Admiral Whittaker said warmly, “Welcome home, Robert. Apparently you impressed the hell out of Colonel Johnson.”
Robert smiled. “He’s quite impressive himself.”
Over coffee, the Admiral asked, “Are you ready to go to work?”
“Eager.”
“Good. We have a situation in Rhodesia …”
Working in the Office of Naval Intelligence was even more exciting than Robert had anticipated. Each assignment was different, and Robert was given the ones classified “extremely sensitive”. He brought in a defector who revealed Noriega’s drug-smuggling operation in Panama, exposed a mole working for Marcos in the American Consulate in Manila, and helped set up a secret listening post in Morocco. He was sent on missions to South America and to the East Indies. The only thing that disturbed him was the long separations from Susan. He hated to be away from her, and he missed her terribly. He had the excitement of his job to occupy him, but Susan had nothing. Robert’s caseload kept increasing. He spent less and less time at home, and that was when the problem with Susan became serious.
Whenever Robert came home, he and Susan would run hungrily into each other’s arms and make passionate love. But those times began to be further and further apart. It seemed to Susan that no sooner did Robert return from one assignment, than he was sent away on another.
To make matters worse, Robert could not discuss his work with her. Susan had no idea where he went or what he was doing. She knew only that whatever he was involved in was dangerous, and she was terrified that one day he would leave and never return. She dared not ask him questions. She felt like a stranger, completely shut out of an important part of his life. Of their life. I can’t go on like this, Susan decided.
When Robert returned from a four-week assignment in Central America, Susan said, “Robert, I think we had better have a talk.”
“What’s the problem?” Robert asked. He knew what the problem was.
“I’m frightened. We’re slipping away from each other, and I don’t want to lose us. I couldn’t stand it.”
“Susan …”
“Wait. Let me finish. Do you know how much time we’ve spent together in the last four months? Less than two weeks. Whenever you come home I feel as though you’re a visitor, instead of my husband.”
He took Susan in his arms and held her tightly. “You know how much I love you.”
She laid her head on his shoulder. “Please don’t let anything happen to us.”
“I won’t,” he promised. “I’ll have a talk with Admiral Whittaker.”
“When?”
“Immediately.”
“The Admiral will see you now, Commander.”
“Thank you.”
Admiral Whittaker was seated behind his desk, signing papers. He looked up as Robert entered and smiled. “Welcome home, Robert, and congratulations. That was an excellent job in El Salvador.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Sit down. Can I offer you some coffee?”
“No, thank you, Admiral.”
“You wanted to talk to me? My secretary said it was urgent. What can I do for you?”
It was difficult to begin. “Well, sir, this is personal. I’ve been married less than two years, and …”
“You made a wonderful choice, Robert. Susan’s a fine woman.”
“Yes, I agree. The problem is that I’m away most of the time, and she’s unhappy about it.” He added quickly, “And she has every right to be. It isn’t a normal situation.”
Admiral Whittaker leaned back in his chair and said, thoughtfully, “Of course, what you’re doing isn’t a normal situation. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made.”
“I know,” Robert said stubbornly, “but I’m not prepared to sacrifice my marriage. It means too much to me.”
The Admiral studied him reflectively. “I see. What is it you’re asking?”
“I was hoping that you could find some assignments for me where I’m not away from home so much. This is such a large operation, there must be a hundred things I could do closer to home.”
“Closer to home.”
“Yes.”
The Admiral said slowly, “You’ve certainly earned that. I don’t see why something like that can’t be arranged.”
Robert smiled in relief. “That’s very good of you, Admiral. I would certainly appreciate it.”
“Yes, I think we can definitely arrange that. Tell Susan for me that the problem is solved.”
Robert stood up, beaming. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
Admiral Whittaker waved a hand of dismissal. “You’re too valuable a piece of manpower for me to let anything happen to you. Now go home to your bride.”
When Robert told Susan the news, she was thrilled. She threw her arms around him. “Oh, darling, that’s wonderful.”
“I’m going to ask him for a couple of weeks off so we can take a trip somewhere. It will be a second honeymoon.”
“I’ve forgotten what a honeymoon is like,” Susan murmured. “Show me.”
Robert showed her.
Admiral Whittaker sent for Robert the following morning. “I just wanted you to know I’m making some arrangements about the matter we discussed yesterday.”
“Thank you, Admiral.” Now was the time to mention taking a leave. “Sir …”
