Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 11:13:27 -0700 (PDT)
From: E Walk <cane_lane_candy@yahoo.com>
Subject: The General's Son Chapter 5

The General's Son
Chapter 5 -- The Axe Falls
By E Walk
(Copyrighted by the author)

When I arrived at the court, Colonel Allen was just dropping the guys
off. He asked from the car, "Is Tony all set?"

"Yes sir," I answered as the Colonel drove off. "Well guys, what is the
lineup for tonight?"

"Since Scott and I need to learn to work together, why don't we play
together and you and Chip can be partners," Alex answered.

As we played, it was plain that neither Chip nor I was concentrating on the
match. We were down 4-0 in the first set. Out of the clear, Scott said,
"You two are playing like six-year-olds. You are not even trying."

"Time out," I yelled. I went to Chip and we talked. "Chip, you and I are
thinking about last night. Let's agree to show these two clowns who just
said that we were playing like six-year-olds that they have a lot to
learn. We can talk about what happened last night on the phone later."

He looked at me with a little twinkle in his eyes that had been missing and
he winked. When the match resumed, Chip and I won the match without giving
up another point,

When we shook hands at the net, Chip said, "I guess your mothers forgot to
change your diapers before you came." Everyone laughed.

Scott said, "I should have kept my mouth shut. I think that Alex and I have
a lot to learn this year about playing tennis."

We piled into my car and I drove the guys to Chip's house. When we arrived,
Tim was standing there with a cute young lady. He came over and said,
"Troy, Mother and Dad would like for you to go in and visit with them if
you can."

I looked at Chip and he seemed very nervous. I got out of the car and the
two of us went into the house. When we got to the living room, the Millers
shook my hand. "Thanks for coming in. Let's go into the study where we can
close the door. Tim doesn't know anything about the situation and we should
keep it that way," General Miller said.

When everyone was seated, the General began. "When Chip told us what
happened last night, my first thoughts were that I should restrict the two
of you from seeing each other. But I realized that would accomplish
nothing."

Mrs. Miller spoke up, "We know that Chip instigated the episode. We do not
blame you in any way, Troy, but we want Chip to promise you that there will
be no repeat occurrences. If something does ever happen, it has to be
something that you both agree to. You two will know when the time is
right."

The General looked at Chip and Chip nodded.

"Troy, I promise that I will never do what I did last night again. I just
wanted to see all of you and to touch you. I think I love you and I want
you to love me." Chip was sobbing. "I apologize."

I looked at the Millers trying to decide what to say. It was like my mind
was frozen in space. Finally, I said, "Chip, I accept your apology." I
turned to the Millers and said, "I was so completely startled by what
happened and then when Chip started to touch me, I had a good feeling, but
I knew what was happening was all wrong. I had never been touched like that
before."

General Miller said, "I tried to call you last night because I figured you
might be confused. After Chip told us what he had done, I thought you might
want to visit. I tried several times to call you and decided you weren't
answering the phone. Troy, it is up to you as to how you want to proceed."

I thought for a minute and then said, "Last night after Chip had left, I
went to the club and had several beers trying to figure out what was going
on. Someone came in and we started to talk and it took my mind off of what
had happened. That person has had some really hard bumps in his life. Still
when I went to bed I had a very difficult time getting to sleep. Even this
morning, I was still preoccupied with what had happened.

"Thank goodness today was extremely busy so I didn't have time to think
about what happened last night until I got to the tennis court this
evening."

I added, "When the other two guys noticed that we weren't playing well, I
figured that Chip and I need to talk about what has been happening. With
your permission, Sir, I would like to go back to the Q and take a
shower. Then I'll come back for Chip. We can go get something to eat and
then decide how we can best handle this problem."

The Miller's nodded yes and then the General said, "Thank you, Troy. I am
sure that you two will be able to make the correct decisions."

"I'll be back in thirty minutes, Chip," I said as I left.

I returned and Chip was ready. We got into the car and decided to go to a
quiet local Italian restaurant that Chip knew about.

After we ordered, I asked, "Chip, where do you want to start?"

Chip said, "I already told you earlier how I feel. Dad made it quite clear
that we must be very discrete and then if anything happens it must be
something that we both agree to." Chip was looking at me for a response.

"Chip, I am really scared because what you did felt so good to me; but, if
someone were to see us like that, I would be out of the Air Force
immediately. I don't know what the kind of love you are talking about
should feel like and I am not sure that you know, either."

Our food arrived, so we didn't talk much during the rest of the meal. I
could see that Chip was thinking, as was I. When we finished, I paid the
bill and when we got into the car Chip started. "Troy, I really want to
keep seeing you. I know that Colonel Allen talked to you about coaching us
and helping us with our tennis skills. Please do that. I would like for us
to be alone sometimes, but I realize that we need to be careful so that
people will not talk."

I thought for a few minutes and said, "Chip, I think you have made a
correct assessment of the situation. I really enjoy being with you,
too. But, I also think that we must both really be extremely careful. I
will seriously consider working with you guys, but I don't know how much I
can teach you. I'll decide by Sunday and then let you know when I see you
at church."

As we pulled up in front of his house, he jumped out and said, "I'll call
you later."

When I got to the Q, it was already 10:00 so I decided to go to bed. Just
as I started to crawl into bed, the phone rang. "Hello Chip," I answered.

"Hi Troy, I just wanted to call and thank you for the dinner and say
goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow at the Allens'. We four guys are serving
the hors d'oeuvres and then helping to serve the dinner."

"Good night Chip," I answered.

The next morning I went to work, had the coffee made, and had distributed
the daily schedule before Sam and Lauren arrived. The two of them arrived
and looked at the schedule. "When did all these changes take place?"

I laughed, "This place was like a three-ring circus yesterday afternoon. I
won't give you any details. It's a rather touchy subject."

"I'm intrigued now," Lauren said.

Colonel Allen walked in and said, "Good! All three of you are here. I would
like to talk to you in my office. I have a feeling there are going to be
some fireworks before the morning is over. Troy and I heard an interesting
story about one of our officers. Both Troy and I believe that what we heard
is probably true -- right, Troy?"

"Sir, I am even more sure after talking with Tony during the time I was
getting him settled that what he said was true." I looked at my watch. "I
had better go retrieve Airman Henderson."

"Bring him in when you get back. I have a couple of questions to ask him
before Major Bishop arrives. I'll fill Sam and Lauren in so they know what
is happening. All three of you will have jobs to do," Colonel Allen said

I picked Tony up and took him to the barracks. We went to his room and
there was a thong lying on his bed. He looked at it and said, "This is not
mine and I would never wear such a thing."

"Tony, get your clean clothes quickly and let's get out of here now." We
made it out of the barracks without anyone talking to him. I took him to
the Q and waited while he changed into his uniform.

When we got to the office, Sam and Lauren were still in the Colonel's
office. I knocked. Colonel Allen said, "Come in Troy and bring Airman
Henderson with you."

We entered and the Colonel introduced Tony to Sam and Lauren and then asked
Tony, "What's the name of the friend who picked you up and took you back to
the barracks on Wednesday night?"

Tony answered, "Sergeant Larry Dover, Sir. He works across the hall from
Major Bishop's office in the supply room.

"Good." The Colonel turned to me and said, "Troy, call Sergeant Dover and
see what he can recall about what happened on Wednesday evening?"

I did as directed. After identifying myself, I asked, "Sergeant Dover, what
do you remember about meeting Tony Henderson on Wednesday evening? I
understand that you gave Tony a lift home."

"Yes sir, Tony and I have become friends since we are on the same bowling
team and his barracks is next to mine. I often give him a lift if I see him
waiting for a bus. Last Wednesday a car was stopped beside Tony and the
driver, who looked like Major Bishop, was leaning across the front
seat. The passenger door was open and Tony was backing up. I honked and
Tony practically ran to the car. When he got in, he seemed to be shaking."

Sergeant Dover continued. "I asked him if he was okay and he told me he was
having a chill. He didn't talk very much on the way to the barracks, which
is very unusual. He is not in any trouble is he? We need him for the game
Monday night so we can win the Summer Bowling League Championship. He's our
best bowler."

"Tony is not in any trouble," I assured Sergeant Dover. "We are just
checking a small problem but Tony will be able to bowl on Monday night."

I had written down in shorthand everything that we said and then went back
and read it to the Colonel.

"Good." Then he looked at me asked, "How in the world did you remember all
that detail?"

"I put the phone on speaker so I could take notes in shorthand so I
wouldn't forget anything," I answered and showed him my notes.

He took them from me and looked at it and handed it to Lauren and asked,
"Lauren, can you read this?"

She quickly looked at it and laughed, "Troy's shorthand is more
mechanically correct than mine. I can read every word of it."

"Then I want you to put it into the computer when you have a minute and
make a hard copy." The Colonel said as he turned to Sam, "Sam, I want you
to call Tony's First Sergeant about 9:20 and ask him to come see me about
9:45. When he arrives put him in the side office and let me know he is
here."

Sam nodded.

"Troy, I would like for you to be in the room with me taking notes of
everything that is said, In the meantime, call Tony's immediate supervisor
and get an evaluation of Tony's job performance and then give it to Lauren
to copy and make a hard copy."

Tony said, "Colonel, I could help Lauren out. I am proficient in shorthand
and the computer. I could type the notes and then give them to Lauren to
verify that I have transcribed the notes correctly."

"Tony, that would be great. I want you to remain out of sight in the office
across the hall and don't come out until Troy comes to get you for lunch,"
Colonel Allen instructed him. "Lauren will bring and pick up things and
there is a bathroom connected to the office that you can use if you need
to."
	
Everyone was getting ready for the fireworks to begin when the phone
rang. I picked it up, "Colonel Allen's office, how may I help you?"

"This is Ronda Bishop. My husband is the Commander of the Avionics
Squadron. May I speak to Colonel Allen please? I think I have some
information that he needs to hear," she said in a desperate voice.

"Just a minute ma'am. Let me see if the Colonel is available."

I knocked on the Colonel's door. "Sir, I think you might want to take this
call. It's from Major Bishop's wife. She sounds really upset."

"Troy, I'll take the call but stay on the line and take notes on what she
says."  He picked up the phone, "Good morning Rhonda. How can I help you?"

"Sir, my husband came home last night totally drunk. He stumbled into the
house muttering, 'That Henderson is so going to pay. I'll get what I want
even if I have to rape him.'"

The Colonel said, "Rhonda, I think we should talk about this in person. Can
you be here in my office at 10:45? I know that you have two children. Do
you have someone to take care of them? I don't think they need to hear what
is happening."

"Sir, they are with my parents for two weeks. They took them to Disney
World. I'll be there," Mrs. Bishop answered.

Colonel Allen looked at me, "Troy, you have been here for four days and
this place is becoming like a four-ring circus. You will be quite busy
keeping these people apart."

"Sir, we'll take care of it. Between Major Parsons, Lauren, Airman
Henderson and I, we'll cover your flanks. Is there anyone you would like me
to call?"

Colonel Allen looked at me and said, "Yes, I think you had better call my
cardiologist and my psychiatrist."

I laughed, "I'll call your pediatrician and gerontologist at the same
time. That way we will have all bases covered."

The Colonel started to laugh, "Troy, go away. You are making me lose my
train of thought."

The people started to arrive and by lunchtime, Major Bishop and the First
Sergeant were going to be retired by the end of the afternoon. Their
exploits were even more widespread than anyone could imagine.

Mrs. Bishop was to receive half of the Major's retirement income plus child
support and alimony. Tony would be working for the Colonel. Lauren was
going to go to work for Lt. General Miller because his secretary was
pregnant and leaving. Before the afternoon was over, Troy arranged for Ian
and Patty to join them at them at the party that night.

The Colonel left at four saying he had to be home to make sure everything
was ready. He threatened Troy and Tony, "Don't even think about calling
me."

Troy took the opportunity to show Tony some of his responsibilities. Tony
was a fast learner and Troy asked, "Tony, why aren't you in college?"

"Sir, I had to drop out of college because my father was having medical
problems and couldn't afford to help me. I'll go back to college once I
save enough money but my first priority is my family and fiancé."

The two guys closed down and Tony asked, "Sir, would it be okay if I head
home for the weekend? Betsy is to going to be home this weekend."

"Why wouldn't it be okay? I expect to see you back here on Monday by noon
dressed in blues with a fresh haircut and spit-shined shoes. You are the
first line of the Colonel's team," Troy laughed.

Tony hugged Troy and said, "Sir, I'll do anything you ask as long as it
doesn't involve sex or anything dishonest. I think that you and the Colonel
are the greatest. Neither of you ever made me feel that I was guilty of
anything. Thank you."

Tony left and Troy was stunned. He closed everything down and locked the
office. Back at the BOQ, Ian was waiting for him. "Hey man, what are you
doing to me?" Ian asked.

"Ian, you and I are covers for Lauren and Patty. They need us to help
deflect attention away from their being a couple. I'm only telling you this
so you don't feel obligated to do anything you don't want to do."

Ian looked at me and said, "Don't you mean to tell me that the ladies are
good cover for us so people won't question why we aren't seen with women
from time to time? You know my story, but you still haven't told me
anything about you."

"Ian, there is nothing to tell," I assured him. "When you go to the Academy
there isn't much time to form an attachment."
 
If you would like to read mopre of this story and other interesting stories
go to ww.tickiestories.us

To be continued...