The Fudge

One night when Willie had the duty he was in the process of making fresh bread. He was normally an easy going, laid back kinda guy, but there was one guy on the Boat that could get under his skin and punch his button quickly.

McGee ~ was from Mississippi, and he of course had a southern drawl. He also spoke with a high nasal twang. He thought the world of Willie and his cooking. But sometimes he irritated Willie and most especially when he called him Pudge.

It was about 2:00 a m and the phone in the galley rang. Whoever was on watch answered it, and then said to Willie, “It’s for you Sir.” Willie was elbow deep in dough; he had to clean all the dough and flour off his arms and hands before he could answer the phone.

He just assumed it was one of the Officers calling at this time of the night. When he had his hands cleaned off he answered the phone, “Commissaryman 1^st Class Williams speaking Sir.”

Chocolate Fudge

But it was McGee, and he said, “Hey Pudge, you got any fudge?” Willie went ballistic, he told McGee off thoroughly and when he finished he went back into the galley and dumped all of the fudge into the garbage. 

Willie was a little bit sensitive about his weight gain and he really tried to keep his weight down, and McGee’s habit of calling him Pudge was just too much. 

The next time McGee stuck his head into the galley Willie threw something at him. I don’t think Willie ever made anymore fudge after that.

Someone asked him why he dumped the fudge in the garbage, and Willie who never cussed said, "So that s.o.b wouldn't get a bite of it. Not sure if Willie ever forgave him either. And quite naturally it became another sea story.