeks and coast about forty grands.
The only other house in London Anna wants refurbished is the row house at Kew Green. It backs onto the Royal Botanical Gardens. Elliott local man say that will be about seventy grands in USA money. Mostly to rehab the greenhouse and update utilizes. The house has been empty for four years, After Leia nearly burned it down. The Charred wood still stands untouched since then.
Anna talks about a Midsummer fete, carnival on the green in front of the house, several concerts an event are held here. I have Hannah checking dog restrictions at the botanical gardens. She thinks Dog are not allowed, bummer. Anna says the Thames is not far and the river walk is dog friendly.
We sit on our bench on the western tip and watch the sailboat ply the Lochs mouth. We cuddle into each other. The world is far away and we are just us, here and now. Winston pops up, barks once. We turn to see Eric and Samuel with a teenage boy. I nod, they let him forward.
"You're on my bench." The kid's barks, like we are deaf. He looks close to twenty. I stand to kick his ass or better toss him in the Loch.
"Your bench?"
"Yea, Assholes. My Granddad put that here when your family stole his house."
"Stole is a strong word. Explain how we stole it and why no one has lived in my house since it was built, eighty years ago." Anna stands and cowards the boy a good foot above her.
"Great-Granddad Issac's built the house for his sister, who had TB. She died before he could exile her here. Lambert stole the house and land in a card game at Army & Navy club on Paul Mall in St. James. About a year later. Cheated us, he did."
"Who says my relation cheated, not your great grandfather to my relatives face. Now what are you bitching about here and now?" Anna goes all military on his dumb ass.
"You cheated me out of what should have been mine."
"Prove it. I didn't think so! So you're just gripping about your lot in life. From the school patch on your expensive sweater, I'd say you haven't lost much. No as much if you keep spouting bullshit about shit that happened before I was born. Now anything else?"
"Robert Macleod! How dare you boy. Apologize this instant. You don't blame innocent people. I'm sorry I'm Lachina Macleod; his Sister. I beg your pardon. Robert!" The fiery Women about Anna age.
"I know you. Portsmouth right, the QINETIQ Water Track?" Anna asks
"Yes. I work there sometimes, I'm with North Sea Reclamation, I help design ships systems. How did you know?"
"I've been down there with my friend Elizabeth Mattison. She a Naval Architect for the Old Royal Navel College. Her niece is dating my brother." Anna says.
"Let's take this back to the house and discuss this?" I ask.
The ladies agree while we men cowl at each other. The walk finds the girls having many mutual acquaintances and common interest.
Sitting around the dining room table we work out the problems. They don't have the money to buy the house or land. Neither really wants it, just family bruised pride. Seem Leia humiliated Robert at last year College Summer Fete in Edinburgh. Did that girl not piss off anyone in this country or Washington state. She escaped from court ordered rehab: Stole and crashed a car in Los Angeles. Three people are injured, they tried at first to sue us; now Cruella and company are fielding the aftermath.
While the lady's gossip and make dinner. We men retreat to the helipad and male company. We find we have more in common. His sister is brilliant, parent's dead. His grandfather died three years ago. His sister is sparking an English Navel Lt. Cmdr. At the NATO base in Mellow Charles. He arrives by swift boat, a friend of Chuckies brother. We play a pick-up game of soccer. Till the ladies call us all to dinner.
As we watch the fire fade, everyone has gone home. The CPO to their fire-pit at the hanger. Robert and Lachina with her Beau to their house in Mellow Charles. I hold my girl, we are one with the world. This day has been surprisingly normal and easy.
Tomorrow the start of hell week. Tonight, we watch the ship lights beyond the Loch's mouth sail by as fire light flickers and dances shadows. I hold my true world in my arms. I let the night claim us. Here is where I belong.