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“Not everything,” I said. “I love you. That’s why I did this – because I wanted to be with you. I didn’t want to ever have to fly back to Sweden and leave you again.”
“I love you, too,” she said tenderly. “And thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, but I was still too irritated to put much warmth into my words.
There was another uncomfortable silence.
“Well,” I finally said, “I should go. I’ve got a lot to do in a short amount of time.”
“Okay… Lars?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. Seriously. Whatever you had to do to make this happen… thank you.”
The thin layer of ice around my heart melted. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. I can’t wait to start a new life with you here.”
I smiled. “Me, too. Adjö, min älskling.”
Goodbye, my darling.
“A presto, tesoro mio,” she whispered in Italian.
See you soon, my dear.
Her words echoed in my ears long after I hung up.
65
The next thing I did was call the housing department. I lived in a furnished apartment administered by the base. Soldiers were always coming and going on deployment, so the apartments were only rented month-to-month and could be canceled anytime someone deployed. Married guys tended to buy houses near the base, which their wives and children stayed in while they were gone – but single guys like me typically took advantage of the short-term accommodations.
I let the housing department know I would be leaving in the next couple of days. They told me to remove any furniture I’d bought and throw out everything in the fridge.
After I hung up, I stood in my tiny bachelor’s apartment and looked around. Table, chairs, wall-mounted TV, desk… and a simple bed and bureau in the bedroom. That was it. None of it was mine, so none of it would go with me.
I owned next to nothing except clothes, a laptop computer, and an old motorcycle. I would probably have to sell the bike for cheap if not outright give it away.
It was like my entire life had been one long waiting period for the next stage to start.
And despite the mixed reception I’d gotten from Rachel, I was ready.
There was nothing left for me here.
Onward to better things… and the woman I love.
The news of my departure spread like wildfire through my unit.
Correction – my old unit.
As soon as the guys found out, they badgered me into going out drinking one last time. Truth be told, I didn’t need much convincing.
I was happy to start my new life, but I was still leaving behind people I’d fought beside and counted on for the last two years. Good friends and fellow soldiers. Brothers in arms. I wanted to say goodbye properly.
Which meant a lot of alcohol would be involved.
A dozen of us had dinner at a restaurant, then hit the bars.
