“It seems we have a couple of issues to deal with,” she said, finally.

“Well, I doubt you’ll have to worry about Sally,” Brandon said. “I was talking to her yesterday and the subject of relationships came up. She confided in me that she was looking forward to moving on. I got the impression things had been a little rocky for some time, now. I’ll keep tabs on her, if you like.”

“Great!” Valerie threw up her hands. “And which one of us is the ship’s counselor? Anyway, I’m need the two of you to assist with Tom’s duties for a few days.” They both assured her all would be taken care of. Brandon would work over for the next four hours, while Carl got a little sleep. Carl had taken a short nap earlier and felt four hours would do him just fine. Valerie then sighed, “Now for the hard part, I have to go and tell Tom.”

“Tell me what?” Tom asked, stepping out of the ladder-well. “What’s up?”

“Let’s go back up to the mid-deck, Tom,” Valerie replied with a solemn look on her face. She gently took hold of his arm, as they walked back into the ladder-well.

When they were both at the top of the ladder and out of earshot, Carl slowly shook his head saying, “I sure wouldn’t want to be him, right now.”

Brandon thought for a moment and quietly added, “Nor her. Can you imagine trying to tell someone his wife has died? They’ve been together since high school, if not longer. Emma and I have been together just over twenty years… well, I guess they have too, come to think of it. Still, I can’t imagine living without her.”

Carl was quiet for a while, just sitting there, thinking about Mary and how much he would miss her, if something like this was to happen to her. After a few moments Carl added, “I’d better get a nap. I’ll be back down at oh-900.”

“OK,” Brandon said. “Get some sleep. See you at nine.”

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