BOYS INTO MEN.

PROLOGUE.

LOS ANGELES.

DECEMBER 5, 1991.

“Hold your horses. I hear ya.”

Jesus came down the stairs as quickly as his 72 years allowed. The banging on the door started again. Jesus smiled as he crossed the room. Opening the door, he stood face to face with his smiling visitor.

“Well, hallo to you, Mr. Brian Smith.”

“Hallo Jesus.”

“Come on in. Coffee?

“Telephone actually. I’ll call the Navy and let them know where we are. Am I the first here?”

“Jerry called a few minutes ago. He’s ripping into his sales team. He will be here at eleven, the others I expect in the next hour.”

Jesus went to the kitchen to make some coffee.

The house was a typical Los Angeles open plan two storey modern. Tex Mex colors and furniture complemented the obvious “mexicanness” of Jesus Segrado USN (retd).

“Where’s Georgie? said Brian.”

Brian was standing listening to his phone call ringing at the other end.

“In court. A real big case. Drive by shooting; three teenagers dead.”

“Poor bastards. They missed out on the joy of living in America. Will Georgie get the killers off?”

“Very unlikely. There is camera evidence. The killers are from El Salvador, also teenagers. Very stupid boys, but they did a wicked thing. Their punishment will be very hard.”

“There’s no death penalty here in California, is there?”

“That’s right. No need to make a bad situation worse. You know my views on that matter.“

“Very loudly.” Brian was still holding on to the phone.

“For your information, Mr. Smarty Pants, the Archdiocese has appointed me to the Anti- Death Penalty Committee. The Cardinal told me that he wants a relentless campaign.”

“You’ll certainly give him that.”

Finally the phone was picked up.

“Good morning. I would like to speak with Lieutenant Commander Windon please. I am Congressman Brian Smith.”

Jesus came back into the room carrying a tray of coffees and biscuits. He set it down on the dining table.

“And what is the cause of this delay may I ask? Senator McAlister? Yes, I know the Senator. When does he expect to be in Los Angeles?”

Jesus started to drink his coffee and look at the photographic display on the book shelf.

“Yes, son, I know the Senator is the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, so I appreciate your dilemma. I will wait here until you send the cars for me and the five others coming with me. Those names and the address are correct. I do not blame you at all, son. Half of Washington spends half of its time waiting for Senator McAlister to arrive. We are all used to it.”

Brian put the phone down and sat down at the table with Jesus

“Senator McAlister is delayed in Washington and the Navy won’t fly without him. They are in full suck up mode. They are determined to get those submarines.”

Jesus said nothing. He kept looking at the photos.

“That was a long time ago Jesus, but seems like only yesterday.”

“It will always be only yesterday for us Brian.”

The fifty year old photos looked uncomfortable in their new modern silver frames. All