Chapter Six - part seven

    That indeed was just the beginning of a night James wouldn't soon forget. When they stepped inside, the room was full of people. James saw at least three generals, though none were in uniform, and more officers than he could count. They were all accompanied by women dressed in their finest as well. It was only a moment though before all eyes were on them. James had swept his hat off the minute they were in the door, but he still held it at his side. His other arm was around Sarah, just as hers was around him. The head of the AOG and his wife were greeting everyone as they came in the door. They both knew Sarah immediately, but until she introduced James they hadn't appeared to recognize him. Once she introduced him though, the man stiffened slightly. His wife just smiled and extended her hand as she spoke. "I am very pleased to meet you James. I have heard a great deal about you, but they never mentioned that you were so handsome. I heard that you were an Ironman and expected a tall, strong, guy, but you are very good looking too!" Smiling as he shook her hand James just blushed and said nothing. She just laughed and spoke to Sarah. "Oh my, he is precious! You better hang on tight tonight Sarah or you will lose him! You two make a stunning couple. Him in black with red accents and you in white with green, goodness you two look like a couple out of a story book! Well go on in and show him off! I can't wait for the real party to start!" Sarah did indeed lead James away, laughing softly while he shook his head and grinned back at her.

    They made a slow circuit of the room with Sarah doing most of the talking and James doing most of the blushing. The men seldom said much, but James did notice that a lot of their eyes lingered for a long time on Sarah, both coming and going. The women of the other hand couldn't seem to say enough. Unfortunately most of what they said seemed to be about James. Oh, they noticed Sarah too, but it was him and them as a couple that they talked about. They hadn't managed to make a complete circuit of the room before it was time to be seated. James had noticed a lot of the people were already drinking as they were circulating around the room, but Sarah had politely declined when offered wine and he did as well. They headed into the large area set up for dining and soon located their table. James swore very softly when he saw the other names on it. There were ten people to a table and James saw nothing but stars around their table except for them! There was a constellation of stars on the place markers around that one table. Sarah seemed quite pleased and not at all surprised.

    James quickly learned that the surprises had just begun for him this night. They were still standing by the table when they heard a voice behind them. "Is that Sarah Marie Baker I see at my table? It can't be! She is no angel and that girl sure looks like an angel." They turned to see who had spoken and were facing a group of people. James immediately came to attention. The first face he saw was Lt. General Michael L. McBride, superintendent of the Academy. That wasn't who had spoken though. That had been General William Jefferson Davis, current commander of the entire North American Air Force. He was a full four star and many said he would be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, answering directly to the President. James also saw the Academy Commandant, Major General Mary Ann Stevens, and the dean, Brigadier General Mark H. Holmes. While he was aware of all of them it was General Davis who had his full attention.

    Sarah had burst into a huge smile and stepped forward to give him a big hug. In her heels she was as tall as he was. Once the hug was over she stepped back laughing. "Uncle Bill! You know I am a perfect angel. Why that is what you always called me!" Uncle Bill laughed right along with her and shaking his head looked her over carefully. "Goodness, you get more beautiful every time I see you. I still don't know how that brother of mine ever managed to have a daughter as pretty as you even with Jane's looks to help out. Of course I know where you got all of those brains." His wife laughed now as she spoke. "I don't know about the brains part, but she certainly got that hard head from your side of the family. Sarah, I must admit that for once my husband is right.  You are more beautiful each time I see you. Now who in the world is this handsome fellow with you? I want an introduction now and a dance later."

   James tried to stay calm, but he was well aware that all eyes were on him now. Sarah smiled brightly and stepped back to slip her arm around his waist and lean into him. "Aunt Pat, this is Cadet James Andrew Copper. He is one of the new cadets in Mach One. We often attend church together, after I beat him down all week. I believe you may have heard of him?" James saw 'Uncle Bill' stiffen immediately and the other generals all looked suddenly even more uncomfortable. Sarah continued without a care for any of that. "James, I believe you know most these officers. Allow me introduce you to the people with them according to the rank of their spouse. This is Patricia Davis, Margaret McBride, Robert Stevens, and Catherine Holmes." They each stepped up to shake his hand. The other two women said nothing, but Robert told Sarah he would take his dance with her when Patricia had James on the floor.

    After all of that everyone took their seats. James found himself between Sarah and Catherine. The seating effectively put James and Sarah directly across the table from the two highest ranking officers at the table. In fact, except for James and Sarah this table held only the highest ranking couples in the room. Once they were seated Sarah reached below the table to take his hand in hers. James looked over as she gave him a slight smile and much to his dismay a wink! Then she turned her full attention to Uncle Bill who was seated directly across the table from her. "So are you going to be silent all night or are you going to relax and have a good time?" James flinched in spite of himself. Was Sarah trying to pick a fight? Much to his surprise though, her question brought a chuckle from the man. But when he turned his eyes towards James there was no humor in them. He didn't say anything for a moment and then he looked back at Sarah and spoke. "Why don't you start the conversation by telling me how you came to be here with him? I am very curious as to how any Doolie managed to get your attention other than for a beat down and I know your dad will ask when I see him next week."

    Sarah just laughed and shaking her head began to reply. "Well, I first became aware of him for the same reason you know who he is. You have to admit his finish of the Ironman run would be hard for anyone to miss. Then when he was placed in Mach One he sort of became my responsibility. Add to that that he is a Christian in an anti-Christian environment and it is hard not to notice him." Then she smiled and leaned over against his shoulder. "Besides, he is the best looking Doolie on the Hill and don't I deserve the best." James immediately reacted to this. He pulled his hand free and quickly raised both in the universal sign of surrender while shaking his head. Sarah reacted to him with a hard shove, but he focused his eyes on the two men seated almost directly across from him as he spoke. "Sirs, I surrender and throw myself at your mercy! I swear that I didn't know she was related to you General Davis."

    Much to his surprise General Davis laughed. "Well, I don't doubt that son! Very few people do know about it, even at the Academy we try not to make it known. You can put your hands down now. I suspect you may need them to defend yourself from her. Have you made the other connection yet? I mean you do understand that you asked the daughter of Senator Davis, from Texas, to accompany you tonight?" James closed his eyes for a moment and then looked over at Sarah. She was blushing now and smiling back at his accusing look. James started to turn back and speak, but she beat him to it. "NO! As a matter of fact I doubt he did know Uncle Bill. But since it seems you are determined to convict him of his crimes, you should know that I asked him out! And before you start to question that, let me just tell you it is none of my father's business who I choose to date! I will tell you though. I asked him out because I like him and because I trust him."

    Sarah was looking at James as she said those last two things. She smiled and openly took his hand in her hand as she continued. "He has done nothing wrong. He has shown nothing but respect to everyone. He has earned the respect of most people who have enough intelligence to recognize an honorable man. I asked him to come, because he was invited and needed to come. He didn't deserve to face this alone. He has stood alone since the day he got here and I think he could have done it here too, but I couldn't let that happen. You and Dad can both relax. We aren't going to let this go too far. Even if I wanted it, he wouldn't allow it to happen for my sake. That is why I asked him. I want to offer him the same sort of friendship that he offers everyone. He doesn't do what he does for himself. He does it for those around him. You would have no clue about him, if he didn't offer to serve those around him. Leave it be Uncle Bill, we are friends not lovers." She was looking at her uncle at the end of that.

    It was Patricia who spoke next. "Enough of this from both of you, this young man was invited here as a guest. I assume that means he has earned suitable recognition to deserve better treatment than this. Now James don't you let my husband intimidate you. He can be a holy terror, but he is the fairest man I have ever known. He won't do anything to you that you don't deserve and most of the time you will deserve double what he does. James you have my apologies for them both. Now I think you can see what I meant about their hard heads." James managed a grateful smile and was glad that their server arrived to take drink orders. That took everyone's attention for a moment. Almost everyone ordered wine or mixed drinks. Sarah ordered a glass of white wine herself. James started to request water, but once more Patricia spoke up. "James if you want, they have beer available, several brands. I know that not all young men like wine and I suspect you hesitate to order anything stronger in this company."

    James smiled quickly. "Ma'am..." She cut him off. "Call me Pat." He grinned back. "Pat, I am not a beer drinker. Never cared for the taste unless it was very cold and I was very hot. I won't be drinking this evening, because Sarah asked me to drive." That brought an immediate reaction from General Davis. "She let you drive her car?! Hells bells!! She won't let anyone drive that car!" Sarah had gone beet red, but she spoke up quickly. "I told you that I trust him... and I meant it!!!" Patricia began to laugh and then looked at James. "Since I doubt that my husband will let you out of his sight before dawn now, why don't you order a drink with the men? I think you could use it and I know you have earned it!" James actually laughed. "Ma'am... Pat, I think I will!" Turning to the waiter he placed his order. "Bring me a whiskey sour and make it a double." He looked over at Pat and grinned as he added, "One for this year and one for the New Year!