Page 99 of Welcome to Forever
Chapter 24
Micah slowed the Jeep as he approached his home, seeing the stiff figure sitting on his front porch rocker. What was his father doing here? His father had been perfectly clear over the weekend on how he’d felt about Micah’s decision to “quit” the military. Or actually, his father had said that he was throwing his life away.
Micah’s jaw tightened. It was a good thing Ben was next door with Aunt Clara. At least he’d be spared his grandfather’s dramatics. The last thing Ben needed right now was another example of how dysfunctional his family was.
“Hey, Dad.” Micah approached the older man seated on his front porch. When his father looked up, it struck Micah for a second how old the man suddenly looked. His hair had always been a distinguished gray, ever since his late twenties. But now his father’s skin looked wrinkled, and the twinkle of his eyes seemed dull.
“You’re making a mistake.” His father’s voice was low, unlike the other night.
Micah stopped walking. “I’ve heard your opinion on the matter already. The decision is made, so if you came here to talk me out of it, you can go home.”
Colonel Peterson folded his arms across his broad chest. Old or not, he was in shape. “What is this about, Micah? Me? Are you getting back at me because of your mother? You never forgave me for not being there when she got sick.”
Micah shook his head. “I forgave you.” But he’d never forget. It proved his father’s character. The man didn’t care about anyone but himself. His father’s only concern was that Micah was a reflection on him and, as a reflection, he needed to climb the military ranks and surpass all that his father had done in his own career.
“I push you so hard because I know what you’re capable of, Micah. You’re capable of a hell of a lot more than gardening.”
Micah ran a quick hand through his military-regulated hair and laughed under his breath. His fatherwouldcall it gardening. He started to unlock his front door, but it was already open. Ben must’ve come home already, which meant Aunt Clara was likely inside, too. She should’ve given him a heads up that his father was waiting here for him. Maybe he’d have driven around back and avoided him altogether.
Colonel Peterson stood, his chin lifting high as he looked at Micah, who was a good inch taller. “I’m still your superior.”
“For another six months. Yeah. I get that.” Micah pushed the door open and glanced inside, seeing Ben coming his way in his wheelchair. “I’ll see you at the base, Colonel Peterson,” Micah said, ready to slam the door in the good colonel’s face.
“Micah.” His father’s commanding tone barked, making Micah turn. “You’re deploying.”
Micah’s mouth fell open. “My squadron isn’t scheduled to leave until next year.” And schedules didn’t change that fast, not in a profession that made you wait for everything, starting with entry onto the military base every morning.
“Things changed. You’re leaving next month. I approved it. It’ll be good for you to remember where you belong, Sergeant.”
Blood hammered in Micah’s ears. Hot, loud blood. “I belong in Seaside with my family. That’s where the hell I belong.”
“It’s done.” If his father had any emotion, it was kept in a safe with no evidence as to its existence.
“Dad?” Ben was suddenly in the doorway with tears clouding his eyes. He swiped a lock of hair out of his face and looked at Micah. “Dad? You’re leaving, too? Who’s going to take care of me?” Ben’s gaze moved to his grandfather. “You can’t send my dad away, too!” he cried.
A decent grandfather would’ve had some words of comfort. This one averted his gaze and descended the wooden front porch steps, not bothering to look back.
“You can’t make my dad leave!” Ben yelled between sobs. “You can’t!”
Colonel Peterson didn’t turn, didn’t so much as flinch as Ben’s angry, pleading words followed him all the way to his polished SUV. Then he got in, calmly closed the door and robotically buckled his seatbelt. Standing on the front porch, Micah, Ben, and Clara watched the colonel drive away.
“Ben, let’s go inside. We’ll figure things out,” Micah said, knowing there was nothing to figure out. Until next spring, he belonged to the military.
“Mom’s already gone. I need a dad. This isn’t fair!” Ben’s freckled face was a mottled red color now. He wheeled himself toward his bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
Yeah, Micah felt the same way.
Aunt Clara folded her arms under her chest as she shook her head. “Can he do that do you? You’re getting out.”
“He can do it. And I have no choice in the matter.” Micah plopped down in a chair at the kitchen table.
“You know I’ll take Ben while you’re gone. He’s no problem.”
Micah felt as if his entire life had just been suddenly twisted and rearranged with the efficiency of a tiller to solid earth. He was never supposed to leave his son again. “Thanks, Aunt Clara.” He stood, needing to work. “I’m going outside. I’ll come back and talk to Ben in a little bit. He needs some time to calm down right now.”
And so did Micah.
“Sure. Micah?” Aunt Clara waited for him to face her. “If it’s any comfort, I think my brother does believe he has your best interest in mind.”
