“Don’t worry about Frank,” Chief Dolan said. “All his money and influence didn’t get him elected as mayor, now, did it?”
“No, I guess it didn’t,” she had to admit.
“Willa, you and your Small Business Coalition are good for this town,” Chief Dolan said. “You have a good heart and you care about the people of Dolphin Beach. That’s why they elected you as mayor. Frank cares only about himself and what his money can buy. People know that. Trust me. We have a good summer, and you and the people you back for city council will be in for the next four years.”
Willa looked around at the brightly colored businesses in the most picturesque setting she could imagine. Dolphin Beach captured that small town atmosphere and friendliness that seemed to have disappeared from the American landscape some fifty years ago. Dolphin Beach had all the modern luxuries: a theater, Wi-Fi hot spots all over town, and cell phone service, yet the feel of the town was homey and quaint. “It seems so simple when you look at it that way,” she said. “But it’s a big responsibility being mayor. If something goes wrong, I get the blame for it.”
CHAPTER 3
Tiffany Grimes bounded down the stairs, rounded the corner and headed into the kitchen. “Smells good, Mama.” Tiffany was African-American, five foot eight, medium build and attractive, with moderately dark skin. She was the youngest of four siblings, and the only girl.
“Mornin,’ baby girl. I’ve got ham in the skillet and the coffee’s ready. How many eggs would you like?” Joyce Grimes asked. Joyce was 56 years old, thin and full of energy. Her husband was a disabled Marine Major who knew enough to stay out of her way as she ran the family.
“Three eggs,” Tiffany replied. “I’ve got a long day on commercial airlines to get back to the sub base in Bangor, Washington.” She poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table.
“I don’t see how you can stand being cooped up inside that thing and being under water all of the time,” Joyce said as she started scrambling the eggs.
“It’s not like that, Mama. The Massachusetts is one of the most advanced submarines in the world. I’m very lucky to have been assigned to it.”
“Lucky?” her father George commented as he entered the kitchen. “It’s not a matter of luck, Tiff. You graduated second in your class at Annapolis. Your ship is the lucky one — you earned the right to be there.” Joyce poured a cup of coffee for him as he shuffled over in his walker and joined Tiffany at the kitchen table. “In the Grimes family, we earn our way — always have, always will.”
“How do you feel today?” Tiffany asked.
George sighed, “Seems like good days are gettin’ further apart.”
“You have trouble sleeping again?” Tiffany asked.
George grunted.
“The medication’s not helping?”
“It’s like the last one. Works for a while, and then I need more of it just to do the same job. Then it stops workin’ altogether. Got to go back to the VA and see what else they have.”
“And the meds for the Gulf War Syndrome?”
He shook his head. “Same deal. They work and then they don’t.”
“I wish there was more I could do for you,” Tiffany said. She worried about her dad. His health had been in a slow decline ever since he served in the first Gulf War.
“You look worried, Tiff. Don’t be. This needs to be a happy time. You got your promotion to Lieutenant and your first command position — a proud time in this family, a proud time.”
“It’s just the torpedo room, dad; it’s not that big a deal.” She felt somewhat embarrassed by the attention her promotion had brought.
“It is a big deal,” he replied. “My first command was just an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. That’s where you earn your bones — your first command. That sets the stage for every promotion from then on. It’s critical that you earn the respect and loyalty of your crew. After that, you’ll be on your way up the chain of command, just like I was.”
“Exactly how do I earn their respect and loyalty?” Tiffany asked.
“You give and then you receive. Just like in real life, baby. First you stand firm in what you expect of your crew. Always, always treat each and every one of ‘em with respect. Acknowledge the things they do right and firmly correct what they do wrong. No place for anger or frustration. Always remain calm, firm and respectful, and in time, they will follow you anywhere. That method led to me commanding a mechanized division in the Gulf. Damn, with all the smoke, the chemicals and the Depleted Uranium shells flyin’ it was hell-on-wheels.”
“George, she doesn’t need that right now,” Joyce interrupted.
He grumbled. “We were just happy to be alive,” he said quietly. “We didn’t know all that stuff was going to make us so sick.”
“George,” Joyce repeated.
“It’s okay, Mama. I understand,” Tiffany said.
“It’s not like she’s going into combat, for cryin’ out loud. We’ve got some ground action goin’ on, but we haven’t had a naval battle since World War Two,” he replied.
“So when does your ship leave?” Joyce asked, trying to change the subject.
“Not for another two weeks,” Tiffany replied. “I’ve got a Damage Control class to go through first.”
“Damage control?” Joyce asked. “Isn’t that what they do for politicians?”
Tiffany chuckled. “It’s not that kind of damage control. This is about putting out fires and stopping leaks and water from coming inside the sub that could cause it to sink.”
“Sounds serious,” Joyce said.
“It is,” Tiffany replied. “On the ground you can retreat, you can run. On a ship there’s nowhere to run. You either put the fire out and stop the leaks or it’s over.”
“See,” George said. “It’s safer in an Abrams Tank.”
“George,” Joyce said more sternly.
“Just sayin’”
Tiffany and her dad shared a glance and a smile.
After breakfast Tiffany packed her small travel bag and joined her mother in the car.
“The military’s a hard place, baby girl, especially for a woman. You’ve got to work hard to earn their respect,” Joyce said.
“I know,” Tiffany replied. “Captain Jacobs sets the standard for respect and performance on the sub, Mama. He’s a good man and a good officer. A great mentor, too. I’m learning a lot from him. He’s always teaching us about how people think and act and how that determines how they fight. He’s spent his career developing new tactics for submarine warfare and confrontations. He’s one of the best the Navy has. It’s an honor to serve with him.”
“I just worry about you, baby girl, that’s all,” Joyce replied.
I’m fine, Mama. Things are going really well.”
“I know, baby. It’s a mother’s job to worry. I just want you to be safe.”
With the car parked, Tiffany and her mom walked into the airport. Tiffany hugged her mother, who kissed her on the forehead.
“Take care, baby girl, and make me proud.” Joyce said.
“I will, Mama. I will.”
CHAPTER 4
Quietly the morning light appeared, and with it, other than the aftershocks, the first sound Guang Xi had heard since the earthquake. The sound of copper goat bells gradually woke him. Three goats approached, the smallest one licking his face. He struggled to get the small animal away from him. That’s when he noticed a goat herder standing twenty feet away examining the massive rock wall, which stood like the Great Wall of China, solid, formidable and impenetrable.