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“Dad, say bye to your buddies.” I walked over next to the side of the bed. “They can come back after your therapy.”
“This girlie is a tough one, boys.” Dad looked at me and blinked. “Jade, when did you get here?”
“I just walked in. I see your friends are leaving for a little while.” I patted his arm.
“Admiral, we have our orders. We’ll be back later tonight to visit.” Gunner motioned for the group to follow him.
“Gunner, bring back some beers, they don’t have any here,” Dad called out to them. “Bring a lot.”
The therapist came back as the guys were leaving. “Mr. Campbell, you ready to do some walking?”
While she had him occupied, I hurried out to catch up with the guys, but they hadn’t gone very far.
“He’s an alcoholic, too. I forgot to mention that earlier.” I shrugged. “That’s how he got injured. He was drunk out on the dock that was too weak to be on.”
“Do they think they can help him with the PTSD,” Charlie asked, “and the alcoholism?”
“Not at the VA, they won’t,” Lou joined in. “Mark was there for similar issues and his wife had to get him to a private rehab.”
“I’m working on it. Please come back and see him before you leave,” I said to a group of sad faces. “No need for the frowns, guys. You found him. Now, be there for him, like you said earlier.”
Gunner’s phone rang, so he stepped away. “Lou, do you know what facility Mark went to?” I asked.
“No, but I can call Mark.” Lou looked to Gunner when he returned from his call. “Is it time to go?”
“Mr. Hawthorne is ready for us and we need the daylight to look at his situation.” Gunner opened his arms for a hug. “Jade, you’re part of the family now. We’d do anything for the Admiral, and I can see you’re great with him.”
“Thank you. I’m so happy you guys will be available to him when he gets better.” I hugged each man, then waved goodbye.
I was still standing in the hallway, thinking, when Tommy walked up to me.
“Jade, I found two VA hospitals that can provide the three services your dad needs.” He crossed his arms. “This isn’t where I’d like him to go, but it’s your only option.”
“Tommy, will they really be able to help him,” I asked, feeling miserable about it, “or is it going to be a waste of time and we’ll be right back to where we are now?”
“There’s no way I can answer that but, if he were my father, I’d do anything I could to get him to a better facility.”
Chapter 56
Sawyer
Iwas sitting in my new seaplane when the gang arrived. I watched them approaching and looking around the dock. They were one scary-looking group of men. I found myself looking forward to hanging out with them.
“Mr. Hawthorne, sorry to make you wait.” Gunner looked around the inside of the plane. “Nice machine. You ready to go?”
“I’m ready. Which one of you is flying this?” I climbed out and around to the passenger seat.
“Robert’s taking first round. We’ll take turns while we’re here.” Gunner moved out of the way for Robert to get in. “Race you there, and no cheating.”
“Cheating? There’s cheating in flying?” I laughed.
“Not really, he just means don’t take off before they’re ready, but we don’t have to listen to them.”
“We don’t? They’re kinda scary, are you sure?” I watched Robert turn the plane on. “Okay, I guess you’re sure.”
“I’m not afraid of them. We’re going.” He flipped a few switches and we moved away from the dock. “You got your seatbelt on?”
“Am I going to need one?” I worried. “It’s only right over there.”
