The Reunion

“Do you know the Captain, Chief?” asked Rice from behind him.

Wiedenkeller turned taking a second look at the marine officer. His eyes squinted in the sunlight as he looked at her. He then offered his hand to her. She took it.

“I apologize for my rudeness Ma’am. I thought you were just another marine officer.”

“To be ignored, chief?”

“That would be correct, Ma’am.”

“Easy, Al. She’s OK,” said Reardon.

Rice glared at the sergeant for a second and then back at the SEAL.

“Ma’am, if the sergeant has high praise for you, then I’ll follow you anywhere.”

“That was high praise?” questioned Becky.

The chief reached into the side pouch of his pack and produced a flask. He unscrewed the cap and offered it to Rice.

“No hard feelings, Ma’am.”

Rice took the flask and took a swig, never taking her eyes off the SEAL. When she finished, she handed the flask back to the Chief, who took a swig himself. When he finished, he screwed the top back on, putting it back in his pack.

“Hey!” said Reardon. “What about me? Am I invisible or what?”

Wiedenkeller looked at Rice and winked, “You been holding out on me, man.”

Rice blushed underneath the camouflage face paint.