The Immediate Attraction

There he saw her. Emily was sitting on the edge his bed. Her back was straight, her knees were together and her arms were crossed at the wrist. Her eyes met Charlie's and held their gaze. And her mouth held a slight but pleasant closed mouth smile.

Charlie had been surprised but not alarmed. Emily broke their silence.

"We didn't have a moment alone this evening. There's something about you that makes you attractive to me. I sense you are a Dog-Robber because you dislike war. Are you a coward, Commander?"

"A full one and I'm unabashed to say it."

"How did you ever get in the Navy in the first place?"

"It's the dream of every boy. Movies make it seem adventurous. Who wouldn't want to travel the world. You don't think about going to war.

"War is as old as mankind. You're taught that the angel Lucifer was expelled from heaven. That event set off a cascade of him trying to win the minds of the people on earth. They became jealous and began to covet what others had. They fought them only to discover it really wasn't worth it. Someone else would rise to fight them and so the cycle of waring people began."

"I've heard that explanation before. But I believe even God has blessed this war against, Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese. I'm sure He is not pleased with the state of the world today.

"Long ago God sent the Great Flood and later destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. The spread of the Nazis across Europe is too large for Him to do that today. And Japan is ruled by a dictator who is in full control of his people. They don't want war with the world but they are compelled to do so."

"Your words remind of what Prime Minister Winston Churchill said recently. We must be ready to die in order to save the world from the tyranny which these men are determined to force upon free people everywhere."

"I just hope this war will be over soon." Emily responded.

"Hopefully this huge invasion will prove to be the thing which tips the scale."

"Admiral Jessup seemed to be disturbed over something about the plan."

"Yes, he wants the United States Navy to have more publicity. Do you mind if I use your first name? Emily really is a lovely English name. We're you named after Emily Bronte and Emily Dickinson?"

"I really don't know. I do know my father named me. And why are you called Charlie and not Charles?"

"My mother named me after the famous comedian, Charlie Chapman. She once told me I had come to be just like him. I was the class clown. I have a gift of being able to make all kinds of different faces.

"By the way, your dress is lovely. Did it come from Saks Fifth Avenue?"

"It's old, Charlie. I bought it at Harrods years ago."

"As I said, it's lovely. Now what made you hide in my bedroom?"

"You invited me. Remember you told me we could explore a possible relationship."

"Yes, I did say that."

Charlie cupped Emily's face softly between his hands and drew it close for their first kiss, one that evolved into many. Emily ignored his warning to take it easy. She wasn't impressed with his tailored shirt either. She told him.

"Shut up and let me kiss you."

They were in this passionate moment when the door to Charlie's room suddenly opened. The both froze as they saw the admiral standing there in his nightshirt and heard him yell.

"The first dead man on Omaha Beach must be a sailor. Did you hear me? I said the first dead man on Omaha Beach must be a sailor. Give that some thought, sir."

Charlie couldn't believe his ears. He quietly asked Emily. "What did he say?"

"I think he said the first dead man on Omaha Beach must be a sailor. Has he ever said anything like that before?"

"No, never." Charlie answered while his face held a disbelieving look.

"Charlie, maybe you should go see about him."

"Yes, I should. Wait for me to return."

When Charlie opened the admiral's bedroom door he found him still awake. He was leaning against the headboard. He once again repeated his words about the first dead man on the beach must be a sailor.

Then he added the phase, "the unknown sailor," and confused Charlie even more. The admiral went on to give an order.

"I want the whole team in my office tomorrow morning at zero nine hundred hours to discuss just that. Goodnight, Charlie."

A very confused Charlie saw him lie down and turn on his side. And as all navy men are able to do quickly, he was almost instantly asleep.

Charlie couldn't keep this to himself. He barged into his fellow officer's bedroom. Commander Bus Cummings was with a girl. He was none too pleased.

And Bus probably thought Charlie was out of his mind. But he heard him loud and clear.

"The admiral wants all of us in his room tomorrow morning at zero nine hundred hours to discuss the first dead on Omaha Beach must be a sailor."

"Okay Charlie, okay."

Bus didn't seem to be too worried but Charlie was very worried. His gut told him this idea of his admiral would somehow involve him. He hurried back to Emily.

"How's the Admiral?"

"I'm not sure. He's called a meeting for tomorrow."

"Please do come by the house afterwards. Mother doesn't pay much attention to time."

"I'll be there; I'll come directly from the meeting."

"I'll be close by to open the door. Kiss me goodnight."

"I don't need to be prodded; you've already captured my heart."

"Our hearts match, oh how am I ever going to get some sleep?"

"You're wonderful, beautiful and everything I'm not."

"I know. It's your most enduring quality."

They reluctantly parted. The car and driver were still waiting to take Emily home. Charlie watched it until it turned the corner.

He had a feeling there was more to this meeting in the morning than even he could imagine.