ROCKS AND SHOALS by M.L. Maki & Sofia Maki & Megan Maki

Author:M.L. Maki & Sofia Maki & Megan Maki [Maki, M.L. & Maki, Sofia & Maki, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Rose Hill Press
Published: 2021-06-01T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

GRUMMAN PLANT, LONG ISLAND, NY

1635, 22 November, 1942

Commander Michael ‘Too Tall’ Mohr steps off a bus with his bags. He walks up to the gate and presents his ID. “Where will I find the leadership?”

“The first building on your right, sir.”

When he gets inside the building, a man at a desk checks his name against a list. “You can leave your bags behind the desk. Mr. Grumman is upstairs, Commander.”

“Thank you.” He puts his bags behind the man’s desk and takes the stairs to the next floor. He knocks and walks into Leroy Grumman’s office.

Grumman looks up from the papers he was studying, “May I help you?”

“I’m Commander Mohr. I’ve been assigned to stand up the electronic warfare bird.”

“Excellent. Come with me.”

CHURCH OF ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA, MANHATTAN, NY

1252, 23 November, 1942

In the waiting room Sam, Gloria, and Liz are finishing dressing. Himari Nakamura brushes twelve-year-old Kinuko’s long black hair. Kinuko is John Morrison’s birth mother. She and Sam and Gloria are wearing floor length ice blue satin gowns.

Liz, “Sorry, I couldn’t make it to your wedding, Gloria.”

Gloria grins, “No problem. They would have you married to my husband, too.”

Sam laughs, “I didn’t do it.”

“Don’t worry, Sam. Swede isn’t into threesomes.” The women laugh.

Sam, “Good thing. I would have to hurt him.”

Liz’s grandmother, Marie, walks in, “Hurt who?”

Liz, “Just talking, Grandma.”

“Yes, dear. Now, what is your old, new, borrowed, and blue?”

“Blue underthings, new dress, old necklace and earrings, and a borrowed veil and tiara from Gloria.”

“Very good. I read that Commander Hunt was married. Gloria, when did you marry?”

Sam chuckles, “They got the story wrong. I was there for Gloria’s wedding. I’m still single.”

Marie, “Well, dear. It’s almost time. Commander, there are quite a few single men in attendance. I’ll introduce you.”

“Ma’am, that’s not necessary, but thank you.”

As Liz and Gloria go out to the foyer, Sam turns to Himari and Kinuko, “It’s an honor to meet you.”

Himari looks at her, startled. “Ma’am. Commodore Hunt. It is you who honors us.”

Sam smiles, “Please know, I consider you family.”

Kinuko smiles, “Thank you very much, ma’am.”

They join Gloria and Liz. Mitch Morrison, John’s adoptive father, who’s thirteen, walks over. “Commander, may I speak with you after?”

“Yes, of course, Mitchell.”

The music starts and Mitch takes Kinuko’s hand, smiling. They start down the aisle. Then, it’s Gloria’s turn and she walks to Kinuko. Sam is next. She’s watching John as the music changes and he looks to the back of the church. He’s riveted by Liz, in an elegant lace dress, walking toward him on her grandfather’s arm. Her veil cannot hide her glowing smile.

The priest conducts the solemn ceremony. Then, when they’ve exchanged rings and kissed, he turns them to the congregation, “May I present Commander and Mrs. Morrison.” The music begins and amid the applause they start down the aisle. At the back of the church Lee, Swede, Brown, Mallory, Warren, and Rickover are lined up swords in an arc for the couple to walk through. As has now become a tradition, all of them give Liz a swat.

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