Mistake
Chapter 3
Mike was never so glad to pull into port. He had never visited New Orleans before even though Christine had always wanted to visit. When they went up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, they didn't stop to visit the city. Now, he smelled pralines, strong coffee and wonderful other smells. There was music in the air and he got a hotel room not far from the French Quarter.
He had meetings but on the second day, he was finally able to break free and find the address that Lieutenant Rawlins had given him. It was a nicer building and he could smell something delicious as he walked closer. As soon as he walked in, he focused on Lieutenant Rawlins, except with her hair down in a ponytail, she bore a resemblance to the woman he had slept with a year before, one he couldn't get off his mind.
"Ah, Admiral Slattery. Should I just put in an order for shrimp and grits for you?" Maddie asked.
"That would be great. And maybe some of that coffee? And sweet tea?" Admiral Slattery asked.
"Comin' right up." Maddie said as she jotted down the order.
"Thank you. So, is waitressing a side gig? How's that working with the wrist?" Admiral Slattery questioned.
"Well…less than ideally." Maddie said.
"I figured." Admiral Slattery said as he looked over the menu. She gave him a smile and took the order to the kitchen where her mother, Sarah was.
"He's handsome." Sarah remarked.
"He is also the Chief of Naval Operations." Maddie told her.
"Oh…can you give him your resignation?" Sarah asked. Maddie had decided to retire. Her mom needed help and the helicopter crash had been a mind-changer for her.
"Better not. I won't change my mind if that's what you're worried about, Mama." Maddie said. She handed her the order and watched as Sarah went to work.
"No, I know you. Once you decide on something, your mind won't change. Now, you'd better take his coffee and tea out. If he is interested in dessert, I'll have chocolate beignets out soon." Sarah said.
"Thanks." Maddie said. She carefully carried the coffee and sweet tea out. Admiral Slattery was still reading the menu. "Mama said if you want dessert, she has chocolate beignets almost done. They are delicious. Your shrimp and grits will be out soon." Maddie said.
"That does sound good. I think I'll have one of those beignets. And this coffee is amazing." Admiral Slattery said.
"If you are only a morning coffee drinker, be careful. It can sneak up on you." Maddie warned.
"Thank you. No, I drink coffee from the time I wake up to when I go to sleep. This tea is good too. Can I ask how you sweeten it?" Admiral Slattery asked.
"Just a bit of maple syrup and sugar added while it brews. Has to cook in with the tea." Maddie said.
"I thought so." Admiral Slattery said with a charming smile.
"I need to check on your order. Be right back." Maddie told him, wanting to get away from that smile. She walked into the kitchen and her mom gave her a suspicious look.
"Honey, I'm not busy. Why don't you sit down and visit a bit?" Sarah suggested.
"Mom, he is my boss." Maddie said.
"Not for much longer. And he looks lonely out there. I wonder how many meals he eats alone." Sarah said. Before Maddie could stop her, she carried out the plate of shrimp and grits to Admiral Slattery's table and sat it in front of him.
"I'm Sarah, Madeline's mother. While you eat, she is going to take a little break with you out here. Eating alone is never fun, anyways. Hope you enjoy the meal." Sarah said. Admiral Slattery had stood up as they approached and shook her hand before reaching over and pulling out a chair.
"Sorry about that. Mama doesn't know boundaries." Maddie remarked.
"Its alright. She is right. Eating alone is lonely. I'm glad to have company, although I hate eating in front of you." Admiral Slattery said. As if she had a sixth sense, Sarah showed up with a bowl of Maddie's favorite seafood gumbo.
"Well, no need for that." Maddie said as she looked at the bowl of gumbo.
"Yours looks good too." Admiral Slattery remarked. Maddie hadn't eaten any, so she grabbed Admiral Slattery's spoon and got him a healthy helping. She handed to him very carefully and smiled as he ate the soup.
"It is very good." Maddie said.
"Very much. Although these shrimp and grits rival Christine's." Admiral Slattery remarked.
"Your wife?" Maddie asked.
"Yes." Admiral Slattery answered.
"What part of the south was she from?" Maddie asked.
"Georgia. Almost to Mississippi. Little town called Bainbridge." Admiral Slattery answered.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked." Maddie said.
"Its alright. I miss talking about her. Everyone lost so much that I hate talking about the people I lost, but then I feel bad about not talking." Admiral Slattery said.
"How long were you married?" Maddie asked.
"Nearly sixteen years when she died. Its been over twenty now." Admiral Slattery said.
"She was a lucky woman." Maddie said.
"Nah, but I was lucky to have had her." Admiral Slattery said.
"You could move on? I know that no one could replace your family. They were precious to you. But, there is nothing wrong with being happy again." Maddie remarked.
"Mmm, perhaps but I don't see it happening. I don't have women lining up." Admiral Slattery replied. She was shocked she hadn't been reprimanded for crossing a line.
"I'm sorry, that was inappropriate of me. I haven't told my CO yet, but I am intending on putting my papers in. My commission is up and I just don't want to re-up." Maddie said.
"I understand. Of course, as CNO; I am supposed to say 'We hate to lose a good pilot,' but you are young and I can't expect you would want to stay in. The helicopter crash really did you in, didn't it?" Admiral Slattery asked.
"Yes. I know I can get counseling but Mama really needs me here and I really love this restaurant and city. Its time." Maddie said.
"Well, I have to say; I am jealous. You can find happiness." Admiral Slattery said. Maddie decided to jeopardize everything and tell Admiral Slattery about their encounter the year before.
"Sir…we met last year actually. I didn't realize who you were and we…we had been drinking a lot. Met at a bar. I left before you woke up the next morning." Maddie admitted.
"I thought you looked familiar. Why did you leave?" Admiral Slattery asked.
"I saw your wedding ring. I thought that you had cheated on your wife with me. Didn't know your story then, and didn't until recently." Maddie explained.
"Well, until you get out of the Navy; we have to keep this quiet. But, once you are out, I want to revisit this. I've thought about that night frequently." Admiral Slattery said.
"You know where to find me, Sir." Maddie said.
"And…enough of that. In front of people, until you get out, its fine, but not privately. We were on a first name basis that night." Admiral Slattery said with a devilish smile.
"Privately, huh?" Maddie teased. Just then, her mom walked out with a plate of beignets and headed straight for them.
"Fresh out of the oven." Sarah said as she put the plate between them.
"Thank you, ma'am. The shrimp and grits are delicious." Admiral Slattery commented.
"I'm glad you liked them. Will we see you again, Admiral Slattery?" Sarah asked. Maddie shot her a dirty look.
"I'm sure you will." Admiral Slattery told her.
"I will see you then." Sarah remarked. Maddie only shook her head in response.
"Sorry about that. Mama is very forward." Maddie said.
"No worries. So, you'll have to tell her these beignets are amazing. And here." Admiral Slattery said. He handed her a business card with a cellphone number written on the back. "Not many people have that number. Once your retirement is through, call or text me. We can discuss this more freely." Admiral Slattery told her.
"I'd like that, Sir…Mike." Maddie said.
"Much better, Maddie." Mike said. He put some money on the table, grabbed a beignet to go and headed out the door. She could only tuck the card into her apron and smile. She would have to make sure the number was in her phone. But, she had a table to clear and a restaurant to help run first.