“Sir?”
Thorne ignored him.
“I’m sorry you were interrupted.”
George gave a faint smile.
“You’re late.”
Thorne almost smiled back.
“Traffic.”
A few people released the breath they had been holding.
Miller looked confused.
Thorne turned toward him.
“Petty Officer Miller, report to my office immediately after this meal.”
“Yes, Master Chief.”
“And before you leave, apologize.”
Miller’s face flushed.
“To him?”
Thorne’s voice remained quiet.
“Unless there is another elderly gentleman sitting at this table.”
Miller swallowed.
He turned toward George.
“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”
George studied him.
“That wasn’t a misunderstanding.”
The room went still again.
Miller’s mouth tightened.
Thorne did not intervene.
Finally, Miller said, “I’m sorry for how I handled the situation.”
George nodded once.
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“Accepted.”
Miller walked away.
No one spoke until the doors closed behind him.
Then George looked at Thorne.
“You still let them make me wait for coffee.”
Thorne smiled.
“Some things never change.”
Davis watched from the kitchen entrance, stunned.
He had expected the Master Chief to confront Miller.
He had not expected him to treat the elderly visitor like a distinguished guest.
Thorne walked George toward a quieter table near the windows.
Davis returned to the kitchen, but he could no longer focus on his duties.
The cook asked him what had happened.
Davis shook his head.
“Something important, I think.”
“What kind of important?”
Davis looked toward the dining room.
“The kind that makes a Master Chief apologize to somebody.”
Twenty minutes later, Thorne entered the kitchen.
Davis nearly dropped a tray.
“Seaman Apprentice Davis.”
“Master Chief.”
Thorne studied him.
“You made the call?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why?”
Davis swallowed.
“Because nobody else was doing anything.”
Thorne nodded slowly.
“That answer is going to get you into trouble someday.”
Davis felt his stomach drop.
Then Thorne continued.
“It may also save somebody’s life.”
Davis looked up.
“Sir?”
Thorne glanced toward the dining room.
“Finish your shift. Then report to my office.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Thorne turned away, Davis noticed something strange.
The Master Chief’s hands were not entirely steady.
