The Admiral Loses More Than a Few Good Men
"Sir. But we got you out of what could have been a big mess about my daughter. You owe us one."
"And just who do you mean by that we -that us?"
Mitch noticed the ring the size of a bottle on the Admiral's desk.
-- The man has lost it. Shoot him down.
"Let's start with you, Admiral. You have a very upset crew on your ship. You face civilians who are asking nasty questions about your silence. And you've got the President directing you, ordering you, to integrate this Navy. You could turn all that to your advantage in less than an afternoon."
"And just how could I do that, Commander?"
Cat thought about Nimitz turning on the lights for his pilots coming back nearly out of gas.
-- That'd be too much. You're right on the edge as it is.
"Go public, Admiral. Demand action by the police, explain what integration means for efficiency and morale...."
"I have just announced that Lieutenant Wye is recovering fully and will fly again."
Mitch did not lose it; he very knowingly decided that he had had enough. He stood up.
"Bury him and forget him."
"I'll forget I heard that, Commander. You come back when you've got control of yourself."
Mitch saluted and left.
He felt no remorse. Just cleansed.
Caroline heard him out and then made coffee.
"You remember that day we had the fight about the fourth stripe and then Cat got them home and made his first really great landing and we talked walking back here?"
"I do."
"Well, that was it. We'll go out in style."
"I'd rather go in in style."
"Prefer that myself."
Table of Contents
- Maggie and Mr. Hank
- The Reverend
- Squalls Along the Flight Line
- Flying Home to Church
- A Visit with The Judge
- Communion
- Afterthoughts
- Monday Morning With The Admiral
- Into the Dining Room
- On Toward Walking the Streets
- Glimpses of An Election
- The Dream and The Reality of Violence
- The Admiral Loses More Than a Few Good Men
- Down That Lonesome Road