Larry Bond - Exit Plan

“Would you be willing to come and talk to my class?” asked Emily. “You’re a bit of a celebrity in the unmanned systems lab after Seawolf ’s collision with the Russian sub.”

“Who? Me? Seriously?” Jerry was both surprised and uncomfortable with the idea.

“Certainly! You’ve done innovative things with UUVs and the resupply concept you thought up was sheer brilliance.”

“It wasn’t all me, Emily,” protested Jerry. “Seawolf ’s torpedo officer and I basically came up with the idea at the same time, and we implemented it together.”

“Regardless, you came up with a new function for an established UUV on the fly and made it work. The thought process behind executing the concept is what is important to pass on to my students. Besides” — Emily leaned forward, a slight grin on her face—”you’re here and Seawolf ’s torpedo officer isn’t.”

Jerry opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it. His lips pursed into a frown. He couldn’t think of a good rejoinder. Recognizing that he had been checkmated, he sighed and said, “It’s hard to argue with that kind of logic.”

Her reaction wasn’t quite what he expected. She became somber, swallowed hard a couple of times, and spoke quietly. “I wouldn’t force you to do anything you didn’t want to.”

Alarm bells went off inside Jerry’s head. While the words he heard were directly related to her request, the tone implied something else. Hopeful, but still cautious he replied.

“It’s not that, Emily. It’s just… well, I’m not very good at public speaking. Correction, I’m only slightly above abysmal. But, if your director and the undersea warfare chair have no objections, then I guess I can come by and share some insights with your class. Nothing formal, mind you, just some thoughts about what we did and how we did it.”

Her expression lightened only a little, but she sounded appreciative. “Thank you, Jerry. I’m sure there won’t be any problems from Dr. Hunter or Commander Evington. And I know my students will enjoy hearing how you worked through the problem.”

“I’ll settle for not boring them,” Jerry replied flippantly.

“Jerry Mitchell! I have never found you boring!” exclaimed Emily angrily. Her sudden emotional outburst took them both by surprise. At first, Jerry just sat there, bewildered. Then he noticed the tears welling up in her eyes, and that she had started trembling. He reached across and gently placed his hand on hers. She began crying, muffling the sobs in her napkin, and clenching his hand tightly. It was a little uncomfortable when the waitress brought their food. Emily only nodded as the plate was laid in front of her. Jerry said, “Thank you,”

After what seemed like an eternity, her sobbing finally slowed down. Jerry leaned forward and softly asked her, “Are you going to be all right?”

Emily sniffed and ran the napkin across her cheeks and eyes. “I think so. I’m so sorry, Jerry.”

“About what, Emily?” His heart was beating rapidly “For crying?”

“No. No. About what I did over two years ago! I was frustrated, disappointed, and I acted foolishly.”

“Yeah, well, I seemed to recall that I wasn’t any better. No, actually I was worse. I was the one that got angry, not you.”

“But I made you angry. I… I drove you away.” Emily paused to breathe and wiped her eyes again. “And that hurt you. I know it did. I’m so very sorry!”

Jerry pulled his hand away from hers, and gently lifted her chin. “Enough of that, Marcie,” Jerry’s use of her nickname on Memphis caused Emily to smile. “Our food is getting cold. And besides, we are breaking one of the unwritten rules of getting back together. No ‘sorries’ until after dessert.”

Jerry then took his wineglass, raised it, and offered a toast. “To a second chance.”

9 March 2012

Hilton Minneapolis Hotel

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Jerry’s feet were killing him. Thank God the reception line was almost done. How Emily could stand there for so long in high heels mystified him. As if she had been reading his mind, she leaned over and whispered in his ear, “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to sit down.”

“Ditto,” remarked Jerry. “I’ve been regretting breaking in those new hiking boots for the last half hour.”

“Told you so,” she said sweetly, as she greeted another well-wisher.

“Thanks… dear,” growled Jerry.

The wedding ceremony had gone off perfectly, with everything happening, as it should, when it should. Jerry wasn’t surprised. The joint chiefs of staff could learn something about coordination from his mother and his sisters, who were absolutely thrilled to help Emily with all the planning. All he had to do was nod sagely, and stay out of the way.

Emily had been relieved to find the entire Mitchell family so loving and accepting; her own parents had been divorced for many years and they still had issues. As the only child, she constantly found herself as the rope in a never-ending game of tug- of-war. Emily had already been leaning toward Jerry’s home state for the wedding, more as neutral ground than anything else, but once she found all those “enchanting” hiking trails up on the North Shore, the deal was sealed.

Finally, the last couple approached them. Jerry and Emily had both been waiting patiently for this reunion.

“Emily, you look radiant!” exclaimed Patterson, as she rushed up to hug her. “I always knew this day would come.” She turned to Jerry and gave him a big hug as well. “Even when the two of you were too damn stubborn to admit it!”

“I’m so glad you could make it, Joanna. We were surprised by your RSVP, we know how busy you and Representative Hardy are this month,” Emily replied.

“Nonsense! We wouldn’t have missed this for the world!” beamed Patterson. “Besides, we both needed a break from the campaign trail. I’m just glad the Minnesota caucuses were last week. Very convenient.”

“Congratulations, Emily, Jerry.” Hardy smiled broadly as he gave the bride a hug. “I have to admit I wasn’t as prescient as my wife, but I am just as pleased that the two of you woke up and pulled your heads out of your rears.” He slapped Jerry on the shoulder as he shook his hand.

“Is it true you’re going to be an executive officer?” asked Hardy with disbelief.

“Yes, sir. I’m slated to be the XO of USS Michigan blue crew.”

“Good Lord, I suddenly feel old. I think I need a drink,” Hardy moaned. Jerry thought he did look much older, but was too polite to say so.

“Congratulations on winning the primary in Connecticut, sir,” he said, instead.

“Thank you. The senatorial race has been rougher than I expected, but we did well,” He tilted his head in Patterson’s direction. “Joanna is a force of nature in such matters. I doubt I would have won without her insight and dogged determination.”

“You see, Jerry. Lowell has mellowed over the years,” teased Patterson, as she wrapped her arms around Hardy’s neck. “What he really wanted to say was ‘nagging.’ “

Hardy rolled his eyes, while Emily and Patterson laughed. Jerry struggled to maintain a neutral composure. It’s not nice to laugh at a former skipper.

“Moving on,” Hardy demanded. “Where are you lovebirds going to spend your honeymoon?”

“We’re heading north, sir. Emily has discovered Superior National Forest and she really wants to do some winter hiking,” replied Jerry enthusiastically.

“You’re kidding, right?” Hardy was skeptical.

“No, sir. Emily is quite the hiker,” answered Jerry. “Truth be told, she’s walked my butt off in California. We’re hoping to get in some good old-fashioned walking on the Gunflint Trail, and maybe some cross-country skiing. I doubt I’ll get her on the slopes at Lutsen though.”