Chapter 14

He opened the container and fished around with his fork. Finally, he took a bite.

“Magnificent,” he exclaimed. “You put in the olives I like and I taste balsamic vinegar. It all goes well with the feta.”

“I’m glad you like it,” I said, and began eating my salad as well.

A few minutes later, when I was sure he was enjoying his food, because he started doing this little humming thing he does while he eats, I dropped a bombshell on him.

“I’ve enlisted in the Navy,” I said, right before putting some food in my mouth.

“What?” he shouted, quickly rising from his desk.

“I joined the Navy,” I said, trying to appear casual.

“We had an agreement,” he said.

“Exactly,” I replied. “I promised to see the world and this is how I want to do it. I won’t be studying abroad; I’ll be seeing these places for real. I’ll live abroad. I’ll see the ocean from a whole new perspective.”

“Those ships can be dangerous. Sometimes they sink,” he protested.