Mistake
Chapter 2
As the weeks went by, Maddie knew she knew Admiral Slattery from somewhere. In her bunk, she would close her eyes and remember six months before, going back to a hotel room and waking up the next morning, full of regret when she saw the wedding band on 'Mike's' finger.
She spent the first two months after praying she hadn't gotten pregnant. Thankfully, she hadn't. She had taken three pregnancy tests just to be sure. When she was assigned to fly Admiral Chandler to the James, she was just thrilled to be able to say she had been assigned to the James at some point. She didn't bother to find out that the James had Admiral Mike Slattery on board.
One day, as she walked towards her quarters, she noticed Admiral Slattery at the other end, speaking with Lieutenant Burke. She focused on his left hand and saw the gold ring on his finger. Simple. Obviously on his finger for many years. She was lost in her own thoughts until Lieutenant Burke's voice broke through.
"Can I help you, Lieutenant?" He asked. Admiral Slattery was assessing her.
"Sorry. Just lost in thought, Sir. Have a good night." Maddie said, not waiting to be dismissed. She let herself into her quarters and was immediately faced with her co-pilot, Slider.
"Admiral Mike Slattery…gold wedding band. Same Mike as six months ago?" Slider asked.
"Lots of men are named Mike and lots of men have gold wedding bands." Maddie answered as she kicked her boots off.
"Given. But, you are attracted to Admiral Slattery." Slider remarked.
"I can't be. I'm a lieutenant. He's a four-star Admiral." Maddie commented.
"He was not the admiral when you slept with him, he was just Mike." Slider said.
"Well, Mike and Admiral Slattery is one and the same and he is married. I am sure his wife will not approve of what we did." Maddie said.
"You haven't done an internet search on him?" Slider asked.
"Been a bit busy." Maddie said.
"Maddie, his wife and children died. Red Flu. He had confirmation of his son dying while they were still in the Arctic. I read somewhere that they finally found his wife's remains. Nothing on his daughters though." Slider explained.
"So, I slept with a widower. Not sure that is much better." Maddie remarked.
"I would say he was trying to find a way to move on. And you were also trying to move on too." Slider said.
"Tina, we are not talking about Alex and Zoe. I don't want to." Maddie said, speaking of her long-dead fiancée and daughter. They had also died from the Red Flu. Zoe had only been three months old at the time of her death. Alex had died twelve hours after their daughter, completely unaware of her passing.
"And that is understandable. But, they would want you to move on. Alex, in particular." Slider said.
"Admiral Slattery is my superior. Moving on with him is not a possibility. Just drop it, please." Maddie answered as she dropped onto her bunk.
Six Months Later
Maddie groaned as she walked down the p-way of the Michener. Her helo and best friend was gone. Stinger was not in good shape. Maddie was beat all to hell. She wasn't sure what her next steps were.
"Lieutenant, are you alright?" Admiral Slattery's voice rang down the p-way.
"Sorry, Sir. Just a bit dizzy." Maddie said. He grabbed her arm and steadied her.
"Which have you been assigned to?" Admiral Slattery asked.
"3B." Maddie answered. Her head was exploding.
"You should be in sick bay." Admiral Slattery said.
"They are busy and I'll be fine." Maddie answered.
"You could have a concussion." Admiral Slattery remarked. They were now standing outside of Maddie's temporary quarters.
"Supposedly, I'll have a room-mate. I'll be fine. Thank you, Sir." Maddie said. She let herself into her quarters and was immediately faced with her bunk-mate.
"I get the top bunk." The other woman said.
"Hi, I'm Brawler. My name is Maddie Rawlins…" Maddie started.
"I don't care." The other woman said. Maddie just shook her head before settling on the bed.
It was the worst she had slept in a long time. She finally just got up and went to the wardroom, only to find Admiral Slattery drinking a cup of coffee and eye balling the room.
"Is it dusty in here?" Admiral Slattery asked.
"Yes, sir." Maddie answered.
"I'll be glad when we land in New Orleans." Admiral Slattery said.
"Is that where we're going, Sir? No one is telling us anything." Maddie asked. "I'm sorry, I just realized that sounded like a complaint." Maddie said.
"The Michener's crew has been less than welcoming. But, yes. We are headed for New Orleans. With an increase in mouths to feed, we had to find somewhere close. We should be there tomorrow morning." Admiral Slattery explained.
"Thank you." Maddie said simply.
"Maybe we can find some decent coffee. This is instant. The galley tried to say it wasn't but I don't agree." Admiral Slattery said.
"You like good coffee?" Maddie asked.
"Yes." Admiral Slattery said.
"I'm from New Orleans, Sir. My mom owns a restaurant there. Best food around and genuine chicory. Have you ever had chicory?" Maddie asked.
"I've tasted it. I liked it." Admiral Slattery said.
"Well, if you have time when we get to New Orleans, I can give you the address. I'm sure I'll be put off work for a bit. I'll be there and I can make sure you get a good meal and cup of coffee." Maddie offered. She wondered how long it had been since he ate a decent meal.
"That sounds wonderful. My wife was from the south. She made shrimp and grits. Best thing ever." Admiral Slattery said.
"Well, Mama's probably won't compete but they are pretty good." Maddie said. She wrote the address down on a piece of paper and gave it to Admiral Slattery.
"Thanks. Did you go to the medical bay? I noticed you had trouble gripping the pen." Admiral Slattery asked.
"Not yet. I knew they were busy and it wasn't anything major." Maddie said.
"Go to the medical bay. That's an order. And if they argue, tell them I ordered you to go." Admiral Slattery. He sat the coffee cup down and left the wardroom.
Maddie was actually intrigued by her conversation with Admiral Slattery, especially when he talked about his wife. He had obviously cared very deeply for her. It made Maddie wonder if there was room for any other woman in his heart.