Chapter Five - Memorial's Salute

That afternoon following the parade and daily activities, Caitlyn arrived at the Coast Guard Drill Formal Salute and Tribute where the Coast Guard Officers presented a gun salute and drill marching ceremony to honor the fallen members of the service. Steven was an active participant in the drill applicably dressed in his full bravos trops uniform. This was his first public event and he was extremely nervous. Midway thought the service, he glanced over toward the cutters on display. Much to his surprise there she stood; it was Caitlyn. He swallowed deep. “Wow,” he thought, “I can’t believe how absolutely beautiful she is. I can hardly breathe just looking at her.”

Then, as if she could read is thoughts, she glanced right at him and their eyes met in locked stance once again. She looked away as her face turned red and the thump in her heart beamed through the smile on her face, she couldn’t hide her feelings at this point. He looked over her way and found her again unexpectedly looking right back at him. The last salute fired, and he missed a step. “Oh brother,” he thought and cursed himself, “I hope my superior did not catch that… I can’t believe I goofed up in front of her!” His face turned as red as fire. He was embarrassed. He turned her way again, she was still looking at him. She batted her eyes and shyly dropped her head, then looked back up at him in a locked gaze.

Caitlyn thought to herself, “I can’t take my eyes off of him…he’s stunning. How can I feel this way? What am I thinking? What about Jason? I feel so mean. What about Jason? Oh, who cares about Jason now!” she whispered aloud under her breath with a giggle and bit the side of her cheek. “I’ve just got to know who he is…he…is…perfect…" her mind wanders…

Concluding the ceremony, Steven marched off with the guard, enduring a ten second halt sequence which feels like a lifetime to him. Then, when they receive their dismissal, he turns around in circles, and quickly traces his steps back to the cutter display in hopes of seeing her again. Restless, he twirls around feverously, desperate to find her. Without luck, she is gone, she’s not there. He closes his eyes, lowers his head, and says a prayer under his breath hoping for another chance to see her again, just another chance to be in her presence. The crowd disperses and the patrons walk off in different directions as Steven stands there alone in the center of the USCG memorial.