Page 23 of Soaring and Saucy

“We all do,” Orion shrugged. “Do you have a plan to fix it?”

“You aren’t surprised or want to know what happened?”

“Nope. That’s your business, not mine. I just want to make sure you are okay, or if you need someone to talk some sense into you, then I might be able to help.”

“It’s the girl from New York City…”

“Your wife,” Orion stressed, glancing at him and smirking. “I figured as much. What’s wrong? Does she want you out of the Navy? Want a big diamond ring? Pregnant?”

“Pregnant.”

“And it’s yours?”

Lance hesitated as the air seemed to be sucked out of the cab of the truck in that simple line of questioning. Orion glanced at him, looking concerned.

“It’s okay to say ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ or ‘I don’t know’ – because we deal with a lot with our jobs. We are always coming and going, trying to hold our lives together, and sometimes they fall apart no matter what you do to hang onto what ‘Normal’ looks like to you.”

“I don’t think Stephanie would have… ya’ know… since I left. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure it’s mine – if she’s pregnant. She wants to talk about something, and I suggested that it be face-to-face.”

“Unless she wants a divorce?”

“I’d give her one… I think.”

“Sounds like you have a lot of ‘thinking’ to do, brother.”

Lance cursed and leaned forward in the truck, putting his face in his hands in despair. He did have a lot to think about and felt like he was on the edge of a cliff, barely hanging on by a thread. Something was about to change, and he wasn’t sure if he was going to like it or not.

“We’re here,” Orion said simply, putting the truck into park. “Stick with me, breathe, give yourself some grace to make mistakes in life… just be ready to pick up the pieces when it’s necessary.”

“What if she hates me?”

“She must have liked you well enough at some point,” Orion chuckled, looking at him. “The guys are waiting on us, and you know what you need to do. Use a little of that charm that I’ve seen in the past. Heck, it’s probably how you got into this mess. Instead of picking up chicks, you can pick up your wife.”

“Huh?”

“Trust me – dating is fun, but it escalates to a whole new level when you are trying to pick up and flirt with the woman you love… and if you tell any of those boys out there what I said, I’ll deny it.”

“I’m not in love with her,” Lance whispered under his breath, embarrassed. “We barely know each other, and I only married her to get her into bed.”

“And you did,” Orion said sympathetically. “The fun part is done. Now, it’s time to work on the rest of things. Get to know her, date her, be involved, and talk to her. You might end up having fun once again, or you might find that stranger is now your best friend.”

He pointed at the guys waiting near the front door to the bar.

“If we are staying here and singing Kumbaya all evening, let me tell them not to hold a table for us,” and his buddy smirked at him, yanking the driver’s door open. “One beer, relax, and think about your next move.”

“Is that what you do?” Lance retorted… only to see Orion smile widely and nod.

“Sure do. I watch them make fools of themselves, think about my son, and focus on what I’m going to do next to surprise my wife. Try things my way for a little while, Trophy… you might find that you enjoy life a little more when things calm down.”

Lance followed the other pilot into the bar as Orion headed toward a booth – and nodded at the waitress, who rushed over to say hello. Most of the sailors on base that came here usually left nice tips, and all the waitresses knew they were safe because one wrong phone call made to command could possibly turn south very quickly.

“Hey Sheila, are things better here?” – and Lance looked at Orion in surprise as the man continued speaking. “Do you have any Dr. Pepper or Ginger Ale?”

“Much better,” the woman nodded, smiling. “And you? How’s everyone at home?”

“Good,” Orion replied simply before looking at where he waited. “Trophy, you want a soda or a beer?”

“I’ll have what he’s having,” Lance replied, pointing at Orion and nodding at the woman. “Thanks.”

---