Page 87 of Body Shot

Straightening my shoulders, I walk out another set of sliding doors onto the patio. The yard really is gorgeous. I jog down a couple of steps to the lush grass and wander toward Colin. The older man looks up.

“Oh, hey there, Beck. Didn’t know you were coming again today.” He slowly pushes up to his feet. “I’d shake your hand but mine are pretty dirty.”

“No worries.” I smile. “Looks like you’ve been working.”

“Yeah. There’s always something that needs doing out here.”

“Nice pond.”

“Thanks. Built it myself. Put all those plants in too.”

“Did you build that gazebo?” I nod at it.

“Yeah.” Colin moves toward it and I follow him. “It’s a nice place to sit outside in the evening. Not that we do that much anymore.”

I admire the structure and ask a few questions about some of the plants and shrubs around the yard. “So great to have such a big space in the city.”

“Yeah.” Colin grins. “It’s my pride and joy. Check out my azaleas.” He pauses. “You’re probably not much into horticulture.”

“Not really,” I admit, but I tag along to admire the bright flowering shrubs. “But it’s nice.”

“You live in a house?”

“A condo. Nothing special but it’s on the bay and has nice views.”

“How long did you say you’ve been out of the Navy?”

“A little over a year.”

Colin eyes me. “Assume you saw action overseas.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why’d you leave?”

I stare across the verdant space. “Well, I guess there were a few reasons. Things were changing. Politics were making it harder to get things done. Sometimes it felt like we were filling out paperwork more than anything. And . . .” I pause, thinking. “I saw some of my teammates struggling with balance. The married guys who ended up divorced because they were never home. Even when they were on leave, they’d come in to work on their gear, cleaning their weapons or doing some last-minute stuff before we deployed again. I mean, I get it—we all loved what we did. But I just thought maybe it was time for me to find that balance . . . time for a life of my own, before it’s too late. I saw the things they missed . . . the weddings and funerals and births. And they loved their families.” I look at Colin. “I can see how much you love your wife.”

Colin nods, his eyebrows pulled together. “Hell yeah. Been married forty-five years.”

“That’s great. You’ve probably been through some hard times together.”

“Yeah.”

“I saw some of my buddies’ wives struggling . . . saw how hard it was keeping things going when their guy was away so much.”

Colin gives me a long level look. “Yeah?”

I nod, keeping my tone casual. “Those Navy wives dealt with it because they had to. But your wife shouldn’t. You’re right here . . . yet your wife is still struggling.”

For a minute, I’m afraid the old dude is going to hit me. I tried to be subtle about it, but what the hell, clear communication is important.

“Sorry if I’m butting in. Just something to think about.” I head back into the house, knowing Hayden is probably in there trying to get things sorted.

“I’m going to have to do some laundry,” she mutters when I find her.

“Hayden, I can do it,” Gina protests, having used her walker to enter the kitchen.

“You can’t do stairs yet, Aunt Gina. And you can’t carry laundry when you’re in your walker.”

---