"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear William! Happy birthday to you!"
Tallulah and I just reached the Information Booth. Am I seriously hearing this right now?
The Volunteers clap after singing "Happy Birthday", and Cosgrove offers me my movie. "Sorry, William, but we had to do something."
Another Volunteer approaches with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts and opens it, showing me the different types inside. "Have a donut before you leave."
"I-I don't know what to say," I stutter, picking out a lemon-filled donut. Cosgrove sticks a candle in it and draws a lighter, lighting it. "You guys haven't known me long."
"Hey," Cosgrove says, backing up and joining the other Volunteers, "we're family here, Bill. Now, make a wish."
I believe they know what my wish is—if there is any way for me to hug Ted one last time, I will take it—but I don't say it aloud; I think for a bit, and then I blow out the candle. It's followed by another round of applause from the Volunteers and now Tallulah.
A feeble smile crosses my face, and I bite into my donut, savoring the sweet lemon meringue. It's as lovely as my new friends here.
"Have a great time on your Harbor Tour, and we'll see you next week," Cosgrove says, clutching my shoulder. "We're happy you're here, Bill."
For the first time, I can say the same.
Tallulah and I collect a few donuts, and Tallulah sticks with me on the elevator, through the galley, and out Yorktown's wheelchair-accessible entrance. We joke around while we wait for the cart and share our donuts, leaving a few for Natalie.
"Bill, look!" Hovering over the Charleston Harbor on the ramp, Tallulah waves me over.
I tighten my grip on the movie and approach her. "What is it, Tallulah?" That's when I see the mamma dolphin and her baby swimming between Yorktown and the pier.
They click at one another and playfully splash Tallulah and me with their tails.
We chuckle and wave, watching as the animals duck underwater and come back up.
The shuttle soon pulls up before us, and Tallulah and I climb aboard.
I hug my new movie while we glide down the pier and examine the Spiritline boat that Natalie and I will soon be on for our Harbor Tour. Getting back on the water is exciting but also nerve-wracking. I don't know if I'm ready for this.
The shuttle stops at the pier's end, and Tallulah and I slip out. Natalie's waiting for us before the Ship Store, a sunhat on her head and sunglasses over her eyes. She carries a beach bag over her shoulder and says, "Daddy! Tallulah!" in seeing Tallulah and me.
"Natalie!" Tallulah nearly runs to her, and she and Natalie embrace like college girls. Tallulah is the best thing that's happened to Natalie in a while. It's been forever since I've seen my dear daughter this happy—all because of me.
Natalie and Tallulah release one another, and Tallulah offers Natalie a donut. "We brought donuts."
"Aw, thank you." Natalie accepts the donut and bites into it. "Mmm, delicious." Natalie swallows. "How was your first day as a Volunteer?" she inquires, wrapping her arm around Tallulah. "Was my daddy an okay teacher?"
"He was great!" Tallulah says (does she mean it?). "Although we got in a little trouble for abandoning the Education Cart because your daddy's lifelong passion for World War II finally showed."
"It did? Finally?" Natalie's voice sounds choked. She peers over her shoulder at me. "Oh, Daddy, I'm so happy for you!"
I smile nervously and join Tallulah and Natalie near the Ship Store's entrance, Spiritline Cruises behind us.
"We still have some time before we need to board." Natalie checks her wristwatch and finishes her donut. "I was going to take Daddy into the Ship Store to look for one more birthday gift. Would you like to join us, Tallulah?"
One more gift? Natalie's done enough for me.
"Oh, I'd love to, Natalie, but"—Tallulah puts her hands together—"I'll see y'all tonight for movie night. You should spend the afternoon with your daddy, Natalie. Oh, Bill, I forgot to return this this morning, but"—she reaches into her purse and removes the picture of Ted she borrowed last week—"here's your picture back. I don't want to separate you from Ted too long."
Oh, yeah, the picture! Why did I nearly forget about it? Have I finally gone senile at ninety-two?
"Oh, thank you, Tallulah." I take the picture and shake her hand. "See you tonight."
"Yes." Tallulah grins at Natalie and me. "See y'all tonight." She releases my hand, waves, and exits the scene, leaving only Natalie and me.
"Isn't she the sweetest thing?" Natalie questions.
"She is," I admit. "I wasn't sure about her at first, Nat, but she's grown on me. It's nice that she can give you the love I never gave you." Well, gee, this suddenly took a dark turn.
"Oh, Daddy." Natalie embraces me. "Don't say that. I know how much you love me; you've just never had it easy in life."
"Natalie..." We disconnect, and I grasp Natalie's hand. "I hate to ask you this while you're in a good mood, but... Do you remember anything from the night your parents died? Oh, who am I kidding? You were only three years old. Of course, you wouldn't."
"No, no." Natalie presses her finger against my lips. "I do, Daddy. It's a little fuzzy, but..." She inhales sharply. "I remember my parents telling me to run and that they loved me only a few minutes before they were shot. Next thing I knew, that dog cornered me in the alleyway, and there you were—my miracle, my new daddy." She hugs me again. "You are a true veteran, William Beckington. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you, just like you wouldn't be here celebrating your ninety-second birthday if not for Ted."
I rest my head on her shoulder. "I miss him every day, Natalie. He was my Roosevelt."
"I know," Natalie gently replies, letting go and gripping my shoulders, "but that's why you're here at Patriots Point, making new friends. Come on—let's head into the Ship Store and get you one more birthday gift before the tour."
"Natalie, I don't need another gift," I try, holding up my hands.
"Shut up." Natalie opens the Ship Store's door. "It's your birthday."
That doesn't make me deserving of a gift. Nonetheless, I sigh and enter the store with Natalie. The exit is before us, down a hallway-like path, and shelves of goodies surround us: trinkets, clothes, the kids section beside us and behind clothing racks, etc. There are even a few books beside Natalie and me on the left. Oh, boy, I know where Natalie's going to go.
Sure enough, she says, "You find something, Daddy," and points at the books. "I'll be in the book section."
I arch my brows. "Natalie, don't you have enough books?"
She giggles. "Not when I've already finished four of the five books I got a few weeks ago."
I say nothing more. I've learned not to argue with Natalie regarding her library. I also know she won't leave this store without buying anything for me, especially since it's my birthday.
We part ways, and I explore the store, studying the Charleston and Patriots Point apparel near where we entered. I get a 40% Volunteer discount, but I don't want anything. Patriots Point did enough for me today. Despite this, I'm still a grumpy old man grieving a friend. Natalie was very young when her parents died, so I don't know if she understands how much grief hurts. Well... I do. It's tossed me around the wrestling ring for seventy years, and even though I stand each time I'm knocked down, the scars remain. I don't deserve such a wonderful birthday, let alone a gift. Yet, when I head to the other side of the store where Natalie is, I see something—a book on the F4U Corsair.
My head throbs first, then my chest, and finally, my heart.
Push through, Bill. As Temple said, it's okay to show emotion.
I shakily take the book and bring it toward my face. I smell the scent of a new book while I flip through the pages and read about my enemy. The book is small, but its impact is enormous. The Corsair is a magnificent airplane; I just wish our roots weren't planted in Hell.
"Grab those roots, Bill, and free yourself from this everlasting prison," speaks my conscience.
I lift the picture of Ted and me that Tallulah returned and slip it between the book's pages. Then, stumbling a little, I stop before Natalie, who's reading about Gullah culture, and ask, "Natalie?"
She closes the book and looks up, resting her elbow on the bookshelf. "Did you find something, Daddy?"
I nod. "I did. And guess what? It's a book."
Natalie lets out a sob, but I don't know why. "A book about the Corsair?" She removes her sunglasses and rubs her swollen eyes. "But you haven't touched something like this since the Incident."
"Well, I need to try." I lift my lip and almost cry at seeing Natalie's eagerness.
"Daddy, you're healing." She embraces me again. "Well, okay."
Before heading to the check-out counter, I motion at the book Natalie was reading. "Let me buy you something in return. Would you like that book on Gullah culture?"
She doesn't speak, but Natalie's face says it all. I hand her my book, and she offers me hers in return. We then head to the check-out counter, and I use my ID badge for a nice discount.
"Thank you," we tell the cashier, accepting our bags.
"Thank you for your service, sir," the cashier says. "You're welcome here anytime."
I nod and grasp Natalie's hand. We exit the Ship Store and see that Spiritline Cruises has begun loading passengers for the Harbor Tour. The boat is open on top, closed on the bottom, and filled with portholes.
Once Natalie and I reach the front of the line and Natalie shows the workers our tickets, one worker walks down the ramp, rolling a wheelchair, and stops before me. "We got a wheelchair for you, sir," he sweetly says.
My decent mood disappears immediately, and I say, "I don't need a wheelchair, sir. I'm only ninety-two, not one hundred."
I feel Natalie on my arm. "Daddy, you've been on your feet all morning. Why don't you rest for a bit? That's all."
"No, Natalie, I'm not one hundred years old." I pass the worker and wheelchair and step onto the steel ramp leading to the boat. However, my legs jiggle, and my cane slips under me. The next thing I know, I'm sitting on my backside on the ramp, younger people laughing behind me.
"Daddy!" Natalie screams. She drops her book and jumps onto the ramp, kneeling. "Daddy, are you okay?" Instead of happiness, there's now fear on her face. "Daddy, please, don't do this to yourself." She picks up my Valley Forge cap, which I dropped when I fell, and hands it to me.
I grumble while Natalie and the worker help me up and sit me in the wheelchair. "I'm not one hundred," I say again.
"I know, but you can't do the things you used to be able to nowadays," Natalie explains. "Don't push yourself, Daddy. Please, do it for me."
I lower my head but lift it when Natalie pushes me across the ramp to the boat.
A doctor on board checks my vitals before giving Natalie and me the all-clear to find our seats for the tour. A staircase before us leads to the upper deck, but we remain on the lower one and head to the stern, where we can watch the Charleston Harbor.
Natalie notices my change in demeanor and sits, patting my hand. "You're okay, Daddy. I'm right here."
"But I'm not one hundred," I repeat. So, why do I suddenly feel like I am?
Oh, Ted, I really wish you were here now.
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