My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

18

It was difficult to pull myself together  this morning. I was so relaxed it was hard to concentrate on shaving. I was so wonderfully happy. A soon to be a married man!

Emily was already busy on the phone in her ‘office’, a kind of desk to the side of the living room, checking into the availability of the Santa Barbara Mission for the wedding ceremony. A charming historical landmark, it’s a popular attraction for visitors and weddings alike.

“Oh, I’m sorry, too,” I heard her sigh, hanging up.

“What is it, sweetheart?” I asked, my face still smeared with shaving cream, and put my arms around her.

“The mission’s booked for the next two and a half years. Plus they gave me some rigmarole about one of us having to be a baptized catholic  to use it, plus a priest would have to officiate, none of that ‘official for a day’ kind of thing allowed. I can understand they have their own set of rules but it would have been such a pretty place….”

“I’m sorry.”

“Harry, I’m afraid any kind of church we might want to rent is likely to have similar rules, memberships, advance notice, a real minister, etc.”

“We can postpone it, but there’d be the problem of finding a day that our calendars allow together.”

“Actually, my boss just emailed this morning. He said with all the press interest, I could take terminal leave right away if I wanted to.”

“He fired you?”

“No, no, no, dearest,” she rose and cuddled me, “he said ‘if’ I wanted to. I’m already entitled to full retirement, so, I decided to be a free woman as of today. There’s no problem with Wednesday, if we can find a place for the ceremony.”

“Well, if not having the idyllic stained glass windows type setting is okay, perhaps we can get married on the institute outcrop. It has a very nice ocean view.”

“Then the outcrop it is. But we will need someplace for a reception. I know it won’t be a large wedding, but we should still feed our guests."

“The cafeteria should do fine. But, I’m afraid it won't be a small wedding. I wouldn’t be able to find it in myself not to invite everyone from the institute, their families, and of course, a few close friends.”

“Will they all fit on the outcrop?”

“No, but we can seat the overflow in the observation building next to it, with full camera coverage on the monitors.”

“Oh I just thought of something. Do you think the cafeteria staff will be able to handle the food. Sounds like a silly question, doesn't it.  I'm thinking a buffet but I'd hate to inconvenience the staff. But I doubt we could get a caterer at this late date. We could use a grocery store's bakery cake, though.”

“I’m sure I can ask Cookie, that's Seaview's chief cook and his food specialists,  or Chief Sharkey, to assist.”

“Wouldn't they argue over who does what?”

“Well, we’ll have them draw straws to decide who supervises the buffet, the other, the cake. And since I'm thinking of shutting down the institute for business on the day, I think I could offer  the cafeteria and food staff some added financial incentives for holiday or overtime pay.”

“My Solomon.”

“Hah! I just wish I had the wisdom of Solomon regarding Lee and Ron. Did you know that Lee almost accepted Ron’s dare to fight things out in the ring?”

“Perhaps you should have agreed to it.”

“Rather juvenile isn’t it? Besides, it wouldn’t have solved their argument.”

“No, but it might have helped them work off some of that sibling rivalry.”

Just then one of the rivals called. I recognized the number and put it on speakerphone. There was a lot of background noise.

“Lee? We were just thinking about you. Where are you anyway?”

“On my boat.”

“I thought I told you visitation rights only, not joining the work crews.”

“On the boat with the woodworm. The noise is from the deep sea fishing boat next door.”

“Oh.”

“I called after checking on Seaview to see if you’d like to cash in that sailing rain check after eleven. My mother should have arrived by then. She's very anxious to meet Emily and ask her if she might allow her act as ‘mother of the bride’, help her with all that girl stuff.”

“Oh, my dear,” Emily said, “I’d be honored.”

“Great. Angie told me that she and the girls are wondering if Emily wants bridesmaids. They’re all champing at the bit for the honor and even fighting over who might be selected as  the maid of honor.”

“Bridesmaids? At my age?” Emily said, then, “well, of course, I’d be happy to have any of them as bridesmaids. I don’t have any family to ask, though it might be hard to decide on a maid of honor. You know them all better, Lee. What do you think?”

“Well, Angie’s been the most help with the wedding, so I’d suggest she be your maid of honor. As for the bridesmaids, well, if memory serves we have over thirty five unmarried girls and matrons on the staff. Perhaps whittle it down to a more manageable number with an office lottery?”

“Sounds good to me, Lee. And dear, of course I’d be honored if Mrs. Crane acts as ‘mother’. Oh, I’m just so overwhelmed by everyone’s love and support….”

“It will be a big day for all of us. Well, Harry, will you want to play hooky from the office and go for a sail with me?”

“As much as I’d like to, son, I think the office is going to be a bit hectic.”

“Some other time then. By the way, you might want to use the back gate. Since word got out from City Hall, the press is lying in wait at both gates, but there are fewer in back. And…er…well…”

“Uh oh, that doesn’t sound too encouraging. Spit it out, Lad.”

“It’s Jessica. She was interviewed early this morning. She was rather verbal about Ron’s new job. You can probably catch a replay on CNN.”

“Thanks. We will. How does Seaview look to you?” I changed the subject.

“She’s going to look worse before she looks better. But the most of the repairs are coming along nicely. But I don't think I see her ready for use for about a month or so instead of the three weeks I'd originally thought. Well, I’d better let you go. Oh, I almost forgot, Chip’s helping me organize the naval honor guard.”

“Honor guard? Lee, I don’t really think that’s necessary.”

“Sorry, if we have to put up with dress whites, you have to suffer through all the ruffles and flourishes.”

“Heavens, I’m not sure I like the sound of that,” Emily said.

“It’s only an arch of swords and a little whack on the behind to welcome you into the Navy circle, even if we're only Reserve,” I said.

“A whack on the behind?”

“With the blunt side of one of the swords.”

“Ouch,” she laughed.

“Chip and I might pop by the office later.”

“Very well, son. Goodbye.”

Emily turned on the TV and switched channels while I finished shaving and dressing.

“It’s on now, Harry!” she  hollered and I came out to watch the rebroadcast with her….

“Well,” Jessica was saying from the Hilton’s lobby, “I still think Ron’s demotion was due more to Captain Nelson-Crane’s continued antagonism toward him than a workplace reprimand. And such a silly little thing. Water cooler gossip? It's not Ron’s fault if that budget manager took offense. In any case, Ronald actually apologized. But he was removed from the budget dept. and turned into a janitor! Shameful. Just shameful.”

“So, what do you think of the upcoming wedding of Admiral Nelson?” one of the reporters asked.

“A bit too much fuss. And next Wednesday? Why the hurry? But I can’t complain. After all, Ron is going to be the best man, as a true born Nelson should be.”

“That was Jessica Hawthorne earlier this morning,” the anchor said, “one of our reporters has managed to snag Mr. Nelson, already at work….”

Ron was certainly on the job, removing the large trash can from the gate’s office, his white jumpsuit already dusty and stained.

“…. Mr. Nelson,” the reporter called out, “ how do you feel about your demotion?”

“Well,” he said, approaching, just shy of the gate’s ‘arm’, “it’s true that I have a different position, but it’s not actually a demotion, the pay’s the same. However, I was given an official reprimand for what they called slander. I don’t agree with it, but father’s institute, his rules. Fifth Amendment rights don’t count for much here, I guess. But I can see Mr. Bates’ point of view. I mean, his feelings were hurt, and my suspicion of extortion weren’t justified it turned out. So Dad thought best to place me in a different department. This is the only one they had open. But I’m sure my brother wasn’t unhappy about it,” he laughed. “We, um, don’t see eye to eye very much.”

“We understand that you’re to be your father’s best man.”

“Yes. I’m very satisfied about that. Everyone knows that Lee is his favorite son, so being chosen as my father’s best man must mean that the gap between Lee and me in his eyes is tightening up a little. ”

“What do you think about Captain Nelson-Crane officiating at the ceremony?”

“Actually that was Father’s secretary’s idea. And it’s a good one. This way he can’t ruffle Lee’s feathers by selecting his blood son to stand up for him. Get it, feathers? Crane?” he laughed.

“Sweetie, calm down,” Emily said as she noticed me hyperventilating in anger. “That's it, breathe deeply. I’m sure Ron is simply glad to be seen at your side, and got a bit carried away, that’s all.”

“He wasn’t ‘selected’. He talked himself into it. He wouldn’t be best man at all if Angie hadn’t thought of the temporary commissioner option. And she’s an administrative assistant, not a secretary. And to think, I actually thought he and Lee were starting to become more like brothers!”

“Breathe, dear, breathe…slower…slower…that’s it…now go finish getting dressed….”

As Lee had predicted, we were hounded by the press as we arrived at the institute’s back gate, bombarded with congratulations and questions. We simply acknowledged our thanks, but gave no answers to such questions as to the rivalry between Lee and Ron for our affections, and how the wedding would affect Lee’s position as my sole heir, especially with California’s spousal community property laws. I hadn’t even thought of that and wasn't sure how it worked. As my wife, naturally Emily will be number one as far as any survivor benefits go. But no way was I going to leave Lee in the lurch. Perhaps a hefty percentage. I’d need to speak to legal about my options.

Safely inside the institute grounds, as I parked in my slot, several NCIMR staff and crew surrounded us, with helium filled balloons printed with all sorts of congratulatory slogans. Chip presented Emily with a lovely bouquet of red and white carnations.

He cleared his throat.

“On behalf of everyone, congratulations!”

Just then Will Jamison strode over.

“Will! I’m glad you could make it,” I said, “but we didn’t want you to cut short your Alaskan cruise.”

“And miss your wedding? Besides, the Med Center faxed me your medical report to the ship and Lee hired a civilian chopper to pick me up. Saved a lot of time waiting to pull into a scheduled port of call and get to an airport. As it was, Lee also hired a private jet to get me here asap. Did the same kind of thing for several of our absent colleagues I hear. After you two are a little settled upstairs, I need to see you.”

“Emily,” Lee’s voice preceded him, his Lamborghini still running behind the crowd, “I’d like you meet my mother.”

“Mrs. Crane, I’m so glad to meet you.”

“None of that Mrs. Crane stuff. Call me ‘Mom’. Now, let’s go get acquainted. We have a lot to talk about. We can use Lee’s office. And Lee? Don’t forget to talk to Harriman about that little matter we discussed. I’m sure he’s quite forgotten about it.”

“Right. If I can park first?” he asked the crowd, which dispersed happily as I was ‘led’ into the building, where there were even more balloons and flowers.

After navigating our way through the happy crowd to the main elevator, which was also crammed with well-wishers, we were whisked upstairs and to my office.

Fortunately, Angie had limited the number of balloons and bouquets to the outer office, and my own inner sanctum only festooned with piles of sorted emails and hand delivered cards.

I sank into the chair behind my desk as Emily pulled up one of the upholstered chairs next to mine.

“Dr. Jamison to see you now,” Angie’s voice came over the intercom amid the chatter of several women in the background.

“Can’t you give me a few minutes?” I asked.

“Not upon pain of death,” Will’s voice said, “mine. The skipper’s express orders. We need to discuss diet and exercise, not to mention the fact that your so called ulcer might not really be one.”

“What? Come on in, Will.”

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Emily said.

“No, this concerns you as well,” Will said.

“I’ll get right down to business. The Med Center’s duty doctor evaluated your barium and blood tests twice. At first he thought what everyone did. That you had an ulcer. But then he noticed an anomaly in the blood chemistry. Frankly, sir, you’ve been poisoned.”

“Poisoned?”

“Not in the traditional sense of the word. It’s actually an exotic herb or herb extract used in various cuisines to heighten flavor but without its own. Not life threatening in low doses but if over used can accumulate to deadly levels and it’s also been known to cause or increase ulceration of inflamed tissues. It’s our belief that however you ingested it, as food or drink, it caused an already minor inflammation to take on more severe ulcer like characteristics. We’ll do an MRI and a laparoscopy just to make sure of things, but I’m really doubtful that you actually have a bone fide ulcer. In the meantime, I have a list of foods and beverages to avoid. Plus, if you go out to dinner, check to make sure that the kitchen is not using the additive. I’m not quite sure how to pronounce it, so I’ll write it down for you. It’s fairly new to the market.”

“How soon can you do the tests?” Emily said.

“Probably not until tomorrow. We need him to have an empty stomach. So no food or drink after midnight tonight, sir.”

“Right.”

“The captain’s been informed but I have to tell you that he suspects it was a deliberate attempt on your life.”

“Accidents and allergies do happen with herbs” Emily said.

“No doubt, but when two spooks get together, they tend to think the worst.”

“Spooks?”

“Later, dear,” I said.  I was not in the mood to inform her of Lee and Ames’ occupational sidelines.

“Speak of the devil,” Will said as Lee entered with his mother.

“Emily," Lee said, " if you have a moment, perhaps you and Mom can talk wedding stuff while I need to speak to Harry about something in private.”

“Of course,” Emily said as the group left, closing the door behind them.

“You really think someone’s trying to kill me, Lee?”

“Well, maybe that is stretching things, but that’s not what I want to talk to you about, just now, anyway,” he said, parking himself on the edge of my desk, twinkle in his eye. “I’m sure it was just an oversight, but…haven’t you forgotten something?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, I sure haven’t seen an engagement ring on Emily’s finger.”

“Oh, shit!” I gasped, totally surprised that I’d completely forgotten about that little detail.

“Now, you have some options. Edith called and wants to know if you’d like her to bring your mother’s and grandmother’s rings with her from Boston for you to look at. An engagement and wedding ring. There’s also a nugget of Irish gold that’s been in the family for ages, just enough left to forge a ring out of. Or you can, as just about all American grooms do, though it’s usually for when they pop the question, not after, is to get yourself to a jeweler and pick out an engagement and wedding ring. There’s also the option, used more in Europe than here, to take Emily with you and let her pick them out. Whichever method you choose, the sooner the better.”

I ran a hand through my hair.“If you were in my place, what would you do?”

“Well, I’m no expert. But as ‘romantic’ as it sounds, I don’t think a bride would really want to wear someone else’s ring. The nugget, well, it’s romantic too, but would probably take too long for a jeweler to fashion a ring out of before Wednesday. I’d suggest you just go to a jewelers known for their wedding sets and pick one. Better yet, because of the press, go online. We can have someone pick them up. But if you have a double ring ceremony, you’ll need to buy a band for yourself too.”

“What if she won’t like what I choose? And what if it’s the wrong size?”

“Then she’ll go with you to get them exchanged or do it by mail. But you’d better do something now before any resizing that might be needed. Like today?”

“Will you help me? And hold the wedding rings for me when they’re delivered?”

“I’m not sure, Harry. Taking charge of the rings is the best man’s job.”

“But you’re the best man, Lee, in the way that counts anyway.”

“Thanks but it’s Ron’s job.”

“Very well. Let’s get started. Any particular jeweler in mind?”

“I wouldn’t know. I’m sure most jewelers are pretty much the same except for the mega gemstones and diamond stuff. Some jewelers will also engrave your initials and hearts and things like that for an extra charge. They can even alter settings and kind of stones.”

“Speaking of rings, you’ve been rubbing your's on the bandage. Could mean that infection isn’t clearing. C’mon, take it off.”

“I um, seem to be having a problem removing it.”

“Go rinse it under the head. Might help to slip it off. I’ll call for a corpsman or Doc if he’s still here.”

He was, and was soon in the office, badgering Lee about not having reported that the scratch was bothering him. And indeed, the scratch was red, oozing a little blood, the finger swollen even more than before.

Will called the Med Center to send a corpsman with a medical kit, daring Lee to argue the point. But even Lee knew the finger needed treatment.

"Sorry for entering without permission," Ron said, entering the private office unannounced," but I couldn’t get Angie’s attention in that crowd and…what’s the matter with you, bro?”

“Just a scratch.”

“Doesn’t look like it to me. I had a friend once who had a teensy little wound on his finger, got infected and they had to chop it off. If you lose it, will you have to give up command of Seaview?”

“No, and it’s not that bad. What do you want?”

“Well, I guess this concerns you too, but I’ve arranged Father's bachelor party. At the Hilton. That way, Dad, when you get tired of it all, you can crash in my room.”

“I don’t need a bachelor party.”

“If the hen's out there talked her into a bridal shower, you’re getting a traditional bachelor party, complete with strippers. From what I was able to discern, Angie’s not only scheduled a party, and a fancy luncheon she's booked a Chippendales Review.”

“Chippendales? The male exotic dance and strip show?” I asked, aghast.

“That’s what I heard."

“Well, I certainly don't want any strippers."

“Why not? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”

“No. A night out with friends, a few beers, fine. But no girl with pasties and a g string popping out of cake for me. Understood?”

“I'm not sure I can cancel.

“Try."

“Oh, all right, I'll try,” he sighed then, “we still have to invite all your male staff. I'll need a list of your personal friends as well. The bar is going to serve several varieties of beer and spirits, including the best whiskey. I understand you enjoy thirty year old Glen Livet.”

“Do you have any idea how expensive it is?”

“You forget, Father, that you gave Mom and me a pretty hefty settlement, though I have to admit buying that cabin cruiser was a bad idea. You were right about a boat being a hole one throws money into. And you know what? It wasn’t that much fun. I’m going to sell the damn thing and put a down payment on a beach house, one with a separate apartment for Mother. So I can enjoy the bachelor life without her hovering. Now that your mother’s here, Lee, I suppose you’ll have the same problem.”

“Don’t you have a job to get back to?” Lee asked.

“I’m going, I’m going. Cheech, bro, anyone would think you own the place. Hah, that’s a good pun if I say so myself.”

After Ron had left, I asked Lee to help me pick an engagement/wedding set. We weren’t very good at pulling up the different websites of local jewelers, so Lee asked Chip to join us.

In about five minutes after he arrived and punched this and that button, I decided on and paid for a stunning emerald and diamond engagement ring and two simple gold wedding bands which would be engraved intertwined hearts and initials. Chip volunteered to go pick them up (the order confirmation said they’d be ready within the hour!) I gave him carte blanche for making any decision if they didn’t look as stunning  up close as they did online. Just so I had something to give her.

“Admiral,” Angie said over the intercom, the women cackling in the background like chickens in a barnyard, “we're wondering if we can accompany Mrs. Crane and Emily to shop.”

“Drew?” Lee asked as he punched my speaker phone on, “sorry, you’re drafted. Admiral’s suite. Bring your steno pad.”

“Kinda’ figured that might happen,” he replied, “will be right there, Lee.”

“Drew will be right up, Angie,” I said. “Take the whole afternoon. Everyone else too, if they wish. You can also have the motor pool provide the transportation to and from if you like. I'd suggest the institute mini busses. Limos would be asking for trouble."

“Wonderful. Oh, by the way, I hope you don’t mind seven bridesmaids in the bridal party. Well, actually one maid of honor and six bridesmaids. Might make the wedding photos look a bit uneven on the groom's side.”

“Never mind that. Weddings are really more the bride’s big day than the groom’s.”

“Actually,” Lee said, “we can have six groomsmen as well. They can double for the honor guard.”

“Oh, how wonderful!” I barely heard her over the squeals of delight from the women. In about two minutes, there was silence from the outer office. Wonderful silence.

While Lee and I waited for Chip to return, Ames, Lee, and I  answered calls and emails  of congratulations from the mayor, the governor, the president, the SecNav, and the mayor of Boston. 

Finally the moment of truth came as Chip returned, grinning like a Cheshire cat and  laid the two ring boxes on my desk.

“Signed for, sealed, and delivered, to your specs,” he said as I opened the engagement/wedding set. Lee opened the box containing the wedding bands, and checked the engraving, handing them to me.

“I’ll call Ron to come pick up Emily's wedding band,” Lee said.

And so, the best man promised to keep the ring safe, and I decided to go ‘home’ and await Emily, to present her with the engagement ring over champagne and the Chinese take- out she adores.

It seemed like hours as I kept turning the ring over and over in my fingers, it glinting in the candlelight and suddenly remembered that Lee had forgotten his ring in the office head. I called security to go check on it, and place it in the security office safe, as I didn’t want to disturb Lee. But security called back and said the ring wasn’t in the head so the skipper must have come by to pick it up.

I heard Emily open the door, and I held my breath. I could only hope she liked the token of my love as we wait for next Wednesday.

Next Wednesday.

Can’t come soon enough.