TSUNAMI STORM Read Free

Promontory Point.
    “Don’t worry about Frank,” Chief Dolan said. “All his money and influence didn’t get him elected as mayor, now, did it?”
    “No, I guess it didn’t,” she had to admit.
    “Willa, you and your Small Business Coalition are good for this town,” Chief Dolan said. “You have a good heart and you care about the people of Dolphin Beach. That’s why they elected you as mayor. Frank cares only about himself and what his money can buy. People know that. Trust me. We have a good summer, and you and the people you back for city council will be in for the next four years.”
    Willa looked around at the brightly colored businesses in the most picturesque setting she could imagine. Dolphin Beach captured that small town atmosphere and friendliness that seemed to have disappeared from the American landscape some fifty years ago. Dolphin Beach had all the modern luxuries: a theater, Wi-Fi hot spots all over town, and cell phone service, yet the feel of the town was homey and quaint. “It seems so simple when you look at it that way,” she said. “But it’s a big responsibility being mayor. If something goes wrong, I get the blame for it.”
     

CHAPTER 3
    Staunton, Virginia
    Tiffany Grimes bounded down the stairs, rounded the corner and headed into the kitchen. “Smells good, Mama.” Tiffany was African-American, five foot eight, medium build and attractive, with moderately dark skin. She was the youngest of four siblings, and the only girl.
    “Mornin,’ baby girl. I’ve got ham in the skillet and the coffee’s ready. How many eggs would you like?” Joyce Grimes asked. Joyce was 56 years old, thin and full of energy. Her husband was a disabled Marine Major who knew enough to stay out of her way as she ran the family.
    “Three eggs,” Tiffany replied. “I’ve got a long day on commercial airlines to get back to the sub base in Bangor, Washington.” She poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table.
    “I don’t see how you can stand being cooped up inside that thing and being under water all of the time,” Joyce said as she started scrambling the eggs.
    “It’s not like that, Mama. The Massachusetts is one of the most advanced submarines in the world. I’m very lucky to have been assigned to it.”
    “Lucky?” her father George commented as he entered the kitchen. “It’s not a matter of luck, Tiff. You graduated second in your class at Annapolis. Your ship is the lucky one – you earned the right to be there.” Joyce poured a cup of coffee for him as he shuffled over in his walker and joined Tiffany at the kitchen table. “In the Grimes family, we earn our way – always have, always will.”
    “How do you feel today?” Tiffany asked.
    George sighed, “Seems like good days are gettin’ further apart.”
    “You have trouble sleeping again?” Tiffany asked.
    George grunted.
    “The medication’s not helping?”
    “It’s like the last one. Works for a while, and then I need more of it just to do the same job. Then it stops workin’ altogether. Got to go back to the VA and see what else they have.”
    “And the meds for the Gulf War Syndrome?”
    He shook his head. “Same deal. They work and then they don’t.”
    “I wish there was more I could do for you,” Tiffany said. She worried about her dad. His health had been in a slow decline ever since he served in the first Gulf War.
    “You look worried, Tiff. Don’t be. This needs to be a happy time. You got your promotion to Lieutenant and your first command position – a proud time in this family, a proud time.”
    “It’s just the torpedo room, dad; it’s not that big a deal.” She felt somewhat embarrassed by the attention her promotion had brought.
    “It is a big deal,” he replied. “My first command was just an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. That’s where you earn your bones – your first command. That sets the stage for every promotion from then on. It’s critical that you earn the respect