Page 6 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
My grandmother likes to credit herself for my sudden interest in stability. I tease her with denials, but the truth is, she is a large part of the reason. I’ve always had a special bond with her.
My grandparents took custody of me when I was six and raised me until I joined the Navy. Both of my parents battled with drugs and alcohol most of my life. Since they were my mother’s parents, I would still see her once in a while. She came in and out of my childhood, showing up on a random given day, then disappearing again not too long after.
Most of the time, they were quick visits between her addictions and stents in prison. My father is currently still serving a twenty-five-year sentence in Colorado for drug-related charges as well. They’re both in their fifties and have never lived outside that world. I have no desire to see them or have them back in my life.
I’ve heard they’re still married. Despite being separated by metal bars and more than six states, they’re still very much in . If they are each other’s soulmates, at least they accept one another.
“When do you fly out again?” My grandmother slides her letters across the wooden tile holder.
“Tomorrow.”
Warren glances at me from over the top of his reading glasses. “And what type of exotic destination are you headed to now?”
The destinations and the flying I do now, compared to what I used to do. With regards to locations themselves, they are vastly different, but I let them assume that I’m headed for an adventure anyway.
I move my pieces around, darting my eyes between the board and my letters to create the wordFLAPJACK.
“I believe my first stop is Albuquerque. But I’ll have to look at my schedule on my phone in a minute because right now, I’m about to beat your asses,” I say with a broad smile on my face.
“Oh, hell. Good game, Carter, but next week, I get to pick what we play,” Warren grumbles.
“Of course, my friend.” Just as I stand, the rest of the table does the same. “No, don’t get up.” I make my way around the table to Betty and to give Warren a firm handshake.
“See you next week,” he says, smiling.
I bend down to kiss my grandmother on the cheek. “I love you, Carter. Thank you for always coming to see me.”
“Grandma, you don’t have to thank me. I always will,” I reassure her. Then make my way toward the door, but then I turn quickly on my heels. “Tell Dr. Tully that I’ll talk to him during our weekly call.”
“I’m so lucky to have you.” Her eyes gloss over.
“I’m the lucky one.”
With a hot coffee in hand, I stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Phoenix. My condo is on the sixth floor and has unobstructed views of the valley. Facing toward the path, I watch the aircraft flying in and out of the state’s international airport. It’s an up-and-coming area with trendy bars, restaurants, and shops.
I fly out this morning for the next two days. Grazing around the condo one more time, I confirm that I have remembered everything before my trip. I finish my coffee before rinsing it out in the sink, then head over to close the automatic curtains of the corner windows. I swipe my hat off the leather couch and wheel my luggage out the door.
“Good morning, Carter.”
I hear a female voice behind me as I’m locking the door. My neighbors Abby and Ashley stand beside their door with their small dog, Snickers, as he wags his tail at their feet.
“How are you both?” I ask.
“Good. Heading out of town for our anniversary trip in a few days,” Ashley tells me while lovingly staring at Abby.
“That sounds like fun,” I reply. “Where are you going?”
Abby adjusts her backpack. “We rented a cabin up north. Hoping to enjoy some cooler weather.”
“We have some friends meeting us up there tomorrow,” Ashley chimes in.
“Headed out too?” Abby asks, glancing at my uniform.
I nod. “I am. Only for two days this time.”
“Carter, you should let us set you up with one of our friends sometime,” Abby says, slipping the key into the door to lock it behind them.
“Maybe.” I shrug.
