Chapter 32

Charleston, SC

June, 1977

Bobby sat on the swing, his Kodak on the side table flanked by a gift box topped with a pink bow. Audrey was putting on her graduation cap and gown. She’d done well in high school. He wanted a moment with her before the house exploded with graduation activity. He missed Elizabeth’s walk across the stage and he would miss Audrey’s. But not because of the Navy. As each year passed, he’d yet to manage the emotional attachments to the five women in his life. All his life, watch standing was ingrained from childhood to his career. His destroyers pulled picket duty off the Asian shores with orders to keep peace in international waters. There was always danger of obscure mines, torpedoes or unmanaged navigation running ship aground. However, nothing had prepared him for the damage control needed as a father letting each of his girls leave his pier—their home—for a chance to see the world. Hopefully, he and Rose would remain their North Star. A constant to steady their course in fair or foul weather. He’d yet to build the dam for the flood of tears threatening to overwhelm his aching heart. Give him an engine room fire, a boiler explosion—damn, retrieve the Gemini 8 before the Chinese could steal it! But he knew the idea of his girls graduating, getting married or becoming mothers was a foreign land that stripped him of his male bravado.

The back door opened and Audrey floated in, wearing the white robe and hat.

“You look lovely, Audrey,” Bobby complimented her. “Come sit here a minute.” He wiped the sweat from his brow, unsure how much was the June heat or a little bit of nerves.

“Sure, Daddy but I don’t want to mess up my hair,” Audrey said, fluffing her Farrah Fawcett locks. She smoothed out her robe and sat, crossing her legs.

“We’ll get your picture in just a few minutes. I wanted to give you something first,” Bobby reached for the jewelry box. He struggled to speak, resisting the emotion trying to escape.

He cleared his throat and looked at his daughter’s large expectant eyes. “I wanted to explain why I won’t be attending your graduation ceremony. And it has nothing to do with not being able to see Elizabeth’s.”

“You girls know the story of how your mother and I dated and married?” He asked and she nodded.

“I do. You were a very brave man to take on a gaggle of girls,” Audrey said with a softness in her eyes.

“When I found your mom, I went to my first and only wedding. It is still one of the best days of my life,” Bobby said, tears welling. “You girls had my heart and I wanted to make sure y’all were safe. But...” he was overwhelmed with his feelings. “I’m very proud of each of you. But, ceremonies take me a bit out of my comfort zone. Always have. It may look weak or even a little selfish but I think it best if I not go.” He choked back a sob and attempted to keep a stoic face.

“Daddy, it’s okay. Mom will be there,” Audrey tried to assure her dad. “You are a great dad.”

Bobby took a breath. “I just wanted to give you something to wear when you get that diploma. Something that reminds you how much you mean to me.” His voice cracked and he held out the square box.

“I’m so proud of each of you.” Bobby tried to regain his composure as Audrey opened the box gracefully. She was trying not to rip the paper. She peeked inside.

“Oh, Daddy! It’s beautiful!” She lifted the charm bracelet from the soft cotton padding. Hanging from the silver links were a graduation cap, anchor and a silver heart. She squinted, holding the heart up and read a word above the embedded ruby stone. A tear rolled down her cheek as she saw the inscription: Daughter.

Bobby hugged her and softly made his last confession. “No matter where we go forward, know that you are my daughter and have my heart. Now, to the gardenia bush for my photo.”

“Daddy? Help me put this on first,” Audrey held out her wrist, handing him the bracelet. “I love you, too.”

June, 1979

Mallory looked at her watch. Bugs Bunny’s arms were pointing at 4 and 6. She had a few minutes to get to work. She tucked her tee shirt in the denim high waisted jeans. It was Friday. She would be cleaning reptile cages at the pet store. Daddy wouldn’t care what was under her cap and gown. She brushed through her chestnut hair, quickly coated her eyelashes with Maybelline and dabbed on some lip gloss.

She could hear the rattling of dishes in the kitchen, the voices of her parents in the background. She ran into the bedroom to grab her gown. The cat was napping on it. “Sorry, Rosie,” Mallory scooped her up and relocated her to her pillow. She threw on the gown and grabbed her red tasseled cap.

Jogging to the kitchen she shouted, “I have to get to work. Let’s do this!”

Bobby and Rose turned to respond and gasped as the unzipped gown revealed her work clothes. It was a typical display of Mallory-ism.

Rose handed Bobby the camera and inspected her daughter. “Zip up and let’s get your cap on straight. I guess we’ll shoot from your knees up.”

“Come on, Daddy,” Mallory said, rushing to the back door. “I need to use the car but I’ll bring it back by 9:00.”

Rose looked at Bobby before he left the kitchen. “Make sure you don’t get those jeans and be sure her cap is straight.” Bobby winked and followed Mallory to the gardenia bush.

June, 1980

Bobby and Rose sat together in the kitchen. Three girls had graduated and moved on to chase their dreams. All were in college and Mallory had recently taken a job in Pensacola at the Navy base in Pensacola. She’d set her sights on becoming a navy officer.

Rebecca was the last one.

“The house is getting so quiet,” Rose squeaked, sipping her iced tea. Bobby looked up from the pork chops simmering in gravy. “I’m gonna miss the giggles when she’s on the phone. Listening for the door to close after dates or high school games.”

“I’m gonna miss meeting and messing with the boyfriends,” Bobby said, grinning and flipping the chops. “Four beautiful daughters and too many Chesters!”

“Elizabeth is almost done with college and I think it is getting pretty serious between her and that guy, Dan?” Rose asked. “I hope she finishes her Masters before she gets married though.”

“Elizabeth’s solid and focused,” Bobby said as he went to the refrigerator. “Here, let me get you a beer.” He stepped over the cat in the middle of the kitchen floor. “Miller High Life?”

Rose tried to force a smile but she was obviously struggling. “I always thought I’d enjoy when the girls got older. No more school projects, backtalk, or fighting. I could go home and visit when I wanted to. I guess my only job was being a mom.” She stared into the backyard.

“And what a fantastic job you did,” Bobby said and poked his head into the living room. He made the gesture of taking a photo to Rebecca while she was on the phone. She nodded.

He continued. “Think about this next phase like retirement. We both are retiring with over 25 years on our records.” He knew Rose was thinking about his deployment coming up in three weeks.

“I guess... but I’m going to be alone. I feel...discarded?” Rose said, refusing to look at Bobby.

Bobby cringed inside when he heard the word. “Rose! It is time for us. I’ll be retiring in a few years. The girls will still be here for holidays.” Bobby strained for the right words.

Rose shrugged her shoulders as if defeated. Bobby turned down the burner and covered their dinner.

“You’re just gonna miss my cooking,” he said, trying to lighten the direction of the conversation. He grabbed a spatula and pulled her up from her chair. He slapped her ass and raised his eyebrows, implying it wasn’t just hot in the kitchen.

She smiled and blew her nose. “Sexy, huh?” She turned to see Rebecca bouncing into the room in her white cap and gown.

“Let’s go Daddy. I have a shift in an hour.” Rebecca failed to sense the tense room. She grabbed the camera and headed out the back door. “Meet you at the gardenia bush. Finally, my turn!”

“I have to admit that you’ve done a good job with the girls,” Rose said with the same defeated voice.

“Rose, it is not me... it is we that did a good job,” Bobby said. He hugged his wife and headed to the gardenia bush.