Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“You’re going to make me spell it out for you, then?”
“Yes sir.”
“Why?”
She lifted an eyebrow, willing her rage to take a backseat. “Why what?”
“Are you insisting that I tell you it is best for all involved for you to ask for a separation? Do it quietly and save the Navy from this embarrassment. I’m sure there will be a deal offered.”
Look at that, there was no backseat on this ride.
She flexed her fingers a few times as she mulled over her words. The last thing she needed was to get a written reprimand for cussing out a superior officer.
“Because I have not done a damn thing wrong, sir. Other than by a lot of people’s misguided opinions on being born the wrong sex and wrong race. I will not apologize for being who I am, nor will I sit back and wait for people to ruin my career. I have more pride than that. I don’t do drugs, I have never done drugs and quite frankly sir, to have you expect me to step down, just because I make you uncomfortable speaks one hundred percent to your issues as opposed to my own.” She pushed up from the table, anger pumping freely through her. “I am a damn good navigator, I was at the top in every single one of my classes, and that wasn’t because I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. I earned my dolphins just like every other person here.” A weighted pause. “Despite what is said. I have no wish to discuss my case with you, if you want to say anything further on it, please contact my attorneys.”
She walked out, not sure if she didn’t, there wouldn’t be bloodshed.
Back at her station, she took several deep breaths and glared at the guys who shot her questioning looks. She was done playing nice. They wanted to not like her; she’d give them something to have reason to as opposed to her gender.
The rest of the day was tense and there were times that the XO would look at her and she didn’t feel safe at all.
This is going to make for a long cruise.
Given permission to leave, so long as she stopped by JAG first, she departed the boat and walked, alone up the pier. She knew how late they were there and how long it would be for her to get there. She had plenty of time. No one spoke to her, there were a few salutes but for the most, she avoided eye contact when she could, her insides a mess the size of the Grand Canyon.
Adjusting the music in her ears to play something by Etta Mae, she took a deep breath and ducked her head before continuing toward her destination. At the stop sign, she couldn’t—no matter how hard she tried—to avoid looking down the road to where the firing range was located.
Not just the range, either. But Davin Bly. Forcing herself to avoid the emotions fluctuating within her, she bit her lower lip, hard enough to snap her from those thoughts and went the way she needed to go, not the way she wanted to.
Her meeting with the lawyers didn’t take long. She was not being arrested, she was fine to head home. They’d let the judge know she was up for a deployment in a week and would not be going anywhere until then.
He gave the prosecutor five days to come up with enough proof that would convince him to request a trial for the hearsay of someone arrested for drugs, when put up against her spotless reputation wasn’t going to cut it for him.
“Thank you,” she said, shaking the woman’s hand.
“Keep your chin up, head down, and we’ll be fine.”
She tried for a smile but honestly, she wasn’t all that optimistic. She was all too aware on how things tended to fall for people of her color.
“One thing though,” the male said.
“Yes sir?”
“Please have your friends stop breaking bones of reporters.”
Her eyes grew wide. “What?”
He chuckled. “We thought that was going to be your reaction. I guess one got a little to forceful and shoved his hand into your apartment.”
She closed her eyes and held up a hand while shaking her head. “No need to say more. I know what happened.” And she did. Renny was like that, unapologetically so. Eyes open once more. “Are there going to be charges?”
“No, he was after all, under the rule of law, breaking and entering. It is all on video.” The woman smiled the later afternoon sun shining off the gold stitching on her uniform, indicating she was the same rank as Neha.
“I’ll talk to them.”
“You need anything, you call us.” The woman handed her two cards.
Neha glanced at them briefly and nodded again. “Thank you.” She walked out of the room and drifted her attention back to the cards once more.