Page 16 of The Flyboy's Girl
“Ruby,” my mother says gaining my attention, “it looks like your father needs me. Are you okay on your own?”
Giving her a reassuring smile I reply, “Yes ma’am. I saw Millie sneak in late so I’ll enlist her to mingle with me.”
“Okay sweetheart, I’ll see you later,” she says as she makes her way to my father’s side.
Knowing my father will keep one eye on me from across the room, I make my way out of the row and down the aisle to find Millie.
“Ruby,” she nearly shouts, as I get closer.
“Millie, I didn’t think you were coming today.”
“I wasn’t planning on it, but changed my mind at the last minute,” she says eyeing the appointees in their dress uniforms. “And I have to say, I’m certainly glad I did.”
Grabbing her hand to gain her focus I whisper, “Millie, they’re here.”
“Who’s here? What are you talking about Ruby?”
Sighing I clarify what I’m talking about. “Don and Paul. They’re here.”
“What? No, they can’t be,” she says in disbelief. “Surely they would have told us they were in the Navy.”
“You were probably too far back to recognize them, but trust me, it’s them.” Pulling her in closer, I whisper, “Paul winked at me from the stage.”
Grinning from ear to ear, Millie grabs my hand, “Well come on, let’s go talk to them,” she says as she begins to walk in their direction only to have me stop her.
“Hold on, we can’t just march over there and start speaking to them. That would look too suspicious. We’ll stop and speak to a few others on our way to them, okay?”
“Okay, that sounds good. Now let’s go.”
With our plan in place, we make our way over to a group of three apprentices, waiting until one stops speaking before stepping up to introduce ourselves.
“Hello,” I say gaining their attention, “I’m Ruby Thorpe and this is Millie Bishop. We wanted to welcome you to Point Mugu and congratulate you on your promotions.”
Seaman Apprentice Novak is the first to step forward and offer his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Thorpe, Miss Bishop. And thank you for the kind welcome.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Millie says, “and thank you all for your service. The lunch will be set up shortly, so please help yourselves.”
“Miss Thorpe, Miss Bishop, Airman Apprentice Sanders,” he says before introducing the third member of the group. “This is Seaman Apprentice Turner.”
Smiling, the two of us shake their hands, “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.
“Thorpe and Bishop,” Seaman Turner questions, “as in Admiral Thorpe and Captain Bishop?”
“Yes, that’s correct,” Millie says, “the Admiral and Captain are our fathers.”
I watch as recognition moves across their faces and I know this is the last time we will speak freely with these three.
Straightening his shoulders, Seaman Novak says with a nod to each of us, “It was a pleasure to meet you Miss Thorpe, Miss Bishop. Thank you again for the kind welcome. Now if you’ll excuse us, it looks like lunch is ready.”
Smiling politely, while trying not to laugh, I reply, “Of course, enjoy your lunch.”
As they walk away, I catch Paul watching me wearing somewhat of a frown.
“Uh-oh,” Millie says, “someone doesn’t look happy.”
“Well, they’ll be even less so when they find out our last names. Come on, might as well get this over with,” I say as Millie and I walk towards Don and Paul.
“Hello gentlemen,” Millie says saucily, taking the lead this time. “I’m Millie Bishop and this is my very best friend, Ruby Thorpe.”
