Page 62 of Be With Me
“Kevin? You’re rambling. What’s up?” He needed a distraction from his thoughts and a Kevin distraction fit the bill.
“I’m getting married.” Kevin sounded excited. Mooney immediately pulled out his cell to text Mackey and Danny.
“Really? Who’s the lucky bride? Have Mackey and Danny met the bride to be?” Mooney saw something in his peripheral vision and looked over. Albertson waved at him and pointed at his watch. Glancing at his own watch he realized it was time for formation. Shit.
“They have both met her. Her name is Brit—”
“Kevin, I’ve got to call you back. We’ve got a formation in five minutes and I’ve got to get out there. Can I call you tonight?” Mooney stood and patted his thigh pocket ensuring that his beret was there.
“I’ll be around. We’re… I’ll tell you all tonight.” All Mooney heard was a dial tone before dropping the handset and rushing outside.
After dinner, Mooney was reading a book to the boys when the home phone rang. He ignored it, figuring Debbie would get it or the person would leave a message. They still had a landline so the boys could use it to call their uncles and grandparents.
“Cam and Cal, go brush your teeth and give Mama kisses. It’s bedtime,” he told them when the book was done. They were off like a shot and before he knew it, they were climbing into their beds. In a year or two, they’d probably want their own rooms but for now, they wanted to share. Who was Mooney to argue? “Love you.”
“Love you—” Cal said.
“Papa,” Cam finished.
Mooney closed the door as he left the room, making sure the nightlight was on first. Debbie sat on the couch talking to someone on the phone. Guess she answered the phone. He grabbed a glass of water before sitting down and listening in.
“I’ll let Luny know the details, Kevin. We’re happy for you. You sure you don’t want to talk to Luny?” Kevin must have said no since the next thing she said was, “Okay, love to you too.” She disconnected the call and dropped the receiver on the coffee table. “You heard?”
“Kevin called me today right before formation. Didn’t get much out of him prior to cutting him off. Please tell me this woman has the potential to not be a bitch?” Mooney didn’t know if Kevin could take striking out again. Having two wives cheat on you wasn’t the greatest ego booster.
“I think this one could be a good one. He said that Mackey and Danny have met her and like her. So that’s a positive,” Debbie curled sideways on the couch and stared at him. “That’s not all that was on your mind when you got home today. What’s going on, Luny?”
Mooney took a deep breath and met Debbie’s gaze. She knew him so well. “Sergeant major called me in today. You know I’m up for a first sergeant slot. One came open unexpectedly and the command sergeant major for that battalion recognized my name. He offered me the appointment and will see about getting us back to back assignments.” He purposely left out where the unit was.
“And… where is this appointment?” Debbie wasn’t stupid and knew he was leaving something out.
“Fort Campbell, so we’d be with the heptad. Okay, not all of them but at least four of them,” he offered with a big smile on his face. Debbie’s eyes narrowed and he watched how thoughts were going through her mind. Knowing her: uncles for the boys; possibility of longer than two years; support from Jeanine.
“When would we need to move? I don’t want to interrupt the boys’ school if we can.” Hmm, looked like Debbie wasn’t opposed to another move.
“The sergeant major wants me there yesterday. I could go and get a house for us then when school lets out we could have the movers all set to take the household goods,” Mooney suggested. This time, Debbie pursed her lips and closed her eyes as she thought it all through. After a few minutes, she nodded.
“I think that could work out nicely. If we can arrange for the movers the last two to three days of school then we’d get right on the road when the boys were done.” He could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she started pre-planning the move. “It’s only for four months or so. If you had brought this up two months ago? I would’ve smacked you. Holidays stateside means your tush is with family.”
“I love you, Debra Florence Luna.” It was the only thought in his mind. “Being with you is the best of my world.”
“I love you too. Now, we’ve got sleeping boys and you’re leaving soon. Let’s make the most of our time,” she suggested as she stood and held out her hand.
“As you wish.”
