Chapter 83

As the K5 sailed gently past the Key West Naval Air Station, the Coast Guard Cutter pulled us over.

"You the Austin's?"

"Would it do any good to lie?" I asked.

"Very funny, You must be David. And that lovely piece of sculpture on the foredeck must be Grace."

Grace stood and waved and jiggled and bounced. "Hi boys."

"Follow us in," the man with the bullhorn said. "Grace, put on summer whites. You, too, David."

So I followed them in ... I tried to get lost but it didn't work.

"We can toss you a line if you can't keep up." And the whole deck gang laughed.

Grace came out in her whites and suddenly there was a whole lot of saluting going on. She took the wheel and I went below. I came up in my whites and again ... saluting everywhere.

I feel like such an impostor. All I really do is fly and think ... but I took the test and passed. I raised my right hand and stated my name and swore to protect and defend to the best of my ability ... even it it meant my life. But, Hey! I'm a kid ... we live forever. I think I know better ... but maybe not. If you don't survive ... be a lesson for another guy so he can.