Page 22 of Soldier Cowboy
“That’s my intention. Do you know of anyone who suffers from PTSD?”
Her recent podcast series had focused on the need for treatment for returning soldiers. A subject near to her heart.
“No, but I give regularly to the Wounded Warrior Project.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
After several more comments on how much money he had, and how much of it he donated, Jennifer realizedthiswasn’t going to work. The man was obsessed with money and his sense of pride over his achievements (fancy home, a flashy car) seemed over the top. Weirdly, he spoke of himself in the third person, lauding his numerous accomplishments. Plus, he was mean to the waitress.
He got no kiss at the door and only a quick hug with thanks for the meal, even if she’d insisted on paying for her half.
Dan called her the next day. She made excuses as to why she couldn’t go out again, busy with research and interviews for the podcast. All of this had the benefit of being 100 percent true. But it turned out she wasn’t ready for a relationship.
Dan:
Are you sure there’s no one else? You can tell me if there is. I’ll understand.
She typed back:
No, there’s no one. I’m just a busy professional, which I’m sure you can understand.
Dan:
I think I get it. That’s okay.
She’d breathed a sigh of relief when the text messages stopped. Dan got her unspoken message. There would be no more dates. But a week later, he sent flowers. Flattered, she’d texted him but set the tone from personal to professional:
Thank you for the flowers. Listen to the episode tonight, it’s a good one.
Dan:
You know I will. I like to fall asleep listening to the sound of your sultry voice.
Okay, kind of creepy, but she’d been told before that she had a smooth radio-style-personality voice so maybe this made sense. Still, she didn’t like the idea. It was the first highly personal thing he’d said to her, and she didn’t see it as a warning except in hindsight.
The messages started up again, at first just compliments about the podcast and her guests. Suggesting people to interview and resources. Just when she thought he’d accepted their “friends only” rule, the new flurry of text messages began.
I sensed a connection between you and the soldier you interviewed. What is his name?
Tell the truth. Is he your new lover?
Have I been forgotten so quickly?
I won’t be ignored.
Yes, he’d sensed a connection between her and the soldier she’d interviewed. Her brother, Joe. He’d wanted to remain anonymous for many reasons, every one of which Jennifer agreed to. But despite the innocence of it all, it wasn’t any of Dan’s business if she was dating someone else. She ignored him.
Things got progressively worse after that day. Jennifer would often wake to three hundred text messages on her phone.
Why won’t you accept there’s something between us? I want us to get married. Stop denying your feelings. It isn’t healthy.
Healthy! Ha. He was going to talk to her about healthy.
She made the mistake of texting back:
Please seek professional help. There’s someone special out there for you but it isn’t me.
It only made him worse. That time he hurled insults at her intelligence and that she shouldn’t try to be a faux therapist. She should just stick to what she knew. Interviewing far more interesting people than she’d ever be.
