Author's note:
The previous chapter seems to have ruffled some feathers, understandably so. It serves a purpose both here and later on down the road. To those of you I "lost", I hope you read this chapter and stick with me.
So much more is coming...
Chapter 6
I woke up early the next morning, sliding out of bed as gently as possible so I didn't wake the girls. I went to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee before going to the living room and sitting down to play some Assassin's Creed.
I turned the events of last night over in my mind. Carl's note said he wasn't mad, but who knows if he was just quoting Anchorman. I didn't expect him to be mad, but sometimes I wondered about him. He could keep things bottled up pretty well when he needed to.
I heard Carl come out of his room and go to the bathroom. I got up and made me some coffee before grabbing a bottle of water for him. When he was done, he came and sat next to me, accepting the water graciously.
"How ya holding up?" I asked, seeing his hangover plain as day.
"Must you be so loud?" He asked. I got up and grabbed the aspirin bottle off the top of the fridge, tossing it to him. He took four before setting the bottle on the coffee table.
"Sorry about Jeanna, Becky practically begged me to let her have Jeanna. Then one thing let to another and..." I said before he held up his hand, cutting me off.
"Don't worry about it. If roles were reversed, I'd have taken Becky to bed in a heartbeat," he said reassuringly.
"Thanks man. I found your note," I said, making him laugh.
"I thought you would like that. Their screaming woke me up, so I had to see what you were doing to them. I wasn't disappointed," he said.
Carl watched me play my game for a bit, assisting where he could by calling out enemies and items to grab. We were having a good time before Becky and Jeanna came out of the room.
"You boys are up early," Becky said, wrapping her arms around me and kissing my neck.
"Yeah, I couldn't sleep so I came out here to play my game. Next thing I know, this guy stumbles out here and joins me," I said getting laughs from everyone.
Jeanna went and sat next to Carl, giving him a hug. Carl returned it, not giving any hint he knew what happened last night.
"Sorry I didn't come sleep with you last night, I didn't want to be a burden," Jeanna said, resting her head on Carl's shoulder.
"It's OK. I heard you guys last night, did you have fun?" He asked, making Jeanna turn 36 shades of red.
"I'm sorry. Becky and I got to talking, which led to kissing, which led further. Please forgive me," she explained.
"Don't worry about it. I already told Andrew that if roles were reversed, I'd have taken Becky to bed without hesitation."
"Ha, you wish!" Becky laughed.
"Thanks Carl, you're sweet," she said, kissing his cheek.
"So, what's for breakfast?" I asked, changing the subject.
"What do you want?" Becky asked.
"How about we go out, maybe IHOP or something?"
"Sounds good to me," Jeanna said, mirroring everyone's thoughts as nods of agreement followed.
We all showered and got dressed, going to IHOP for breakfast. Carl ate like he hadn't eaten in weeks, ordering steak and eggs with a side of pancakes. We laughed, joked and told stories, getting to know Jeanna and letting her get to know us. Something told me she would be around for a while.
After breakfast, Jeanna went home to change while we figured out what to do for the day. We came up with a few ideas, but nothing sounded good to everyone. We sat down and turned on the TV, finding a movie to watch to kill some time.
I decided to check the news, bringing it up on my phone. I scanned through the usual political articles and several odd stories of stupid people before I saw something that had me worried. The war in the middle east had taken a turn for the worse, with insurgency on the rise and coalition forces being pushed out of the northern part of Iraq.
Technically, I can be called back. Normally I would be exempt, but my knowledge and abilities as a section chief - commander of a gun section - made me a valuable asset to the military. With a doctors clearance, I could be called back.
"Things are heating up overseas again," I said solemnly.
"Can they recall you?" Carl asked plainly.
"For another six months, and after medical clearance. If they call me, they'll be desperate."
"Don't worry, they won't call you back," Carl said. I wish I was as sure as him.
"Speaking of medical clearance, have you given any thought to therapy?" Becky asked.
I haven't thought about going to therapy in a long time. The few times I had gone, back in California, the therapist was just about as lost as I was. The medical plan I had only provided a psychiatric therapist, not one who specializes in PTSD.
"Maybe if I can find a good therapist," I replied.
"OK, I'll find you one," she said.
"Do I get a say in my therapist?"
"Yes, I'm just going to narrow down your choices."
"OK babe, if you say so. Is there anything we need to get done today?"
"Just general house maintenance. Clean the kitchen, mow the yard, shit like that."
"Alright, I'll get it done."
A few hours in the hot sun later, the yard was mowed, the hedges in the back trimmed and the walkway edged. I dragged my tired, sweat-soaked ass inside for a shower when Becky stopped me.
"Hey babe, got a minute?"
"Can I shower first? I feel disgusting."
"Sure," she said as she ogled my sweaty body. She must have been enjoying it, biting her bottom lip seductively as I headed to the bathroom. I felt her eyes on me the whole way there.
After my shower I found her in the kitchen working on dinner. She looked so cute in her Daisy Duke's and tank top, the strings of her apron hugging the small of her back as she bent over the sink slightly, washing potatoes. I stood in the doorway for a long moment, letting my thoughts drift to dirty, dirty places.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer," she said as she worked.
"How did you know I was here?" I asked as I moved up behind her.
"Female intuition," she said as we kissed. "Have a good shower?"
"I feel so much better now. What did you want earlier beautiful?"
"I've narrowed your search for a therapist down to three candidates. All of them served in the military, though some more than others. Their names and what background information I could get is on the coffee table."
"You're the best," I said as I kissed her cheek.
"I know."
I grabbed the list and saw she got email addresses as well as phone numbers, so I sent each one an email asking what experience each had with treating PTSD. I didn't expect any replies tonight, so I put the list on the fridge where it wouldn't get lost.
Carl and Jeanna came home shortly before dinner, telling us all about their day. They had made it a spontaneous date, going with the flow and letting the wind blow them where it desired. Dinner was ham and mashed potatoes with mixed veggies. Everyone had seconds, with Carl looking for thirds.
