Chapter 25

07:15 Saturday, September 7^th, 1991

139 Meadow Ln

Novato, CA 94947

Lenore was pouring the orange juice into the pitcher when Lynne slipped into the kitchen. She and the Gunny had driven back in the van for breakfast with her guests, arriving only five minutes before. Lynne had an odd mixture of radiance and sheepishness about her, Lenore saw, and she smiled a little, turning away to hide it.

"Good morning, dear," Kate told her. "I think three eggs, bacon, and potatoes," she said to Deb, who smiled at Lynne, then went to the refrigerator to collect the eggs.

"Here's your OJ, Gunny," Lenore said, handing him a glass, then slipping into his lap to eat some of the hash browns from his plate.

Lynne just stared at the two of them for a moment, and then shook herself. "Uh, Lenore?"

"Yes?" Lenore gave her a steady look in reply.

"Um, nothing," Lynne said.

Lenore snorted, a split second before the Gunny did. I must be learning that from him, it's pretty expressive. "Lynne, say what's on your mind."

"Umm ... are you related to him?" Lynne blushed bright red.

"No, Lynne, the Gunny is my boyfriend, the man I love." Lenore waited for Lynne's response, but Lynne had a dreamy look in her eye. "DiPietro," Lenore called, softly, drawing the younger girl's attention. "You have a goal in mind. Graduation."

Lynne looked around the room at Kate, Deb, Lenore, and the Gunny. "Um, I don't suppose there's any use in hiding this, is there?" At the collective headshakes 'no', Lynne sighed. "I never knew ... but you're right, Lenore. A commission is more important. But my God, if you get that every night, and can still function, I'm jealous."

Kate and Deb laughed, and moved to give Lynne hugs. Lenore smiled at the Gunny, and bent down to give him a kiss, then looked up at Lynne. "Just so you know where we stand in our relationship, imagining you last night inspired the Gunny, Lynne."

Kate coughed, and the Gunny simply grinned at her.

11:40 Saturday, September 7^th, 1991

Cable Car Museum

1201 Mason Street

San Francisco, CA

When they'd driven down Lombard Street, Lynne and Robert had laughed about being in The Streets of San Francisco. They'd made appreciative noises about being at Haight and Ashbury, too.

Lenore drove the van to the parking lot on Steuart Street, where Sandy had parked the big diesel pickup only two months before. Was it just that short a time ago? Lenore thought. My God, but things have changed since then.

Lenore brought them up the Fisherman's Wharf area, and to North Beach for a quick lunch of soup and bread. It was a quick trip, though they'd already seen their share of purple hair – on one man's chest – and at least three sets of male couples kissing.

"Just like Paris," de Puniet said, smiling.

Lynne confided to Lenore that she was more than a little sore, and so Lenore started hailing cabs to move them around The City.

Now they were at the Cable Car Museum, where Lynne dug in her purse for her admission, since the Visa card Lenore had for expenses wasn't accepted there. She turned white, and grabbed Lenore's arm. A whispered conversation later, and after they were inside, the men went to look at the large sheaves and idlers moving the cables around the city, while Lenore and Lynne went to the Ladies' room.

Lynne showed Lenore the two unopened condoms in her purse.

"Lynne, you don't know anything. The odds are against it, and you can't worry about it. You just can't. Tonight is your last night to see him, unless they make a contract with Grumman or someone, and then they'll be months returning. Listen to me ... it doesn't mean anything." Lenore whispered urgently to her friend – and Lynne was becoming a friend, no one could share experiences like this without becoming a friend, Lenore was sure – and Lynne was responding, she knew.

Together they left the Ladies'. Lynne did a passable job of acting normally, Lenore saw.

18:10 Saturday, September 7^th, 1991

Marriott-San Jose

301 S Market St

San Jose, CA 95113

"What do I tell him tonight?"

"To use a condom, of course," Lenore responded. The two were at the hotel in San Jose, where Lynne and Robert were going to stay the night, until Lenore picked them up in the morning to drive the French to San Francisco International, where they'd fly United to Chicago, and then Air France to Paris.

Lenore was fairly certain that Robert Betrand-Avigny would fall asleep on the flight.

"But he didn't use one last night. That'll kill the mood tonight for sure," Lynne whispered. The desk clerk didn't look up at the two of them, though.

"Lynne, unless you're planning to have a 'D and C', make him wear the fucking thing." Lenore smiled at the description of the condom, but then continued. "Just be honest with him. You want him to fuck you silly, but he has to wear the condom. If anything happened from last night, you'll deal with it."

Lynne nodded. "I want to be a Navy Officer more than I want to be a Mommy. Okay ... if I want to get laid, he wears the condom. I won't forget tonight." She sighed, and then hugged Lenore. "You're the best, Lenore. I'd have been so screwed without you."

Lenore smiled. "Let's get through the school year, OK?"

Lynne nodded, and Lenore turned for the elevator.

22:45 Saturday, September 7^th, 1991

7914-B Arthur Street

Oakland, CA 94621

"Gunny," Lenore said to him, head resting on her elbow, propped on her shoulder, playing with his scars, "Do you have many friends from the Corps still?"

He studied her with a level glance. "Yes. Not really close friends, and I know more down Pendleton way."

She toyed with the thicker scar tissue on his shoulder, tracing the lines slightly. "Do you suppose you could show me off in front of them a little?"

"The Marine Corps' Birthday is coming up in a month and a half. We could go to a ball. I think you'd have to go in a gown and not your uniform," he told her seriously.

I don't know why I thought he'd poo-pooh the idea. It's like he was expecting it. Aloud she said, "You don't seem surprised, Gunny."

Now, finally, he snorted, she'd expected that with her first question. "We're getting married in ten months or so, Lenore. I expected you to want to be seen with me sooner."