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“Yes, just need to make a quick call.” I rushed down the hallway to my office and partially closed the door so I could keep one ear on my team.
I waited for three rings. All the while, I rapidly tapped my shoe against the floor and stared out the window. I let out a quick breath when Sue answered the phone.
“Hello?”
“Hey, baby, how are you?” I asked.
“Better now.” She sounded all breathy, and I felt the warmth.
“Did you have a good day at work?” I asked and tried to find the words I’d need next.
“I did, and I finished two projects that were due, so,” she paused, “I was thinking what if we had dinner at my place tomorrow night? How about pasta?”
I hesitated a beat and rubbed my forehead as I wondered just how this conversation was going to go over. “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make that.” I kept my voice even.
“Okay, well, what about the next day?”
“Um,” I cleared my throat and knew I shouldn’t string her along, “actually, I wanted to tell you that I have to go away for a few days, for work.”
“Oh…” Her voice trailed off, and I felt a kick to the gut. “When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure yet. Hopefully, we should only be about four days. So, maybe we can plan something for the weekend or into the next week?”
“Dan,” something in her voice sat with me funny, “please be careful.”
Where does she think I’m going?
“Of course, I will.” I tried to lighten the mood, but even I found it strange that she went there. “It’s just a quick trip.”
“Promise me something?”
“Sure.”
“Promise me when you get home, you’ll call me right away?”
I paused and realized she intuitively knew something. I let the lightness I had strived for drop from my tone.
“I promise, Sue. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Be safe.” The phone disconnected, and I slowly hooked the receiver back on the wall. I couldn’t shake her reaction. Maybe she could hear the worry in my voice, but I’d practiced a few times before I called her.
“Dan?” I found my mother in the doorway of the office.
“Hey, Mom.” I leaned against the windowsill, wishing the conversation had gone a little differently.
“May I give you a piece of advice, son?” She stepped farther into the room and waited for me to nod for her to go on. “Never promise something you don’t have control over. Broken promises are a lot worse in the long run, if things don’t go as planned. Happy surprises are much better to go with.”
“Okay.” I could see what she was saying. Our job was unpredictable, and our word was everything.
“How’d she take your leaving?”
“I swear it’s like she knows or something.” I huffed and rubbed the back of my neck. “I’ve never even hinted at what we do, other than it’s Army related, and I’m not allowed to share, but it’s like she just knows.”
“She’s smart. She’s most likely put two and two together that it’s something important and dangerous. It’s a good sign, you know.”
“What is?”
“The fact she’s not digging and is still supportive means you two have a good relationship. One built on trust and love. That’s hard to find these days.”
