Chapter 11

Eddie’s ship made a two-day stop in Napier, New Zealand, the next week. Eddie had decided to spend the time writing the evaluations he’d been procrastinating on for over a month, but he was called to the quarterdeck the first evening in port. Going topside, he found two women standing off to the side of the podium. The OOD indicated them to Eddie, saying they wanted to talk with him. Approaching them, they looked to be in their early to middle twenties, so he doubted they were selling Girl Scout Cookies. They were both attractive.

“Hello. I’m Chief Nolan. How may I help you?” he asked.

“Are you Eddie, the one Bethany told us about?” The taller of the two inquired.

“Yes, I’m Eddie, and I know this is Bethany’s hometown. What can I do for you?” he answered.

“Bethany told us if we wanted to have the best sex of our lives, we should ask for you!” gushed the second young woman.

“I’m flattered Bethany thought so much of my lovemaking skills, but unfortunately, after I was with her, I made an error in judgment and had sex with someone who gave me an STD, and I’m still being treated for it.” He lied.

It tore his heart out to see the crestfallen looks on their faces and he almost blurted that he was only kidding, but he wasn’t in the mood to ‘fuck on demand’ again. Instead, he decided to turn the tables on Edward:

“Just to show I’m willing to help you out, did Bethany mention another sailor named Edward?” he questioned.

“She talked about you, a sailor named Al, and someone named Edward. Why?” one of the women asked.

“Just give me a moment or two, please.” he requested.

Going to the quarterdeck phone, he dialed the chiefs’ mess. Someone came on the line, and he asked for HMC Tory. When Al came on, Eddie said:

“Al, remember Bethany, from Auckland?”

“You mean Body Builder Bethany?” Al replied.

“The same. Look, she called ahead, and I have two good-looking women on the quarterdeck, looking for me. I’m not up to it Al, and I was wondering if you’d like a shot. If not, I’m going to throw my son to the little fucking foxes. What do you say?” Eddie asked.

“I don’t think I’m up to doing two, but maybe I can take one and your son the other.”

“Get dressed and come up here, please. I’m going to get Edward up here too. Eddie directed.

Going to the OOD, he asked him to call Edward topside. Over the PA, the word was passed:

“DS3 Franklin, lay to the quarterdeck.”

Eddie returned to the ladies and made conversation with them, telling them that Al and Edward would show up shortly. It took Edward only a minute or two to arrive. Seeing his dad and two women, he had an inquisitive look on his face. Eddie introduced him to the young women and before he had a chance to say anything else, Al arrived in civilian clothing, ready to go ashore.

“Al, these two lovely women are friends of Bethany. I was telling them that I am in treatment for the STD I contracted near the end of our stop in Auckland. They had heard about you and Edward also, and I was about to suggest you two take my place. Edward’s jaw dropped, but he recovered quickly. Al picked up on it right away:

“Yes, chief, as the ship’s medical authority, you are in quarantine for another week. If the ladies will allow me, I would be happy to escort them on the town. What about you, Petty Officer Franklin, uh, Edward. Would you be willing to go along?”

“If the ladies are willing, I would be pleased to accompany you, chief.” DS3 Franklin intoned.

“So, ladies, would you allow my companions to represent me, and show you a pleasant evening?” Eddie inquired.

Looking at the trio of sailors, the two young women weren’t totally disappointed:

“That would be nice of you. We’re sorry you aren’t able to be with us, Eddie, but we understand.”

Edward chimed in:

“Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be back so we can leave.” he promised.

Possibly thinking that close proximity was taking a chance, they kept their distance from Eddie, but the four made small talk until Edward reemerged from below decks, dressed in civilian attire. Eddie bid them a good evening and returned to his office, chuckling to himself.

The next day, after quarters, Eddie went to sick bay, to see Al. There was a line outside, so he decided to visit his sons’ working space, to see if he was available to talk. Finding him alone, he entered. Edward gave him a smirk and said:

“Gee, dad, thanks a fucking lot! I guess I deserved it though.”

“Damned right, you did. So, how did it go? Did they put out for you?”

“They were gagging for it. Apparently, Bethany really laid it on thick. I could tell Al wasn’t into sharing a room with another couple, but we got the job done. What was this bullshit about you having an STD?” Edward exclaimed.

“I just didn’t want to do what I call ‘serial screwing’, again. Auckland was enough for me. If one woman had showed up, I may have been willing, but I just didn’t have the heart to do two. Were you disappointed?” Eddie asked.

“Oh, hell no! My woman was really hot, and she seemed to appreciate my efforts. She told me she was going to thank Bethany profusely for recommending us. From the sounds of things, Al was really putting it to his woman. She was howling and I was afraid someone would inquire as to who was being killed. Al and I paid for dinner and the hotel room, but when we were finished, the women wanted to reimburse us. We had to politely refuse a couple of times, before they relented. It was surreal, dad. I had no clue being a sailor could be so much fun! I’m glad I followed in your footsteps.” Edward explained.

“Just don’t tell your mother about this. I don’t want her to hate me for turning her only son into a horndog.” Eddie cautioned.

“No worries, dad. Well, I need to get back to this equipment. I promised the chief I’d have it up and running before noon.” Edward announced.

Later, when he and Al got together, the report was similar, with Al commenting on how uncomfortable he felt screwing a woman in the same room as another couple. Eddie reminded him of how they had fought that type of action when they’d been in Guam and had sex with those WestPac widows. When the mail was delivered to the chiefs’ mess, Eddie had one letter from his son, Steven. It was a short missive and it basically said he had things to tell his dad but couldn’t do it in a letter. If he had the chance, would he call Steven. With foreboding, Eddie couldn’t bring himself to use the phone on board, so he went onto the pier and used a payphone, using his credit card. Locally, it was 1500 on a Friday. He figured it would be 1900 on a Thursday in San Diego. He hoped Carol was out with her friends. The phone rang several times on his end. Finally, it was picked up by Steven: