With trumpet in hand Peace joined Syl at the front of the band. The bandleader then spoke to the crowd. “Well, I guess this boy was right about that one.”
The crowd cheered again, and Peace ducked in next to the mic. “I have a surprise for Syl here, since he asked me to fill in at trumpet. I’ve been working on a dedication for the master, Louie Armstrong. If the band will back me up on this, we’ll see how it goes.”
“What you got in mind now, Peace?” Syl asked, playing along, and Jill could see the band members grinning.
“I think after a song like I Would Do Anything For Love, we need a little of the other side,” Peace replied.
“And that would be?” Syl asked.
“Why, The Blues In The Night, of course,” Pease answered, swinging the trumpet up and launching into a heavy riff of the melody, with Syl laughing and bringing in the rest of the band one at a time.
By the time Peace started singing ‘My Momma done tol’ me’, the whole crowd was swaying. The song set in motion a string of old Armstrong hits ending with Laura singing Au Vie En Rose and Peace playing the trumpet solo. Couples began to fill up the dance floor as the band played their requests. Holly leaned over towards Jill.
“Peace never mentioned having a steady girlfriend,” Holly said, her eyes appraising Jill.
“We only met six months ago, and I really didn’t see him again until last night,” Jill answered truthfully. “Have you been dating him?”
“He’s had a beer with me a few times,” Holly replied. “I guess then you’re really not all that serious yet.”
“Very serious,” Jill said, before smiling to take the edge off her words, “at least I am.”
Holly laughed. “Yea, I know what you mean. Peace plays around, but he never gets close. He could be a singer or a musician or anything. Did you know he has a Master’s Degree in computer engineering from Berkeley?”
“He did mention that,” Jill replied, surprised a little Holly knew it too.
Holly shook her head, grinning as she looked at the stage, where Peace was playing background for Syl’s clarinet solo on a big band number from the Forties. “Instead, he wastes all that talent messing around in the military.”
Jill smiled, suddenly assured she had no rival here. “Peace loves what he does, and he can still play his music anytime he wants.”
Holly turned back to Jill, looking a little unsure for the first time. Her friends were on the dance floor, so the two young women were alone at the table. They sat in silence for a long uncomfortable moment before Holly spoke.
“You really like him, huh?”
“No,” Jill replied, surprised at how sure she was about what to say,
“I’m in love with him.”
Holly nodded. “Yea, I see that.”
A bass voice surprised Jill from her other side.
“Hi, Jill.”
Jill turned around quickly to see Bull smiling at her as he leaned down. He looked over at Holly, recognition on his face. “Oh, hi Holly, long time, no see.”
“Hi Bull,” Jill said, returning his smile, and holding her hand out to shake his hand.
Holly gave Bull a little wave. “Hey, big boy, where have you been lately?”
“Here and there,” Bull replied. “I don’t get into this oldie, smoldie, stuff much, but I get a kick out of hearing my boy Peace sit in.”
“I talked Peace into bringing me tonight to hear him play,” Jill added.
“I doubt it took much talking,” Bull laughed. He looked up at the bandstand as the first strains of Lady in Red brought a rush of couples to the dance floor and a smattering of applause. “The boy can sing. I like this number.”
Bull looked at Holly. “Holly, dance with me.”
Holly nodded, and stood up, letting Bull take her hand. “Just don’t step on my toes, you big ape.”
Bull laughed in appreciation, as he led her out to the dance floor.
Peace did the vocals for the number while Laura played piano. He looked right at Jill throughout the number. Jill knew she wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything in her life. No one had ever surprised her so completely, or so often, in so short a time. When the song ended, the crowd applauded for many moments. When Syl announced a short break, a groan ran throughout the room. Jill watched Peace get off the stage and move smoothly towards her. Bull intercepted him at the edge of the dance floor. Peace’s face lit up when he saw who had grabbed his shoulder. They shook hands and Bull put Peace into an immediate headlock for a moment, pointing his finger in Peace’s face, as if instructing him on something. Peace nodded, as if hanging on his every word, while bursting into laughter every few seconds.
The two Seals, and Holly, made their way to Jill’s table. Neither of Holly’s friends had returned to the table. Bull led the way, still holding Holly’s hand. He helped Holly into her seat, and then sat down next to her, as Peace eased in next to Jill. Jill took his head in her hands, and kissed Peace lingeringly. Bull smiled, but surprise showed plainly on his face. He looked over at Holly, who he knew to be a Peace groupie, with compassion. Holly realized Bull was looking at her, and smiled at him crookedly, gripping his hand with both of hers.
Jill pulled back a little. “That was incredible.”
Peace, a little taken aback at the intensity in Jill’s voice, just kissed her back gently. He took her hands in his, smiling. “I’m glad you liked it. Want to meet Syl, and the rest of the band? They’re in our little break room in back of the main bar.”
“I’d love to,” Jill whispered.
Peace helped her to her feet, as Jill used her cane to steady herself.
“Are you playing anymore tonight, Peace?” Bull asked, still a little shaken Holly was still holding his hand.
“Syl said they’d handle the rest of the evening without me. I told him it was Jill’s last night in town. Jill and I will be right back. Hang on to our seats, okay?”
“Hoo-ya,” Bull answered, evoking another laugh from Peace with the Seal response. “Will there be anything else, Sir?”
“You two want me to bring you back a beer?” Peace asked.
“If you’re buying, I’m drinking,” Bull replied, as Holly laughed and nodded.
“Okay, we’ll be right back.”
Chapter Ten
Almost A Perfect Evening
“How did Peace meet her, Bull,” Holly asked.
Bull hesitated, wondering how he could answer her without compromising unit security more than it had been already in Jill’s case. “Can I just say they met at a most inopportune time at a most inopportune place? Jill’s really taken with him.”
“Bull, it’s not a secret you guys are Seals,” Holly reminded him. “Does it have something to do with that or not?”
“Look, Holly,” Bull patted her hands, “it’s not that I’m being obtuse just for the heck of it. Now, I can’t sing or play any instruments, but I do a great Bill Clinton impersonation. Why don’t you and I try building something together from that?”
Holly laughed. She leaned into him after a moment, and kissed Bull with what turned into more than a quick peck on the lips. When she pulled away breathlessly, Holly saw something in Bull’s eyes she had not noticed before. “Are you trying to seduce me, Bull?”
“I have something more in mind,” Bull replied. “I’ve always had a crush on you. Although I like listening to Peace on the nights he plays,
I’ve been more interested in seeing you.”
“Look, Bull, I don’t know what Peace told you about me, but…”
“Peace does not talk about anyone he sees, period,” Bull interrupted. “Don’t ever think for a moment that boy says anything about his private life. Do you think he’s been passing you off amongst the rest of us as a hot piece, or something?”
Holly blushed, gripping Bull’s hand tightly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. He’s never even kissed me. I…”
Bull kissed her with a passion he had been hiding in the months sinc
e meeting Holly for the first time. She responded, wrapping her arms around his neck, as he pulled her close. When they drew back from each other, Holly brushed her hand over the side of Bull’s face, a little surprised at how she felt.
“I… I think you do like me a little,” Holly whispered.
“Give me a chance,” Bull replied seriously. “I can do better than like. I know from some of your other comments, I’ve overheard, you don’t think much of the military. Did you have some hope Peace would leave the Navy?”
“I don’t know now what I’ve been thinking,” Holly admitted. “Other than having a beer with me a couple times, Peace really never expressed any interest in me. Seeing him with Jill woke me up to the fact he never will. I don’t hate the military. I just thought it was a waste to have as much talent as Peace and not pursue a career in music.”
“Think about this for a moment, Holly,” Bull reasoned. “If you had a career where you, in some small part, were responsible for the defense of a nation; and you sometimes were able to achieve something others could not hope to accomplish, could you understand the attraction of such a calling?”
Holly was silent for a moment. “I guess a music career does seem a little frivolous when you put it like that, but you guys don’t get paid much, and I just thought…”
“It’s not about the money. Granted, not too many of us have Peace’s talent in something like music, but we do have marketable skills. On top of that, we are not Seals for as long as we want to be. I care about you, Holly. I know you’re probably near to college graduation. If a grunt like me has no future with you, just say so, and no hard feelings.”
“Bull, I’ve seen you with sometimes an entourage of women around you. You have more of a following in here than Peace does. Are you sure it’s not just because I was attracted to Peace, that you developed this attraction for me?” Holly asked seriously.
“I could see how you might feel that way,” Bull sighed. “Who knows what makes us see someone, and just know there’s something there. I am a big, blustery dufus sometimes; but you can count on one thing with me: I tell the truth. I have never led a single woman on, and I’m not leading you on.”
Holly smiled, wrapping her arms around Bull’s neck again. “Maybe I should have a closer look.”
Bull returned Holly’s kiss with fervor, until he heard the sound of beer glasses hitting the table in front of them, and an exaggerated clearing of the throat. Bull kept eye contact with Holly as he ended the kiss. “Take as long and close a look as you like.”
Holly blushed, and nodded her assent, as they turned back to where Peace had set down their beers.
Peace had helped Jill into her seat, and was ignoring Bull and Holly entirely. Bull took a long sip of his beer. “Took you long enough,” he said gruffly. “We thought maybe you were brewing it in the back.”
Peace looked at his friend, feigning surprise, as Holly and Jill laughed. “Why Bull, they had no clean glasses, and I had to hand wash a couple for you and Holly. Please forgive me.”
“That’s Chief Petty Officer Jenkins to you, Second Class Peacenik,” Bull retorted.
This time Peace burst into laughter in appreciation of Bull’s verbal shot. “Hoo-ya,” he replied finally.
“You guys are pretty funny,” Jill laughed.
“Oh, this is nothing,” Holly told her, waving at the two Seals. “You should see them when they’re with their other playmates, Jill. Everything is an in-joke, and they all laugh at each other’s material like they were stand up comedians. Sometimes, I…”
“Heyyyyyyyyy…” Bull interrupted her, putting his arm around her shoulders, evoking more laughter. “I’m just helping Peace get through his uneasiness over blundering into a private moment between you and I by slamming beer glasses down in front of us, right Peace?”
“Hoo-ya.”
“We were in the middle of over a hundred people,” Holly replied, kissing Bull quickly on the lips. “How private of a moment could it have been?”
“Let me think that over,” Bull said, kissing her back for a longer moment.
The band began playing again, and the dance floor filled once again with couples.
Peace leaned over to whisper in Jill’s ear. “Jill, if you’re ready, we can take off anytime you want.”
Jill put her hand over his on the table. “I’m ready now.” Peace stood up, and Bull glanced at him questioningly.
“Where do you think you’re going, Petty Officer Peacenik?”
“Just taking Jill back to her place, Chief,” Peace laughed. “I’m going to drive her to LA after we get done tomorrow at the base.”
“I’d like to get going too, Bull,” Holly added. “Can you drop me at the dorm? I don’t think my friends will miss me.”
“I’d love to,” Bull acknowledged, standing up. “I guess we’ll walk out with you, Peace.”
The group threaded their way out of the backroom, and stopped at the bar to say goodnight to Polasky, who looked approvingly at Bull’s companion. At the front door, after waving goodbye to a very busy Nancy, Peace was leading the way out. Holly stopped suddenly.
“Nuts, I left the dorm key with my friends,” Holly told Bull. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll be here,” Bull smiled. He looked over at Peace, and waved him on. “Dismissed, Peacenik, dismissed.”
“Hoo-ya,” Peace laughed. He and Jill paused on the sidewalk.
“How about if I go get the car, and drive by for you,” Peace offered.
“Oh, you think I’m… Peace, look out,” Jill screamed, as she looked over his shoulder.
Peace spun around, and saw a huge black clad figure in a black stocking mask bearing down on him with a pipe raised up in his arm for a killing blow. Jill watched in horror as Peace let his attacker come without moving. As the lead pipe started its downward arc towards his head, Peace snaked under the arm, and behind the attacker. Jill heard the man grunt as Peace’s right arm encircled the man’s neck, pulling him backwards. At the same time, Peace hit the back of the man’s knees with his own, causing the man to drop heavily to his knees.
It was only then, Jill noticed Peace’s face, as his left hand moved to the side of the man’s head. Jill saw the look of intense concentration on Peace’s face, his eyes focused coldly on some unseen point in the sidewalk below. As his hands began the killing move to snap the man’s neck, Bull’s bass voice rang out.
“Stand down, Peace, stand down!”
Peace froze, and Bull brushed by Jill. He put a hand on Peace’s right arm, where it was tensed around the gasping man’s throat. Polasky had followed Bull out, only an instant behind him.
“Let him go, partner,” Bull urged.
Peace nodded, as the faraway look cleared from his eyes. The man had dropped the pipe when his knees slammed into the sidewalk, and his hands were struggling weakly against Peace’s iron grip. Peace released the man, letting him fall choking to the sidewalk on his stomach. Polasky expertly put him into a hand-hold behind his back. The man groaned loudly as Polasky turned him enough to pull his mask off.
“I might have known,” Polasky said.
It was only then Peace realized there were patrons from the restaurant watching silently through the windows and entranceway. He saw the terrified look in Jill’s eyes as she looked at the attacker and back up at him. Bull put a hand on his shoulder.
“You know this clown, Peace?” Bull asked.
“He’s the one I told you guys about, Bull, from last night,” Polasky told him as he helped Dink up to his feet. “You should have let Peace do him. He could have just as easily had a gun.”
Dink looked around sullenly at the men surrounding him, rubbing his throat with his free hand. Holly had come out, and was standing next to Jill, with her arm around Jill’s shoulders.
“You’re probably right, Ed,” Bull sighed. “I just didn’t think. You know, the prick doesn’t look properly respectful even now.”
Dink’s eyes widened as the huge Seal mov
ed toward him.
Peace reached out a restraining hand, gripping Bull’s arm, as sirens echoed in the distance. Nancy had come out, and stood on the other side of Jill.
“Damn, Hon,” Polasky commented in a disappointed voice. “You called the cops, huh?”
Nancy nodded, smiling at her husband.
“Let the cops take him, Chief,” Peace said quietly.
Bull turned to his friend. “Ed’s right, you know. He could come for you in the future. I goofed. You could have fixed him, and it would have been self defense.”
“Maybe,” Peace nodded, indicating the growing crowd, “but it won’t be self defense anymore, Chief.”
Bull nodded, but in a split second, he grabbed Dink’s ear, jerking him close, causing the frightened college student to yelp in pain. Bull whispered to him for a moment, and then pulled back, releasing Dink’s appendage.
“Understand, college boy?” Bull asked.
Dink nodded, a look of horror on his face.
Polasky was trying to keep a straight face, as he had heard what Bull had whispered to Dink. A police car drove up with lights flashing. Over the next forty-five minutes, the two police officers took statements from everyone, and placed Dink into custody. Dink’s mask, and lead pipe, were bagged by the officers on scene, after a discussion with their superior. Polasky explained to the police about the veiled threats Dink had made the night before. Satisfied as to the parameters of the case, the police made Peace promise to come in the next day, and fill out a complaint form.
“I’m going to get Holly back to her dorm,” Bull said. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Peace. Take care of yourself, Jill, if I don’t see you again. It was nice meeting you.”
Jill took Bull’s outstretched hand. “It was great meeting you too,
Bull. I hope I’ll see you again. Goodbye, Holly.”
“So long, Jill, Peace,” Holly replied with a smile as she walked away with Bull. “Thanks for the exciting evening.”
Polasky clapped Peace on the shoulder. “I’ll see you later.
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