Page 14 of Forever Flustered

“What an offer…” he tossed, his voice ever so droll – but she didn’t let it faze her. No, Maureen released his hand and pulled her clutch off her wrist, snapping it open and grabbing a business card, before shoving it at him.

“You can be all lofty and high-and-mighty Elijah ‘Archangel’ Hall – but like calls to like – and I can see through your act,” she said quietly, taking a gamble and holding his gaze with a bravado she didn’t feel as she put herself out there. “Everyone needs someone in their life at some point… myself included,” she added, hesitating as she glanced down at the card. “If you need to talk, change your mind, or if you know anyone in the area that could use an appointment – well, I’d appreciate the help, the friendship, or the company.”

And with that, Maureen gave him a weary smile, hoping that something in Elijah’s cool and aloof expression would give once more, just to tell her that she was on the right path.

“It’s exhausting to hold it all together and go through life all alone. We’re not meant to be loners; it’s just tough sometimes when you haven’t found your community yet,” she whispered hoarsely, speaking straight from her soul, some of her own fears. “I’m still searching for mine – and I hope you’ve already got yours, but if you need one more someday… shoot me a text message or an email, okay?”

He took the card and tucked it in his pocket, giving her a slight nod. A part of her wanted to clobber him upside the head with her clutch – but another part of her understood that sometimes the timing was just all wrong… and her timing had been terrible all of her life.

Why change that now?

“Walk with me to get some cake, so I don’t get mobbed – and then I’m going to take my slice and get out of here,” Maureen began, feeling sad and disappointed that he wasn’t giving an inch. “I need some sugar and a little peace and quiet - that doesn’t involve trying to set me up with someone. How about you?”

“Same,” he replied and held out his arm politely to her. “Shall we run the gauntlet for that cake?”

“I guess so, flyboy…”

CHAPTER 5

ARCHANGEL

Elijah blew his nose quietly in the stillness of the airplane cabin. He and his brother had a long talk, and they had to be shushed twice by the flight attendants because there were a few tense moments – but they got through it. They talked, they reminisced… and they cried – both of them. It was hard to revisit some of your most bitter memories only to realize someone else saw things much differently than you.

It hurt to hear how painful things had been for his brother; some he didn’t even know about because Elijah had never been gifted in school – not like Bode. There were many times when he stayed after school to study… and hide. Sports came easy for him, but academics - not so much. In fact, when he applied to the Air Force Academy, he’d been terrified that he wouldn’t make it in because of his GPA, but he had a glowing recommendation from his senator that clinched the deal.

And now?

Bode was asleep beside him on the flight, mouth wide open and snoring softly from sheer exhaustion. Elijah chuckled softly, marveling at how some things never changed and other things could blindside you. Where Elijah was standoffish and silent – something he’d learned out of necessity – Bode was the opposite. His brother was loud, in your face, brash and confrontational, losing his cool when people touched him – and Elijah knew why.

In a small town, people kept secrets and kept up appearances just so no one knew the dirty secrets that they tried to hide. His parents should never have had children – and looking back, the school should have said something to the police, but it was in the past now. ‘I’m Sorry’ never healed a bruise or a broken arm… and it sure didn’t heal the mental scars of someone who hit you, mocked you, or berated you. Unfortunately for Elijah, he still had to put up with some of that when his parents reached out – usually to complain or gripe about how much they hated their accommodations.

That part just blew his mind.

They’d grown up in a small town with no money. Looking back, his childhood home had been a shack in the woods. He felt like a rockstar having three hot meals a day at the academy, fresh clothing, and a bunk that didn’t smell strange, with sheets that felt softer than anything he’d had before. The academy had been eye-opening – both good and bad.

Your every flaw was amplified, so he had to try even harder to pass his academic classes. All of your hopes and dreams – well, those were based on performance goals and whether there was a placement available for you. Life and the academy had no guarantees – and the battles he thought were once over with his acceptance?

Changed.

New rules, new tactics, and a fresh new ‘gameboard’ to conquer… and while sometimes it just amazed him that he was actually in charge, it was also terrifying. All those same doubts, fears, and insecurities that he’d learned to bury behind a face in order to keep things from escalating – that ‘skill’ had served him for years… until now.

Chuckling softly as Bode let out a loud snore before whistling slightly, Elijah rolled his eyes and wished he could sleep as easily as his brother. Looking around the cabin of the dimly lit airplane, he saw several others were sound asleep too. The dull groan of the engines should have felt at home, almost like a lullaby, but his brain was swerving and weaving into places it had no business even visiting.

Maureen.

He pulled the business card from his breast pocket and stared at it, like it had the answers he was searching for. There was a crease down the middle where he’d folded it in half and almost threw it away – but something stopped him. He kept replaying little tidbits in his mind, things that she’d said without hesitation or thought… and they were things he’d never heard before from anyone.

Your eyes are pretty…

It’s exhausting to hold it all together…

We’re not meant to be loners…

You haven’t found your community yet…

She was right. Within minutes of meeting each other, perfect strangers, this woman had summed up so many truths in the universe and doled out compliments like it was nothing to her. He was surrounded on base by people, but they weren’t his ‘community’. He felt very much alone and hadn’t realized how strongly that sensation was until he witnessed the party at Flyboys go on for a little while longer… and he wanted to have a group of friends like that. They were laughing, talking, teasing each other – and it wasn’t just a few people.

It was everyone.