byRetired Commander Kaye Ball ran her fingers over the shiny brass buttons on her freshly-pressed uniform. The Navy had been good to her, and still being able to fit comfortably into the dress whites brought a smile to her face.
When Lt. Chris Kent had asked her to speak at the five-year reunion of her old crew, Kaye had immediately agreed, especially since the junior officer had organized an auction benefiting a local veterans club to highlight the get-together.
Lt. Kent had reserved the USS Blanton, a 19th-Century three-masted schooner harbored at a downtown dock, to host the event. The day’s activities had gone extremely well, and the lieutenant had proudly announced that the auction’s proceeds had exceeded all expectations.
Now, Kaye noticed Lt. Kent heading in her direction, and th
