by Pj Fiala
Danny ducked his head as he rubbed his hands down his thighs.
“She mentioned how much she enjoyed the interview. She’s very excited about the DVD. I am, too.” Dog smiled as he looked across the crowd at the food table where Joci was talking with some of the folks who were there to help out for the day.
“Okay, let’s get to it. See you guys around.” Gunnar waved and turned to walk toward the side of the house where the work was commencing.
Dog walked beside Gunnar, the two of them talking to each other as they walked.
Danny cleared his throat as he looked at Tammy. “Um, did you have a good night last night?”
“Yeah. I didn’t do anything. I stayed home, soaked in the tub and put together some drawings for a mural I’m painting. How about you?”
“Yeah. I had dinner with my brother and sister-in-law.” Danny said pointing to a beautiful petite blonde woman with a very round baby bump and a man who looked very much like Danny standing with his arm around her shoulders speaking with Danny’s mom, Janice.
“Oh, that’s nice. Do you get together with them often?”
“Yeah. I guess a couple of times a week. The past few weeks, not as much, but…you know.”
“Sure. I have a brother, but we aren’t that close. Molly’s my sister as far as I’m concerned. We grew up together. I see her about three to four times a week. I get it.”
Danny nodded. “So, if you haven’t changed your mind about going out with me, I thought we could go out to dinner and then maybe go to a bar and shoot some pool. Do you like shooting pool?”
Tammy giggled. “I do like it, though I’m not that good at it.”
“Neither am I, but I’m willing to try if you are.”
“Absolutely. Okay, now what do you want me to do today?”
They worked side-by-side all day, chatting when they could between jobs. By mid-afternoon, they were working inside, painting the bedroom walls a beautiful cocoa brown. Dog and Joci walked in, Dog explaining to Joci what was going where.
“Wow, the color is perfect. Do you like it Danny?” Joci asked.
“I love it. I never would’ve thought about this color, but, it’s perfect. Thank you for all of your designing. It’s better than I could ever have imagined.”
Joci smiled and glanced at Tammy. Tammy’s smile widened as she spoke. “It’s the perfect color with the light coming in the windows. You’re fabulous at interior design.”
“Well, I understand you’re the perfect person to paint this room, though, I understand we’re under-utilizing your talents,” Joci said.
Danny looked down at Tammy, eyebrows raised in question. Tammy blushed flicking her gaze to Danny and then to Joci. “Thanks. You should come to the home and see the mural I’m doing. It’s coming together nicely. Did Molly tell you about it?”
“What home? What are you talking about?” Danny asked.
Before she could answer, Dog said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted Joci’s ideas on a couple of things in the bathroom. Will you excuse us?”
“Of course.“ Tammy said, with a slight wave of her hand. She leaned down to refill her roller with paint.
“What home, Tammy?” Danny asked.
“Oh, I work at Stateside Home for Retired Veterans.”
Danny froze in mid-motion of laying paint on the wall. He looked over his raised arm at Tammy, a frown creasing his features.
“You work at a Veterans’ Home?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’m an administrative assistant there. I work for the Director. She’s grooming me to take over for her when she retires in a few months. But, I’m also painting a mural on a wall in the activities room. I have all the wars depicted except this last one.”
Slowly lowering his arm, Danny looked at Tammy full on. Softly he asked, “Why haven’t you painted this war yet?”
Tammy, feeling uneasy, put her roller into the paint pan and stood facing him. “I don’t have a frame of reference for this war. I’ve spoken to each of the veterans in the home regarding each of the wars so I can get the mural correct. They help point inconsistencies out so the mural is accurate. We don’t have a veteran there who’s been in this current war.”
Danny’s breathing became choppy and his heart hammered in his chest. He just knew it was too good to be true. She only wanted to spend time with him so she could finish her damned mural. Fucking figures. He took a step back and then a second one. He gave his head a quick shake and turned and left the room without another word.
Tammy stared after him, confusion on her face. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Dog and Joci walked out of the bathroom and seeing Tammy’s face, Joci asked, “Tammy, are you alright?”
Tammy’s bottom lip trembled. Her eyes were bright with tears. She looked at Joci, but she couldn’t say anything.
“Honey, are you okay? What on earth happened?” Joci wrapped her arms around Tammy and hugged her. The caring in Joci’s voice opened the flood gates and Tammy began crying. Joci looked at Dog over Tammy’s head and nodded slightly. Dog got the message. He turned and walked out. He never knew what to do with a crying woman.
When Tammy had composed herself, Joci walked her over to a bench and they sat side-by-side. Tammy wiped the tears from her face and swallowed.
Pulling Tammy’s hair over her shoulder Joci quietly said, “Are you ready to tell me what happened?”
Tammy nodded. “I don’t know to be honest. I told Danny I work at Stateside and he seemed angry and turned and walked out. He didn’t say anything and I don’t know why my working at the veterans’ home would make him mad. I don’t know what happened.”
“Okay.” Joci took a deep breath. “Well, maybe it hits close to home for him or maybe he knows someone who had a bad experience at a home or something. You need to go find out. If you want to forge a relationship, you need to talk things out, honey.”
Nodding Tammy wiped her cheeks with both hands and dried her hands on her thighs. She tucked her hair behind her ears and took a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll go see if I can find him.”
Tammy stood up and took a couple of steps before turning to Joci. “Thanks, Joci. I appreciate you talking to me.”
Joci smiled as she stood, her hand automatically rubbing her baby bump. “Any time, honey. Go find your man.”
CHAPTER 10
WALKING ONTO THE front porch, Tammy looked around the yard, finding Danny talking to his brother Paul. His posture was rigid, his jaw tight. As she watched them speak to each other, Paul looked up and saw Tammy watching them. He said something to Danny, who turned and looked at Tammy. She saw sadness. What on earth had caused such sadness? Rubbing her hands on her thighs, she stepped off the deck to walk toward Danny and Paul. Her stomach was rolling and she was sweating, though the temperature was cool today.
As she approached, she swallowed and saw Danny do the same. She glanced at Paul and smiled. Holding her shaking hand out to Paul, she said, “Hi. I’m Tammy.”
Paul took her small hand in his and smiled at her. “I’m Paul, this lug’s brother. Nice to meet you.”
Tammy’s smile quivered and she nodded. Slowly turning to Danny, she said, “May I speak with you?” She looked into his eyes, though he didn’t move. “Alone. Please?”
Taking the cue, Paul said, “Great idea. I’m going to see what Grace is up to. Nice meeting you, Tammy.” With a squeeze to Danny’s shoulder, Paul walked away.
Tammy placed her hand over her stomach to try and stop the rolling. “Danny, is there somewhere we can speak privately?”
Danny huffed out a breath and looked around. There were about a hundred and fifty people milling about. Hard to find a private place to speak. Taking a deep breath, he said, “We can go sit in my truck. It’s about the only private place around right now.”
They turned and walked toward the garage, not holding hands, for the first time since the build had begun. Anytime they’d walked anywhere together, Danny always took her hand; her mood plummeted. Danny
opened the service door on the side of the garage and opened the passenger door for Tammy to climb in. A running board dropped down to assist her.
Danny closed her door and walked around to the driver’s side. After climbing in, he placed his hands on his knees and looked straight ahead. So, he wasn’t going to just tell her what made him mad, she was going to have to drag it out of him.
“Danny. What happened back there? Why did you leave? Why are you mad?”
“You’re kidding, right? You only want to be with me because you need to finish your damn mural. You just need someone to talk to you about this war. That’s why you’re here, with me. I knew you weren’t interested in me for me. I was an idiot to think you could be. Look at me. I’m a cripple, for fuck’s sake.”
Tammy’s eyes grew wide. She stared at him in disbelief. Not able to form words she simply stared. After a long silence Danny turned his head to look at her. “Aren’t you at least going to admit it?”
Now she was getting angry. “You think I’m so damned shallow that I would go out with you to finish painting a stupid mural? That’s what you think of me? Thanks a lot. I’ve never, ever, been called shallow before. I’ll have you know, I’m a good person. I’ve never used anyone for anything. EVER!”
Tammy turned her head and grabbing the door handle, pulled it up unlatching the door. Turning quickly back to Danny, she said, “The only person who thinks of you as a cripple is you. I happen to look at you and see a smart, handsome, fascinating man who I enjoy talking to and working with. I see someone who has sacrificed for our country and the freedoms we enjoy. Honorable. That’s what I see. When I close my eyes at night, I see someone I can’t wait to see the next day. I see someone who, quite frankly, has taken my breath away. That’s what I see. I never even thought to ask you to help me with the mural. When I see you, I’m not thinking about the mural or Stateside. I’m thinking about…You!”
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she turned to leave. Her breathing was ragged and she was wrecked. Mostly she was pissed.
Danny reached out and grabbed for her arm, but she was out the door too fast. She slammed the door of his truck and stomped off toward Molly’s car. She’d had enough for today. She was crushed. Tammy climbed into the car and sat staring straight ahead. Dammit. Hitting the steering wheel a few times for good measure, she let her tears flow. She laid her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. Dammit, she liked him so damn much. She let herself dream he could be the one. Dammit, dammit, dammit.
The passenger door to the car opened and Molly slid inside. Worry marring her pretty face, Molly softly asked, “What’s wrong Tammy. What happened?”
Tammy, first surprised and then relieved, wiped her face. “That stupid son-of-a-bitch said I was shallow and using him.”
“What? Are you kidding me?” Molly looked out the window, searching for Danny. She saw him walking out of his garage and into the house with his head down.
“He looks sad,” Molly absently said.
Tammy looked out the window and saw Danny just as he closed the front door. “He has no reason to be sad; I do. I’m so angry right now I could spit cotton.”
“Tell me what happened.”
Tammy and Molly sat in the car as Tammy relayed the conversations with Joci and Danny. Molly’s jaw continued to drop open and then close again. She sat quietly, giving Tammy the time to cool down. Molly reached into the console and pulled out a tissue. Tammy wiped and blew her nose. Pulling the visor down, she checked herself in the mirror.
“Fabulous. I look fucking amazing,” she said sarcastically.
Molly looked over at her and giggled. “At least you aren’t swearing anymore.”
Tammy couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing and Molly laughed right along with her. When they’d composed themselves, Molly turned in her seat and looked at Tammy.
“I remember you telling me when you first started working at Stateside that some of these veterans have so much to overcome. Especially losing a limb. Ryder told me that a week after Danny came home his girlfriend dumped him. He’s dealing with a lot of stuff and naturally, after that, he would assume he isn’t good enough for a little hottie like you.” Molly smirked and Tammy rolled her eyes in dislike. “I think you need to cut him some slack, Tammy. Try and see things from his point of view. He’s probably not sure what to do from here.”
Tammy huffed out a breath. “I can’t today. I need some time. I’ll just sit here until you’re ready to go.”
“Don’t be silly. Take my car, I’ll catch a ride. Joci or Ryder will take me home. Okay?”
Sniffing, she said, “Okay. Thanks Mol.”
Molly leaned over and hugged Tammy. “It’s going to be alright. I promise.”
Tammy nodded. Molly pulled her car keys out of her pocket and handed them over. “Drive safe. I’ll talk to you later.”
Tammy watched Molly climb out of the car and walk across the lawn to speak to Ryder. She saw Ryder lean down and kiss Molly’s lips and then the tip of her nose. Molly turned back toward the car and waved, signaling all is good. Tammy started the ignition and drove home in a funk.
CHAPTER 11
THE LOUD RAPPING of gunfire drowned out the yells of his team. He could see them talking to him, yelling, the chords standing out in their necks, eyes wild, darting back and forth. The odors of sulfur and gunpowder burning his nostrils, the dust burning his eyes. Danny’s heartbeat was wild, sweat covered his entire body. Mortars hit close by causing the ground to vibrate beneath his feet. He felt a bullet whiz by his ear, so close he felt the heat. He dropped his head and scrambled to find cover. They were under attack and this time, it was bad.
Barely able to catch his breath, Danny scrambled over to Lex, who’d found cover under a boulder that jutted out from the hills. It felt like he crawled miles; no matter how far he crawled, he couldn’t get there. Lex looked at him with eyes wild, quickly ducking as gunfire rained off the top of the boulder. Lex yelled something at Danny but he couldn’t hear. He couldn’t get there. Muscles straining, sweat dripping into his eyes the loud crack of another mortar caused his ears to ring. Nausea was creeping into his stomach. He couldn’t get there. Lex floated further away and Danny felt helpless. Another loud crack rang the air, Danny rolled to avoid the incoming blast. He fell with a thud so forceful all the air whooshed from his lungs.
He lay still, trying to command his lungs to take in air. Ears ringing, sweat coating his skin, his eyes started adjusting to the dusty light filtering into his bedroom. He lay on the floor, his shoulder sore from the fall. Danny slowly rolled over on his back to get his bearings. He stared at the ceiling until his breathing evened out. Fucking nightmares. Third one in as many nights. Since his fight with Tammy, they were coming every day. He went to bed each night with a heavy heart and it played terrible tricks on his mind.
Wiping the sweat off his brow and throwing his arms over his face, Danny groaned at his miserable life. Allowing himself a few minutes to calm down, he hoisted himself up and sat on the side of his bed. His sheets were wet with sweat again. Heaving out a deep breath, Danny reached over and rolled the compression stocking over his leg. Smoothing it in place, he reached for his prosthetic leg and pulled it on, fitting it just right. He pushed himself up and turned to grab the sheets off his bed. Taking his dirty laundry and sheets downstairs, he threw them in the washer, added soap and turned the dial beginning the wash cycle.
He poured himself a cup of coffee and walked outside to sit in one of the rocking chairs on his front porch and watch the sunrise. The light peeking over the horizon rained sparkles in the dew across his front lawn. His mind wandered to the first time he saw Tammy and Molly walking up to his house. A smile spread across his face. She’s a little beauty. She makes my heart flutter and feel. It’d been so long since he felt anything but pain and frustration. She made him feel…hopeful.
Yesterday, his counselor told him that he needed to reach out more. Talk to her, talk to others. Be more social. He’d
holed himself up outside of having hundreds of people converge on his property to help him out. He was so damn grateful, but, he didn’t venture out himself much. He needed to pull himself together and be the man Tammy said she saw. He wanted to be that man…for her.
***
Tammy stood from her desk as her boss, Sally, walked into the office. “I have the trip planned for next month’s honor flight. I’m working with Old Glory this time and it’s all come together nicely. I’m finished for today. I’ll see you tomorrow unless you need anything before I go.”
“No, go on home, Tammy, and try to get some rest. You look so tired this week. Is everything alright?”
Tammy rearranged the paperwork on her desk one more time. She never left work unless her desk was organized. Straightening and smoothing her cream-colored pencil dress, she said, “I’m fine. Thanks. Just a tough week. I’ll be fine.”
“Well, it’s going to get tougher. I just got word that there’s a benefactor interested in Stateside. He’ll be here tomorrow afternoon. We’ll be showing him around, going over some of the financials, and then taking him to dinner. As my successor when I retire, I’ll need you there, okay?”
“Okay. Do you need me to make reservations anywhere?”
“No, I’ve got it covered. He’s a wealthy trust-fund baby, so I’m not expecting much. He’s probably a privileged, self-serving ego-maniac who’s used to getting his way, but we need the money to stay open, so we’re going to pamper him and laugh at all his stupid jokes.” Sally pointedly looked at Tammy.
“Message received. Do you need me to stay tonight?”
“No, go on home, but why don’t we start early tomorrow and pull some things together for his visit?”
“Sure. I’ll be here at six-thirty.”
Sally nodded and continued on to her office. Tammy sighed as she pulled her purse out of the bottom drawer of her desk and threw the strap over her shoulder. Still pulling her coat on as she walked toward the exit door, Tammy heard, “Hey, Tammy. Leaving so soon?”
Tammy turned and smiled as Gerry pushed himself toward her in his wheelchair. “Hi, Gerry, yeah, I’m finished for today. How are you?”