Page 41 of Salute, To Bravery
She nods and waves a hand towards the door. “See you Monday.”
I smile and grab my towel and gym bag before she changes her mind. “Later,” I slowly limp to the door.
I may not need the cane, but it does make life a little easier for me. Today, though, I am determined to walk into my old barracks with no aids. I want to earn the smiles of my friends when they see me healing.
They all know I’m home but have respected my space.
I get into my Jeep and groan when I sit down. My muscles are screaming for the ice bath I skipped out on today. I crank the engine over and pull out of the reserved parking spot. The sign reads ‘Disabled Veteran Only,’ and every time I come to physical therapy, it reminds me of what I gave to this country. I frown.
If the recruiting officer had said the Army would take my soul along with almost my life, I would have just gone to college.
I sigh and shake off my mood as I work my way across the base. I’m mission focused on seeing my friends. I’ve put it off long enough, and my therapist has been urging me to see them. Apparently, rooting myself in the familiar is a good coping mechanism.
Nothing else has stopped the nightmares, so I’ll try just about anything at this point.
I pull up to the building and groan when I see a few people outside smoking. Their faces turn my way, and I wave half-heartedly, at which they start to holler.
“LT, IS THAT YOU?”
“BLAKE!”
“LOOK WHAT THE CAT DRAGGED IN.”
That last comment makes me cringe as I’m stepping out of my Jeep.
“Hey guys,” I say lamely.
“Nah, you can do better than that.” Jasper grabs me in a rib-breaking hug and spins me like the fool he is.
“Damn good to see you, girl. You had us all so worried,” he whispers in my ear before setting me back on the ground.
“This place lacks decorum. Last I knew, you saluted commanding officers, retired or not.” I try to hide my embarrassment behind rules and regulations, but it only works for a moment.
They all fall in line and show their respect, wearing smirks on their faces.
“At ease.” I smile as Ethan throws an arm across my shoulders and turns me towards the barracks.
“You’ll never guess who’s retiring today.”
I shake my head at him. “Still the Company gossip, I see.”
Ethan clutches his heart, faking an offended look that’s too comical not to laugh at. “Little ol’ me?”
I push him away as Oscar opens the doors for us.
“Major War,” Oscar says as I pass him, and I stumble.
“What?” Major Warren Davis has been the CO of this Company for almost twenty years.
“He doesn’t have his twenty-five in yet. Does he?”
Jasper nods.
“Last year, but even if he didn’t, after the divorce—”
“DIVORCE?” I look around when my voice comes out higher than I intended.
“Yeah, it turns out Mrs. War was a cheating whore.”
