Earth - Commander Richard Smith - Helen Davis
From Create Your Own Story
Commander Smith took a glass of champagne and mingled with the guests, performing the duties required of him; smiling at the Contractors and their wives, laughing at the Politicians' jokes.
After about half an hour, the sound of loud peals of laughter caused Commander Smith to look across the room. There, surrounded by several men, was Helen Davis, the wife of Commander Davis. Commander Smith and Commander Davis knew each other, although not that well. They had never served on the same ship but since Commander Davis's ship, the RIGEL, was home-ported out of the same base as were the EX's, the two men had bumped into each other at the Officer's Club and other gatherings not unlike this one.
Again Helen threw back her brunette head and roared with laughter. One hand clutched at the wide expanse of flesh revealed by her low- cut gown with spaghetti straps, her other hand held a highball glass. From the way she was laughing and the glazed look of her eyes, it was obvious to Commander Smith that this was not her first drink. More than likely she had been drinking at home prior to coming to the party.
"Hello, Helen," Commander Smith said as he approached the group.
The short, slightly pudgy but by no means fat Helen stared at Smith, trying to focus her eyes and remember his name. Finally it came to her. "Hello, Dick. How the fuck are you!"
"A lot more sober than you are, it would seem," Commander Smith answered and looked at the men gathered around. He deliberately made eye contact with each and each looked away. One or two drifted out of the circle, suddenly deciding to go talk with someone else.
"So I've had a few," she shrugged, lifting her glass to her full lips. They were painted bright red and the lipstick was slightly smudged. "Not much else to do when your husband is away in space all the goddamned time."
The Commander shrugged. What he could he say? Helen had known her husband was a Space Officer when she had married him.
"Ah, Richard, Helen," a voice boomed behind them. It was Admiral Thorndike. Seemed that Commander Smith was not the only one who had noticed Helen's loud laughter. The Admiral placed a hand on the shoulder of each. "Glad to see you two chatting."
The appearance of the Admiral caused the two remaining men to leave and the Admiral looked at Smith. "Why don't you give Helen a ride home, Richard?"
"I ain't ready to leave yet," Helen protested. "I was just starting to have fun."
A glare from the Admiral caused the woman to lower her eyes and the Admiral glanced over to Smith. "You have a hover-craft, don't you?"
"Yes sir," Commander Smith responded. Continuing to answer the Admiral but looking at Helen so that she would know he was really speaking to her. "It would be my honor to escort such a beautiful lady home."
Helen smiled an alcohol enhanced smile at him. She knew he was bullshitting her but she was too drunk to care. "Let me get my wrap and we can blast-off, Spaceman."
Helen headed towards the cloak room, with Smith walking along side of her. Her footing in her high heels was none-too-sure and once Smith had to grab her elbow to keep her from falling.
"Sorry about that," Helen slurred as she wrapped the imitation fur- stole around her bare shoulders. "Guess I don't have my Space-legs yet."
She giggled and leaned into Smith as they made their way to the door and the parking lot.
On the drive to her house, she sat with the window rolled down and her face resting on her arms which were folded on the door. Her eyes were closed as the wind blew in her face, mussing her hair and rippling her stole. Smith kept glancing at her, afraid that she would throw up at any moment.
"Here we are," Smith said at last when he pulled into the driveway of the Davis's on-base house. None of the lights were on inside and when Smith killed the engine and head lights, the hovercraft, parked under the large, leafy tree on the side of the driveway, was thrown into darkness.
"Thank you, Dickie-boy," the still drunken Helen said, reaching up to ruffle his hair. The fresh air had sobered her slightly but only slightly. "I guess I owe you one."
She started to reach for the door handle on her side but stopped.
"Aw, what the hell," she fumbled inside her purse and found a neatly folded handkerchief. Pressing the cloth firmly against her mouth, she wiped away her lipstick. She repeated the action several times until she was satisfied her lips were as free of make-up as she could get them and said, "I might as well go ahead and pay my debt now."
Helen dropped her head and hands into Commander Smith's lap.
