Chapter 80

Later that afternoon, the household had an unexpected visitor. David was the one to answer the door. The man on the other side was a tall man, about 6' even, older but in very good shape. This man had the body that David would DIE to have in fifteen years, tall and muscular, but not overly so. He wore BDU's with the Marine Corps. Emblem on his cover. He extended his hand. "Mr. Draiman. I'm Commandant Henchly."

David took his hand and shook. "Pleased to meet you, Commandant. Please, come in." He stepped out of the way to let the man in.

"So, how was it this morning?" the Commandant asked.

"Excuse me, Commandant?" David said.

"Whatever it was that had your breathing all fucked up. How was it?"

David laughed. "It was good. How did you know?"

"Come on, Mr. Draiman, you're not the first man to try to an important call while other things were happening." He put emphasis on "other things."

"I'm sorry about that", David said, having the grace to look embarrassed.

"Ah, don't be. Hell, if my wife had been awake, it would have been the both of us getting some first thing in the morning."

"Who's down here talking about getting some first thing in the morning?" Brie asked as she walked down the stairs.

"Ah, this must be the lovely Mrs. Draiman." He took slow, wide steps toward the staircase.

"And you are?" she asked.

"I'm the man that called and interrupted your love fest this morning. Name's Commandant J.G. Henchly."

She extended her hand demurely. "Charmed, Commandant", she said with a smile.

He took it and laid a soft kiss on her knuckles. "No, Ma' am. It is I that am charmed."

She looked at David. "It would be flattering that he's speaking to me this way, but you're already such a gentleman." She went to his side.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her temple.

"Well, I can see why you didn't answer the first three times I called. I wouldn't answer the phone when making love to someone like her either. She's a one of a kind, Draiman. I'd hold on to her if I were you."

"Oh, I intend to", David said.

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Slowly, the rest of the guys and their families drifted into the living room and met the man that was now in charge of the troops. Matt, they'd come to find out, had already met him. "So, there we were, in the middle of the desert, no water, no ammo, and this Gunny says, 'Sir, I think we should turn around. I think Camp is that way.'", the Commandant laughed. Everyone laughed with him. "So, I look at the guy and said, 'Gunny, what part of LOST don't you understand? We're in the middle of the DESERT!!! There's no 'that way' in the desert if you can't figure out your directions, boy."

"Holy shit", Brie said. "I almost feel sorry for that guy."

"Don't", said Matt as he came in the room. "It was the funniest thing that ever happened to me."

The Commandant stood up. "Cartwright?" he asked. Matt snapped to attention with a full salute. Commandant Henchly saluted back. "At ease, son. What the hell are you doing here?"

"My sister lives here, sir."

"And which one of these fine ladies is your sister?"

Matt pointed at Brie. "That would be her, sir."

"You mean, her? The one sitting with Draiman?"

"Yes, sir. That's my baby sister."

Brie looked up at the Commandant and waved. "Hi."

"So you're the little sister he took hunting and all that when you were little?" the Commandant asked. Brie nodded. "Wow, what a small world."