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“Why would that make you freak out?”
“Sometimes people are different in real life, you know?”
“Yeah, man, I know.” They sat for awhile, chatting about work and other random things. When Heather came in to politely tell Chris she was about to put their daughter to bed, he excused himself and headed home.
He didn’t live far from his friend, but when he pulled into his own driveway, he was exhausted. Chris stumbled inside, locked the door, and crashed onto the couch. He couldn’t believe he’d finally met her. Sarah. He’d met her and he survived and he was going to get to see her again soon.
He pulled out his phone and opened his messaging app.
StaffSergeantAwesome: Sweet dreams, beautiful.
He closed his eyes before he could worry about what she’d say back and Staff Sergeant Christopher Miles fell asleep.
4
When Sarah went into work on Monday, she was still on a high from seeing Chris. Part of her still couldn’t believe it had been him in the flesh. He had been sweet and kind and everything she hoped for, but she couldn’t get her hopes too high.
By the time Saturday rolled around, Sarah felt like she was going to jump out of her skin. She hadn’t been able to focus at work at all. In fact, she was a little surprised her boss hadn’t fired her when she misfiled three forms in a row.
Still, somehow she managed to make it through the week and now she was going to meet Chris.
They’d been texting and messaging all week and she realized that Chris hadn’t just been jerking her chain. He really had been flirting with her, coming onto her, making her feel like she was special to him.
She tried not to think too much about him as she parked her car at the entrance to the cemetery and climbed out. She was a few minutes early, so she’d wait for Chris to arrive. He would probably be right on time. Military guys always were.
Sarah tried to take deep breaths and keep her hands off her belly. The baby had been more active than usual lately and it was hard not to touch herself every time she felt a bump or kick. She would tell Chris in time. She’d tell everyone, but not yet. Not today. Today was about Garrett.
A white SUV pulled up near her and she stepped out of the way automatically, but it stopped and the window rolled down.
“You lost, little lady?” A friendly voice called out.
“Nice, Staff Sergeant Awesome,” she said, and climbed in the passenger side of Chris’ car. She turned to him and motioned forward. “Shall we?”
She pointed out the different turns at the cemetery. It was tricky to find your way around, but Sarah had come every weekend since her brother was buried.
“Right up here,” she pointed, and Chris pulled the SUV over. They got out and started walking toward Garrett.
“Was it a nice ceremony?” Chris asked quietly.
“Yeah, it was really nice. A lot of people came.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
“You were there for him when it mattered most.” Chris had been with Garrett when he died. At least, that’s what everyone told her. Chris hadn’t said much either way about it.
They reached the stone with her brother’s name, and Sarah knelt in the grass in front of it. To her surprise, Chris followed suit. He touched the stone and whispered something she couldn’t hear. Then they just sat there.
Garrett had been an amazing brother. Sure, he was the popular one and the smart one and the perfect one, but he had never let any of that go to his head. He’d always been good to Sarah. He’d always looked after her. Even when he was deployed, he’d always taken the time to see how she was doing, what she was up to.
He was the only one she’d told about the baby.
And now she was lonely.
She felt Chris’ hand on her shoulder and she looked up, only to realize she’d been crying.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I always get like this here.”
