SLATTERY'S DAUGTHERS

IN THE NAVY

Lucas was just settled in the sleeping quarters where he was going to sleep for the next month or two when one of the older navy officers introduced his roommate to him. "Frankie Gordon, this is your roommate, Lucas MacNamara."

Lucas looked at him surprised and jumped off the bed he was sitting on. "Frankie Gordon?"

"Lucas MacNamara? Is that really you?"

The navy officer looked at the both of and scowled. "You two know each other?"

"We went to elementary school together back in Choteau." The two of them hugged each other. "Long time no see mate. And look at us. Both in the navy. Where are you in the world?"

"I live in L.A. now."

"L.A.? What are you doing in L.A.?"

"My sister wanted to go to film school. And you?"

"Still in Choteau."

"Is Slater still there?"

"He's still there. Biggest player in the crowd, but what can I say. He'll never change."

Frankie looked at the picture of Claire standing on the writing table on top of Lucas's laptop. "Is that Claire Slattery?"

"That's her right."

"Are you guys dating?"

"Yes, but her father can be a real pain in the neck sometimes."

"Wow. I would still say lucky you."

"And you, do you have a girlfriend?"

"No,I don't want get involved now being in the navy and all."

##########

Joanne was in the kitchen busy mixing batter for a chocolate cake when Claire walked in. She opened the cookie cupboard door and took two cookies from the cookie jar before she went to sit at the kitchen table to watch her mother work. "What are you making?"

"Chocolate cake. And you just took too cookies, so no cake for you this afternoon."

"Oh mom!"

"You heard what I said."

"I'll help you wash the dishes."

"Are you trying to smooth talk me young lady?"

"No." Claire took a bite from one of the cookies in her hand.

"Have you heard anything from Lucas again?"

"Yes. You won't guess who is in the navy with him," Claire said with a smile. 

"No," Joanne replied scowling.

"Frankie Gordon."

"Frankie joined the navy too?"

"You bet. Now we have two boys from Choteau in the navy."

"Must be something in the water."

Joanne spooned the batter mix into two cake moulds and put them in the oven before she started mixing the icing. Just about then Julie came rushing down the stairs and took the empty batter bowl. She swiped her finger over the side of the bowl and licked the batter off her fingers. "Give me that." Joanne took the bowl from Julie.

"Mom."

She took a desert spoon from the cutlery drawer and gave it to Julie. "Don't use your fingers, use this."

"I'll have the icing when you're done," Claire replied.

Joanne looked at her daughter shocked and shook her head. "You just had two cookies and now you want the icing too? You two girls are unbelievable." Joanne turned her focus to the kitchen doorway when Tom stepped inside and leaned against the door frame. He crossed his arms across his chest and gave a smirk. "What are you three ladies doing?"

"Baking chocolate cake," Julie replied with a grin on your face.

"And eating cake batter from the bowl too I see," Tom replied with a chuckle.

"So you sorted out the fence with Grant Murphy?" Joanne asked Tom.

"Yeah, apparently it wasn't him who cut the fence."

"Then who was it?" 

"Definitely wasn't me either. I swear if it happens again I'm going to file a damage to property report against him."

Joanne frowned. "We never had problems with him before. Why now all of a sudden?"

"God knows." Tom threw his attention to the kitchen window when he noticed a Chevy truck approach the house. "We're expecting company?"

Claire turned around to look outside the window too and then looked at her dad. "It's Danny's truck."

"What is he doing here?"

"How should I know?"

"Julie?" Tom asked looking at his younger daughter baffled.

"I don't know anything either dad."

Tom watched as Danny got out of his truck and stepped onto the porch before he knocked on the front door that already stood open. Tom left the kitchen to open the door for Danny. "Hello." 

"Mr. Slattery..."

"What are you doing here?" Tom asked curiously.

"I was wondering...uhm..."

"Yes?"

"Would it be okay if I take Claire out to the movies with me?"

Tom crossed his arms over his head and nodded his head. "I see. You wait until Lucas is at sea to come take my daughter out on a movie date?" 

"Yeah but...Uhm..." he replied nervously. "Would it be okay with you sir?" He swallowed at the nervous lump in his throat.

"My daughter is off limits to you Slater. If you want to hang out with my daughter, I have a living room and a TV too."

"Uhm, I understand sir. It's okay, I won't bother again."

"Keep well." Tom closed the door and walked back to the kitchen.

"What was dad about?"

"Danny wants to take Claire on a movie date with him."

Claire started laughing. "Really? He's not my type dad."