by Grady, D. R.
Their kids tried to snag the DVDs, too, but my brother is good. The kids, while not embarrassed by their parent’s antics, are easily bribed. (You didn’t hear this from me. I would not resort to bribing my nieces and nephews unless the situation required such means, and this one does.)
Ah, Bentley is back from his duties, so off to the post office we’ll go. He’s holding a dog biscuit in his mouth, guess where he was? Yep, Grandmom and Granddad’s house.
Thank goodness the herd manages to keep him active, so he’s not gained any weight, yet. He’s not hogged my side of the bed, either. (Thank you for providing the dog bed, but Bentley only uses it during the day.) At night, the lush seems to prefer sleeping in my bed, using the second pillow. I’m spoiling him, I’m afraid.
No pictures this time, as my digital camera is in pieces. I’m cleaning it, so, next posting I’ll send some.
Your friend,
Lainy
P.S. Just be yourself around the rellys as that’s what families and being a part of a family is all about. Act like you would around Bentley. (I hope that makes sense.)
Mitch contemplated Lainy’s newest e-mail. Actually, he contemplated the “Your friend” part. She definitely was his friend, but he feared he’d begun to think of her as far more than merely a friend. She’d become his partner and his confidante. The one person who seemed to complete him.
She was Bentley’s mom.
His thinking was bent, for sure. Here was this poor, unsuspecting woman – who’d kindly taken in his dog and him – and now he felt like a stalker. He knew he didn’t think of Lainy Morrison as a friend. Instead, in his mind, she’d taken on the role of lover.
Mitch swallowed as he thought about that. Lover. Everyone he’d ever loved had died. The past proved he wasn’t loveable. Yet he ached for it.
Did he want a family so much? Or did he want Lainy Morrison that much with her family as a bonus?
As he went to sign off, Al stuck his head around the corner. “Yo, cookie boy, we've got orders to head to the choppers. We're off to work.” Al's exuberance was catching and Mitch, while grateful to be able to do something in the field, regretted he'd be separated from his computer. More than the computer, but that he'd be separated from Lainy. And Bentley.
Chapter Eight
“No, send this priority, please, Melanie,” Lainy replied to the uniformed postal worker behind the counter. A professional, and her first cousin.
“Sure, Lainy. This is going to Mitch, so I think I can send it with special rates. What’s inside?”
“A prototype for a new laptop I designed and built.” Lainy wondered if she should have padded the box better.
“Okay, how much you think it’s worth?”
Lainy gave a figure and bought the insurance for the package, all the while chewing the inside of her cheek.
“Hear from Ben?” Melanie snapped her gum as she placed Lainy’s box in a bin behind her.
“Not lately, why?” Melanie and Ben were brother and sister, so Lainy figured Ben would keep Melanie more informed than her, his cousin.
“He thought he might have a stopover at Mitch’s base,” Melanie supplied and Lainy’s heart thumped.
“Really?” Her breath stopped somewhere in the vicinity of her diaphragm. After the first hiccup, she swallowed and repressed the urge to leap across the counter and hold her cousin down for questioning.
“He thought so, but won’t know for certain until he gets his orders.” Melanie snapped her gum again as she surveyed something on the computer screen in front of her.
Deciding she wouldn’t get very far with Melanie, Lainy hastily thanked her and set off for home at a faster pace than normal. She leapt out of the vehicle before it came to a complete stop and raced to her computer. She pounded out a quick message to her cousin Ben, not quite demanding he let her know as soon as he got his orders.
Heart pounding, she thought of Mitch meeting one of her relatives. Ben was the perfect Morrison candidate for Mitch to meet. A military man to his very toes, he was also a Morrison through and through. He had a zany sense of humor, was almost as good at electronics as she, and loved his family. Once meeting their saner relative, the others should prove to be not quite so overwhelming. She hoped.
*****
“Okay, guys, let's head back to base,” Mitch yelled to his men as they watched the first of the convoy roll away. His men piled into the humvees and, after counting heads, he climbed into the driver’s seat of one of them. Everyone was present and accounted for, this time.
Running a weary hand down the back of his sweaty neck, Mitch was happy to be headed back to the base. This job had gone well, but he was ready to return to civilization. Even a tepid shower beat what they had.
He was certain he had sand in every pore and probably some areas he'd rather not think about. At least at the beach, you could run into the water and rinse. Not here. Thinking of the beach made him think of the lake where Lainy vacationed with her family and Bentley, which then made him think of Lainy again.
Staring through the windshield, Mitch struggled to keep his mind on the rolling sand, rather than the enticing vision of Lainy Morrison that hovered just out of view. In a little while, he'd be able to read e-mail from her and he wanted to focus on that. He'd missed those daily e-mails and couldn't wait to reach his quarters and turn on his computer. If he allowed himself to be distracted now though, it'd only prolong the time.
“Moose, where do I turn?” he asked his navigator. Magic with instruments and maps, Moose could direct anyone out of the worst situations without even using his treasured compass and GPS system. He could navigate solely on the sun and stars if need be.
Pondering whether to shower or read e-mail first, Mitch settled on booting up his computer while he showered just as the dune he needed to turn at arose out of the vast nothingness. Mitch cranked the wheel and with some major shock usage and a few knocks, turned the humvee onto the path Moose directed.
The guys riding along in back held on without comment as they bumped along the path to the base. While they had flown out on this assignment, they'd ended close to the base. Hoping they'd have a little down time, Mitch's heart swelled as he saw the lights from the base at a distance.
The men riding with him were too well trained to cheer, but Mitch heard their excited murmurs and joined them in their glee for a semi-decent meal, a bed, and a shower. How easily they were appeased. Once they drove through the gates of the base, Mitch parked and with ease the men spilled out and collected various items.
“Mitch, you got a few packages waiting,” a fellow officer informed him. With a nod of appreciation to the messenger, Mitch turned and headed off in the direction of the base post office.
Carrying the packages across base, Mitch’s heart beat unsteadily the entire distance. To not ever have received packages to then receiving them regularly was still astonishing to him. He managed to contain his excitement, since the guys would harass him otherwise.
There’d been a librarian at his school who’d taken a grandmotherly interest in him, offering him cookies, not fining him for overdue books, checking his homework, little things like that. She’d always made time for him.
But he’d never had an entire family doing things like this, who seemed to want to incorporate him into their fold. He was enticed by such an incredible network. Did he want Lainy or her family? Her image filled his mind. Her. But did he have what it took to be a part of a family? His past said no. Still...
He put off the shower a bit longer as he checked the dates on each carton. Opening the older of the two he savored the tumbled contents as he gazed into the seemingly never-ending depths for a moment. Then, with the eagerness of a child at Christmas, he tugged items from the box.
Three huge packages of assorted cookies. He found a bundle of pictures which he set aside for later viewing. More drawings from the herd and some baseball cards, too. He looked at the cards, remembering how precious each one had been when he'd been a kid.
Growing up in an orphanage, baseball cards hadn’t been plentiful. He'd earned them by trading other things, or by working for the landscaper down the street. He also extracted deodorant, soap, shaving cream, phone cards, razors, a blanket that looked homemade, socks, underwear, t-shirts, a vast supply of comic books, and a bag of assorted candies.
A smaller package, wrapped securely in bubble wrap felt odd in his hands, so he unwrapped it with care. And found a used Game Boy, complete with several cartridges. Also used. A note, written in an unfamiliar hand, but similar to Lainy's explained.
Greetings Mitch,
My son, Steven, upon learning that you were willing to give up Bentley so you could fight for our country, felt he should also be willing to give up something equally as precious to him. This is his Game Boy, probably the one thing he cherishes the most. He heard Marines enjoy these during down time.
Please don't feel guilty about this, but enjoy his gift. There is a brand new Game Boy wrapped and waiting for Steve for his birthday next month. We felt you'd enjoy the used one more, because of the sacrifice attached and the fact a little boy cherished this machine. (Incidentally, I think Lainy added some upgrades. Which is why Steve loved it so much. Lainy tampers with most of the kids’ electronic devices.)
Oh, by the way, I'm Lainy's sister, Laurie. My husband, Greg, and I have seven children with the eighth on the way. Steve is number three of the bunch and probably our most sensitive. He's nine, ten next month and takes in the world with an adult perspective already. He's got an older sister, fifteen, and five brothers, twelve, seven, five, three, and eighteen months.
Grandmom also sent cookies and various other necessities, the kids some drawings, comic books, and baseball cards, and I'm hoping there are no live animals. This package could be a bit stinky otherwise. Hope you're doing well and please enjoy this Game Boy, Steve will be thrilled if you do. (And it’s helped to teach him a valuable lesson, too.)
Sincerely,
Greg, Laurie, and Family
Shaking his head, Mitch stared down at the precious Game Boy in his hand. A little fellow who didn't even know him had given up his favorite toy so Mitch wouldn't be bored. A young man who already understood the implications of war and the sacrifices sometimes necessary for freedom. Wondering at young Steve's parents and their evident wisdom in raising such a child, he looked over what had been Steve's most prized possession.
Turning the button on, he watched the screen dance and dazzle and saw the first of Lainy's improvements. He was vaguely familiar with Game Boys because of the few times he'd been able to wrest Al's machine from his hands.
He sat on the bed and something clunked to the floor. Peering over the side, he saw a battery pack. One unlike any other he'd ever seen before - the granddaddy of all battery packs. It held all the earmarks of Lainy. Smiling, he gazed in wonder at the most amazing contraption and upon further perusal, noticed a patent number. Something clicked in the back of his mind and he remembered her mentioning how she held several patents and therefore was free to invent at her leisure.
Staring at the battery pack, Mitch nearly let out a whistle, which he stifled. No need to bring Al running. There'd be a lot less cookies that way. And he might lose the Game Boy, too. Of course, this one was his, so Mitch decided he'd pull the territorial male thing.
He turned his attention back to the battery pack and with a small screw driver, removed the back cover. He ogled the insides in wonder. From his perusal, he concluded his Lainy was one smart lady. He realized he probably held the prototype of her patent and reveled anew at the great gift bestowed him.
Steve had given up a coveted toy and a patent prototype. All because he'd understood the price many of the military personnel here paid. Not one of them wanted or longed to be overseas. They'd gotten called and had gone because going was the right thing to do. Others had gone because they had family they loved and wanted to protect.
Glancing at the bounty littering his bed, Mitch realized, while he'd been in the former category when he'd been called, he now fit the latter. Swallowing, he stared at the gifts before standing to his feet. He booted up his computer, hid the cookies, and took himself off to the shower with his new toiletry items, whistling something without a tune, but joyful nonetheless.
Chapter Nine
Mitch opened the second package after his shower and found more cookies, more pictures, and more drawings. This carton included more cookies, some containing what smelled like cinnamon and too many others to try to determine what they were. Not even in a bakery had he seen such a vast array of enticing creations. With a sigh of contentment, he selected a treat at random and bit down. And savored every flavor as it burst onto his taste buds.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: I got two packages!
Dear Lainy,
I got back from our job and discovered not one, but two packages. (Nice.) And both contained cookies. The big one, I'm assuming from your grandmother, held every toiletry necessity we've been in sore need of here, as well as some much needed clothing I wouldn't have thought to ask for. In addition to those things, did you know Steve added his Game Boy, battery pack, and some cartridges for me?
Laurie included a note about how Steve realized the Marines over here had to sacrifice and he couldn't do any differently, so he sent this most prized possession to me. I'm overwhelmed. I couldn't believe he'd send me something like this.
By the way, his mother said there's a new Game Boy already wrapped and waiting for his birthday, so don't worry about that. She told me, so I'll tell you, in the event you hadn't heard.
Your Steve sounds like a very mature young man. I don't know many nine-year-olds who would do such a thing. As a matter of fact, I don't know many adults who would sacrifice like that.
His mother didn't include an e-mail or snail mail address, so if you could be so kind? I plan to send him a personal and heartfelt thank you. I'm sure I'll get a lot of use out of the thing. Providing Al doesn't figure out I have it, first.
I've decided I'm going to be possessive, but that doesn't mean I still won't lose the Game Boy. He's pretty persuasive. Of course, the problem will be that he has his own and will want to play me all the time. And he's had about ten years more practice than me. I can't let Steve down. Think he can give me some pointers?
Or you can give me some pointers? Laurie mentioned how you added to Steve's device and I definitely saw some evidence of this. I'm assuming the battery pack is one of your patents? It's amazing by the way. I had to take it apart, as these things intrigue me.
I'm a civil engineer. Did I forget to mention that? I'm a Marine reserve, but in my civilian life I work as an engineer for the federal government. I enjoy my job, so anything that takes engineering genius, like your battery pack, interests me.
Unfortunately, I'm not an electronics guy, so I can't say I understand much except that you're a genius. This pack is a revolutionary marvel. Please don't tell me you designed this while still in high school. I don't think my male ego could take it.
I had a really inspirational physics teacher in high school who steered me into engineering. He said my mind worked along engineering lines. I don’t know. He helped me get into Penn State and directed me in the classes I needed. I’m grateful to him as I really enjoy my civilian job. (Guess he was right.)
Please tell the bakers thank you for me. I'll send along e-mails, too, as I think I know most of them now, but I don't think it hurts to express one’s gratitude several times when one lives in a sandy, dry area and has less than stellar cooks in the kitchen. We survive, but trust me, I'm not about to gain weight, even with your family's largesse.
Al just showed up. He smelled my cookies. It's sad to see a grown man cry every time I get these packages, but he seems to appreciate my bounty, too. His mom sends packages from time to time. He's a bit jealous at the number I receive, so I have to share.
I need to run (I’m late!) to a debriefing. Hoping this finds you well. Give Bentley a big hug for me. I assume he’s earning his keep by freeing your yard of vermin? And The Terror. You haven’t explained exactly why this cat is so called.
Yours,
Mitch
He snorted to himself. Yours. If only she knew that he really was hers. Somehow, through her kindness, brilliance, sense of humor, and utter lack of artifice, this woman had wowed him. She was everything a woman should be. At least everything he thought a woman should be.
Lainy Morrison seemed to have nothing lacking. Of course, from the little he picked up from her family, he wondered if she considered herself different than the rest of them. How this was possible with eight hundred relatives, he didn’t know, nor did he have time to contemplate.
Before he left he checked the bottom of both boxes and was grateful he had. At the very bottom of the second carton, he found several DVDs. Each of them was labeled with a family event, and with a sense of anticipation, Mitch’s hand tightened on the discs. These must be those family home videos Lainy had warned him about. He’d never seen ducks poop, but he figured it must be more interesting than watching sand blow.
*****
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Steve!
Attachment
Dear Mitch,
Thank you for telling me about Stevie giving up his Game Boy. That sounds exactly like him. He's very understanding. Perhaps too understanding in some instances. But such a sweetie. He did love his Game Boy. I'll improve the new one for him, too, so no worries.
He's so going to be like me when he grows up. He loves anything electronic. Like me, he always has. I don't remember a time when I wasn't fascinated by circuitry and electricity. (Don’t ask my mom about the earlier years, it wasn’t pretty.) This utter wonder has always been with me, and with Stevie, too. He's a great kid. Not too good at sports, like me, but a good sport. Unlike me...