by Margaret Kay
Lambchop paused and gazed over those assembled. “My last scripture reading is from Matthew, chapter nineteen, verse six. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together let no one separate. By the power vested in me by God, I now pronounce you husbands and wives. Gentlemen, you may kiss your brides.”
Claps, whistles, and cheers came from the audience as Brielle and Sherman and Kaylee and Sloan kissed. Then as planned, Brielle and Sherman retreated back through the aisle, followed by Kaylee and Sloan. Lambchop watched Sloan and Sherman shake hands and then embrace while Brielle and Kaylee gave each other hugs. And then, each man congratulated his best friend’s bride.
Lambchop felt emotional as he watched them. These two men had served honorably on the battlefield. They served the Shepherd Security Team with distinction and true bravery. They were his teammates, his brothers. He was happy that they had both found their soulmate, the one woman who they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with. It was only right that they got married in a double wedding ceremony. They had been friends since BUD/S, partners all these years. Their lives were intertwined.
Watching Sherman and Sloan, Lambchop could not help but think of his friend, Stephan Arnott.
***
SEAL training had been everything it was rumored to be, the hardest and most demanding training of any of the elite teams of military special forces. And Johnson loved every second of it. Proving he was the best and he deserved to be there, day in and day out, fueled him, filled his soul.
The fact he was doing the training with his buddy Stephan Arnott, made it all the better. They challenged each other to persevere, to overcome, and outlast. Pushing himself to his physical, mental, and emotional limits grew him in ways he would never have predicted. Each time the bell rang and one of his training brothers quit, his determination increased. Thankfully, Arnott had never rang the bell.
Many of those in his company had been given nicknames, callsigns, from their instructors. Arnott’s was ‘Bang’ because of the little smile that curved his lips whenever his explosives detonated. Johnson had not received one yet. One of the instructors, Senior Chief Craig, tried everything he could to get a reaction out of him. It was after a particularly grueling drill involving a telephone pole, wet sand, and a high surf, after extended sleep deprivation that Johnson cracked a smile while the Senior Chief yelled in his face. He called him every cartoon character, marshmallow, daffodil, even sugar pie. Johnson kept his war face on.
“Is that what you’re going to do, Johnson, put a damn sock puppet on your hand and jack off in the latrine? I’ll get you a Lambchop puppet, just don’t ejaculate all over it.”
Johnson could not stop the smile that formed on his lips.
“He can react. I’ll be damned,” the Senior Chief said with glee. “Lambchop, that’s what you shall be known as going forward, Johnson,” Craig yelled.
“Sir, yes, sir,” Johnson sounded off.
He recalled Arnott teasing him later that night as they lay on their racks. It was past lights out. “One question, what the hell is a Lambchop puppet?”
“You know, man, Lambchop, Sheri Lewis’ sock puppet. I think it’s a lamb or some shit,” Johnson said.
“No, don’t have a fucking clue what Lambchop is.” He laughed. “Just that it’s you now!”
“Fuck you man, you get Bang and I get fucking Lambchop,” he complained.
Arnott laughed harder.
He could never think of Arnott without his memories of hell on Earth creeping into his thoughts, echoes from the late-night raids in the Middle East when he was a SEAL. Memories of death and destruction. The searing pain of losing those close to him, like Elias and Stephan Arnott. He still remembered Stephan’s goofy red hair that stuck out like a beacon.
“Hang in there, man, we’re going to get you out of here,” Lambchop said, gripping Arnott’s shoulders.
“How bad is it?” Arnott asked with a labored and pain-seared voice.
Lambchop’s eyes flickered to where his legs had been, where the medic in their unit was putting on a tourniquet to try to stop the hemorrhaging just above his left knee. “It’s not bad. You’re being a pussy.”
He watched the life drain out of his best friend. The explosions and gunfire all around faded into the distance. He took Stephan’s hand. “Heavenly Father guide your son, Stephan, into your almighty kingdom. Protect him and heal him. Keep him in your light of eternal life,” his lips murmured. He saw the medic shake his head. He reached up and closed Stephan’s eyelids as the medic moved on to the next of their fallen brothers. “Find peace, my friend.”
Stephan Arnott’s death was followed by many more, of course. The casualties didn’t stop because the enemy didn’t stop. They lost four more in their unit over the next five nights that they went out on patrols. When Lambchop returned to his bunk that next morning, his soul was filled with God’s Holy Spirit. That was the only way he could describe it. He was exhausted physically. He was mentally, and emotionally depleted, but in that moment, a new life filled him. Hope and love soaked into his heart and soul in what he knew could only be a divine infusion.
His path was clear to him, unlike it had ever been. His life was a means to praise Jesus, the Father, his Lord and creator. He vowed to serve God, to be an instrument to do His bidding. Here in hell, amid the death and inhumanity, he had found the Lord and salvation. He believed he’d been positioned here by God. He vowed he would execute his mission with distinction.
***
Lambchop pulled himself from his thoughts and joined the crowd who were all greeting and congratulating the two couples. Michaela approached. “Nice ceremony, Pastor,” she said with a smile.
“Thank you. It fit them.” He glanced at the two couples who were still hugging and chatting with their guests. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen those two men happier.”
Michaela glanced at them as well. “It’s good their brides accept how close they are.”
“Yeah. Those two women are the right fit for them. They’ve spent so much of their lives together and that will never change.”
“You guys refer to your team as your brothers. Those two truly embody that sentiment.”
“Yes, they do.” Lambchop agreed.
“I just checked the weather. The snow should stop by midnight. I hope our flight isn’t delayed.”
“A lot of flights were delayed or cancelled today. They should have the runways cleaned off by morning. We are lucky the snow hit when it did, not overnight tonight or we certainly wouldn’t be taking off. We should be fine.” He paused and chuckled. “If the runways are clear but our flight is an issue, Shepherd has already said he’d get us out on the company C-9.”
“His gift to the newlyweds?” Michaela asked.
“No, he already paid for their honeymoon trips. That’s kind of his thing. As far as I know, he’s given each of the guys who’ve gotten married a trip as his gift.”
Michaela had no idea. “Wow, that is generous of him.”
Sierra
It was nearly seventeen hundred hours, five pm when they reached the hotel. Their flight left Chicago O’Hare Airport at zero seven hundred that morning. It had been a long travel day.
Michaela and the other ladies excused themselves and went to the Lady’s Room while the four men got in line to check-in to the hotel. Lambchop hung back and remained with their luggage. He glanced around the beautiful lobby of the resort. There were trees and tropical flowers throughout the magnificent arching atrium. The air was fragranced with their sweet scent. Through the floor to ceiling windows at the rear of the space he saw the picturesque main pool area, which he knew from the website when he booked the trip was one of the three pools that were on the property. There were palm trees, lounge chairs, and umbrella’s as far as the eye could see. He also knew that the beach and the ocean lay beyond the pool area.
Sloan stepped back over to him, room keys in hand. “We’re in the west villas.”
Sherman stepped away from the counter and joined them. “Our suite is in the west villas too.” They compared portfolios and laughed. They were both on the eighth floor. “At least we’re not next door to each other.”
Lambchop left the luggage with Sloan and Sherman and stepped up beside Mother and flashed a smile at the clerk who stood behind the desk. “Hello, I’m checking in.” He handed her his driver’s license and his credit card.
The young lady glanced at his I.D. “Thank you, Mr. Johnson.” She tapped on her keyboard.
By this time, the ladies had returned, and Michaela filled in the empty spot that Mother had just vacated, his room keys in hand. “Michaela Karras, checking in.”
He wished she would have been okay sharing a two-bedroom suite. His attention was brought back to the woman helping him check-in when he heard her on the phone. “There is a problem with the reservation for a Mr. Landon Johnson.” He gazed questioningly at her. “No, there is no explanation. It looks like I just need an override code.”
Lambchop wasn’t sure what that meant. “What’s the problem?” He asked her softly.
She shook her head. “You reserved a standard room,” she said and then paused, holding her finger up. She cradled the phone against her head with her shoulder and tapped on the keyboard. “Yes, that will do it. Thank you, Mr. John.” Then she glanced up at him and smiled. “I’m sorry for the delay. It’s been resolved.”
“What was the problem?” Lambchop asked.
“The room type was changed, and I just needed an override code to assign the room to you at your guaranteed rate.”
Before he could ask any more questions, she handed the portfolio with his room key to him. “You are in room 1043, in the east villa section. It’s on the ground floor, out these doors and to your right. Do you need assistance with your bags?”
“No, I’m good, thank you.”
He returned to the others, and they waited a moment for Michaela to finish checking in. Her room was in the main tower, as was Mother and Annaka’s room, the seventh and tenth floor, respectively.
“So, what do you say, get settled in our rooms and then meet at the main pool bar in a half hour to start our vacation off with a drink?” Sherman asked.
“That sounds like a plan,” Kaylee said. “I’d love to start this vacation with a Blue Hawaiian in my hand.”
“Yeah, sounds good,” Mother added. “We’ll need to think about dinner too, I guess.”
“I remember seeing on the hotel website that there is full restaurant service at all the bars. I’d be up for just ordering something at the bar. I’m getting very hungry,” Annaka said.
“That sounds like a good plan,” Lambchop said, taking hold of his suitcase handle.
He walked towards the back door with Sloan, Sherman, and their wives. Once outside he went right, the others went left towards the east villas. He found his room. There was a private patio with a lounge chair and a small table and chairs set in front of the sliding glass door beside the room door. He opened the door and stepped into the suite.
This was not what he had reserved. He’d reserved a room with a king size bed. There was a living room with couches in front of the sliding glass door. A kitchenette was behind it. Through the open door that lay behind the kitchen, he saw the bedroom. He dragged his suitcase in and saw the large bathroom to the side. The whole room was bigger than his one-bedroom condo. He pulled the portfolio of paperwork from his pocket. He’d been charged the low regular room rate.
He lifted the phone from the desk and dialed the front desk. “Hello, this is Landon Johnson in room 1043. I just checked in and got to my room, and I think there has been a mistake. I’m in a suite and I only booked a room.”
“There is no mistake, Mr. Johnson, your room was upgraded by our concierge.”
“Why, I didn’t request it?”
“I don’t know, sir,” she replied.
“Can you look into it and get back to me?”
“Sir, the original cost of your room was extended. I’m not sure why you have an issue.”
“It’s just if there was a mistake, I want to report it.”
“There is no need. Have a wonderful stay, sir.”
“I suppose you’re right. Thank you,” he replied. He hung up, still not feeling right about it. He knew what the cost difference was between this room and what he’d booked. That added up to a lot over the course of a week. Determined that he wouldn’t think about it, and he wouldn’t let it ruin his vacation, he closed the drapes to the sliding glass door after ensuring it was securely locked. Then he grabbed his room key and left the room.
He was the first to arrive at the main pool bar. He glanced around the large pool area. The pool resembled more of a stream. It wove its way through the maze of palm trees and flowering shrubs, lounge chairs, and cabanas, creating a lot of private areas. There were bridges over the water to cross it. In the center of where the three pools connected, was an island with a waterfall. It was beautiful.
The bar itself boasted at least fifty tables with umbrellas. Lights lit the underside of each umbrella. The sun had dipped to the west, behind the building, casting long shadows over the entire area. He checked his watch. It would be dark in about an hour. He sat at one of the empty tables that would accommodate eight. The waitress came by and he ordered a beer. He gave her his name and room number and started a tab for the entire table. She scanned his room key.
Michaela was the first of the others to arrive. She’d changed into a flowing long dress and a pair of sandals. It hadn’t occurred to him to change his clothes. His jeans and the short-sleeved button-down shirt he wore, was fine. He wore the shirt untucked. It covered his weapon, holstered in the small of his back.
He stood and pulled the chair beside him out for her. “You look comfortable.”
She sat and then gazed around. She was visibly relaxed. “Thank you, I am. It’s just so nice to be outside in the warmth. This winter has seemed so long.”
The waitress brought his beer.
“I’d like a Blue Hawaiian, please,” Michaela ordered. She flashed a smile at him. “When in Rome, huh?”
Warmth spread through Lambchop. Her smile always got to him. “When in Rome,” he agreed.
“So, I was looking at the activities online when I booked. They offer so much to do from the beach. I’d love to learn how to paddle board and windsurf.”
Lambchop smiled and nodded. “I can teach you both. Paddle boarding requires balance, and windsurfing requires upper body and core strength.”
She smiled wider. “Is there anything you don’t know how to do?”
“Well, it’s just anything on or in the water, you know, SEAL.” He shrugged.
“Does going on a dive just to see the beautiful coral and fish even appeal to you?”
“If you want to go scuba diving, I will gladly go with you.”
“There are six other people here. Please do not feel like you have to do everything I want to. If you don’t, I’m sure someone else will, or I won’t mind going alone.”
“That’s not any fun on a group vacation,” Lambchop said dismissively.
By the time the waitress brought her drink, Mother and Annaka joined them.
“Our room is gorgeous!” Annaka said. “The view from our balcony is incredible. You can see both islands out across the channel. I even saw a few whales out there. This is prime whale watching season.”
“You’d think that would be old hat for her,” Mother said as they sat and also gave the waitress their order.
“I want to rent a boat and go out there,” Annaka said.
“That would be incredible,” Michaela agreed.
“We’ll see if anyone else wants to come and make it a group outing,” Annaka offered.
Lambchop watched the two newlywed couples approach. Both Brielle and Kaylee had changed into sundresses as well. Sloan had also changed into a pair of shorts.
“We are way the hell down at the end of the building,” Sher
man said.
“But the view from our balcony is unbelievable. They’re staggered so you don’t even see anyone else, just ocean and islands,” Brielle added. “I’m thinking breakfast out on the balcony every morning.”
“I second that,” Kaylee added.
Lambchop raised his glass after everyone had a drink. Brielle even had a small glass of wine this evening. “To the newlyweds. May you enjoy a lifetime of happily ever afters. You all deserve it.”
“Hear, hear!” Mother agreed.
They tapped glasses and drank to his toast.
It was well after sunset when the group finished eating. Sherman and Brielle left the table to take a moonlit walk on the beach. Sloan and Kaylee were going to explore the lush gardens on their way back to their villa. Mother and Annaka were going to just go back to their room and sit out on the balcony.