The Princess and the Welder

Ch. 2 “Goodbyes…Homeward”

The Warrior was finally securely docked. Murphy locked and shut her up good and tight. Three months…it sounded so good.
“Ah, it feels sooooo good to be on solid ground,” Epps said, stretching her arms wide.
Murphy scowled. These young people knew nothing about living on the seas, “Just don’t get used to it too soon…”
“Yea, Murph, we know…” Munder said before his captain could launch into his speech about opportunities and plans at sea, or the lack of them.
Dodge threw down the last of the bags, “C’mon, Murph, you said three months, remember that cuz I’m not answering the phone before then.”
“All right, ladies, I have to head to the airport," Greer began, “Gotta go get hitched…” his voice trailed off as a pair of beautiful women strolled across the busy street.
Santos laughed, “Right, go get married, see where that gets you…meanwhile, this single dude is going to find some lovely boot-te tonight. See y’all in three months.” He grabbed his bags, quickly said goodbye and left.
Greer quickly ran through the wedding and honeymoon plans with Murphy. If any so-called opportunities were to arise within the first two months of break, Murph would not be able to get a hold of him for obvious reasons. Murphy shoved him off after everyone said their congratulations.
Murphy and Epps were next to take off. They, it seemed, never stopped working because they were headed off to Anchorage to do some potential job scouting. That left Dodge and Munder, together as always.
“What the fuck are you gonna do without me?” Munder asked.
Dodge smirked, “Sleep, relax, throw a party…just the usual. And what are your plans for V-K?”
“Going home, catching up with the family…” Munder smiled, “And, of course…”
“Getting laid,” they said in unison. They laughed although they knew each other well enough to know that neither of them was kidding.
“Give Denise a kiss for me then,” Dodge beamed. Munder groaned, knowing already what was coming next. “Dude, you’ve got to set me up with her! She’s fucking gorgeous!”
“And way out of your league,” Munder replied picking up one of his bags.
Dodge threw one of his leather gloves at his partner in crime, “This girl willing sleeps with you! Give me a fucking break, Munder! At least I’m relatively good-looking…or clean, at least.”
“Dee is mine. Sorry buddy. No more questions,” Munder said. He bent and picked up Dodge’s backpack. He tossed it to him, “I guess this is it, huh?”
Dodge shouldered the pack, “Yea, I guess so. You take care of yourself, all right? Rest that wrist, you’re useless without it,”
“Thank you very much. I love you too, brother,” Munder snorted.
Dodge slapped him across the back, “I’m just kidding. I love you, man.”
“Yea Yea Yea.”
Dodge added, “Call me when Denise gets bored with you. And after she turns us both down, we can go out and get two insanely beautiful women drunk.”
Munder grinned, “That sounds good. Take care, dipshit.”
“Yeah, whatever you say fuckface.”
They said goodbye and headed in different directions. Dodge to his apartment in the city and Munder towards the small town where a shower, a good meal and an amazing girl were waiting for him.
He wondered what everyone would say when he showed up out of the blue. It was Sunday after all. He could surprise everyone all at once. His and Dee’s family met every Sunday for brunch at Daniella’s Pub, Munder found a quickness in his step that lately had only been there when they were getting paid.
He could not wait to get home.