There's never a good time.
Posted on 21 Jan 2022 @ 19:57 by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kemo Paahao
Episode:
Our Path
Location: British Embassy, Seoul ROK
Timeline: Four years ago
“Hey sailor,” a sultry voice said quietly just behind his ear, “Looking for a good time.”
Kimo didn’t move but half smiled as he took a sip from the glass he held before saying, “I don’t know Kaikamahine (Hawaiian for girly). My wife hasn’t told me if I can have one or not.”
Sharp fingers found his ribs and he started, trying to keep his glass level and shrugging with a sheepish grin at a passing diplomat as he turned to look at his wife Patricia. “Easy with the claws, tiger. I nearly spilled champagne on the Grand Sultan of Idaho.”
Tricia curled his arm into his, giving him a peck on the cheek and rolled her eyes at the same time. “You’re impossible. That was Mr. Dasi. A cultural attaché with the French. He’s one of the newer members of their delegation.”
Kimo cast a glance toward the Frenchman who was still sidling through the mass of people gathered in the courtyard of the British Embassy in Seoul and said thoughtfully. “Really? French. I thought he looked more important…”
Tricia elbowed him this time and took the glass from his hand and took a sip herself. “Be nice. You know the French hold grudges. And why on earth are you drinking Champaign? You hate Champaign.”
“That’s why,” Kimo told her as the couple wound their way through the gathering of diplomats and other invitees. With this, there is no way I will drink too much tonight.”
She looked at him and drained half the glass, then smiled and said, “While I, on the other hand…”
“Get,” Kimo broke in meeting her eyes with a leer, as he paused for effect, “What did Austin Powers call it? Randy? Are you Randy baby?” he asked, feigning an English accent.
“That was a really bad movie,” she told her husband reproachfully. “But, as a matter of fact I am thinking perfectly appropriate thoughts about my husband. Especially since he’s in his new uniform and holds the rank of Chief Warrant Officer by order of the President himself!”
Kimo shook her head and patted the arm that was linked with his. “Never have I ever felt so…political.”
She shushed him and then giggled. “Be nice, Kimo. He is your commander in chief.”
Looking at his dark haired wife, with her large brown eyes, her lithe terra cotta complexioned form wrapped in an ivory designer cocktail gown and shook his head. “Aye aye, miss. How about we skip the politics and get things back on track.”
“Oh no, Kimo. I have to stay for at least another hour. The ambassador arranged for us to be on the list,” she told him as she finished the glass of Kimo’s Champaign and exchanged the flue for another from a liveried waiter. “Plus I want to talk about this TDY and where that will lead. So it doesn’t derail us later.”
Encouraged by the later, Kimo said. “Fairly straight forward. I have to go to Warrant school for three weeks I think and then..”
“And then,” it was her turn to finish for him, “You’ll likely get another change of station and we’ll be apart.”
Patricia was pouting a little now.
“Well, yeah. I imagine,” Kimo conceded as they managed to find a quiet spot in the courtyard, just beating another couple who gave them a put out look before they sought refuge elsewhere. “But I have a sea tour coming up anyway.”
“I know,” Tricia admitted,” It still isn’t easy. My tour isn’t up for three more years.””
“And,” Kimo said, slipping his arm around her waist. “I’ll be on a five year stint. But, depending on how things work, this might be my last sea tour. I’ll have twenty in and we can decide then if I stay in. If I do..”
“If you do, you’d have to get promoted and likely only have a three year shore duty rotation. But would we be together?” Tricia said, some frustration creeping into her voice. “I know we chose this but we didn’t imagine it would be this hard.”
Kimo nodded knowingly and said, “Right. So, do we get busy and have a kid? I’m guessing this is where our conversation is going and saying that, we both know how much help I won’t be able to be.”
She sighed, looking into his brown eyes and said, “It sucks.”
“And it’s unfair, Tricia,” he said. “But it’s where we're at in our chosen professions and life. Then she touched his lips with a fingertip. “And we really need to stop answering each other sentences. That’s something only really old married people are supposed to do.”
He kissed her finger tip, then jokingly said against the digit, “Well, it’s been five years now. But could you live without me? I know I couldn’t live without you.”
She grinned at him and then said, “Ok. We both agree there. And on the rest too. So yes, I think it’s time we acknowledge there never will be a perfect time and try.”
His eyes flashed and then kissed her lightly, and hugged her. Whispering in her ear, he said. “Well, there’s no time like the present. How long did you say you needed to hang out here.”
She returned his hug in the moment, and licked at his ear until his words sunk in and she pushed back slightly and said, “Crap. I’m supposed to be working. I need to get back to the party.” Tricia checked her watch and said, “Looks like about ninety minutes or so. What does the Navy say, synchronize your watch?”
Grinning, Kimo gently took her wrist and kissed her palm and said, “Right. I’ll be floating about then. I guess.”
She curled her palm in to hold onto the kiss and then took him by the hand and they moved to reenter the party. “Try and mingle. It’ll be good for your career,” she told him, grinning.
“Aye aye, miss,” he replied, following her somewhat reluctantly back into the mix of people and noise.