Mossy's Family. Gregory J. McKenzie

Hutch Matterson beamed down at the secret love of his life. Well it really was no secret to Hera. Hutch had proposed ten times as they grew up together over the years. Usually at the many Feelgood Estate Christmas parties. A major in the Australian Army, Hutch was also the heir to an enormous family fortune. The Matterson Family owned more rural properties than anyone else in Australia. Even large agricultural corporations did not own as much rural land as the Mattersons. So when Hutch gave up all that for an army career, his father threatened to disinherit him. This was welcomed news to Hutch's siblings. But Mrs. Matterson put a stop to all that nonsense. She told her husband that if he did anything of the kind she would divorce him. That was nine years ago! Now father and son tolerated each other in Mrs. Matterson's presence but ignored each other when they could. Hutch had won battlefield promotions so many times the media called him Australia's war hero. Starting in Australia's elite Commando battalion, Hutch was sent to international peacekeeping zones. One time he had single handedly saved his patrol. Back in Australia he had been promoted in a secret army ceremony. Then he was sent again to a war zone hot spot. the same thing happened. Now he was the youngest Major in the Australian Army.

      But Hutch Matterson's legs went to jelly in front of Hera Feelgood. He could never meet her gauze. Never was he able to ignore the churning in his stomach every time he saw this woman. Still he was a brave man. So he chided Hera by saying in a censorious tone of voice,

      "Don't call me "Hunchy" . You know I hate it when you do that in public."

      Not willing to give up her claim on this man, Hera said in a conciliatory tone of voice,

      "Its what your soldiers call you isn't it? Surely your oldest friend can do the same?"

      Now it was Hutch Matterson's turn to laugh. He had a good laugh and it did travel into his eyes. Hera saw it. She knew this is why she loved this man like a brother. He was her ideal male role model.

      Just as these two were about to continue their verbal sparing a new voice was interjected. It was from a very attractive younger army officer. In a formal tone of voice it conveyed this message,

      "All the men have arrived sir! Any orders?'

      Resignedly the persona of Major Matterson now reappeared as Major Hutch Matterson answered,

      "Lieutenant Champion isn't it? If you ever want to make Captain never interrupt a superior officer when he is talking to a beautiful woman. Tell the men to mingle. If they can cut out the Naval officers from the debutantes there is an extra days leave in it for those lucky ones. Now go away."

      A staring Lieutenant only just recovered in time to reply,

      "Yes Sir. May I say in passing that you were right. She is a beautiful woman. Sir!"

      With that the Lieutenant walked away but never kept his eyes on Hera.

      Strangely Hera found herself blushing. She listened as Hutch apologizes for his Lieutenant's rudeness. In a tired tone of voice he said,

      "Sorry about that but its Colonel Mackenzie's direct order to bring these young men to your mother's Ball. I could have told him that they would not fit in to this set. But "Ronald the Racket" only listens to his wife. She was a General's daughter...Don't laugh its true. The poor Colonel is forever trying to live up to the standards set by his father-in-law. At least as they are portrayed by his wife. These young officers present here tonight were promised a four day leave pass if they attended tonight. But they have to behave because Colonel Mackenzie is here with Mrs. Mackenzie."

      Hera was keeping that young lieutenant in view. Every time he went near a debutante her heart skipped a beat. But so far the Naval officers were prosecuting a successful blockade. So Hera could clear up one point with her childhood friend. She asked,

      "But why are you here at all Hutchy? I mean the "Hero of Australia" as a junior officer nurse maid? It makes no sense."

      Hutch Matterson was nodding his head before she had even finished her questions. He answered in a mater of fact tone of voice,

      "It was meant to be Major Lee coming tonight. He is a hard officer. These young men would probably be still getting lectured on how to behave if Lee was here. But he got the flu bug that seems to be going around. I was a late minute replacement. Oh and by the way. No Lieutenant Champion is not married."

      Confuse by this last comment Hera said in a faux tone of voice,

      "Lieutenant Champion? And who might that be Hutchy? "

      Hunch Matterson had known this woman too many years to be fooled so easily so he replied in his man about town tone of voice

      "He is that army officer you can't take your eyes off. Adam Champion. That is his name. He is an expert on security and cyber warfare. Not that you care about anything but his eyes. I saw you gaze at each other. Hera I think you are smitten. Come on admit it."

      Hera was not ready to admit to anything. So she replied in a brusque tone of voice,

      "I could not care less what his name is or what is his expertise. I will dance with you all night Hutchy! Junior officers are so boring when they talk about their longed for overseas postings. Really is that the way to a young woman's heart? I ak you?'

      Hunch Matterson was still not convinced that he had Hera's undivided attention. But he was not going to pass up on the opportunity of holding this woman as her dancing partner. So he said in a happy tone of voice,

      "Great lets dance. Unless you want a drink or some food."

      Now Hera unleashed the full seductive power of her best laugh. It had crystal bells running through it that were caught up to by peals of golden sunshine. She squealed,

      "Lets dance the night away.'

      Hunch Matterson grabbed this wondrous vision of womanhood and his heart leapt as they danced the next six dances in each other arms.

      Of course happiness never last long. When Hunch left to get Hera a drink she was surrounded by naval officers. They formed a wedge to keep out any army advances. One army officer sees what is happening. He slips out of the ballroom. Making his way to the security room he tells the man on duty that he is needed at the front entrance. When the man leaves to race to this phantom emergency, Adam Champion types in a security protocol on the main computer panel. Suddenly all the fire alarms go off. Recorded announcements asked all attendees to make their way to the front entrance.

      Everyone files out of the ballroom. But Hera feels her arm hooked as she is lead towards the kitchens. Getting ready to punch her attacker, Hera sees his face. Suddenly she becomes unusually compliant. As they enter the red lighted kitchen Adam Champion explains his actions,

      "Sorry Miss Feelgood. I saw you being hassled by those Navy drones. Can't let the Major's girl be shanghied by the Navy. Now can we?"