Acrobat, Kip’s call name, had encountered a shark swimming off New Zealand years earlier. It was harmless but scared Kip so badly, he appeared to walk on water to get away. Wes shifted his position in the lane, coming as close to the rope as he could without touching it. A touch would disqualify the swim. His forward motion provided a draft for Kip. The teamwork between them enabled Kip to pick up his pace.
Both men finished their tenth lap at under eight minutes. Out of breath, they climbed onto the deck. Once on their feet, they moved from the pool area to the gymnasium.
Sipping water, they sat on a mat until they were set to begin ninety push-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest; one hundred sit-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest; twenty-two pull-ups, followed by a ten-minute rest; and then a one-and-a-half-mile run in boots and long pants in less than nine minutes. The maximum time requirements were less stringent.
Testing complete, Eleanor, Mike and Christian joined both men as they sucked in air while sitting on a bench. “You didn’t tell me it was like watching a triathlon,” Eleanor said. “Hi, I’m Ellie West.”
“Kip Brennan,” he panted.
“Gotta tell you, everyone on that team did their personal best. I should get you to do that at all the qualification testing.” Christian chewed his lower lip.
“Forget it. Don’t tell anyone, but it will take me three months to be ready for the next round.” Wes laughed and groaned.
Eleanor laughed. “Wes, I know we had plans, but can I treat your friends to dinner? You had to burn off a gazillion calories.”
“How about we head to my place, and I’ll cook? You can get to know the rest of the supervisory staff,” Wes said.
“Let me help?” Eleanor asked.
“He cooks all the time. He can handle it,” Kip said. “Hell, he could turn MREs into a gourmet meal.”
“What’s an MRE?” Eleanor asked.
“Oh, Ellie, you have not lived until you’ve eaten a meal ready to eat, trademarked for the US military,” Wes said.
Kip’s brow arched. “Hmm.”
Wes shot him the finger behind Eleanor’s back.
* * *
The group piled into Wes’s home. Troy was sitting with his feet up, talking on the phone. “Mom, I have to go. Yes. I love you.”
Tuck and Pete joined them. “You survived.” Wes clapped them on the back.
“Lillian is on her way home,” Tuck chuckled. “Ellie, nice to see you again.” Lillian Chase, Kieran and Ian’s mother, was a Chase Cares director and assisting Dr. Elizabeth Reed Bailey while she was on maternity leave.
“Hi, Tuck.” She grinned.
“We need to have a little talk, young lady,” Pete said. “Bremen, we need to talk too.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Troy said.
“Both of you, tomorrow.” Pete wagged his finger.
“Who wants a beer?” Kip asked. “Wine?”
“Open the Malbec. I’m making blue cheeseburgers with potato chips and a salad. Does that work for everyone?” Wes asked. “Up to making the salad?” He tipped his hip into Eleanor’s.
“Sure,” Eleanor answered.
“Alright, you pukes, go make yourself comfortable. Dinner will be ready in about a half-hour.” He headed to the kitchen, and Eleanor followed.
A large black cat sauntered into the room. “Oh my, aren’t you a cutie?” she cooed. “What’s your name?”
“Ellie, meet Poe.” Wes washed his hands before pulling out fixings from his refrigerator. “You have the touch; he never shows himself when there is company.”
“You had this planned.” She cocked her head.
