FICTION | PROMPT STORY

Her First Encounter With The Navy Commander

With Ebony firmly in charge of The Ivory Tower, it was time for her to get to business

I watched her where she sat at the large, dark-wooden desk, dressed in a beautiful light-colored trouser suit.

Ebony and Ivory, I thought. Always in perfect harmony.

I wondered whether she had done this on purpose — bought the series of ivory-colored suits? It was perfect for this place — The Ivory Tower — which was her aunt’s legacy and something no other family member ever knew about. Not only did Ebony’s suits fit perfectly inside these walls, but it also honored her Aunt Ivory.

A sound from the door pulled me from my reverie. It also startled Ebony, as her head jerked up to see who had entered her office.

“Caleb, good morning!”

Her smile is radiant, and seemed to warm the room a few degrees.

“Hi, boss!” he said.

Caleb put a mug of coffee down in front of Ebony, and then the air swooshed from the leather seat of a recliner when he sat down.

“Thank you,” Ebony said gratefully, picked up the mug and sipped the hot liquid.

“Are you ready for it?” Caleb asked.

His question irritated me, and I was ready to lecture him on how Ebony had been born ready and that, of course, she was ready for it. This one knew what she wanted, and she had a good plan for this place. Didn’t he remember when she had presented it to him upon accepting to follow in her Aunt Ivory’s footsteps?

Before I could act, Ebony answered.

“I am. I’ve read your report. He’s perfect for The Ivory Tower, and might even bring more business in. Especially with the party he wants us to host.”

“Let’s first see how the interview goes. My report is only numbers, and about his background, but his personality also has to be suitable. It’s about the click — with you, with this place. We will take it from there.”

Once more I felt irritation, but when I saw Ebony nod and smile, I kept my opinion to myself.

“I guess his status overwhelmed me a bit. I believe this is the first time someone from the armed forces wants to become a member?”

“It is indeed,” Caleb confirmed, “but remember, ultimately they are all just men looking to unwind with beautiful, available women. Never let their status make you forget that.”

Before Ebony could answer, the doorbell rang, and Caleb — owner of a security firm and butler at The Ivory Tower — went to answer the door.

Ebony stood up and brushed her hands down her sides and over her thighs, smoothing down the fabric even though it didn’t need that. Her nerves are rubbing off on me, and I wanted to tell her all will be okay, but the sound of two male voices approaching made me hold myself in.

The next hour, I listened and observed.

This man — commander of a Navy submarine — applied to become a member of The Ivory Tower because he wanted to host a party for his crew. They are at sea for months on end, and when in any port, he liked to give them an opportunity to blow off steam before they had to return to duty.

A lover in every port, came to mind, but I kept it to myself.

“Because we offer our members' discretion,” Ebony said, “we cannot host a party for your crew. Anyone who enters this building to use our services has to be screened and sign a non-disclosure agreement. We don’t advertise. Our members don’t speak about The Ivory Tower. As you know, current members introduce potential new members, and only after a screening we invite them…”

She suddenly stopped speaking when the commander interrupted her.

“I should’ve been more clear. I will give you the names of the senior officers who I want to invite here. All unmarried men. Six of us in total.”

He cleared his throat, then continued.

“The rest of the crew will also have their fun, but somewhere else, which is more… er… suitable.”

He hastened to add: “For them.”

Ebony blushed slightly, but I might be the only one noticing it, as her voice betrayed nothing.

“Very well. We need the names of those men, and it will take us about six weeks to do a thorough background check and interview them. Only once we have completed this process can we arrange the party.”

“Perfect,” the commander agreed. “While I live near to here, we are docked in a different port, and I flew in for this. I will grant those men a leave of absence for their interviews. If the party is all I hope it to be, we will return.”

Of course it will be good, I silently scoffed.

The meeting was soon over, and the man bid Ebony goodbye, and left the office with Caleb.

Ebony sagged back in her chair. She sighed deeply, drew in her breath and slowly blew it out, her hands fluttering in the air to cool her flustered face.

It startled me as much as her when the commander suddenly spoke from the door.

“Ebony?”

“Yes?”

“Will you have dinner with me?”

“I’m not part of the entertainment of The Ivor…”

“I know. I’m not interested in the entertainment. I’m doing this for my men. But you intrigue me, and I want to get to know…”

Now Ebony interrupted him.

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes!”

She said that last word with so much force and a huge smile surrounding her face.

What had I missed? How did it come to this, her having a date with him?

The moment she lay her hand on me, I forget all about it. She picked me up and traced her finger around my edges, the smile still playing around her lips.

It was when her finger ran over her name written on my front that I understood the ‘thank you’ she whispered was directed at her aunt. That letter inside me had changed her life, and brought her closer to her Aunt Ivory, even though she wasn’t among the living anymore.

Where will this adventure — The Ivory Tower and the commander — take Ebony? I wonder as she put me back between the pen and business card holders on her desk.

I settled back in my spot and hoped to continue being witness to this remarkable young woman’s life.

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