"Natalie, what are you doing in here?" I turned on the light when I heard her shuffling in my paper-filled office. My eyes landed on her and the book she carried. It wasn't just any book.
I inhaled and pushed a few boxes aside, approaching my teenage daughter. "So... you found Willed?"
"I'm sorry, Dad," Natalie said, hugging the book. "I was only trying to figure out why you're always so sad." She showed me the photo album and gestured at a picture of Ted. "Is he why?"
This day was going to come eventually. I couldn't hide Ted from Natalie forever.
"You told me you had a friend in the war, but that's it." Natalie sat in my swivel chair, and I opened my office's curtains, revealing the busy streets of New York City.
Grabbing a chair from the corner, I lugged it to Natalie and set it beside her. "His name was Ted," I explained, taking the book from her. "He was my best friend, Natalie, and I-I..." My voice trailed, and I swallowed a lump. "I shot him down."
"You shot him down?" Natalie flinched and leaned away from me like she was frightened.
"It was an accident!" I quickly said, lifting my hands. "Natalie, please, there was a blizzard, and I… I… I didn't recognize him. Look." I plopped into the chair, reached into my shirt, and pulled out a locket. Opening it, I showed Natalie a picture of Ted and me, and she carefully examined it. "This is Ted and I when we started our service. We each gave one another a locket, just in case. And this album"—I took it from her and flipped through it—"is something we had since childhood—from when we first met to the last picture we took before it happened."
"Do you think he may still be alive?" Natalie inquired, glancing into my solemn eyes.
I chuckled hauntingly, closed the book, and answered, "Not unless he experienced the Lazarus Effect."
***
I wrap my hand around my new walking cane, which is black with a navy blue handle, and tell Natalie, "It feels great, Nat." We've arrived at Patriots Point for my shift, and I've just opened my door and set my strong, new cane on the hot cement of the parking lot.
Once I climb out, Natalie points at the cane and says, "Look on the side of it."
I do and see that "Navy Veteran" is painted on the cane's side in yellow-white paint. I smile and thank Natalie, wondering if this new cane is my "big" surprise, but it doesn't feel like it. I've never enjoyed surprises—not since The Incident—but something about this one intrigues me.
"You head on down to the ship," Natalie quips. "I need to meet with Tallulah to tie up some loose ends, but we'll be back soon."
"Okay," I respond. I bring my heels together to calm my growing excitement and nervousness. "I'll see you soon, Nat."
Natalie pulls out a few minutes after I say this, and I'm left alone in the parking lot.
I steady myself with my cane, turn, and head toward the pier, my eyes brightening when I see Yorktown. Is it just me, or does she look twice as majestic today as she did yesterday, with the morning sun shimmering over her?
I stop at the top of the pier, and that's when I notice something on my left that I've never seen before—another Quonset hut like the one in the Medal of Honor Museum. How have I missed this? It looks like Patriots Point has another attraction besides Yorktown and Laffey.
I step onto the path leading to the Quonset hut, and my eyes land on a sign hidden behind the gate. It reads "The Vietnam Experience". What is this place? It looks like a Vietnam War memorabilia that I somehow missed. Was I really so drowned in grief that I only paid attention to Yorktown and Laffey? I guess so. Patriots Point is full of surprises. I now wonder if they have a Korean War memorabilia, too.
I check my wristwatch and pop my bag higher on my shoulder. I still have a little time, so I might as well see this Vietnam Experience. Wow, I'm ninety-two years old and still as curious as I was when I was young. It's like I've finally rediscovered who I truly am.
The walk to the Vietnam Experience is short, but I'd be lying if I said I'm not a little tired when I reach the Quonset hut (partly because I didn't sleep very well last night). I brush it off and swing open the door, poking my head inside.
Display cases with Vietnam-era weapons and vehicles line the small hut in its center. I see a theater in the back and a timeline of Vietnam's history on my left. The best part is that it's air-conditioned here! That's great because it's been hot here in Charleston lately.
I don't know how long I stand in the doorway examining the memorabilia and sucking in the AC before someone taps my shoulder from behind. I turn with a slight jump and see Temple standing before me. "Temple!" I close the door and am now back in the hot and humid weather of the Deep South.
He looks amused and says, "So, you finally found the VNE? That's what we call the Vietnam Experience."
"Yes! Um… I guess so," I stutter. "Sorry, I was just about to sign in." What number of times have I embarrassed myself before Temple now?
"Stop apologizing for being curious," he snaps in a friendly voice. "I'm just happy you're here, and you look much better than you did last time I saw you. Let me guess, you decided to keep the dog?"
"Ye-Yes," I respond, nodding. "Tha-Thank you, Temple."
He lifts an eyebrow. "Why are you thanking me? Natalie and Tallulah say they're very proud of you, and I am, too. I thought I would lose you for a moment there, Bill. If anyone, I should be thanking you."
"Why?" I cock my head.
Temple giggles and explains, "Well, you were the one who finally learned to express your grief and brought a new light to Patriots Point. And you helped me open up more about my daughter. So for that, thank you."
Is that a playful façade I see from him, not a toying one?
Temple clutches his elbow and waves me over with his other hand. "Come on, it's about time your shift started. I'll drive you. There's more to the VNE behind the Quonset hut if you want to check it out before the Fort Sumter tour later."
Oh, yeah. That's today. Moreover, I think I will check out the VNE after my shift ends today, but I need to get to the ship and replace Ted's flowers for now.
Temple drives me down in a white and black, six-pack golf cart with USS Yorktown on its side. Once we're in the Volunteer Lounge and I'm signed in, he approaches and hands me the key to the Education Cart. "I'd like to have you on the Education Cart today, Bill. Get yourself some more practice with it. I've already got it out for you; it's behind the Information Desk with the other Volunteers."
"Oh, okay," I say, accepting the cart key. "Even after that mishap last week?" What if my curiosity bests me again, and I abandon the Education Cart for a second time?
"That was only a warning," Temple elucidates. "Let's get you out of your comfort zone. Besides, I know you like the Plane Recognition cart."
That's true, and I did promise Natalie that I would continue healing at Patriots Point as thanks for letting me keep Teddy.
Considering this, I nod and tell Temple, "Okay, I'll practice more with the cart today. But I first want to switch out my flowers for Ted."
Temple waves his hand. "Then why are you still hanging out down here? Get up there, William Beckington. Oh, and I meant to say this at the VNE." He shoots me a genuine grin and motions at my new cane. "Cool new cane."
Now, it's my turn to show off my cheeky smile. "Thanks, Temple." I pause before adding, "Before I go up, I have a question I meant to ask you at the VNE, too."
"Shoot," Temple says. He sits at the round table, crosses his right leg over his left thigh, and taps the olive-green top.
I'm amazed at how cheerful he is today. Temple's one of those people whom one always assumes is naturally serious, especially after losing a daughter on the USS Yorktown.
Regardless, I grip one of the table's chairs and question, "Is there a Korean War memorabilia here, too, like the VNE?"
"Ah." Temple snaps his fingers and slides to the edge of the chair. "Not… yet."
"Yet". He said "yet". Well, I think I know the "big" surprise now—a Korean War memorabilia for not only Ted and I but also all those other Korean War veterans that World War II and Vietnam War history have overrun. I wonder how Tallulah, Natalie, and Temple will present it?
I can't wait to find out.