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Chapter Four
Up bright and early, I run down Queen Anne Road making my way back to the hotel. My mornings are routine. After I took the bullet, my commanding officer and I spoke of reenlisting. My tour was coming to an end, and I felt I was ready to come home. He shook my hand and wished me well. Once the doctors released me, I was sent back here to the states to continue with therapy.
Now, I’m back one hundred percent with an honorable discharge. Other than the scar and the memories of a late-night attack, I am as close to my old self as I ever will be. My pace picks up as I turn left down DeGraw, about a mile left before I reach the hotel.
Once inside, I make quick progress getting my things shoved into my bag. While I wait to leave for Danielle’s, I take a shower to calm down. Who would have thought I’d be nervous. We are best of friends. It's not like we’ve never slept at each other’s house. Shit, I would join them on their family vacations, for crying out loud.
I glance at the clock. It’s not even nine yet, but fuck it. I lace up my boots and grab my bag. When I walk past the main entrance, the key card lands on the desk, and I head out.
It takes about twenty minutes for me to walk to Dani’s. I glance up at the big bay window and see her bopping around with a gray shirt hanging off her shoulder. Her long brown hair is tossed to one side, leaving her neck exposed as she moves back and forth.
In a few quick strides, I reach door 2B and knock, but there’s no answer. Knowing Dani used to leave a spare in the fake plant next to the stairs, I take the chance and reach in, and it only takes a moment to retrieve it. As quietly as possible, I unlock the door, turn the knob and push it open. I can’t help the smile as I witness her goofy self-dancing while she mops the wood floor.
*.*.*
Danielle
With the earbuds playing one of my favorite songs, I stop and admire the cleanliness of the floor. After my first cup of coffee, I rushed to get the place clean in anticipation of Jacob’s arrival. I can’t believe I asked him to stay with me. With a shimmy to the left and then to the right, I turn and“Holy fuck!” I drop the Swiffer and grab it at my chest.
“You scared the shit out of me!” I pull the earbuds out and take a few deep breaths.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to,” he says with a chuckle.
I wave him off and step towards the kitchenette, “Coffee?”
“No, I’m good. Thanks.” He sits and waits as I make my last cup.
“How’d you sleep?” I wonder while pouring my cream and sugar into the mug.
“You know me, same as usual,” he shrugs. And I do know him. I pull the chair out and sit, placing the coffee on the table with a smile. “Hey, remember when we were kids, and you would call me at like two in the morning, asking me to come out. I’d sneak over, and we’d sit in the backyard staring up at the stars. I miss that. Being young, I mean, with no cares in the world.” I sip, and the side of his mouth twitches.
“Why did we ever say, I can’t wait to grow up?” He fiddles with his cell phone, spinning it in circles. Then asks, “Any plans? I mean, should I know anything?” I tilt my head to the side, not knowing what exactly he is asking.
He waves his arms in the air, motioning around the apartment, “in regards to staying here, like don’t come in if there is a sock on the door.” He glances around, but not in my direction, as if he is dreading the answer.
“No, I’ll leave a tie. Socks are just gross- feet yuck!” I tell him with a little shiver in my shoulders.
“Why would you have a tie?” He leans back and crosses his legs.
With a wink, I grab my cup and stand. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I smirk, take a few steps to pick up the mop, walk it into the closet and close the door. With a turn, I step towards the counter, and to keep myself occupied, I wipe it down, trying not to avoid his stare. Was that disappointment I saw?
“Make yourself at home. I have to run to the store for a few things. Add anything you need or want to the list. First, I’m going to take a shower.” I toss a pen and paper onto the table, lean back against the fridge door, and cross my arms. He nods, and I excuse myself.
Talk about the house getting really cold, real fast.
So what if I own a tie. I mean, lots of girls do, right?
