Chapter 6: Help, I’m Drowning

Arriving at the academy gates the following morning, The guard instructed Marcia to go directly to the Vice Commandant’s office. “Go right into her office, she’s expecting you,” came from the uniformed receptionist. Knocking, I saw a light breakfast buffet on the table nearest the Vice Commandant’s window and a male officer standing nearby. The male looked like an older version of Lt. Drakov, and I had another of her moments.

“Brigadier Mykel Drakov, I would very much like you to make the acquaintance of Instructor Marcia Shevat,” Col. Drakov introduced the pair. “Instructor Shevat, my husband Brigadier Mykel Drakov, our Mykel is named after.”

I bowed, hands at my side. As I was still a public penitent and nude, I could not salute. The usual protocol of kneeling before a superior was waived in the military, as was the kissing of the person administering punishment’s boots. It was both viewed as not within the military traditions. The Brigadier acknowledged the formal greeting with a nod and gestured toward the table.

“First turn around, Instructor, so the Brigadier may see your discipline completed,” the Vice Commandant chuckled. I complied with the order, the ten purple stripes across her otherwise white backside showing up dramatically. She then took a cup of tea and a pear from the tray near the window and sat on a pillowed and toweled chair.

“I am a military man and not one for mincing words, the point the colonel wishes brought to your attention,” the Brigadier voiced in a quiet yet authoritative tone.” Our son is attracted to you, Instructor Shevat, and has asked our permission to court you. We have two concerns that we would hope for you to assuage. First, do you have feelings for our son? Second, would you be willing to trade your life in America for one as a Danubian housewife? The relationship settles into one of serious permanence?”

“I genuinely like your son. He is sweet and intelligent, makes me laugh, and taught me a great deal about the military culture in Danubia. I would be honored if he wished to court me. As to your second question, Sir, I have no answer. I have not yet begun my course work for the first semester of my exchange student status, and while I love the regimen here at the academy. I do not know if I could balance being courted, instructing here, and taking course work there.” I spoke honestly.

“We have spoken to the exchange student counselor at the university, Marcia, “Magda Drakov stated, “they have no objections to you doing your course work here, as your study of athletics and kinesiology would be the same in either institution. You will have access to our pool for your training whenever you need it, and work on coursework can also be done here in Danubian culture and history.

“Your job as Instructor here entitles you to take classes at the academy free of charge in exchange for your Aquatics Training,” added Mykel Drakov. “So if you want to stay in Danubia beyond your student visa time, you have a job and schooling to justify your extension.”

“A very tempting and interesting offer indeed, Brigadier,” I turned to the Vice Commandant, “How many courses would I need to take here to qualify me as a student?”

“Three semesters will give you the twelve contact hours your university requires,” the Vice Commandant replied. “During the week, we would like you to accept housing in the unmarried female staff barracks, as academy hours are more erratic than our public transportation allows. Our military priest and priestess assure us that you may continue your public penance while with the Siminov family and be absolved of it while on campus. Therefore, except for your poolside teaching duties, we would like you to wear this.” She handed me a garment bag.