Chapter 2704 The Evil Bitch Taboo:>64
- Until you see the Panama Canal it is just a couple of words strung together. It is a work of engineering that is nothing short of jaw dropping. And the ships that pass through it are a menagerie in themselves. From small luxury yachts to oil tankers that dwarf anything short of an aircraft carrier. Jester and I got work down there and spent the winter months in panama where my education continued. It was there in panama that I met another grease monkey named Ben Morrows. Out of uniform it is fine to call him Ben. But once he dons it he is Master Chief and that is all no questions asked. Strange thing being around all that water it was Ben that taught me how to swim. I grew up in the desert away from any large bodies of water; I guess Jester just assumed everyone could do it.
- Now that I could swim I discovered Jester's fascination with the water. When we were done with work for the day we swam, surfed and sailed. I was hooked. Spring rolled around and it was time to make the slow jaunt north. By the time we reached San Diego I had been with Jester almost a year. Once there I spent much of my free time hanging with Ben on and off the navy base. He showed me some of the larger ships up close and I even got to visit the engine room of one of the navy's subs. Ben tried to recruit me a dozen times at least but he saw that wanderlust and knew better.
- One warm July evening the three of us were out on the beach staring up at the stars when Jester brought up the subject. He was half drunk at the time but it would be one of those pivotal moments in my life.