“Stop, Garrett. That’s not it. I know him.”
He turned to me. “What’s goin’ on, Doc?”
“You know the pilot who responded to my medevac?”
“Yeah.”
“He and I… we’ve got some past to sort out. Look, can I please just stay here for a while? My head is a mess.”
His expression softened. “Of course, sir. Here, let me clear some space. I didn’t know you would be visiting.”
“I didn’t either,” I replied under my breath.
He got busy clearing boxes and making a small place for me to hide, like the coward I was.
“Here,” he gestured to me. “Take all the time you want.”
“Thanks, Garrett.”
He hesitated for a moment, but he wasn’t the kind to pry. He left briefly, only to come back with a parka and a cup of hot coffee.
“Here. You’re freezing, Doc.”
I accepted the parka gratefully and then sat down heavily on the boxes that served as a bench. The coffee warmed my frozen fingers as I stared out at the open ocean through the workshop entrance.
God, what an awful disaster.
***
“Daniel?”
I started, spilling hot coffee on myself. I hadn’t heard him coming.
Reed stood a little distance away at the garage entrance, his posture hesitant. Like he was approaching a cornered animal. What a pathetic image I had created for myself. I put the coffee down, wiped my hands with a rag, and stood up. Garrett was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t want him witnessing my sad story anyhow.
I plastered on a smile for Reed. “Hey, sorry. I needed a moment, but I’m ready. Let’s do it. We can annul the marriage now. I will fill out the paperwork inside, and then you can be a free man again.” He opened his mouth, but I soldiered on without giving him time to respond. “This ring comes off too. Let’s go.”
I turned around and started walking, not waiting for him. I just needed to get this done, and then I’d find a way to cope. Maybe take that time off that I’d been due for over five years. I left the workshop behind and headed toward the main building where my clinic was.
I heard Reed inhale sharply behind me, followed by the sound of running boots. “No!” He grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “Never,” he said. “This won’t ever come off.” He lifted my hand and kissed the ring.
My eyes went wide. “What? What do you mean? Don’t you want it annulled?”
Reed shook his head vehemently. He took my face in his hands and stared into my eyes. He didn’t look like a man wanting to end a marriage. He looked like a desperate man trying to keep his head above water on a sinking ship. I watchedhim work his throat. Whatever he was trying to say didn’t seem easy.
“Reed?”
He closed his eyes, swore under his breath, and pulled me into his chest, wrapping me in a crushing hug.
I stood like a statue in his embrace, confused and hopeful and undecided. From that deep corner inside my soul where I’d buried all my dreams and feelings, I felt something burst open. My throat felt tight, like I was choking, and my eyes burned.
I wanted to ask about the missing ring. Why didn’t he wear it anymore? Why didn’t he wait for me after we were back on U.S. soil after that disastrous night? Why didn’t he try to contact me all this time?
But the hug and the way he was fighting himself meant something. I couldn’t remember Reed being this conflicted. Or this emotional. I waited for him to get his emotions under control. Meanwhile, I could enjoy this gift of a hug.
I wrapped my hands around him and let the moment be.
The shrill beep of my pager rang through the quiet night air. I fumbled in my trouser pocket and hit the silence button. On the display, it read:
