Author's note:
The previous chapter seems to have ruffled some feathers, understandably so. It serves a purpose both here and later on down the road. To those of you I "lost", I hope you read this chapter and stick with me.
So much more is coming...
Chapter 6
I woke up early the next morning, sliding out of bed as gently as possible so I didn't wake the girls. I went to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee before going to the living room and sitting down to play some Assassin's Creed.
I turned the events of last night over in my mind. Carl's note said he wasn't mad, but who knows if he was just quoting Anchorman. I didn't expect him to be mad, but sometimes I wondered about him. He could keep things bottled up pretty well when he needed to.
I heard Carl come out of his room and go to the bathroom. I got up and made me some coffee before grabbing a bottle of water for him. When he was done, he came and sat next to me, accepting the water graciously.
"How ya holding up?" I asked, seeing his hangover plain as day.
"Must you be so loud?" He asked. I got up and grabbed the aspirin bottle off the top of the fridge, tossing it to him. He took four before setting the bottle on the coffee table.
"Sorry about Jeanna, Becky practically begged me to let her have Jeanna. Then one thing let to another and..." I said before he held up his hand, cutting me off.
"Don't worry about it. If roles were reversed, I'd have taken Becky to bed in a heartbeat," he said reassuringly.
"Thanks man. I found your note," I said, making him laugh.
"I thought you would like that. Their screaming woke me up, so I had to see what you were doing to them. I wasn't disappointed," he said.
Carl watched me play my game for a bit, assisting where he could by calling out enemies and items to grab. We were having a good time before Becky and Jeanna came out of the room.
"You boys are up early," Becky said, wrapping her arms around me and kissing my neck.
"Yeah, I couldn't sleep so I came out here to play my game. Next thing I know, this guy stumbles out here and joins me," I said getting laughs from everyone.
Jeanna went and sat next to Carl, giving him a hug. Carl returned it, not giving any hint he knew what happened last night.
"Sorry I didn't come sleep with you last night, I didn't want to be a burden," Jeanna said, resting her head on Carl's shoulder.
"It's OK. I heard you guys last night, did you have fun?" He asked, making Jeanna turn 36 shades of red.
"I'm sorry. Becky and I got to talking, which led to kissing, which led further. Please forgive me," she explained.
"Don't worry about it. I already told Andrew that if roles were reversed, I'd have taken Becky to bed without hesitation."
"Ha, you wish!" Becky laughed.
"Thanks Carl, you're sweet," she said, kissing his cheek.
"So, what's for breakfast?" I asked, changing the subject.
"What do you want?" Becky asked.
"How about we go out, maybe IHOP or something?"
"Sounds good to me," Jeanna said, mirroring everyone's thoughts as nods of agreement followed.
We all showered and got dressed, going to IHOP for breakfast. Carl ate like he hadn't eaten in weeks, ordering steak and eggs with a side of pancakes. We laughed, joked and told stories, getting to know Jeanna and letting her get to know us. Something told me she would be around for a while.
After breakfast, Jeanna went home to change while we figured out what to do for the day. We came up with a few ideas, but nothing sounded good to everyone. We sat down and turned on the TV, finding a movie to watch to kill some time.
I decided to check the news, bringing it up on my phone. I scanned through the usual political articles and several odd stories of stupid people before I saw something that had me worried. The war in the middle east had taken a turn for the worse, with insurgency on the rise and coalition forces being pushed out of the northern part of Iraq.
Technically, I can be called back. Normally I would be exempt, but my knowledge and abilities as a section chief - commander of a gun section - made me a valuable asset to the military. With a doctors clearance, I could be called back.
"Things are heating up overseas again," I said solemnly.
"Can they recall you?" Carl asked plainly.
"For another six months, and after medical clearance. If they call me, they'll be desperate."
"Don't worry, they won't call you back," Carl said. I wish I was as sure as him.
"Speaking of medical clearance, have you given any thought to therapy?" Becky asked.
I haven't thought about going to therapy in a long time. The few times I had gone, back in California, the therapist was just about as lost as I was. The medical plan I had only provided a psychiatric therapist, not one who specializes in PTSD.
"Maybe if I can find a good therapist," I replied.
"OK, I'll find you one," she said.
"Do I get a say in my therapist?"
"Yes, I'm just going to narrow down your choices."
"OK babe, if you say so. Is there anything we need to get done today?"
"Just general house maintenance. Clean the kitchen, mow the yard, shit like that."
"Alright, I'll get it done."
A few hours in the hot sun later, the yard was mowed, the hedges in the back trimmed and the walkway edged. I dragged my tired, sweat-soaked ass inside for a shower when Becky stopped me.
"Hey babe, got a minute?"
"Can I shower first? I feel disgusting."
"Sure," she said as she ogled my sweaty body. She must have been enjoying it, biting her bottom lip seductively as I headed to the bathroom. I felt her eyes on me the whole way there.
After my shower I found her in the kitchen working on dinner. She looked so cute in her Daisy Duke's and tank top, the strings of her apron hugging the small of her back as she bent over the sink slightly, washing potatoes. I stood in the doorway for a long moment, letting my thoughts drift to dirty, dirty places.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer," she said as she worked.
"How did you know I was here?" I asked as I moved up behind her.
"Female intuition," she said as we kissed. "Have a good shower?"
"I feel so much better now. What did you want earlier beautiful?"
"I've narrowed your search for a therapist down to three candidates. All of them served in the military, though some more than others. Their names and what background information I could get is on the coffee table."
"You're the best," I said as I kissed her cheek.
"I know."
I grabbed the list and saw she got email addresses as well as phone numbers, so I sent each one an email asking what experience each had with treating PTSD. I didn't expect any replies tonight, so I put the list on the fridge where it wouldn't get lost.
Carl and Jeanna came home shortly before dinner, telling us all about their day. They had made it a spontaneous date, going with the flow and letting the wind blow them where it desired. Dinner was ham and mashed potatoes with mixed veggies. Everyone had seconds, with Carl looking for thirds.
"How's looking for a therapist going?" Jeanna asked.
"Becky got it down to three doctors. I emailed them with a few questions about their qualifications, so now its just a waiting game," I explained, trying not to show my discomfort.
We decided to go to Smokey's for the evening. I was happy about it, needing to relieve some stress from thinking about therapy. My last experience hadn't been pleasant, due in part to the inability of the doctor to relate to the stress of combat. It's one thing to read about it, but the experience is something completely different. We went in and ordered drinks, grabbing a table by the dance floor.
Jeanna pulled Carl out for a dance as a slow song came on. Becky tried to pull me out, but I kept her at the table, pulling her into my lap. When she gave me a hurt look, I inclined my head towards Carl and Jeanna.
"Observe," I whispered.
We watched them slowly spin around, speaking words we couldn't hear. As she turned to us, her eyes were bright as a full moon on a summer night. Something was developing between them, and it was nice to see them this happy.
When the song ended, she kissed Carl hard on the lips, getting cheers from us and others. Carl came and sat down while Jeanna went to get us refills.
"I think I'm falling for her bro. Something about her feels right," he said. He had a huge smile on his face.
"I'm glad. You gonna sing something for her?" I asked.
"Maybe. Will you pick the song?"
"If that's what you want. I got your back bro," I said, standing and heading to the DJ booth.
I picked the song 'let me' by Jason Michael Carroll. I figured it would go over well and Carl has heard it many times from me. He says he doesn't care for country music much, yet I keep catching him singing along to songs.
I went back to the table and told Carl what I picked. He quickly scanned the lyrics on his phone, then told Jeanna he was going to sing something for her. Her eyes lit up, knowing Carl hates singing in front of crowds like I do. We do it for our women, not for us.
The woman singing finished her song and Carl was called to the stage. He took Jeanna with him, kissing her on stage in front of everyone to cheers. He nodded to the DJ after they broke the kiss and the music began to play.
"It's awful late to be calling you.
You know I hate to,
Wake you up in the middle of the night.
I know you said last time we talked,
You said you'd give us a little thought
So I'm wondering if you might, let me
"Be your comfort, your shelter from the storm
Your open road, your way back home
The one that keeps you safe and holds you tight,
The one that keeps you up all night.
Let me be your laughter, a shoulder for your tears,
Let me be your faith in the face of your fears,
I can be, I can be everything that you need,
If you just let me...
"I'll take it as a pretty good sign,
That you're still on the line,
