“Yes, Macho, you are so right. We don’t have a chance. We have zero game here on this tropical paradise with these girls on the prowl who are what, six, seven years younger than us, and about twenty years younger than you.”
The guys roared as Trench waited for Macho’s comeback. He didn’t have to wait long.
“You guys know that hitting on those students is child abuse, if not pedophilia. And… both you guys have girlfriends back home.” Macho folded her arms in smug superiority.
A hush came over the group, with Trench and Coach giving her a hard look. Trench spoke first.
“Abuse is staying here arguing with Little Miss Can’t-Be-Wrong on a moonlit beach in St. Thomas. Come on, Coach, you lecherous cad, let’s go make some new and attractive friends.”
The two senior pilots trudged over the sand to the coeds, who watched them approach with excited smiles. Ghost joined them, and within minutes the men had their new friends laughing and giggling, the night full of anticipation.
Irish and Jumpin stared into the dying fire as Macho stared out to sea in haughty defiance.
“What a great team bonding experience,” Jumpin muttered.
Irish pulled on his beer and added, “Yep, our first liberty port and the JOs are divided into the cool kids and the snot-nosed nuggets.”
“Go ahead and join them,” Macho snorted. “Nobody is stopping you,”
Jumpin replied, “Macho, you are such a frickin’ Debbie Downer. You are the one who ruined this night for us.”
Pointing at Trench, she exploded. “He shouldn’t be talking about girls’ body parts in front of me! He’s always making snide comments under his breath about the talent aboard ship, and that’s total bullshit. Damn frickin’ right my antenna are up for a hostile work environment, because I hear it. I dealt with it all through flight school, and—”
“Bullshit, Macho,” Irish snarled. “I was with you in flight school, and all of us had to walk on eggshells around you, especially the instructors. We’d be happy with two above averages on a hop, but you’d be pissed and mutter under your breath about sexism. The airplane doesn’t give a fuck if you’re a man or a woman. And it will kill us if we let it, so don’t fuckin’ let it.”
Absorbing the blast, Macho turned away and folded her arms again. Jumpin spoke first.
“It’s up to you, Macho. You can be a dude with hair and one of us, or you can be Gloria Steinem looking for trouble. You weren’t here when Trench started checking her out, and besides, Trench is probably going to die alone.”
Irish added, “Just give him a look next time. Girls — I mean women, sorry — know how to do that. And knock off the 24/7 sexual assault crap. If he directs his comments to you or the other squadron women, then I’ll back you, but it’s not always about you.” The night ruined, he shook his head. “I’m outta here.”
“Me, too,” Jumpin agreed. “Let’s douse this fire.”
Macho took a step to pick up a plastic pail, but Irish snatched it up first. “No, no, I’ve got it! Not asking you to do anything menial. We can do it.” He headed to the gently lapping water to fill the pail.
Before she spun on her heels and headed to the room, Macho’s eyes met Jumpin’s. Humiliated, she hoped the darkness hid the tears running down her face. You stupid bitch! she berated herself as she slogged across the sand with arms folded.
The sound of female laughter wafted over the tropical beach.
* * *
Macho woke up early after a fitful night of sleep on the couch, her male counterparts sprawled about in chairs and on the floor. Olive was sacked out in a lounge chair on the balcony. As Macho gazed through the window past the uninhabited green cay to the blue Atlantic, she could tell paradise was going to offer them another gorgeous day.
Today was her turn to be on duty as the Admin Queen. One of her most important responsibilities was to make sure the snacks and beer were well stocked. Another duty was to go to the airport and pick up the new guy. Ensign Shane Duncan was reporting to the Firebirds as the new squadron Intelligence Officer.
She looked around but didn’t see Trench, her archenemy. She figured he spent the night in an orgy with the college girls and shivered at the thought.
