First Class Hero (First Class Novels) Read online

  By dinner time, Paul had seen four brothers and Katy, his sister-in-law. They all hugged him tightly and told him they were glad he was okay. Paul just smiled and told them not to worry.

  His oldest brother Matt and his family came for dinner. Maureen found every excuse to see her grandchildren and this seemed like a great one.

  Janie handed baby Christopher off to his grandmother and he snuggled into her bosom and went to sleep. Maureen immediately relaxed and cradled her grandson all through dinner.

  Ella sat by her Uncle Paul and chatted away about her dolphin and how Paul had been in the water with her when she swam with the “weal dawphwins”. He loved his sweet little niece and enjoyed her conversation.

  As Janie cleaned up the dishes after dessert, Matt got Paul alone out on the back patio and asked him about his career decision.

  “I submitted my letter a couple of weeks ago, before I left for Kandahar. As soon as my tour is up, I’m done. I’m going to be a civilian.”

  “And how do you feel about it now that it’s done?” Matt asked.

  “Good,” Paul nodded. “I’m ready to move on. No second guessing. But once I’m out I’ve gotta figure out what I’m going to do with my life.”

  “Anything you need,” Matt patted his brother on the back.

  “I know,” Paul smiled. “Thanks.”

  Matt took his family home and Maureen headed off to bed. Peter sat in his favorite chair to watch Sports Center on ESPN and Paul flipped open his laptop and sent an email to Ed. He wanted to make sure his friend was home and see how he was dealing with the loss of one of his men. Paul couldn’t imagine how hard that was and wanted to make sure that Ed knew he was there for him, in any capacity he needed.

  He shut his laptop after the email had been sent and went to his old room. His mom had kept it exactly the way he’d left it. She hadn’t changed a single thing. He wondered if he might stay there for a while after he left the Navy while he decided what he would do. He had enough money in savings that he had the luxury of taking his time and not rushing into anything he wasn’t certain about. He was sure his parents wouldn’t mind.

  *****

  Nic had sat on a train all day and when she arrived at Penn Station she was exhausted. She pulled her suitcase through the maze of commuters and found a taxi to take her to the hotel. She sat back and watched as the cab drove her through the city. She had been to New York once before. She was in college and a group of her friends had wanted to come for a couple of days over spring break. They’d had a great time but she hadn’t been back since. Lack of time or money had been her obstacle for traveling anywhere, not just back to New York.

  The cab pulled in front of her hotel and she paid the driver. She grabbed her suitcase and walked into the budget-friendly establishment. It looked clean and the front desk employee was friendly. She produced her credit card and in return received her room key and an area map of local attractions and restaurants within walking distance. She rode the elevator up to the eleventh floor and found her room. It was small but clean, small but adequate. There were clean towels and fluffy pillows. She hoped to get a good night’s sleep so she could be at her best for tomorrow’s interview.

  *****

  When Paul returned from his morning run on Thursday, his dad was heading off to play golf with a buddy and his mom was going to play her weekly bridge game. She offered to stay home with him, but Paul insisted she go see her friends – he would be just fine. After he showered, he wandered around the house. He checked his email and then picked up his phone. Before analyzing it too much, he called Nic. She answered on the first ring.

  “Paul? Are you alright?”

  “Hi Nic. Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

  “I saw the news and…” She couldn’t finish her sentence. Why she was choking up she didn’t have a clue.

  “No, I’m fine.”

  “I’m glad,” she managed to say.

  “I was calling cuz I feel like we didn’t have much time before I had to leave. I don’t have time to come back to Norfolk. Sorry.”

  “Oh, that’s fine. I’m not there anyway.”

  “Oh? Where are you?”

  “I actually have a job interview so I’m in New York for just today.”

  “You’re in New York? Right now?”

  “Uh-huh. My interview is in an hour, so I actually need to get going. But I’m really glad you called. And I’m really glad that you’re okay.”

  “So you’ll be done with your interview and then what are you going to do? When do you leave?”

  “I head back tomorrow morning. Quick trip. Um, this evening? Nothing.”

  “Please let me take you to dinner?”

  There was silence as Nic gasped. “You’re in New York?”

  “Yeah…staying at my parents’. Dinner?”

  *****

  Nic took a taxi to the address Paul gave her. He’d offered to pick her up but she had graciously declined. She would meet him. As she stepped onto the curb, Paul walked quickly to her, a big smile plastered to his face.

  “How did it go?” he asked.

  Nic shrugged. “Not sure. The principal seemed nice and the couple of Human Resources people I met were friendly. Guess I just wait and see. They aren’t making a decision for another week or two until they’ve interviewed all the selected applicants.”

  “Well, let’s celebrate anyway,” Paul grinned.

  They walked into an Italian restaurant that Paul would have walked by without noticing had he not known what he was looking for. He’d called Janie and asked her for a suggestion and this is the one she chose. She said it was the first place Matt had taken her so it held a special place in her heart. They still ate there regularly, now bringing their children with them.

  The hostess greeted them and showed them to their table. She gave them each a menu and then disappeared.

  “You look well,” Nic smiled. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt in Afghanistan.”

  “Me?” Paul scoffed. “I’m tough as nails,” he chuckled.

  “But one of your men died?”

  That sobered Paul right up. “It was one of Ed’s team.”

  “What?” Nic gasped. “A man I met at the barbecue?”

  Paul nodded, a somber air encircled them. “It was Cody. I really didn’t know him that well, but it is sure hard. It doesn’t matter which unit they’re with. When we lose one, we all mourn.”

  “Was he the one with the twin boys?”

  “Yeah, and his wife is pregnant. Ed’s having a hard time dealing with it too.”

  “Oh that’s terrible,” Nic whispered. “I don’t know how the families do it.”

  Nic’s words echoed through his mind as the waiter arrived and filled their water glasses and placed a basket of breadsticks on the table.

  Their attention turned to the menus and they placed their order and the waiter turned and left.

  “How’s your roommate?” Paul asked.

  And the conversation turned to Evelyn and Nic’s job at the bar and then she asked about Paul’s family so he told her all about baby Isabelle, the newest Lathem, and the plans his mother now had for making an annual family cruise.

  The waiter brought their salads out and they ate in comfortable silence. Once their entrees had been delivered, Paul decided to ask Nic the question that had been on his mind most of the day.

  “I’ve decided to leave the Navy.”

  Nic looked up at him, her mouth open, her fork ready to go inside. “Why?”

  “I would like to have a life. I want to be home at night and have a family. And like you said, it’s really hard on the families.”

  Nic nodded. She could see how that would be the case. “So are you…just done?”

  “No,” Paul replied. “I have to finish my tour. It ends at the beginning of August.”

  “That’s just a few months away.”

  “Yep. And most of that time will be spent off doing training, so I won’t be in San Diego much.”

/>   “Well, maybe that will help to make the time go by faster,” Nic smiled.

  “I was wondering if I could email you, you know, keep in touch.”

  Nic’s breath hitched in her throat. Her heart stopped beating for just a second or two as she looked at Paul’s face. His blue eyes seemed to be searching her face for an answer. What do I say?

  He smiled and her heart began beating again; she could feel it smashing into her ribs. His eyes sparkled and she felt a little lost.

  “Nic?”

  “I think I’d like that,” she said softly. “I’d like that,” she nodded.

  *****

  As she stepped out of the taxi, Nic took Paul’s offered hand and he escorted her to the front door of the hotel. He’d insisted that he take her back to her hotel, as he could not, in good conscience, let her go alone. She’d smiled at his gallantry.

  “Thank you for joining me for dinner. I had a really good time,” he smiled.

  “Thank you for asking. I can’t believe we’re both here, in New York, at the same time. Wild!” she said.

  Fate? Or just coincidence? he asked himself.

  “Have a safe trip home tomorrow, and, I really hope that you get the job you want.”

  “Thank you. Me too,” Nic smiled.

  There was a moment of…of something. Paul couldn’t decide what. Was she waiting for him to kiss her? Was she hoping he would just leave? Was he looking for a sign? A sign to tell him what she wanted him to do? He leaned in and softly kissed her cheek.

  “Goodnight,” he whispered, and turned back to the taxi that was waiting for him.

  Nic watched him drive away, a hint of red in her cheeks. She smiled ever so slightly and headed up to her room.

  6.

  Is this the right email address?

  From: Lathem, Paul R. LCDR (lathempr@nav...

  Date: Friday, April 11 11:01 AM

  To: Nic Stewart (nicas821@ou...

  Hi,

  Just wanted to see if you gave me the right email address. If this is you, please reply. J

  Paul

  RE: Is this the right email address?

  From: Nicole Stewart (nicas821@outloo...

  Date: Saturday, April 12 08:17 AM

  To: Paul Lathem ([email protected]...

  Paul,

  Really? You think I would give you a fake address? What kind of girls have you dated?

  Nic

  RE: Is this the right email address?

  From: Lathem, Paul R. LCDR (lathempr@nav...

  Date: Saturday, April 12 03:43 PM

  To: Nic Stewart (nicas821@ou...

  Nic,

  I haven’t dated much recently…been a bit busy with all the bad guys. ;)

  So how was the trip home?

  Paul

  RE: Is this the right email address?

  From: Nicole Stewart (nicas821@outloo...

  Date: Sunday, April 13 10:22 AM

  To: Paul Lathem ([email protected]...

  Paul,

  ARGH!!! The train home was NOT a good experience. I got to sit by a mother with four kids under six. Yep, FOUR!!! Ordinarily, I love kids, but these were little hellions for sure. But, I made it home in one piece, so all’s well that ends well.

  Are you back in San Diego?

  Nic

  RE: Is this the right email address?

  From: Lathem, Paul R. LCDR (lathempr@nav...

  Date: Monday, April 14 05:40 AM

  To: Nic Stewart (nicas821@ou...

  Good Morning,

  Yes, I’m back in San Diego and back with my unit. We’re going to do some training exercises with the Canadian Navy in a few days so it may be a little while without email.

  Any word on your interview?

  Paul

  RE: Is this the right email address?

  From: Nicole Stewart (nicas821@outloo...

  Date: Monday, April 15 01:52 PM

  To: Paul Lathem ([email protected]...

  Paul,

  What kind of training exercises? That just sounds weird. ;) Have fun I guess.

  No word on the job. I think the longer time I go without hearing, the less likely I am to have gotten it. BUT, I did get a response from another application and they have asked for my letters of references. That’s a step in the right direction but I’m not holding my breath or anything.

  Have fun doing push-ups and jumping jacks with the Canadians, eh?

  Nic

  RE: Is this the right email address?

  From: Lathem, Paul R. LCDR (lathempr@nav...

  Date: Tuesday, April 16 04:33 AM

  To: Nic Stewart (nicas821@ou...

  Nic,

  Navy Seal training does NOT involve jumping jacks! You can do those with your kindergarteners. ;) Actually, I can’t tell you what we’re doing…but we leave this morning. I’ll be gone for a week or so.

  Oh, btw, I found out yesterday that my official last day as a Seal will be August 12th. It seems surreal at the moment, almost like I don’t believe it’s happening. My mom is thrilled though. J

  I really hope that something pans out for you on the job front. You’ll be so experienced at this job search thing maybe you can help me find a job. LOL

  Well, have a good week.

  Paul

  7.

  Back in the good ol’ USA

  From: Lathem, Paul R. LCDR (lathempr@nav...

  Date: Wednesday, April 24 12:03 PM

  To: Nic Stewart (nicas821@ou...

  Hi Nic,

  We’re back! I’m on base right now in Coronado looking at the beautiful ocean and wishing I was in it instead of working. ;)

  How are you? Any news on the job?

  Hope to hear from you soon,

  Paul

  RE: Back in the good ol’ USA

  From: Nicole Stewart (nicas821@outloo...

  Date: Wednesday, April 24 11:41 PM

  To: Paul Lathem ([email protected]...

  Paul,

  Glad you are back safe and sound. Kill any Canadians? LOL

  I didn’t get the job in Harlem. In some ways I’m relieved. I’m not sure it was the best fit for me. They seemed to be a little more structured in their curriculum than I am. I believe that the students should dictate what the syllabus should be…to an extent anyway. I think it encourages excitement about learning when we study something they are interested in. I mean, I know that there are standards that have to be met, but why can’t we study nature in tune with the seasons? Or math during snack time with carrots and milk cartons? Oh well, maybe it’s all for the best. I don’t know that I would like being pigeon holed.

  Sorry about the ranting…I get a little worked up. ;)

  I’m off to bed. It was a LONG night at work! Wednesdays are usually quiet but I guess seeing as though I wasn’t in a great mood to begin with everyone decided to come in to get a drink and annoy me! ;)

  Goodnight,

  Nic

  RE: Back in the good ol’ USA

  From: Lathem, Paul R. LCDR (lathempr@nav...

  Date: Thursday, April 25 05:09 AM

  To: Nic Stewart (nicas821@ou...

  Nic,

  Sorry to hear about the job, BUT like you say, it may all be for the best. Chin up. It will all work out the way it’s supposed to. J

  We’re being deployed on Sunday…another mission. Not sure how long we’ll be gone. I think this will be hard for the team, with Cody’s death still so fresh. I know we’re supposed to be tough but not when it comes to losing one of our own.

  Gotta go. Can’t be late ;)

  Paul

  RE: Back in the good ol’ USA

  From: Nicole Stewart (nicas821@outloo...

  Date: Friday, April 26 09:51 AM

  To: Paul Lathem ([email protected]...

  Paul,

  It seems so…so weird that someone has died but we just all go on like nothing has happened. There is a grieving wife and family and I’m just sitting here whining about my life. Seems terrible to be so insensitive, but then,
you know, what are we supposed to do? Life does go on.

  And please be careful. No CNN reports this time, k? ;)

  Oh, maybe some good news! I have a preliminary phone interview for another teaching position. The lady who called me said that they would do it over the phone so that I didn’t have to make the trip for a ‘sit-down’ unless I make it to the final three. So here’s hoping I’m off to New York again real soon. :)

  I hope to hear from you before you leave.

  Nic

  RE: Back in the good ol’ USA

  From: Lathem, Paul R. LCDR (lathempr@nav...

  Date: Saturday, April 27 08:51 PM

  To: Nic Stewart (nicas821@ou...

  Nic,

  That’s great news! I’m sure you will kick ass in the interview. Anyone would have to be blind not to see how passionate you are about teaching. And I’ve seen how great you are with kids. Good luck, but I’m sure you won’t need it.

  We are leaving early tomorrow so this will be my last email for a few days. I’m pretty sure we’ll have some internet access on base. Sometimes it can be sketchy…not real reliable. And I’m not sure yet how long we’ll be there. And, if it helps your anxiety, this is not a mission like the last one. No hostages, no concussion grenades or C-4. LOL. I’ll be just fine. I’ll email when I can. I’m really enjoying getting to you know you better.

  Paul

  RE: Back in the good ol’ USA

  From: Nicole Stewart (nicas821@outloo...

  Date: Sunday, April 28 10:22 AM

  To: Paul Lathem ([email protected]...

  Hey!

  FYI, that email did not ease any anxiety. C-4? Concussion grenades?? I didn’t know what they were so I googled them. And now I feel worse than before! I know you’ve already left and I don’t know when you’ll read this, but PLEASE be careful! You only have a few months left and you want to be in one piece to enjoy the rest of your life!!