Page 1 of Ruby's Strength

One

Everett Hollis

It’s been forty-seven days since I was wheeled off the plane at Ellsworth Air Force Base straight to the infirmary. Forty-one days since I was released from the hospital only to hobble into a debriefing meeting about the failed mission that ended up getting one of my men killed and several others extended stays in the infirmary. After explaining the full extent of what went down, how my superiors had ignored my warnings and went through with the mission, even though I advised against it until we had more intel, their attitudes changed. They ended up offering me a promotion where I’d be in command of even more men, the very men who refused to listen. At thirty-four, I’ve had enough of all the bureaucratic bullshit. I had no business being anyone’s leader. I should have refused and made them listen. Instead, a family doesn’t get their son, their husband, and their daddy back. I countered with a medical discharge. After lengthy discussions, they finally begrudgingly agreed. I spent the next two weeks cutting my ties with Uncle Sam.

I packed all of my belongings in my military issued duffel and hit the road in my old truck. I’ve been traveling to all the small towns near the Black Hills National forest searching for work in construction. I found a couple side jobs here and there, but nothing that offered more than a few days of work. I need to be outside, working with my hands, keeping my mind too busy to think about what a failure I’ve been. Havenwood is the fifth town I’ve stopped in, and the minute I drove over the county lines last night, some of the heavy that’s been resting on my shoulders, lightened.

It’s early Saturday morning, and I need a good cup of coffee and some breakfast before I head out to scout some work around here. Berry Delicious is the first food place I come across in ten miles, so I decide to stop, even though it looks like a place for tea parties and not a good cup of coffee like I’m needing.

“Welcome to Berry Delicious.” Two women, an older and a much younger one call from behind the counter. The pair is smiling and look as though they could be related.

“Good morning ma’am.” I nod my head at the older one and then look at the other and nod. “Ma’am.”

“How can we help your handsome self out?”

“Gram! You can’t say that to every guy that walks in here.”

She looks at her granddaughter, her eyes full of mischief. “I don’t! I only tell ‘em they’re handsome if it’s true.”

“What am I going to do with you? I’m sorry sir, how can I help you?”

I laugh at the two. “No worries, really. I’ll take a large coffee, black, and a breakfast sandwich if you have one.”

“Which one would you like?” She asks, handing me a paper menu and pointing at the different options they surprisingly offer.

I whistle, not expecting so many choices then point to the one that is loaded with eggs, meat, and cheese.

She puts her hands on her hips and arches her eyebrows at me. “What’s that look for?”

“No offense ma’am-”

“It’s Aubree, enough of that ma’am nonsense. Get on with it.”

“Well, Aubree, I wasn’t expecting a place like this to have this kind of food.”

“And what kind of place is this?” Aubree’s grandmother asks, and I can tell I’m starting to offend them.

I rub the back of my neck, feeling like I’ve boxed myself into a corner I can’t get out of. “It’s nothing. I just really need a cup of coffee.”

“Oh no, you want your coffee, you’re gonna spill.” The older woman says waving a wide spatula at me.

“The place is just kind of frou-frou is all.”

“Meaning?” Aubree asks crossing her arms in front of her.

“You know… those tiny little cakes and fancy desserts…”

“Oh give the poor guy a break you two.” Another woman says walking in from outside wearing a park ranger uniform.

“Good morning Maura dear. Coffee?” The older woman asks.

Maura nods “Thank you, Ms. Molly.” When she sits down at the counter and faces me, she asks “So, what’s your story?”

“I’m new to town and looking for work.”

“What kind of work?” Aubree asks, placing two coffees in to-go cups in front of us.

I grab mine and take the lid off to put two sugar packets in and stir it before answering. “I’m looking for handyman kind of jobs, something where I can work outside and with my hands.”

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