Chapter 17

Wednesday, November 15, 2000

0800 EST

JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, VA

Admiral AJ Chegwidden put down the phone after talking with Mikey Roberts', Bud's younger brother. He rose from his desk as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and walked out of his office.

Petty Officer Tiner jumped to his feet, as usual and called, "Admiral on deck!"

As was the norm, everyone within earshot of this call snapped to attention. The Admiral's usual call of, "As you were." was not forthcoming that morning though, instead he called out, "Everyone front and center!"

Staff members filed out of their offices joining those already present. Mac noticed that Bud and Harriett were not among them. She worried that they would be in trouble for being late to work that morning, especially when it seemed that the Admiral had an important announcement to make. It was as she came to attention again once in the bullpen that she saw the look on the Admiral's face. Her heart dropped to her shoes even before the first words were out of his mouth. Something awful had happened and the Admiral was about to tell them all. He looked older than she had ever seen him look. Then it hit her, Bud and Harriett weren't there! It was all she had time to think before the Admiral began to speak.

"I am afraid I have some terrible news," he seemed not to want to tell them the rest. "I just had a call from Mikey Roberts. He was at Bethesda. Harriett went into labor late last night," he paused to draw a ragged breath.

Everyone in the bullpen held their breath, trying to brace themselves for what they thought was coming. But nothing could've prepared them for the Admiral's next words. Nothing could've prepared them for the news he had.

His lips opened, and closed, and opened again. The Admiral closed his eyes, as if in pain, he couldn't look at his people as he said what he had to say. Maybe if he said it with his eyes closed it would not seem so real to him either.

"Bud and Harriett lost Baby Sarah twenty minutes ago. That is all. Dismissed!" he turned and strode back into his office, leaving desolation in his wake.

The End