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“Sounds serious.” Thaddeus sipped at a cup of black coffee. It looked silky and smelled creamy and dark.
“It’s pretty intense. But I do my best.” Tabitha grabbed a clean cup from the array Auntie El had lined up near the thermal carafe and poured herself some of the hot brew. She dumped in some cream and sugar from the pitcher and bowl and took a sip.
Thaddeus snapped his fingers. “Semper Fit. That’s one of those extreme fitness places, right? We’ve done a number of cases against those places.”
“Cases? What do you mean?”
“I’m a personal injury lawyer with Sneldon and Schultz. Those types of gyms always have lawsuits. People try to do things they shouldn’t, silly things, get hurt and sue.” Thaddeus shrugged. “I’m sure you’ve witnessed it if you’ve been there for any amount of time.”
The cozy warmth of the coffee and bacon turned inside Tabitha’s gut. “Semper Fit’s not like that. Yes, we do some things traditional gyms don’t, but the coaches are excellent and make sure everyone progresses safely.”
“That’s great to hear.” Thaddeus sipped more of his coffee. “Frankly, I’m surprised you go there. You were always so quiet and careful. You never enjoyed sports of any kind. I used to call you my little bookworm, remember that?” He winked, showing off some impressively long eyelashes. They were long back in high school but, if it was possible, they’d grown. “I guess the navy makes you tough.” Thaddeus flexed a bicep beneath his dress shirt. “I was shocked as hell when you enlisted, too, to be honest. You never liked to be away from home.”
“I’m different now.” Tabitha’s voice came with an edge she hadn’t expected. She quickly took a bite of her egg sandwich to silence herself from saying more, being defensive when she probably had no need to be. He was right, anyway. Tabitha didn’t like to be away from home. But she hadn’t enlisted in the navy because she was brave. She’d enlisted because she’d hoped it’d make her brave—give her direction, make her stronger, more confident. And everyone knew how that had turned out.
“I can see that.” Thaddeus flashed his perfect teeth again. “You look amazing. I can’t believe how long it’s been.”
“Yeah, high school was a long time ago. But also seems like yesterday, am I right?”
“I know what you mean... Oops.” Thaddeus had taken a step to his right and bumped into Trinity. Up until now she’d been hidden in the crowded kitchen. “Oh, hi.” He reached down to pet her. “Who’s this? I remember your auntie would never let you have a dog.” Just as his fingers lit on Trinity’s head he must’ve seen the vest because he drew back. “A service dog. Oh, that explains it. She’s not yours. Somebody brought their service dog.”
“No, she’s mine.” Tabitha’s words came out low, but certain.
“Oh, I...”
“How we doing over here?” Auntie El appeared between the two of them, her big smile still plastered to her face. It looked strained, though, and a sheen of sweat had popped over her forehead. “Catching up on old times?”
“We were just talking about Trinity, Auntie El.” Tabitha set the rest of her biscuit on her plate and pushed it away, her appetite shrinking.
“Oh, I see.” Auntie El cleared her throat. “Tabitha had some hard times in Afghanistan, but she’s all good now. The dog helps.” Auntie El gave a nervous laugh. “She’s a good dog. All trained up.”
Thaddeus peered down at Trinity’s upturned little face. “Not much of a guard dog, I’d say. She’s so little.”
“That’s not the type of service she provides,” Tabitha said.
“Oh, I see.” Thaddeus looked between Trinity and Tabitha and back again, but his expression made it clear that he didnotsee. “Were you wounded over there?” Thaddeus glanced down, maybe checking out Tabitha’s legs for an obvious injury. “Your auntie didn’t say you’d been hurt.”
“Not like that.” Tabitha’s heart was going harder now—small but determined punches in her chest. “Trinity helps me in other ways.” She didn’t want to tell him about the IED that had injured Captain Dorsey, because that wouldn’t explain anything at all. The chaplain had come away with obvious, physical wounds, but Tabitha’s weren’t visible at all. And Tabitha’s problems hadn’t started after the captain’s injury, years ago; they’d started after his death, resulting from his injuries, which had taken years and was much more recent. She got the feeling that an explanation for Thaddeus wouldn’t come easily, certainly not here and now, during Auntie El’s Sunday brunch.
Silence yawned between them.
“Excuse me. It was great catching up with you, Thaddeus. You seem to be doing amazing things. I can’t wait one more second to have a shower, though. Come on, Trinity.” As soon as Tabitha turned, Trinity followed her out of the kitchen.
“You smell fine to me,” Auntie El called. “Tabitha? We have guests!”
Tabitha didn’t look back. At the foot of the staircase, she bumped into Reverend Stokes. “Are you all right, my dear? You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine, Reverend. I just need a shower. It was so good to see you again.” Tabitha resisted the urge to sink against him for another embrace. Just when she’d been thinking about how perfect Thaddeus had been for her back in high school, she’d discovered that he really was perfect. Too perfect. Had he always been that perfect? Or had he changed a lot? Or was it she who had done all the changing—and not for the good?
As Tabitha climbed the stairs, she heard Reverend Stokes say softly to Trinity, “You take care of her now. She’s my sweet angel. Found her behind the altar. Quiet as a church mouse.”
Trinity, who rarely spoke, gave a little woof in reply.
