Military Emancipation
Page 8
Adam choked on his words. “Marc, I love you. You make me happy in so many ways.”
Marc stopped, turned into him, and they kissed. “That means so much to me. Damn, you’re making me cry. I love you, and I have for a long time.”
“Fucking pussies, crying and choking up over such silly things.” Autumn smiled and pushed between them, pulling Jeannette in. They hooked arm in arm. “I’m so glad it’s over. I feel lighter, encouraged, renewed. I can’t say how good I feel.”
Marc teased. “It’s ironic that now you can openly hit on the gals, and you’re stuck in a situation.”
She smirked. “Yeah, love. And I can wear an engagement ring.”
A few others called out to them, and they waved. The area buzzed with chatter and laughs.
Autumn turned in a circle. “There has to be over three hundred people here. They can’t all be LGBT.”
From behind, a guy said, “Some of us are here for good old-fashioned comradeship and support.” He smiled as Autumn faced him.
The crowd quieted. Admiral Shapiro, in a jogging outfit, jumped on a three-foot wall at the base of the flagpole and waved.
“Shh, shh, it’s the admiral.” Various voiced spread the word around the gathering. “It’s Admiral Shapiro.”
He raised his arms. His booming voice needing no amplification. “Good evening, everyone. Well! This is a surprise. I came out for a jog and can’t imagine why all of you are here.” He smiled.
Laughs rippled through the group.
The Admiral continued. “I’ll be brief. I am here to support all of you, and I mean all of you. This is an historic day, no less so than the Emancipation Proclamation. At least blacks were allowed to serve in the military for over a century, albeit in more menial or dangerous assignments much of the time. Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals were often ejected.” He stood, looking around. “Thanks to whomever sent the anonymous e-mail suggesting the correlation between the end of DADT and the Emancipation Proclamation.”
Silence circled the crowd. Autumn smiled, and Jeannette hugged her.
“I want all of you to push the restart command on your mental computers. I offer a hundred percent deal to you. If you give me a hundred percent, my command staff and I will give it back to you. We are the Navy. We are family, more than in words and slogans, but also in heart and deed. If you grew up with any kind of views or prejudice about any group, ask yourselves, from within your heart: do you believe it, or are you acting by remote control from others?” He looked around, wearing a smile.
“If anything is depressing you, holding you back, or you need to clear the air, talk to someone: a chaplain, commander, or see me. I won’t protect you if you’ve committed crimes, but a lot can be fixed by talking it out.” He shook his head. “I know I’m talking too much. I’m sorry. I ask you to give your all to your units, your Navy, and your country. Sexual identity is not an issue any more than race or gender or hair color are. Don’t let the anchors of the past keep you from sailing a steady, forward course!”
The crowd stood church-quiet.
“None of you have to like or agree with what others like, but if it’s legal and hurts no one, then I ask that you respect it. We all can be criticized for a variety of issues. Respect and understanding will lead us forward.” He pulled himself to attention and saluted the large American flag above lit by spotlights. “I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America—”
All attendees snapped to attention, saluted, and recited with him. Admiral Shapiro kept the cadence slow.
“And to the Republic, for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible,” He bellowed deep and loud, “With liberty and justice for all!” Others dropped their salutes, but the admiral held his. “With liberty and justice for all.” He spoke loud and slow. The gathered sailors hushed and saluted again. The admiral lifted his free hand, orchestrating the crowd. “With liberty and justice for all.” Finally, he dropped his salute and waved.
The crowd, some in uniform and others in civilian attire, exploded in laughs, cheers, and the tossing of hats. Hugs and handshakes were the order of the night. The admiral jumped down and was surrounded, becoming the recipient of salutes and handshakes. He smiled, shouted encouragement, and wormed his way through the well-wishers.
Tears flowed as the revelers dispersed. A hand landed on Marc’s shoulder from behind. He turned.
The admiral wore a huge smile. “I hoped you’d be here. You’re a damned good sailor and exceptional nurse. You saved my life. I’m proud to serve with you!” He snapped to attention, saluted Marc, and quickly seized Marc’s hand, vigorously shaking it.
“Thank you, Sir. Your presence here, along with your words, means so much to all of us. Sir, this is Adam, Autumn, and Jeannette. I’ve told you about them.”
The admiral shook their hands. “Nice to meet all of you.” He faced Marc. “When your duty ends here, come see me about your next assignment, assuming you’re staying in the Navy.”
“Adam and I have talked about it. We’re staying. We’d like to stay here, assuming you’re not retiring anytime soon.”
The admiral smirked. “Mrs. Shapiro and I have talked about it. I’m staying in. Where do you two want to go for your next assignments?”
Adam nodded.
Marc said, “We like to be transferred to the San Diego Medical Center. We’ve heard it’s a great place to work, and there’s a saint-like admiral running the place.”
The admiral palmed their shoulders. “That can be arranged, for the nurse who saved my life.”
The foursome shook hands again with the admiral and left. They chatted in the car like teenagers. The guys dropped the girls at their vehicle. Marc and Adam drove home in silence. At the front door, before they entered, they hugged and kissed.
Adam said, “I’m okay being out if you are.”
“I am. A huge weight is off of me. There’ll be problems from time to time, and we’ll deal with them together. Adam, make love to me.”
They kissed again and headed to bed.
Adam said, “This is like some happily-ever-after fairytale. So many things have lined up and are looking good.”
“Let’s enjoy it while it lasts. We’re free, we’re emancipated. I didn’t think it would happen in our lifetimes.”
They undressed and climbed into bed, each sporting a silly smirk.
THE END
ABOUT DAVID O. SULLIVAN
David was born in the industrial area of New Jersey, across the river from New York City. He grew up in a prejudiced society where unless you were a white male you were third or fourth class. He moved to California in high school and went on to become a police officer for 29 years in San Jose. Having a variety of interests, he studied the martial arts and became a third degree black belt, learned massage, and was a professional, part-time therapist while still a police officer.
He’s had an interest in writing since his teen years and did a lot of it in police work. When he retired he took after writing with a new zeal. He’s been published with several publishers and loves what he does. He is bisexual and writes gay, bi, lesbian, and straight stories.
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