| Subject: You Can't Go Home Again-Part 2 |
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Grandma JAG
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Date Posted: 19:58:07 11/02/02 Sat
Part 2
18 October 2002
George’s At The Cove
La Jolla, California
This was a mistake, thought Harm, as he sat at the bar with his beer. He and Mac had only been there an hour, and already Harm wished he hadn’t come. He watched as Mac and his old buddy Mike sang with the karaoke machine to some oldie Harm couldn’t place. Well, at least she seems to be having a good time, he sighed to himself.
It wasn’t as if no one had remembered him. He’d had plenty of old friends greet him and share their latest pictures of their kids and get caught up on what everyone was doing. He kept looking around for Susan, but there was no sign of her yet.
Just then Mac joined him at the bar. “Whew! I need something to drink!” She called over to the bartender who brought her a virgin daiquiri.
“I never knew you could sing like that,” commented Harm.
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me, Commander,” Mac answered, out of breath.
“Oh really?” Harm shot back. “And just what is it that I don’t know?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” Mac teased.
“Wow, that’s an old line. Isn’t it from the ‘60’s?” Harm laughed.
“I wouldn’t know, since I’m so much younger than you.” Mac really enjoyed it when they teased each other like this. At least it seemed to help get him out of the doldrums. She couldn’t quite figure out why he was having such a miserable time. His friends seemed to be a lot of fun.
“Having fun?” Harm asked her.
“Yes, I am. Your friends are nice people,” Mac replied. She glanced over at the group standing by the karaoke machine. “Especially Mike.”
“So I noticed. Be careful,” Harm warned. “He’s been divorced twice already.”
“Well, that’s nothing compared to me. I kill off all my boyfriends, remember? Or else they wish they were dead,” Mac said, facetiously.
Harm winced as he remembered his comment to Sturgis that she had overheard. “Mac...” he started.
“Relax, Harm, I’m only kidding,” Mac said, reassuredly. “Have you seen Susan yet?”
“Not yet,” answered Harm. Just then a tall, thin brunette walked toward them, a huge smile on her face. Harm rose to greet her, giving her a big hug.
That must be Susan, Mac thought. She instantly felt a pang of jealousy as her stomach fluttered at the thought of Harm being in love. His demeanor had definitely perked up at the sight of this attractive woman.
“Harm, how are you?” The woman’s eyes sparkled, and her face showed two dimples as it broke into a huge smile. “It’s been a long time.”
“Over twenty years, that it has,” Harm smiled in reply. “You’ve organized a great party here, Deb. Good turnout from both classes.” Mac almost choked on her drink as she realized that this was not Susan. Hearing her cough, Harm turned to introduce her. “Sarah MacKenzie, meet Deb Adamson. Deb was Susan’s best friend in high school.”
Deb reached out to shake Mac’s hand. “I haven’t been Adamson for 15 years. My married name is Macgruder. Nice to meet another Mac, Sarah.”
Mac instantly liked Deb. “It’s nice to meet you, too. So you’re the one responsible for all this, huh?”
“I’m the organizer, but lots of people have been working hard to put it together. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourselves.”
“So, uh, Deb, is Susan coming?” Harm tried to sound nonchalant.
“She wasn’t able to make it tonight. Her husband is a pilot,” Deb paused as Harm’s eyebrow shot upward. “Not military. He flies for Continental Airlines. Anyway, he was finishing up a trip today, so they’ll be flying in from Cleveland tomorrow.”
Just then, Mike came running up to Mac. “Hey, Sarah, that song you were wanting is going to be up next. Come on!”
“My fans are waiting!” Mac said, dramatically, as she smiled at Harm. She hated to leave this conversation, but thought it best to let Harm ask about Susan without her listening in.
“So, how is she?” Harm asked. “I kind of lost touch when I went to the academy.”
“Kind of? You dumped her, Harm! You never wrote or called. She was really hurt by that,” Deb scolded.
“I know. I was overwhelmed by all the expectations at the academy. I was determined to follow in my father’s footsteps, and the competition to be a naval aviator was fierce. But that’s no excuse. She deserved better than that. I guess I came this weekend hoping to ask for her forgiveness.” Harm looked down at his empty beer bottle and gestured to the bartender for another.
“She forgives you, Harm,” Deb said, compassionately. “That was a long time ago and we were all so young. After graduation, she went to UCSD and met Dan her freshman year. They got married the following summer after he graduated, and started their family soon after. She’s been very happy being a stay-at-home mom for her three kids: two boys and a girl, ages 17, 13, and 10. Her oldest boy graduates from high school this year, and you’ll never guess where he wants to go to college----the Naval Academy!” Deb laughed. “I guess the apple never falls too far from the tree.”
Just then, a high-pitched voice from the other side of the room could be heard above the music and laughter. “Well, Harmon Rabb, Jr., as I live and breathe!”
Harm groaned as he said, “Tell me that’s not.......”
Deb laughed, sympathetically. “I’m afraid it is. Newly divorced and on the prowl. I’ll just leave you two alone.”
“Thanks a lot, friend,” Harm growled, sarcastically. He turned to greet the robust woman walking toward him. “Hello, Mallory.”
Mallory leaned over to give him a peck on the cheek, lingering long enough to allow her bosom to slide along his arm. “So, Harm, have you made room in your life for me yet?” she asked, lustfully. “How about if we get out of this place and make our own party?”
“Mallory, there was no room in my life for you in high school, and there is still no room now,” Harm said, bluntly.
“Ouch, sailor, that hurt,” replied Mallory, not to be denied. “That doesn’t mean we still can’t have some fun this weekend, does it?”
“I came with someone, Mallory,” Harm answered back.
“You mean that sweet thing up there on stage?” Mallory retorted. “I don’t see a ring on her finger. And it looks like she might be just as happy leaving with your old buddy Mike.”
Harm looked up to the stage to see Mike gazing at Mac as she got seated to sing a solo. Mallory continued to babble, but Harm paid no attention. His eyes were on his partner as she started singing a beautiful ballad made popular by Faith Hill.
When you start falling
Who’s gonna catch ya
I’m willing to betcha
It will be me.
Who’s gonna love ya
Like there’s no other
Search and discover
It will be me.
Mallory followed Harm’s gaze to the stage. “So is she your girl, or what?”
“We’re just friends,” Harm answered, as the song continued, and so did Mallory’s babbling.
When all the others
Have gone and hurt you
Who won’t desert you
It will be me.
Weighing the options
So much to think of
But when you think love
It will be me.
You may not see it now
Love is strange that way
But someday, someway,
Baby, somehow
When you’ve been broken
And dreams don’t oblige ya
Who’s that beside ya
It will be me.
Who’ll be your only
True romancer
You know the answer
It will be me.
What will it take to
Bring you to your senses
And finally convince you
It will be me.
“Just friends, huh?” Mallory said, when she realized that Harm hadn’t heard a word she said. “Honey, if a ‘friend’ looked at me the way you look at her, I’d never let him go. Well, good luck, Harm.” Mallory leaned over to give Harm a good-bye kiss, this time without the physical contact. “She’s a lucky girl.” With that, she walked away.
Mac hadn’t dared to look at Harm during the song. She had chosen it in the hopes that the words would mean something, would finally break through this barrier they had between them. As the final chord faded away, she glanced at Harm, just in time to see Mallory plant the kiss on his cheek. Mac thought, he didn’t even hear the song! He was too busy visiting with that woman, whoever she was. Would he ever be rid of blonde bimbos in his life?
Mac made her way back to the bar to finish her drink. “You ready to go?” Harm asked.
“Ready when you are.” Mac tried to sound perkier than she felt. She and Harm got up to leave when Mike noticed them and hurried over.
“Hey, Sarah, where are you going?” Mike asked, his speech slurred from one too many drinks.
“We’re leaving, Mike,” Harm answered for her.
“Why don’t you ditch this sailor and come and paint the town with me?” Mike leaned toward Mac as if Harm wasn’t there.
“I leave with who I came with, Mike,” Mac answered, calmly. “Besides, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As Harm and Mac returned to their hotel, Harm asked, “What do you mean, you’ll see him tomorrow?”
Mac stopped outside her door, which was next to Harm’s. “Well, I knew you were going to spend tomorrow with your mom. Mike managed to get his-and-hers motorcycles from his last divorce settlement, so we’re going riding tomorrow.” She looked at Harm and said coyly, “Are you worried about me?”
“A little. I went to school with the guy, remember.” Harm was sure he didn’t like this one bit, but what could he do? She was a marine, after all, and could take care of herself. And he reluctantly reminded himself that he held no claim to her. “Just make sure you’re ready to go to the dinner by 1900 hours.”
“Aye, aye, sir!” Mac saluted, mockingly. When she saw the forlorn look on his face, she smiled and said, “Relax, Harm, I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not that,” Harm said. “I’m glad that you came with me, even though I’ve been having a miserable time. At least you seem to be enjoying yourself.”
“Oh, I don’t know, you seemed to be enjoying yourself with that blonde,” Mac teased, not sure if she should bring it up.
“Mallory? Good grief, no! She’s been chasing me ever since junior high. That woman’s got some nerve! She can’t take a hint-----hell, she can’t even accept it when you tell her to her face!” Harm turned red with anger just thinking about it.
Mac reached up and touched his face with her hand. “I know you’re worried about seeing Susan tomorrow night. It’ll be fine, I promise.”
“I just don’t know what to say to her.” Harm’s heart jumped at the feel of Mac’s hand touching his face.
“When the time comes, I’m sure you’ll say the right thing,” Mac said, gently. “Now go and get some good sleep and I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
Harm was tempted to reach out and pull her to him, but thought better of it. Instead, he tried to flash her his confident grin, but ended up with a pathetic half-smile. How he wished this weekend was over with and they could go back to being their normal selves, without the past staring them in the face! But--- tomorrow was another day, and he would be ready for whatever it would bring.
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