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Tabitha tried the door, but it was locked. She sighed and looked down at Trinity, whose black fur looked blue in the setting sun. “I did it again,” she told the pittie. “Sat in the car too long, chickened out and missed the party.”
Trinity whined.
Stomach tight, Tabitha had just turned to go when a clicking sound came from the door, followed by the jangle of a little bell. “Hey.” A familiar voice rode over her shoulder. “So you made it after all.”
“Sergeant Monroe.” Tabitha turned to find the lean, mean woman with short, dark hair standing just inside the shop, door held open with her back.
“Relax, Corporal. I’m just Delaney now.” She tipped her head toward the inside and smiled. “C’mon in.”
Tabitha followed Delaney inside, noticing how strong she looked. Even at Camp Leatherneck, hidden under her BDUs, Gunnery Sergeant Monroe cut an imposing figure. Just by the lines of her jaw, her erect posture, and the complete and total command she held over herself and everyone around her, Tabitha had known that Sergeant Monroe was not to be messed with. What she hadn’t expected was the depth of her, the power of her spirit, which rose up and shone like a beacon on the most tragic day in Tabitha’s life.
She brushed all that aside and focused on the motorcycle shop. “Wow, Sarg...uh...Delaney. This is amazing.” Not that Tabitha knew anything about motorcycles. But the shop was supercool with an old bike shined up and on display, a bunch of memorabilia on the walls, and sitting happily near a buffet table, a large, brown and white pit bull. Trinity paid him no attention whatsoever. The pit bull, who was male, sniffed the air when she came inside. “We both have pit bulls,” Tabitha said. “Though mine is a lot smaller.”
“This guy’s not actually mine.” Delaney patted his head and tossed him a meatball from the plate of leftover food on the table. The buffet was wrecked, like it got hit by a mob of teens, with just a few meatballs left, some sad, wilted lettuce in the bottom of a clear, plastic bowl, a plate with brownie crumbs, and the heels of some garlic bread. “His collar says Sinbad. Apparently he used to live here. He keeps sneaking away from Sunny’s place and comes here.”
“Sunny?” The name perked Tabitha’s ears. She watched Sinbad settle on the floor with his meatball and start to lick off the sauce. She’d never seen a dog eat that way, so careful and deliberate. “He’s from Pittie Place, then. So is Trinity, originally.” She nodded at her polite girl, who watched Sinbad eat his meatball with her head cocked to the side. “Sunny gave Trinity to Pete, who runs Canine Warriors. He helped me train her to be a service dog. We chose her because she’s on the smaller side, and so am I.”
“She looks perfect for you.” Delaney smiled at Trinity but didn’t try to pet her. Her gaze shifted to Tabitha and her eyes softened. “Sorry you missed the food. But at least you came inside, eh?”
“I’m not hungry anyway.” Which was a lie, but Tabitha had seen Auntie El before she left the house, deveining shrimp and cooking down okra to get all the slime out of it. That meant gumbo for dinner.
“How long did you sit in the car before you saw everyone leave?” Delaney had never been one to mince words. She handed Sinbad the last meatball, which he took gently and settled between his paws. “I mean, I don’t blame you. I had a big crowd today. Too much for me, even. I’m whipped.”
“Not long, actually. I took Trinity to the park today. We were forest bathing. That’s this thing where you soak up the trees and sky and get close to nature. There’s a Japanese word for it, but I don’t remember what it is.” When Tabitha had left the house she’d been intent on coming to Delaney’s grand opening. Instead, she’d found herself on the trails, in the county park. She’d kept in the shade, to avoid the heat, the hard ground keeping her rooted, the rush of the water making her feel loose and fluid, and the scent of the blue sky a balm on every secret wound beneath the surface that tried to fester in her soul.
“Still spiritual as ever, huh?” Delaney gave a soft grin. “I always admired that about you.”
Tabitha felt her cheeks go hot. “Maybe not as much these days. But I try.”
Her voice must’ve given her away because Delaney quickly changed the subject.
“I’m just about to go upstairs and cook some dinner. That is, after I get this guy back home.” She waggled her fingers at Sinbad. “You want to join me?”
A heavy brew of emotions filled Tabitha. She’d been invited to dinner by a woman she’d admired for a long time, even though she hadn’t seen her in years. She felt excitement. Pride. But also anxiety. There was no way in hell she could ever measure up to a woman like Delaney, who put in so many years in the corps and now owned her own shop. All Tabitha had done was get out as quick as she could and run back home to her great-aunt. Trinity must’ve sensed the shift because she stood up and pressed close to Tabitha’s legs. “I can’t. But thank you. So much. My, uh—” she pointed toward the door “—my auntie El is making gumbo.” She glanced at her watch. “I have to get back. I just wanted to pop in after the hike and see your shop. Thank you again for talking to me at the gym. I still haven’t worked out there, but I will. And also thanks again for...for...”
Delaney stepped in and clapped her hands on Tabitha’s shoulders. She gave a squeeze. “It’s cool, Tabitha. All good. I wouldn’t miss out on gumbo, either. As for the gym, no big thing. You’ll go inside and work out. I’ll make sure of it. And as for the other thing.” Delaney’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t even mention it. We all did what we needed to do that day.”
Tabitha felt her throat grow tight, so she slipped her fingers beneath the elastic band she wore on her wrist and gave it a couple of snaps. Trinity pawed at her leg, without using her nails. Tabitha drew a deep breath and felt the tension pass. She took a treat from her pocket and gave it to Trinity, who nibbled it gently. “Good girl.”
Delaney’s eyes took in all of it. She grabbed something from the counter and pressed it into Tabitha’s palm. A business card. “Text me before your next gym visit. I’ll make sure I go the same time, if I can.”
Tabitha slipped the card in her shorts pocket. “Thanks. That would be great. I did go in, by the way. That day. After you left.”
“Oh, yeah?” Delaney’s eyes brightened. It was pretty obvious when she was happy because Delaney’s eyes were this unusual gold color that lit up like champagne.
“Yeah. I went in and met the owner and his wife. Rhett was cool and his wife was really nice. She’s a massage therapist and told me I could come by anytime for a free intro session. I didn’t even know massage therapists did intro sessions. Their old beagle was the cutest. The beagle wouldn’t let me touch him, but that’s okay. I’m used to nobody touching my dog, either.” Tabitha clamped her mouth shut. Why was she babbling so much?
“I don’t think they’re married, but yeah, they’re a great pair.” Delaney grinned big. “So next time you go, you’re all set to actually work out.”
“I think so.” Tabitha wanted to be positive but also didn’t want to lie to Delaney.
“You will.”
Delaney was obviously more confident than Tabitha was. Which, somehow, made Tabitha feel more confident. Apparently Delaney’s courage was contagious. It certainly had been that day in Afghanistan. “Good night. Thanks for having me and enjoy your dinner.” Tabitha squashed the urge to go upstairs and see how Delaney had decorated her apartment. She envisioned simple, but warm. Functional, but colorful.
“’Night, Tabitha.” Delaney pointed at the business card. “Don’t forget to text.”
“’Night, Sarge.” Tabitha left with a good feeling.
