Colin threw up in a trash can nearby the moment he exited the room regardless of who saw him. Taking several deep breaths, he tried to regain control as everything hit him at once. He walked back to the tent in a daze, eager to brush his teeth and process what he was going to do next in his life. He’d been punished but in his mind, he felt like it was a light sentence. Thirty days without pay, a suspension with probation seemed very generous to him and he knew it was due to Griffin and Ethan’s letters. He would have been utterly screwed without them and the officer’s faces in the courtroom had shown it.
“Wilkes! What’d they say?”
Post and Cooper immediately surrounded him when he walked into the tent that served as their quarters. He could see the concern on their faces and felt a rush of relief knowing that they actually still cared. He’d wondered at their friendship not too long ago when they’d been on maneuvers.
“I’m suspended.”
“For how long?”
“Thirty days.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I gotta get out of here for a bit so I can get past this. Being here keeps bringing back memories and I can’t get past it. I think I’m going to go see Ethan. Cooper, I need your timeslot on the computer so I can let him know I’m going to fly out. I need to drop my parents a line and write a friend.”
“Nawwwww man!” Cooper whined obnoxiously. “I’m on level 2243, Wilkes, on Candy Crush. Just go see Minter- you don’t need my computer time.” Post hit Cooper on the shoulder and offered up his own timeslot but that was three days from now. Colin wanted to escape now and Cooper was still complaining because he was due to get on the computer in a few hours.
“Cooper, remember when you snuck out and I covered for you?” Colin reminded him flatly. The man loved the game and played it every chance he got. He admitted, it was addictive, and Cooper claimed he could lose himself in the game instead of being stuck in this sandy nightmare.
“Fine,” Cooper admitted with a huff, crossing his arms. “But I am taking your slot for the next four weeks since you won’t be here to use it yourself.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Chapter 6
Ava was beside herself with worry. Aurora was sick – terribly sick. The poor baby kept coughing and snorting every time she laid down in her bassinet. Last night and early this morning, Ava slept in the recliner semi-upright with the baby on her chest in an effort to comfort her. Both were grouchy, exhausted, and simply miserable.
She’d taken Aurora to the doctor’s office yesterday only to hear that it was a ‘simple summer cold’. This cold was getting much worse and frankly, Ava was getting worried. The baby was developing a fever and Tylenol alone wasn’t bringing it down. Calling the doctor’s office, they instructed her to bring Aurora to the hospital immediately when the fever spiked up to 103 degrees.
Stricken with fear, she barely remembered the drive to the emergency room. Her heart was stuttering every time she heard Aurora gargle and gasp from the back seat of the car from congestion. Pulling up to the emergency room, she was taken back to a room almost immediately and informed that the doctor’s office had called it in. Thank God, she prayed softly. Aurora would be in good hands now and hopefully feel better soon.
Time seemed to drag by in a slow, nightmarish pace. Aurora lay in a small crib that was wheeled into a room that held a recliner like the one she’d slept in last night. She felt like such a terrible mother right now and it was killing her to hear her daughter’s pathetic cries. It wasn’t the angry shrieks that Ava was used to – they were more like mews of a kitten, that broke her heart into a million pieces. Even when the nurse inserted the IV into her daughter’s little arm, the cry of pain was pathetic… and absolutely nothing compared to the tears that Ava herself was crying.
It seemed like hours before the doctor came back to inform her that they were checking Aurora for pneumonia and would be keeping her overnight. Ava immediately called her parents to inform them of what was going on and called her boss. Hanging up the phone, the nurse walked in with a tray of food, a blanket, and a sympathetic smile.
“We can’t have you getting sick too,” she explained. “Why don’t you have a meal, get some rest while you can and we’ll keep checking on her. They’ve started her on antibiotics and she’ll feel better soon.”
“Thank you so much,” Ava whispered gratefully. The nurse nodded, setting the tray down next to the recliner. She rolled the crib a little closer to the recliner and indicated that Ava should have a seat. She wasn’t one to argue- right now she felt beyond tired and like the life had drained from her with the diagnosis of Aurora’s chest cold possibly being pneumonia.
As she left the room, Ava quietly ate the bland food. She didn’t even pay attention to what it was she was putting in her mouth. It was simply sustenance to keep her going for when Aurora would need her.
Pulling out her phone, she saw there was an email from Colin and was surprised. He had told her originally that he only had access to the computer on Tuesdays – this was Thursday. Maybe something had happened allowing him a bit more access. She hoped so- his last email was short and elusive. Clicking on the email, she quickly read his words in utter surprise.
Ava,
I’m not sure where to begin other than I was court-marshalled today for dereliction of duty. I don’t know if Ethan Minter told you about his leg at some point during your friendship, but I was the cause of it. I hope that doesn’t scare you off because I promise I am not some terrible monster. I’m just a guy who’s haunted by a mistake in his recent past. I wish I could take it all back or change it… you know? My sentence is suspension with probation. I’m going to take advantage of that time to see my parents and Ethan. I’d like to meet you too- if you feel up to it.
I hope that isn’t too weird. You seem really nice and I feel like I can tell you what’s going on inside my head. If you say no, that’s okay – just keep writing, my friend. I have read your letters over and over again the past few days. I need to be able to remember what it feels like to have a normal life.
Colin
PS- I woke up this morning and someone dumped a load of Legos on my bunk. I don’t know what to make of it. Get it? Make something?
(ba-dum-dum!)
Ava had to read the postscript twice before she groaned aloud at the bad pun. She was never one to play with Legos. She’d grown up with Barbies, so it didn’t click right away. That, and she was a little panicked at the idea of meeting her pen-pal. Suddenly the faceless friend whom she’d written repeatedly this week was going to be real before she knew it. Hearing Aurora snort softly with congestion in the bed and give a loud sigh, Ava mimicked the sigh herself.
One disaster at a time, she thought.
Aurora had to get well first before she even considered meeting up with anyone. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for that and would simply talk with Daisy first. Maybe she could stem the panic she was feeling at talking with an actual guy face-to-face. She’d avoided interaction with men completely, other than at group. Talking with Ethan felt ‘safe’ – it was obvious he wasn’t at all interested in her… but Colin?
Colin was a stranger that she didn’t know and was developing a friendship with online. She’d heard nightmare stories of strangers meeting and one disappearing – and Ava didn’t want to be a statistic. He seemed nice but she had to think of herself and Aurora first.
Colin,
I’m sorry to hear about the court-marshal but glad you are going to use the time off to your advantage. I’m sure your parents will be very happy to see you – as well as Ethan. That will give you a chance to reunite with the people you know.
I don’t know if I will be available to meet you and feel nervous about doing so… just being honest about it. We are still strangers who don’t know each other. I’ve got a lot on my plate and right now- at the top of that list is my daughter.
Aurora is terribly sick and we are currently at the hospital. They are checking her f
or pneumonia and she’s barely eight weeks old. I’m beside myself right now and not thinking straight- much less having not slept. I will write more when I hear from the doctors – as I could use a friend to listen to my woes.
FYI, that was a terrible pun about the Legos…
Why did the fish blush? Because it saw the ocean’s bottom!
Keep me in your thoughts, my e-friend… the nurses recommended I sleep while I can just in case I’m needed to help with Aurora. I used to resent what happened and becoming pregnant but I can’t imagine not having her in my life. I’m scared for her. I hope and pray she’s okay- I don’t know what I would do if she wasn’t.
Ava
Colin read Ava’s email when he landed at JFK International Airport. He slung his bag over his shoulder and checked the monitors for his next flight. He’d booked his trip to see his parents – allowing a week with family and a week with his best friend. He wanted to give himself plenty of time to get back to his post in Afghanistan.
He rushed to get to the next gate so he could email Ava back. Colin did a doubletake as he passed by a gift shop. Inside the window, he saw a small charm bracelet that had a pink pacifier on it. Surprising himself, he bought the bracelet and a small stuffed teddy bear. Shoving them both in his duffel bag, he smiled ruefully, thinking himself a complete fool for getting the impulsive gifts.
Taking a seat at the gate, he saw that he had about ten minutes before boarding. He would be flying to Norfolk first to see his family, then on to Dallas. Pulling out the small iPad he’d purchased at the airport in Afghanistan, he’d known it was an outrageous purchase but wanted to be able to get internet. Maybe he could sell the iPad when he got back to Afghanistan and recoup some of the money he’d spent on the extravagance
He planned on getting a cell phone right away once he’d landed in Norfolk. He’d never bothered before simply because finding an empty plug that was available was extremely hard to come by. The sand had a tendency to get everywhere and messed with electronics. He actually thought about downloading the game Cooper kept harassing him about to see if it was any good. He could picture the other soldier’s face if he started playing Candy Crush in his bunk in front of him. Chuckling to himself, he opened his email to write Ava.
Reading her email, his heart sank for the mysterious woman whom he’d been exchanging letters with. She’d confessed that she was alone and needed someone to talk to – and now she was alone handling something so terrifying. He couldn’t imagine the fear running through her right now for her child. He’d been beside himself when Ethan was injured and they weren’t even related – just brothers through a long friendship and the military. To have a child that was sick must be a hundred times worse! Part of him wished he’d planned to head to Texas first instead of Virginia – but his parents were now expecting him and he wasn’t sure if Ava would even welcome meeting face to face according to her email.
Ava,
I am so sorry Aurora is sick. I can’t even grasp how devastating that must be and how worried you are. She is in good hands and you are a tremendous mother for getting her help so quickly. If you need to talk, I am getting a cell phone when I land in Norfolk. I will email you the number if you want to reach out. Sometimes it helps to talk – or at least that is what has been spouted off to me recently from the guys at the base… but I also know that sometimes it’s just hard to get the words out too.
I don’t want you to feel pressure in meeting me. It’s just a genuine offer from someone who considers you a friend. I know you mentioned that you were attacked and now you have Aurora – it doesn’t take a genius to draw a conclusion as to what happened. I am so sorry for that but just know that we aren’t all creeps and monsters. Don’t let what happened to you turn away a friend. If writing is what is easiest, then we shall keep emailing each other sad, corny jokes to pass the time.
Your emails give me something to look forward to – and I will pray for Aurora’s swift recovery. Get some sleep and let them take care of you too, so you can continue being an amazing mother to your little girl.
I’ll email again soon,
Colin
PS: Where does a general keep his armies? In his sleevies!
“Now boarding United flight 235 to Norfolk, Virginia. All active military and first responders come to the front for immediate boarding,” crackled over the loudspeaker. Colin tucked his iPad into his bag and got up to take his place in line. Walking onto the flight, he was surprised that he felt so bothered and worried about Ava and little Aurora. Both had crept into his life and he worried about them.
As he put his bag in the overhead bin, Colin doublechecked to make sure the bag was zipped securely remembering the small gifts he’d picked up. She’d probably think he was an idiot or interested in her romantically. That wasn’t the case. He simply felt a bond with the woman who was struggling to get by… just like he was.
Taking his seat, Colin tried to relax as he stared out the window to the wing of the plane. He would be home in about two hours and couldn’t wait to see his parents. While he’d hated to tell them about the court martial, he also knew that they would support anything that happened.
His parents were amazing and caring people, reminding him of Ava and the way she was growing to love her daughter. It was a special person that could overcome tragedy and find the silver lining in life. A happy, healthy child would always be a silver lining in his book.
He’d come from a small family as an only child, but was always surrounded by cousins, aunts, and uncles at the holidays. There was something special about always knowing you could go home. Friends and family were everything to him – and he couldn’t wait to see Ethan again.
Chapter 7
Returning home had been a blur of love and acceptance. Colin’s mother charged at him at the airport. She very nearly got detained by security as she ran past them to hug her only child. Grabbing his mom, he hugged her tightly and picked her up off the ground. Colin felt tears burn at his eyes.
He was home.
He’d forgotten how small she seemed to him and how important his mother made him feel. Looking up, he saw the pride in his father’s eyes as he held up a sign that said “Welcome Home, Son” on it, written in red, white, and blue marker. This time Colin did cry when his father hugged him at the tears of joy in his father’s own aging eyes.
Had it been so very long since he’d been home?
Time had a way of slipping by and just seeing his family made him realize how much he’d missed them. He only hoped being home for a week would be long enough. He couldn’t wait to see Ethan either.
“My goodness, Colin. Look at you! You are so very big and tanned!” his mother exclaimed, patting him on the cheek as she wiped her tears away. “I swear, you are bigger than your daddy now. My little boy is all grown up.”
“Junie,” his father said firmly with affection. “You are gonna embarrass the man. Let’s get to the car and get our boy home.”
“I don’t care if he gets embarrassed. This is what us mothers do when we see our little boys looking happy and healthy. Just look at him, he’s the spitting image of you when we married, Marty.”
“With your beautiful eyes, Junie. Now come on, sweetheart. Let’s take Colin home where you can smother him with love and fill that belly with some home cookin’.”
“That actually sounds great,” Colin interjected happily, winking at his father’s broad knowing grin. “I’m starving, ma.”
“Oh, you just come on then,” June announced regally grasping at Colin’s hand. “Marty, we need to head to baggage claim to get Colin’s things. My boy’s hungry.”
“Ma, I have everything in this bag.”
“That’s it?” she gasped, putting her hand over her heart and looking at his large duffle bag in dismay. “You poor thing! You just let your mama feed you and we’ll take you shopping to get anything you need.”
“I don’t need much, just some downtime to recharge and I need to get a cell phone while I’m
here.”
“Yes, you do, son,” his father agreed, clapping him on the back affectionately. “It would make things easier for all of us if we could talk to you or text you when you head back overseas. Never understood why you didn’t get one before now. I’ll take you tomorrow.”
“Yes- right now we are going home.”
The next week flew by in no time at all. The first night home, he’d realized just how much he’d changed over the last ten years. His room looked almost like a shrine and he was stunned to realize that his bed was so tiny. He’d laid down to sleep that night in his own bed and marveled at the fact that his feet nearly touched the footboard. When he’d left, it didn’t feel so very small but years of training and working out had bulked him up quite a bit.
His father took him to the cellular store the next morning as promised. It was a little overwhelming to see all the different phones, watches, and tablets as well as accessories. In the end, he ended up getting a simple iPhone that was free on his parent’s cell plan. He didn’t want anything fancy or extravagant because if it got ruined in Afghanistan – he wanted to make sure the loss wasn’t too expensive. Colin intended to get his own phone plan but his father wouldn’t hear of it, insisting that it was June’s idea to add Colin to their phone line. That evening, Colin emailed Ava to see how she was doing and hoped Aurora was feeling better.
Ava,
How’s Aurora? I’m very concerned that I haven’t had an email from you since yesterday. I hope she’s alright. Are you alright? Please keep in touch and let me know if you need anything. I’m in Norfolk right now being smothered by my parents and it’s absolutely terrific. Family is everything and I’ve missed them. It’s been a long time since I’ve been home...
Remember Love Page 5