Bayside Café
Chap 1 Destiny
Coronado High School
"Michael, wait up!"
Ellen Knight hollers to her boyfriend who is disappearing down the hall. She and Michael Dixon have known each other since 3rd grade. They have been steadies all through HS. Both families are steeped in navy blue. Their fathers served together as cook/assistant on several ships. Ellen knows where Michael is headed – the navy recruitment center. He's been there before, they know him.
He has talked about it non-stop for 2 years. He intends to enlist and be off right after graduation – in 2 weeks. She doesn't disagree; she just wants him to be sure. And she wants something tangible for him/her so they NEVER forget each other.
He stops, turns around and waits for her to catch up. When she does, he leans down for a stirring kiss. She obliges. Twice.
"The center closes in 30 minutes, babe." He reminds her.
"I know. Can we go to the mall afterward, please?" She gives him the smile that always works. He caves; he always does.
"For what?"
"A talk . . . and a present."
"For me?"
"And for me."
He miles, grasps her hand, and they are off. After he finalizes his enlistment, they sit outside a coffee shop sipping their drinks.
"Sweetheart, where is my present?" He grins. She will be blown away, shortly.
"Well, I was going to talk with you and see if the navy was really what you wanted to do. I guess you just settled that."
"Yup, it's in my blood. You know that."
"I do. And mine too, but I'm going a different direction. You know that."
"Yes, you will be a fantastic nurse."
"I'll try. I also want us to give each other a forget-me-not gift. Before you submerge."
"Ha, ha. No submarine for me."
"I know . . . enclosed spaces."
"Yes. So . . . a gift?" He smirks.
"Well, to remind you of me. Bracelet?"
"No."
"Locket?"
"No."
She is starting to get frustrated. "Promise rings?"
"Nope."
"Michael, really-
He stands, turns and drops to one knee beside her.
"Ellen, we have known each other for years. You are my best friend, the only girlfriend I've ever had. The only girlfriend I will ever want or need-
She is crying now.
"I have your present." He pulls a small blue box out of his pants pocket, opens it and shows her a sparkling diamond ring.
"Ellen, I not only don't want to forget you – I do want to marry you!"
He takes the ring out of the box, holds it up and asks, "Will you be my wife, Ellen Knight? Please?"
Silence.
"Well?" She speaks.
"Awaiting an answer." He patiently waits.
"YES, YES!"
He slides the ring on her finger, brings her hand to his lips and kisses the ring. And his fiancé.
They walk to his pickup; he drives to the Pacific shore and finds a place to park. She slides as close to his side as she can get.
"Graduation is next weekend," She muses.
"Yes, so?"
"That's not enough time to get married before-
"The navy. I know. Ellen, I've signed up for 2 years. When I am not at sea I will probably be here in Coronado. Worst case, you get the wedding planned and we get hitched in 2 years."
"You don't think we could find the time to get married during your 2 years?"
"I doubt it. But I NEVER WILL FORGET YOU, ELLEN KNGHT!"
"Ditto, BIG GUY!"
The truck windows are soon steamed up.
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SHARING THE NEWS
They drive to her house, to share the news. Her parents are excited for them; they were expecting this. Maybe not this soon, but they understand the desire to have things nailed down before possible actual deployment. They had done much the same.
Then to his house. The reaction was a little different. While his folks were also expecting this; they felt it was premature and rushed.
"Son, you are going to put a ring on her finger-
"It's already there!" Ellen holds up her hand, grinning.
"We see that!" Dad isn't smiling. "And rush right out of her life into-
"I am not leaving her life, dad. It's now OUR LIFE! We just became one flesh . . . figuratively, at least."
"So, you've done the deed?" Dad snorts.
"Whether we have or not is NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS! You will get a wedding invitation – you will not receive notice when that line has been crossed. Period."
Michael's mother is softly weeping. She dabs at tears with her lacey hankie as she says, "I hope you two are happy. You've been such good friends all these years. I really hope and pray that you are ready." She opens her arms; Michael then Ellen accepts her warm, loving embrace.
Dad offers nary a handshake.
They stop in his room while he packs two suitcases. He will be staying at Ellen's until he is off to navy basic training. They depart after saying good-by and he promises to stay in touch.
His mom sniffles a good-by; his dad never takes his eyes off the TV.
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AFTER SUPPER
"Any plans between now and graduation, honey?" Ellen's father inquires.
"I'm going to keep working at my surgical tech job," Ellen admits. She has been the surgery tech for a family friend – a plastic surgeon, for 5 months. She assists with in-office procedures. She has been paid very well. She has struggled with continuing with that vs. pursuing her desired career as an RN. She has investigated a 2-year RN degree – a hospital-based program. Her folks have assured her of their assistance with that.
"Have you given up on becoming an RN, babe?"
"No. I need to decide by July 31 in order to register for a fall start."
"I know the surg tech job pays well, but that limits you to living near here-
"I know. So, I think I will ultimately go for the RN. That's what you want me to do, right?"
"I want you to be happy, fulfilled, and helping people. That's what matters most to the gal I know and love." He draws her close and kisses her.
"Son, when does basic start?" Her father asks.
"4 weeks from now. 2 weeks after graduation."
"You report to Coronado?"
"Correct. May I stay here until-
"You and Ellen are welcome to stay downstairs as long as you need to." Margaret, Ellen's mother assures him, them.
Her folks live in a comfortable split-level home on Coronado Island. The downstairs has been converted into a nice living suite. Ellen has made this her living space; now it can be theirs. As long as needs be. Quite a different attitude compared to Michael's folks. Both Ellen and Michael wish things were different. But they can't make that happen all by themselves. It is a two-way street.
"Well, we need to get him unpacked," Ellen announces. The kids get up, grab his suitcases and head downstairs. Dad picks up his crossword, mom her cross-stitching.
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7 DAYS LATER
Ellen has registered for the fall start of the RN course she has desired. She and her plastic surgeon employer have come to an agreement; she will keep his office apprised of her school schedule – they will offer her surgical cases that match. She will work with them when she can.
Michael is ready for the start of navy basic training. He has been talking with Ellen 's dad about navy life. He knows pretty much what to expect. He feels his biggest challenge will be spending as much time with his fiancé as he can – and as they hope. This start of almost-marriage will be tough. How to pump as much fun into it as possible? They both are committed to making it work.
Love conquers all, right?
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TBC