Teri (aka Janice) awoke with a start. Throwing off the covers she dashed into the bathroom. Shedding the robe Teri sat on the toilet just in time. After relieving herself she took a refreshing shower. Awake and alert she realized that there was no twitching. Dressing in the clothes she had worn on the trip down last night Teri went in search of her mystery man.
She found him after she found the coffee and cinnamon buns. Bill was asleep on the couch but not flat out like most nappers. He lay on his side and his back. 'So that's how he does it', Teri said to herself. Sitting on the floor Teri assumed a lotus position, slowly drank her coffee and watched the man who had become her lover.
When Bill lay down he set his internal alarm clock. It went off and he awoke slowly. He didn't stretch but Teri watched as each muscle group flexed and relaxed. Bill slowly opened his eyes. Then he got a big smile on his face. "Such a beautiful sight to wake up to," he said looking directly at Teri.
Teri blushed, right up to the roots of her auburn hair. She was still unaccustomed to receiving such open compliments.
"How long have you been sitting there watching me?" Bill continued.
Looking down at her empty cup Teri said, "A full cup of coffee."
"And a sticky bun," Bill add pointing to the right side of his mouth.
"I'm hungry. Are you going to fix some breakfast for me?"
"Will brunch at Harry's be alright? I don't want to burn the house down."
"I accept!" Teri chirped.
Bill sat up and then stood up. Extending a hand to Teri he said, "May I help you?"
"Testing me?"
"No, just trying to be a gentleman to the woman I am in love with."
Teri accepted the offered hand and allowed Bill to pull her to her feet. "I apologize."
"None needed. So, do we throw open the front door wide open or sneak out the back?"
"Let's be crafty and sneak out the back." Teri replied with a sly smile.
Bill went to the entry closet and extracted their coats. After shrugging into his Bill assisted Teri with hers. When they got to the garage the door was already open. Bill disabled the alarm and opened the passenger door for Teri. Bill had backed and was pointed toward the fence when he realized that he wouldn't be able to open the gate.
Teri came to his rescue by saying, "You don't need the card to get out. There is an imbedded strip that will activate the gate."
"But the gate closed last night." Bill questioned.
"Had you rolled forward the gate would have stayed open. The same type strip is on the outside of the fence." Teri replied. They drove off to get food.
Walking into the restaurant they were greeted by Harry. "You two here for my morning after special?"
"Yes, you old goat. I'll have tomato juice for me. How about you Bill, orange or tomato?" Teri answered.
"Tomato juice, please." Bill said.
"Mind if I join you?" Harry asked.
"I'm not giving you the option." Teri replied tartly.
"Did I do something to offend you?" Harry asked raising an eyebrow.
"That is something I'm going to find out." was Teri's curt answer.
Harry started towards his favorite booth when Bill said, "Yes Admiral, you will join us at table."
Harry did an abrupt 180 and stared at Bill. "Where did I screw up?"
Teri stood by Bill and was laughing her head off.
"Harold K. Whitman, Admiral, United States Navy, Retired. Harry, that's you."
"How did you get that information, Bill?" Harry asked in a command voice.
Bill didn't answer but turned to fix a stare on Teri. "And you Janice Teresa Whitman are sneaky. An old family friend indeed. What you left out was the minor detail of this old sea goat being your father."
Teri, still laughing approached Harry and gave him a healthy hug and kiss.
"You didn't NIS me, did you girl?"
"No dad, Bill gets these special G-grams now and again. He sank my rubber ducky just as he did yours."
Harry stood there searching Bill's figure, face, and then his eyes. He started laughing. "I'll bet that you're one of those GD Yeoman. Yeah, you got the cut of one."
"Guilty, Admiral." was Bill's answer.
"Dad, Bill," Teri interrupted, "Andy has given the high sign twice. Our brunch is getting cold."
Andy appeared in the doorway with a heavy tray. As he got closer he said, "Hello Janice." and kissed her on the cheek.
So they sat and had porridge, toast, juice and coffee. Andy was drinking tea. "Don't know how you Yanks can drink that bilge water. Tastes like dirty socks.
Harry was silent for a moment. "Bill, give me a brief account of you military history. Something doesn't add up."
"Okay Harry, Andrew and especially you Teri, my love. USNR 63-69, US Army 75-80, and US Navy 81-88.