Kowalski’s New Girl

By Seaview Siren and Agent Catfish

Seaman Kowalski of the submarine Seaview rode his motorcycle along the Pacific Coast Highway that skirted the nearby shoreline. He swerved off the tarmac and onto the overflow car parking lots that had easy pedestrian access to the beach below. Securing his bike, and storing his helmet on the handlebars, he flung his leather jacket over his shoulder and strode down the path.

His mission? To find the perfect girl.

He was a sailor after all, and he had the whole day free. That was, unless Chief

Sharkey decided to interfere. An unwelcoming sight he'd been last time. Kowalski had been on the verge of making out with a real cute red-head when there was Sharkey telling him they were sailing asap!

Clad in his jeans and T-shirt, he looked a bit like James Dean in ‘Rebel Without a Cause’.

That was a laugh. What time did he have to be a rebel? Certainly not with Chief Sharkey acting like 'Big Brother’ at the worst of times.

As Ski walked down to the beach, he was pleased to start getting some female glances. He was bound to get lucky today. He threw his leather jacket down on a vacant patch of sand and sat on it while looking at all of the gorgeous girls he could see in every direction.

Soon he got up and first removed his jeans that had covered his tight Speedo’s, and then the T-shirt that had covered his muscular form. Yeah, he had a good bod, and this was just the place to show it off. Bait, baby, bait.

He needed some suntan lotion and felt sure he could borrow some. While he looked for a potential donor, a plus sized woman trudged past, her swimming costume fighting a losing battle with her overly round bottom! She had two noisy kids with her and he hoped she wasn't going to sit anywhere over here. That would ruin the mood he was trying to create. He was relieved when she continued on to the cold drink vendor.

One gorgeous blonde haired girl was trying to catch his eye and she was something else! He gave her a smile of invitation she quickly responded, joining him.

She had a lovely tan, emphasised by her white bikini.

“Hi there” she breathed seductively.

“Hi,” Kowalski said, almost breathless.

“You’ve been living underground? You’re so pale. I have some suntan lotion with me. May I help you with it?” she asked kneeling down beside him.

“Sure honey,” Kowalski said a grin on his face.

“I'm Samantha by the way, Sam to my friends.”

“That’s nice. I'm Kowalski, but my friends call me Ski.”

Sam smiled and began to rub the suntan lotion into his back.

“That feels nice,” Kowalski murmured. It smelled good, too. And even Sam herself reminded him of an expensive scent one of the girls at the institute wore on occasion.

“What do you do, Ski, when you're not tormenting us women on the beach?” she asked moving to rub his arms.

“I'm a sailor,” Kowalski told her, then stopped as she’d hesitated at the news. “Something wrong with that?”

“Just that you probably have a girl in every port, hey?”

“Hardly. I don't get a lot of time in port.”

She moved to work on his chest and gazed up into his brown eyes with her baby blue ones.

“I guess we best make today count then, Ski.”

“I'm all for that, baby.”

***

Morning had come all too soon and Chief Sharkey had been checking off members of the boat’s compliment, officers sand crewman alike, as they reported for duty. Many were still coming down the topside ladder into the control room.

“Heard the buzz, Chief?” Riley asked as he stepped off the ladder. “Kowalski's got a new girl, like, he's in love!”

“I donno’ where he gets the energy from!” Sharkey said, shaking his head.

“Well, she's blonde and beautiful with a body to die for apparently.”

“Enough scuttlebutt. Get your gear stowed and report for bow lookout.”

“Gee, Chief, I had that last time we shoved off.”

“You want to make an issue of it? The skipper, admiral, and Mr. Morton are in the Observation Nose. They’ll be happy to discuss it with you.”

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Riley said quickly and rushed aft.

Patterson came down topside ladder next.

“Morning, Chief. Gee I've really missed seeing your smiling, happy face.”

“Well, ain’t you sweet,” Sharkey replied sarcastically. “It’s only been one day, you bozo. Now go stow your gear.”

“All hands aboard, Chief?” Captain Crane asked as he approached.

“Just waiting on Kowalski, Captain.”

“Unusual for him to report late.”

“Well, there’s a reason for that, Skipper,” Riley said as he reported back, a little breathless, before taking his position forward. “He’s got himself hooked up with this real babe, like, a real contender for a Miss Bikini Contest!”

“That’s no excuse for tardiness,” Lee said, “but, I can understand it, just the same. He’s still on report, though, Chief.”

“Aye sir,” Sharkey replied as the skipper returned to the Observation Nose a little before a sea bag hit the deck, with its owner following down the ladder.

“Kowalski, you’re on report!” Sharkey yelled.

“Yeah, I kinda’ figured,” Ski said, “but it was worth it.”

***

A little later in the control room, with Seaview underway, Chip set his clipboard down on the plot table and leaned over toward Lee.

“I forgot to ask if you had a nice day off,” Chip asked.

“If you call spending most of the time stuck in the shop with my car.”

“What's the matter with her now?” Chip enquired. Everyone knew that aside from Seaview and the Flying Sub, Lee's car was his pride and joy. There was also some speculation on what percentage of his pay check he had and was still spending on it.

“New brake pads,” Lee said, “simple enough repair, but it took forever.”

“Captain Crane,” Nelson called over the PA, “report to my cabin at once.”

“Aye, sir,” Lee replied into the mike with a raised eyebrow, then to Chip, “He sounds upset…hope it’s nothing serious.”

“Serious is our business.”

***

“Admiral Starke for you, Lee,” Nelson said, turning the videophone toward him.

“Crane, what the devil do you mean letting one of your crewmen date my niece!”

“Apparently,” Nelson explained, “Kowalski found himself a new girlfriend.”

“I don’t see what business that is of ours,” Lee said, “unless…is she of age, sir?”

“Yes, yes,” Starke replied, but she’s only twenty, innocent of the ways of the world, especially sailors on leave! I’ve been looking after her since her father died last year. I feel responsible for her, damn it!”

“Admiral Starke,” Lee said. “I can’t very well tell Kowalski who he can or can’t see.”

“He’s not exactly the settling down type, Lee,” Nelson said. “He prides himself on being the best girl watcher on the boat, not to mention engaging them in extra- curricular activity, if you know what I mean.”

“That may be, but I can’t believe he’d do anything the girl wouldn’t have consented to.”

“She wouldn’t have consented to anything if he hadn’t seduced her!” Starke yelled.

“’If’ he did,” Lee stressed. “It’s all conjecture at this point, isn’t it, Admiral Starke? Have you spoken to her?”

“Well, no. She has her own apartment, but I heard her roommates this morning when I saw them at McDonald’s. They were all agog at her ‘luck’ with a ‘hunk like Kowalski’. What am I supposed to think?”

“I can’t promise anything,” Lee sighed, “but I’ll speak with Ski. Perhaps he can explain or tone things down.”

“I don’t want things toned down, Captain! I want them to stop! You’re his captain. You can order him to stop seeing her! Case closed!”

“No, sir, I can’t order him to do anything outside the line of duty. You know that, sir. You’re just upset. And, again, she’s of age. There’s not really much anyone can do if they want to be romantically involved.”

Then Lee reached for the intercom.

“Chip, please have someone relieve Kowalski and send him to my cabin.”

“Aye sir.”

“If you’ll excuse me,” Lee told Starke and Nelson and departed.

“You think he can do anything about it, Harry?” Starke asked.

“The question, Jiggs, is if he can, will he?”

***

“Oh boy, are you in trouble,” Riley whispered to Ski as Murphy took his seat in the control room.

“At least it’s not Morton going to chew me out for being so late. He’s ten times as bad as the skipper.”

***

“Ah, Kowalski,” Crane said as he leaned back in his cabin’s chair when the seaman reported, “have a seat. We need to talk.”

“I’m sorry I was late, sir. I just had other things on my mind.”

“Yes, I’m sure you did…this isn’t about being late…it’s about…this new girl you’ve been seeing. I don’t like to get involved in anyone’s personal life, but there could be a problem…you see…well, I need to know just what happened after you met her.”

“Heaven, Skipper, pure Heaven…er…why do you want to know?”

“The girl, Samantha isn’t it? Well, she’s Admiral Starke’s niece and he thinks you’ve taken advantage of her.”

“Admiral Starke? ‘The’ Admiral Starke? Admiral Nelson’s buddy?”

“Yes. That’s the one. The girl’s only twenty and…um. Ski, be honest with me…did you try to get to third base with her? And did you?”

“Admiral Starke, he’s not thinking about making me marry her, is he?” Ski gulped. “Cause’ we didn’t do anything more than make out…had some drinks and pizza, walk on the beach in the moonlight…and trade phone numbers. Honest, Skipper. You do believe me, don’t you?”

“Do you really expect me to? Very well, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Now, listen. Admiral Starke can’t ‘make’ you do or not do anything. Neither can I, but it might be advisable, since it was just one date, that you think twice about more dates with her or becoming an item. Unless you really like this girl?”

“I like her a lot, Skipper.”

“Then we’ll leave it at that.”

“You won’t order me not to see her?”

“No. Dismissed.”

***

“Well?” Nelson asked when Lee returned. The videophone was off.

“He really likes her. And says they didn’t do anything. But…I’m pretty sure he was lying. His eyes kept looking down and around, not looking directly at me.”

“Then we have a problem.”

“The problem is with Starke. Still, I’d hate to be in Ski’s shoes if he continues to see the girl. I’m not sure he will though.”

“Let’s hope not. As soon as we get back to port after our charting mission is complete, Jiggs wants to meet with Ski. In the meantime, he’s going to talk to Samantha.”

“Poor kid.”

***

“You want to talk about it?” Sharkey asked as soon as Kowalski resumed his post in the control room

“I’m okay, Chief…he didn’t burn my ears off like Mr. Morton does. And it was for something else. Hey Riley? I don’t suppose you want Sam’s phone number?”

“You’re not going to see her anymore?” Riley asked.

“Maybe, maybe not…I gotta’ think about it.”

“Nah. Not for me. Babes like that are too much trouble. Must have a zillion boyfriends. That the problem?”

“No, it’s a problem with her uncle. Admiral Starke.”

“You’re kidding! Oh boy, oh boy! Are you in deep doo doo!”

“Yeah. So, you want her number or not?”

“Well, I met a cool girl at one of the arcades. Has a sister. Wendy. Maybe you can get serious with her if you give up Sam.”

“Maybe.”

“You two quit yapping and get your minds back on those consoles,” Sharkey ordered.

“Aye, sir,” both said in unison.

But it was hard for Ski to concentrate. Still, maybe this Wendy was a good idea. Unless she had any Navy uncles or anyone likely to keel haul him.

The End