I leave the bathroom, expecting to find Temple waiting for me, but he's not. I'm standing beside another model of CV-10. Like the one near the Information Booth, it's concealed in a glass case but showcases Operation Overnight instead of artifacts. Wait, Operation Overnight? What the heck is that? I look closer and feel a new smile creep across my face.
The display case holds pictures of children, including Boy and Girl Scouts, laughing on a berthing section in Yorktown. Oh, I understand what's happening here.
Aside from Operation Overnight, I also see a photo of when Yorktown came to Charleston. I heard twelve tugboats pushed her into the ditch she's resting in now. Why do I find that funny? What would have happened if Tugboat #1 messed up something? Would Tugboat #2 have shouted at her from astern? I giggle, thinking about it.
While I want to leave, especially after encountering that Ted lookalike at the Education Cart, I don't want to. I guess it depends on if Natalie and Teddy are here yet. They won't mind if I spend a few minutes overtime here.
With this in mind, I study Operation Overnight a little longer. I then step out of the small hallway where the bathroom is and double-check to ensure I'm okay to show my face to the public again. I think I am, but I once again hide behind my hand when I pass the Corsair.
I don't see Temple at the Information Booth or the Education Cart, and ask, "Where's Temple?"
"He went to put up the Education Cart," one of the Volunteers elucidates. "Said he'll see you next week with a homework assignment?"
I blush and quickly change the subject. "Has my daughter come by yet? Her name is Natalie."
"We haven't heard," the Volunteer answers, grinning. "Hey! Until she gets here, why don't you check out Yorktown's stern?" He leans over the counter and points down Hangar Bay 3.
Why do I feel like the rest of the Volunteers are Temple's minions, helping him to help me? I bet they learned to toy from him.
I sigh—"I guess so"—and leave the Information Booth, heading toward the Doolittle Raid and Yorktown's stern. I stop momentarily at the Medal of Honor Museum. I remember seeing it on my first day but never got a good look at it. The Medal of Honor is the highest achievement any military personnel can achieve in their line of service. I have always loved hearing the stories of Medal of Honor recipients. They made me wish I was just as brave as them.
Maybe next time, Bill.
I march down Hangar Bay 3, taking a moment to sit in the snack booth across from the B-25 in the Doolittle Raid exhibit, and exit onto Yorktown's stern.
The first thing I see is a police officer resting his arms on the railing, studying the marina and marsh. I didn't expect to see an officer out here, but I guess police presence is crucial in the U.S. today, sadly. The stern is a strange place for an officer to be, though. I think the Hangar Bay and Flight Deck receive the most foot traffic. Now, thinking about it, I never turned myself in for murdering Ted; however, the Navy told me it was an accident in a military setting.
"Oh, hello, sir." The officer pushes off the railing and faces me. He's a tall, black man with a muscular body who looks no more than forty.
I nod. "Hello, sir. What are you doing out here?"
"I'm stationed here," the officer replies, patting the railing.
I scratch my head. "But most of the foot traffic is in the Hangar Bay and on the Flight Deck."
"It's quiet but necessary," the officer says, chuckling. "Besides, it's fun to people-watch the marina."
He speaks my lingo. Since I wasn't as social as Ted during my service, I tended to people-watch, too.
I saunter to a bench under the shade and sit, hands in my lap. The officer's right—it's quiet out here.
He approaches me and crosses his arms. "You a new Volunteer?"
"I am," I say, "but I'm still unsure if I want to stay here."
"Oh?" The officer lifts one of his bushy eyebrows. "And why is that?"
"It's hard to explain, but..." I cut off, even though Temple mentioned that it's good I'm finally opening up about Ted. Does he open up about his daughter often? I still wonder what happened to her and how on Earth Temple's managed to control his grief.
A best friend is one thing, but a daughter? I would die on the spot if Natalie passed. I was the one who found her cornered by a feral dog in a New York City alleyway when she was only three years old. She had no parents, so I adopted her, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me—a miracle after Ted. I never want to lose that miracle.
Footsteps sound behind me, and I stand and put my heels together when Temple steps outside. I can't go anywhere without running into him. Nonetheless, didn't the Volunteer behind the Information Desk say he had already said goodbye?
Temple waves at the officer. "Hello, Officer Nero! All is well, I assume?" He shakes a little like he's nervous and only glances at me. "Oh, hey, Bill."
I prepare to return his "Hey," but Temple stops before Officer Nero and rubs his hands together.
"All's well, sir," Officer Nero returns. "I was just chatting with your new Volunteer. It hasn't been too busy out here today."
"Ah, yes." Temple faces me. "Bill, this is Officer Nero. He's a friend of mine. He's usually out here four to five days a week, ensuring nobody tries anything risky on Yorktown's stern."
What would someone do? I guess I can think of a few things, but the Patriots Points peeps, Volunteers and not, don't seem like those kinds of people. Even the men I served with on Valley Forge didn't try it. If they went overboard, it was either due to rough seas or a plane crash. Ted saved me from falling overboard after I crashed my plane.
"Sorry, Bill, but may I please have some privacy with him?" Temple adds.
"Oh, yes," I say, putting both hands on my cane. This makes me even more curious about Temple and Officer Nero's relationship, but I remain quiet.
"Your daughter and dog just got here," Temple explains. "They're waiting on the pier."
"The dog?" I cheerily say. "She actually brought the dog?" I never thought I would be so giddy to see Teddy again. "Oh, right," I include, cheekily holding my finger to my lips. "Privacy."
Temple waves while I leave. "See you next week, Bill, and we'll give the Education Carts or another Bulldog Tour another chance. Your choice."
I shiver but nod. "Su-Sure." I'm sure Temple sees something in me, but I don't know what it is yet.
"And don't forget Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and The Fighting Lady!" is the last thing Temple tells me before I disappear back inside Hangar Bay 3.
I ponder Temple's daughter and Officer Nero on my way to meet Natalie and Ted. I don't want to be a stalker, but I wonder...? Ah, that's ridiculous (it makes sense, though).
I again stop at the Information Booth and ask one of the Volunteers, "Hey, does Temple ever talk about his daughter?" I tap the counter with my question.
The Volunteer I addressed my question to cocks an eyebrow. "Oh, he told you?"
I shrug. "Well, no. Just that his daughter died when she was eighteen."
The Volunteer smiles. "You may be a rare case, brother, especially if he brought that up only on your second day at Patriots Point."
That's it? I wait for more, but the Volunteer titters. "Just give it time."
What does he mean by that? Many things have happened here today for me, and I'm sure everything—Temple, the lady I met at the Doolittle Raid exhibit, my little "I am William!" moment, and even my "homework" assignment are connected... somehow. This is a sneaky game Patriots Point is playing to help me with Ted, even though I've made it clear he's between Natalie and me and that it's not something I'll ever recover from—only hide until I pass in the next decade. I hope to at least make it to ninety-seven and go naturally.
"Hey, Daddy."
I don't realize I've already taken the elevator down to Yorktown's second exit, through the galley, until I'm standing on the ramp and see Natalie and Teddy waiting at its end. "Teddy!" is the first thing I say.
Teddy's tail wags. He tries breaking free from Natalie, but she holds him back.
I walk as fast as possible, even though it's not that fast, without slipping and breaking my hip (or tumbling overboard into the Charleston Harbor). Natalie even gestures for me to take it slow. She's always looking out for me—the little booger.
I reach the end of the ramp, sweating under the hot sun, and see Ted force himself out of Natalie's grasp. He whines and limps around me. I lose my balance when he bumps my legs but catch myself on the ramp's railing. "Whoa, Teddy," I say.
Natalie approaches and guides me to the shuttle pick-up spot beside the ramp. We sit, and she says, "He's a funny dog," while quickly glancing at Teddy. "He waited by the front door all morning until I said it was time to pick you up."
"May we please adopt him full-time?" I ask out of the blue. I find myself crossing my legs instead of my fingers.
"Whoa, Daddy." Natalie nudges me. "It's only been a week. You remember our deal, right?"
"Yes, but—"
"So, how was your second day as a Volunteer?" Natalie interrupts.
Well, excuse me, Natalie.
"Temple gave me a homework assignment," I answer because I don't want to feel like a terrible father again.
"A homework assignment?" Natalie's mouth twitches, and she chuckles.
"I know," I say, scratching Teddy behind his floppy ears. "I think it's ridiculous, too."
"No, that's great!" Natalie replies. She perks up when she sees the golf cart skirting down the pier. "What does he want you to do?"
"Watch Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and The Fighting Lady and write my thoughts about them." My voice is no louder than a whisper, but Natalie's hearing is still as sharp as mine, and she grips my arm.
"Really? It's been forever since we've had a movie night, Dad."
The shuttle stops before us here, and the Volunteer driving announces, "All aboard."
"You know," I say to Natalie while we dip into the cart and hold Teddy close, "you don't have to watch Thirty Seconds over Tokyo and The Fighting Lady with me, Nat."
Natalie waves her hand. "Oh, tish tosh. Someone needs to ensure you complete your 'homework'." She emphasizes with her index and middle fingers.
I guess I'm not getting out of this one. It's annoying, but I know Natalie, like Patriots Point, is trying to help.
"Don't be a stick in the mud, sir," the Volunteer driving the cart says. "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo is a great movie. It sticks to the actual Doolittle Raid well."
"See?" Natalie questions.
"I'm sure it does, but..." I lower my head, thinking about Ted Lawson and my Ted. I'm scared about what will happen if/when I watch the films. I still don't know how they will help me, but I have no choice if I want to adopt Teddy full-time. I need to keep trying with Patriots Point, and it looks like I'll need to solve a few mysteries about Temple and that woman I met along the way. What's so familiar about the name "Ted" that she mentioned?
Speaking of which, I should tell Natalie.
Before the shuttle reaches the pier's end, I clear my throat and say, "Natalie, I met someone today."
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