#captainbernie

“Damnit Keiko!  Where the hell is that damn dress shirt?!” Captain Joe Montgomery was ripping clothes out of the closet, off the hangers.  “I need that shirt!”

Keiko stood behind him, freshly ironed dress shirt in hand, tears streaming quietly down her face.  “I ironed it for you Joe.”

Joe sighed and snatched the shirt from Keiko.  Ever since that damn coward Dr. Vector committed suicide, his irritation level had skyrocketed.  There was just too much going on and now to have the damn brass coming down to check things out.  Hell!  

Joe put the shirt on, took a couple of breaths, and gave a wry smile to Keiko.  “Thanks Babe.”  He lovingly cupped her cheek, kissed her forehead, and walked out to the living area.  He stopped long enough to slide his feet into the god forsaken dress shoes and grab his hat on the way out the door.  While he was placing it on his head, he thought how thankful he was that at least it was on the warm side so he didn’t need a jacket or coat.  

Joe started to walk up the street.  Military housing had it’s benefits, he guessed.  Close to work, no real need for a car, especially with a place as small as Ann Lake was.  He just wished he didn’t have to wear the damn dress shoes.  Fucking brass and their damn inspections!

Over at Captain Bernard “Bernie” Mickelsen’s house the scene appeared more chaotic, though it’s flow was smoother.  

Penny had laid out Bernie’s dress uniform on the bed while he was in the bathroom shaving.  Bernie still used a straight razor even though all sorts of “new fangled” options were available.  “Nothing gives you a shave like a straight razor” he said as he rubbed his very smooth chin and neck.

Penny was in the kitchen, putting together breakfast for their 5 kids.  Summer would be here soon and the kids were getting stir crazy.  It was noisy and things appeared slightly messy or out of place.  

“Bernie!  It’s almost 7, you better get a move on!  You know Joe is already in a fit, you being late will just make him even more cross!”

“You know Penny, you don’t have to yell.  It’s not like I’m on the other side of the base.”  Bernie kidded his wife.  It was their long standing thing.  Penny’s voice was as big as her heart and as loud as her personality.  Definitely one of the things he adored about her.  

“Bernie, if I were yelling, you’d know.”  She said with a smile.  She handed him his hat and held the door open for him.

Bernie caught up with Joe on the sidewalk.  

“Hey Joe.  At least the walk will be nice”