Page 71 of Forever Fickle

You.

The care package came in… and I nearly lost it.

I’m almost ashamed to tell you how much it meant to me. I know it’s just soap and shampoo, but it’s the scent of home – of you – and it was everything.

I’m glad I was in the shower just so they couldn’t see me getting teary-eyed as I closed my eyes and pretended you were there with me.

Gosh, I miss you, Tink… I miss your hand in mine and our coffee times in the mornings, too.

I think about you all the time and can’t wait to see you again.

Love,

Jace

* * *

Jace was feelingbereft and missing Karen so much. The smell of her soap and shampoo had only made the longing so much stronger. He’d actually wrapped up his shower quickly before he started getting teary-eyed or cried in front of the other guys.

The new team members hadn’t really bonded with the rest of the guys who had been stationed there longer. Jordan Greene had really brought them together as a family… and with his death last year?

Their make-shift family was broken.

Only a few of the original team remained – and he knew Reaper didn’t really want to be there. Handsy had no place else to go… and Caboose? Well, that man never said much to anyone. He was almost as quiet as Valkyrie once was when he was stationed here.

No, the new members of the squadron were awfully ‘wet behind the ears’. They had flown but hadn’t truly been affected by battle yet. They were fresh from the Academy and flight school… and talked a lot of trash.

After Jace’s discussion with Sam on his return back to Ghazni, he’d told Vapor that his stepfather said ‘hello’ – only to have the arrogant man brush it off. He didn’t remember ever being too ‘tough’ to hear from family, but maybe Vapor’s home life was different than his own?

Leaving the barracks, Jace bought a calling card at the exchange and decided to try calling Karen. Disappearing into one of the rooms that the Air Force had set aside for people to contact home, he sat at one of the cubicles.

There was a row of three, each with a landline, in what was basically a hallway with a door at each end. Jace took a seat at the first phone and immediately dialed… only to hear it go to voicemail.

His sweet Tinkerbell’s voice echoed in his ear, causing him to close his eyes as he pictured her speaking.

Hi there! You’ve reached Karen Marks’ cell phone and I’m either in class or forgot I had it on silent… leave your name and number – and I’ll call you back. Thanks!

Hearing the beep, Jace cleared his throat and spoke.

“Hey Tinkerbell… I thought I would try to surprise you and wanted to hear your voice. I hope you are doing well and think about you all the time…”

His voice shook and Jace was trying to keep from getting too emotional – but failing miserably. His voice trembled as he wrapped up the voicemail quickly before he broke down.

“I miss you, baby. I’ll try to call again when I can. I love you,” he breathed, offering up a prayer that maybe he could catch her next time.

“I love you,” he repeated before hanging up the phone and getting to his feet, intent on hitting the gym to get out some of his frustration that he missed catching Karen during one of his breaks.

Hours later, covered in sweat, he stopped in to check his email to see Karen had responded – and she was as upset as he was at the missed chance to talk to each other.

* * *

Hey Honey,

(A Pet name!?! How does that sound?)

I miss you terribly and can’t believe I missed your call! I’m devastated! I tried to get to the phone, but voicemail picked up before I could grab it. Can we plan on the evenings or the weekends, so I don’t miss you? Let’s narrow it down so I am right there waiting. I know it’s evasive, but you let me know what works for you – okay?

I needed to hear your voice so badly and started crying at the voicemail. I miss you, Jace – will you try to call again?

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