Say Yes

By David Eric Northington

Seven stories of love, loss and redemption fill this first collection of short stories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329289482

Book preview

Say Yes

Say Yes!

A Collection of Short Stories

by

David Eric Northington

All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2015  David Eric Northington

Cold Wind Publishing

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the author.

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Acknowledgments

Say Yes

The Daily Special

Going Home

1983

Late Arrival

The Gift of Freedom

The Red Vest

About the Author

Acknowledgments

This book is dedicated to my mother, Judy.  Her love for reading was passed onto me.  I wish she could read my stories and poems. 

Dad, I will always cherish getting to know you better these last few years.  When I lost Mom I found you.  The Red Vest is for you.

Say Yes

July 2008

Lieutenant Quinn stared at the young airmen a full twenty seconds before speaking.  Quinn's anger boiled under the image control he projected to the young airmen standing in front of him.

Airmen Jones, this is it!  This is your last chance.  Do you realize I could have you court martialed right now and have you sent to Correctional Custody, Lt. Quinn asked.

Yes sir, I understand. Airmen Jones looked at the space just above Lt. Quinn's eyes.

Now I understand that last year your rescue of the motorist in the creek shows your ability to go above and beyond what's necessary.  But, I have also heard reports of your after hour activities in Warrensburg.  You need to turn it down a notch.  Am I making myself clear?

Yes sir.

Get out of my face, dismissed.

Airmen Jones came to attention, saluted, did an about face and marched out of Lt. Quinn's office.  

Lt. Sebastian Quinn was having a bad day.  Quinn was in charge of a flight of security forces for Whiteman Air Force Base.  He supervised 44 enlisted men.  He was to have gone off duty at 1500 hrs or 3pm.  His flight sergeant, Tech Sergeant Teddy Smith, had brought some bad news to him just before 3pm.  One of Quinn's airmen had been found sleeping on guard duty.    Quinn would sign off on a letter of reprimand that would be placed in the airman’s personnel file. Sebastian checked his watch, 3:30pm.  If he hurried he could get to the bank for his appointment.  He wanted to finance a new truck but didn't want to deal with a car dealers financing company.  He hopped into his roommate's Ford Mustang and bent the speed limit down DD highway to Warrensburg.

Grace Sawyer watched the airman walk into the bank.   She saw the nosy receptionist, Rose, point the airmen into a waiting chair.  Rose approached Grace looking at her through the glasses on the end of her nose.

Your four o clock is here, Miss Sawyer,  Rose chewed her gum as she went back to her own desk.

Thank you Rose, Grace stood up and walked over to the airman.  He was good looking.  He was around 5 foot ten with short almost crew cut brown hair.  He had a small scar over his left eye brow.  He was dressed in Air Force camouflage utilities and he had some type of dark beret tucked in his cargo pocket of his pants.

Hello, I am Grace Sawyer, Assistant Manager of First Central Bank.  How can I help you?

Hello, my name is Lt. Sebastian Quinn.  I am interested in applying for a car loan.

Won't you come this way please, Grace smiled at the lieutenant 

Grace led Sebastian over to her desk.  He sat down across from her as she located the necessary paperwork.  Sebastian couldn't help but notice how attractive the manager was. He guessed she was  the same height as him with curly brunette hair.  He didn't notice any rings on her finger either.  Grace went through the forms with Sebastian.  He had brought his last few pay stubs with him and the process went quickly.  

This should only take a day to process.  Our Manager is out sick today and he won't let me approve loans yet by myself.

Okay, I guess I will wait to here from you,  Sebastian smiled a little too long.

Well, thank you lieutenant for choosing us at First Central Bank,  Grace held out her hand.  Sebastian took her hand and shook it.  A jolt of static electricity shocked them both.  Grace jumped pulling her hand back.

That's the first time a woman has electrocuted me,  Sebastian leaned towards Grace smiling.

Good afternoon Miss Sawyer,  Sebastian walked to the door pulling his beret out of his pocket.  He stopped at the door putting his beret on.  He looked back at Grace.  She was watching him until she realized she had been caught.  She immediately looked down at her desk.  Sebastian smiled to himself and walked out into the afternoon sun.

Chapter 2

Sebastian Quinn picked out a fire engine red Toyota Tacoma Crew Cab 4wd truck.  He had found it on the lot one day him and his roommate were out driving around looking at cars.  He lived in Bachelors Officers Quarters for free, so he had figured he could put half down and finance the rest.  He saved his paychecks fastidiously ever since his mother died when he was fifteen.  Sebastian had gone to live with his Aunt and Uncle in Phoenix.  They were nice people but older.   Sebastian always mailed home $200 a month to his Aunt and Uncle to hold for him.  He took his Uncle Frank aside, the last time  he was home on leave, and told him if they had emergency it was okay to use the money.  Frank said they were fine but thanked him for the offer.  It was the least Sebastian could do

Lt. Jim Perkins drove Sebastian to the car lot.  The truck was only a year old and had been turned back into the dealer because another airmen couldn't keep up with the payments.   Sebastian had  saved over $7000 on the truck and essentially got an almost new truck. 

She's a beauty  Sebastian,  Perkins whistled.

It was a tough choice.  I got used to driving your Mustang.

That's cause you have some taste, Perkins ran his hand across the black dash.

I can't haul anything in a Mustang though,  Sebastian said climbing out of the car.

Babes fit fine in the front seat, Perkins winked at Sebastian. 

Sebastian waved as Lt. Perkins peeled out using all 350 horses to show his ego.   Sebastian shook his head and walked into the dealership.  The central air conditioning felt good compared to the Missouri humidity.  It was July and 90 degrees outside with the dew point in the upper sixties.  Jed Larson pulled his 300 pound bulk out of his desk chair and walked over to meet the young lieutenant  He wished all his sales were as trouble free as Sebastian Quinn's had been.  Larson, 57, wearing a light blue polyester suit pumped Sebastian's had up and down.

Uh, lieutenant it's great to see you again.  there is a slight problem.  The bank called and they need you to sign one more form.  It'll give us time to get the truck ready here.

Damn, my ride just left, Sebastian looked out the glass doors.

That's no problem, I'll get my shuttle driver to give you a lift to the bank and back.  BENNY!

Larson yelled at the top of his lungs causing Sebastian to flinch back.

A disheveled young man in jeans and powder blue mechanics shirt came running out of the back.  Jed told Benny to take Lt. Quinn to the bank and to wait for him, then run to McDonald's after he was done with the lieutenant and get him his usual too.  Benny went and grabbed the shuttle, a used minivan with the dealers logo on the side, and picked up Sebastian.  They drove over to First Central Bank.  Sebastian was a little excited at the prospect of seeing Miss Sawyer again.  The excitement fell away when he walked inside the bank.  She was nowhere to be seen.  A thin older man in his 60's wearing a gray pinstriped suit, approached Sebastian.  Rose the receptionist watched from her perch, chewing her gum.

You must be  Lt. Quinn.  I am Herbert Walsh, the bank manager.

The salesman said there was a form I needed to sign?

It's was a small oversight by Miss Sawyer, I am terribly sorry you had to come back.

Speaking of her, where is she today?

Oh, the poor thing, her daughter is sick with strep throat.  That child has all the rotten luck.

I am sorry to hear that, I hope she is okay.

If you just sign here and here.  Okay, I will fax these right over.  Again I am sorry for the mix up.

It's no problem. 

Sebastian rode back to the dealership with Benny.  The truck was sitting outside waiting for him.  Jed Larson had him fill out some more  paperwork including tax and licensing.  Sebastian hopped in his new truck and fired it up.  It purred perfectly just like on the test ride.  He readjusted the mirrors to fit him.  He set the radio for a local rock station and he took off.  His first stop was Walmart.  He had spotted a set of fitted seat covers there and some other accessories for his new truck.  The air conditioning blasted ice cold at him in short time as he made the trip.

Sebastian parked the truck well away from the other cars in the lot.  He could just see coming out from getting stuff and finding a huge scratch on his new truck.  He grabbed a cart and made his way to automotive.  He found the seat covers that were red and black matching his paint scheme.  They were neoprene and would help protect the upholstery.  Sebastian also found a visor organizer that tucked out of the way.  He remembered that he needed some razors and deodorant from the Health and Beauty section of the store.  He walked over to that section.  Sebastian turned the corner and almost ran over a little girl with his cart.  She was around four years old with straight brunette hair, wearing pink sweat pants and top with the Bugs Bunny picture on it.   Her nose was running too but she didn't seem to care.  She appeared to have Down's syndrome. She grinned up at him.

Whoa, sorry about that, Sebastian said startled.  He heard footsteps behind him.

April, I told you not to walk off like that, Grace Sawyer admonished the girl.

It's okay we were just getting introduced, Sebastian turned to face the girl again.

My name is  Sebastian how old are you?

Four half, April grinned at him again, then coughed.

April cover your mouth, Grace sounded frazzled.

It's okay.  Kids are kids.  I didn't see you at the bank today.  I had to sign another form.

Oh, I'm sorry did I forget one?

It was no problem.  Mr. Walsh told me your daughter was sick.

Yeah, we just spent two hours at the clinic waiting for a prescription.

Sebastian looked at his watch it was a little past five pm.  His stomach growled a little bit.

Can I buy you both some dinner? Sebastian smiled at Grace.

I really should get April home, and I don't date customers either.  Thank you, you are very kind.

Okay, maybe some other time. He turned to face the girl, Bye April.

Bye, April waved.

Good bye Lt. Quinn, Grace took April's hand and walked off.  April looked back waving at Sebastian.  He waved again.  He watched them walk away.  He guessed that Grace might look back too so he stood and watched.  Grace walked another twenty feet then stopped to look at something on a shelf.  Sure enough, she did look back at Sebastian.  He gave her a half wave. She returned it and walked out with April.   

Chapter 3

The Monday following Sebastian's truck purchase found him outside First Central Bank at 3:30 pm. again.  He opened the doors to the bank and went in.  Grace looked up from her desk.  She saw Lt. Quinn standing at Rose's desk again.  He was wearing cargo tan shorts and a short sleeve Polo shirt.  His aviator sun glasses hung from the opening by his V in his shirt.  Rose had Sebastian sit down in a lobby seat again.  Grace looked around.  Mr. Walsh had left early for a meeting at the golf course. 

The young man would like to open an checking account,  Rose looked down at Grace.  There was a ketchup stain on her blouse from lunch she had obviously missed.

Okay Rose, send him over,  Grace opened a side drawer of her desk pulling a new account kit out, exhaling frustration.

Hello Miss Sawyer.  You look very nice today, Sebastian sat down in front of Grace.

Lt. Quinn it's nice to see you today.  You are interested in a checking account?

Yes, I think I will go with your free checking account, Sebastian smiled.

Please fill out this form.  Do you plan on using direct deposit?

Yes,  here is the Air Force form if you could fill in the routing number.

That will be no problem.

How is April doing now? Is she feeling better?

April is feeling better, she went to day care today lieutenant

We're back to lieutenant, you can call me Sebastian.

Look you are very nice and good looking, but I don't date customers.

Customers or servicemen?

Both. Grace kept her eyes averted.

Oh, okay.  Sebastian filled out the new account form.  Grace processed the deposit and returned with the deposit slip. 

It will take one check cycle for the direct deposit to take effect.

Thank you Miss Sawyer.

Thank you Lieutenant, have a nice day, Grace looked up at Sebastian who had stood up.  He stared at her for a long moment then smiled and put his Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses on.  He walked out into the heat.

Tuesday afternoon just before four Grace looked up from the spreadsheet she had been working on and saw Lt. Quinn walking towards her.  Rose tried to intercept her but he flashed a stiff arm motion at her and she stopped in her tracks.  He tucked his beret in to his cargo pants and motioned if it was okay for him to sit down.  Grace motioned a gesture that implied Why not.

Lt. Quinn, what can I do for you?

I need to open a savings account.  You know for a rainy day.

A rainy day?  Okay.  Grace opened the drawer holding the saving account form.

How much are going to deposit today.

Fifty dollars.  The truth be told he hadn't planned well and put too much into opening the checking account the day before.  He hit up Lt. Perkins for the fifty and he reluctantly forked it over.  Grace had Sebastian fill out the form and she went to the teller to process the deposit.  The teller, Julie, giggled and teased Grace about her frequent flier customer.  Grace just gave Julie a look that said butt out.  She went back to her desk and sat down.

Okay, Lt. Quinn here is your deposit slip and your savings book.

Why thank you Miss Sawyer.  Where is that Mr. Walsh?

He had a meeting to attend too.  I seem to get the afternoon riff raff to deal with.

Now, I know you aren't talking about me.  I am a commissioned officer of United States of Aor Force.

Hey you know the saying, if the shoe fits"  Grace let a little smile slip from her lips until she realized it and clamped down.

What, was that a smile?

Thank you Lt. Quinn you have a nice day. Grace stood up indicating the transaction was over.

Sebastian stood up slowly.  Grace couldn't help notice how fit Sebastian was.  His forearms were well defined as were his biceps.  He smiled again at Grace before heading for the exit.  He stopped long enough at the door to slip his beret on and look back.  Grace was watching him again.  He pushed the door open into the bright sunshine slipping his Ray Ban sunglasses on.  Grace took a breath in.

Wednesday at a quarter to four, fifteen minutes before closing, Sebastian walked into the bank.  He had to hit up his neighbor, Lt. Peterson for twenty bucks.  He walked up to the teller.  Grace watched the whole transaction.  Sebastian changed a twenty into two rolls of quarters.  He was dressed again in shorts and a polo shirt along with sandals.  Rose had already left for the day so Grace had no defensive blocker out front. Sebastian turned around from the counter and walked towards Grace.  He stood in front of her desk. 

It would be just easier if you said yes.

Would you stop coming in every day?

I think I could do that.  I am pretty busy.

Okay,  6pm Friday at the Kings Buffet.  Do you know where it is?

Yes ma'am.  Good egg rolls.

Don't get your hopes up, April will be there.

That's fine she's seems like a great kid.

See you then.

It's a date.  Sebastian smiled and Grace couldn't help herself but smile back.

Chapter 4

Lt. Sebastian Quinn made it clear to Sergeant Smith that he really had to be out of the office on time Friday afternoon.  Unless someone was dying somewhere, one of the duty sergeants could keep things under wraps until Monday.  Sgt. Smith asked if it was okay for him to do an impromptu exercise on Saturday night to check the ready status of the troops on duty.  Sebastian signed off on it.  He went outside to his truck parked in his spot.  Airmen Rich one of his troops saluted him on his way in.

That's a nice truck you got there L.T.

Thank you Airmen Rich.  You have a good weekend.

Sebastian maintained the speed limit back to the bachelor quarters.  Lt. Perkins was standing in the TV room as he walked through. 

What's your plans for tonight Sebastian​?

The bank manager finally said yes to a date.

Whoa, check it out Lt. Quinn has got some game.

It's not like that.  She is really sweet.  She has a cute kid too.

Oh, I see a ready made family.  Just add daddy.

Hey asshole, she didn't want to go out with me.  I had to nag her almost to death.

I'm sorry.  I guess I will have to go bar hopping by myself.

Not Warrensburg? 

Hell no, though I might try Kansas City, bright lights big city.

Well take it easy.  I don't want to hear you ended up in jail or upside down in the ditch on Highway 50.

Sebastian went to his room and showered and shaved again.  He didn't really need a shave since he shaved this morning.  He put on a light weight button down shirt and a clean pair of dress shorts.  He ran over to the credit union and cashed one of his new checks so he had cash for dinner.  Thank God his paycheck would be in his mailbox tomorrow.  It had been an expensive week.

Sebastian jumped in his truck and headed out the west gate of Whiteman Air Force base.  He took highway DD past Knob Noster State Park.  Clint Black's A Good Run of Bad Luck, came on the country station.  Sebastian turned it up in a good mood.  Sebastian made it to the restaurant fifteen minutes early even with traffic.  He had stopped at Walgreen's drug store to find a quick gift for April.  He settled on a Dora the Explorer sticker book. 

Sebastian waited inside the restaurant entrance until he saw Grace walking up with April.  He opened the door.

Hi Grace, Hi April,

Hi Sebastian, you look nice.  April just smiled at Sebastian.

I have something for you April, Sebastian handed the bag to her. 

Nice, bribe the kid.  You know all the tricks.  April