When we get back into camp everyone is already done shooting. A few ask if I am ok and I tell them I will be fine. It was just a bit of a shock. They pretty much leave it at that. No one says anything about how long we were gone. Hell, walking into camp with Todd a bit behind might have thrown them off so they didn't even realize that we were together out there. I step to my tent and pull out my cleaning gear for my guns. After two days of shooting in the mountains it is getting pretty gross.
It's also well past lunch time now so people are wandering about. The consensus on food seems to be the chimichangas that I had brought to share with everyone. I direct them to my cooler beside my tent and tell them to pull some out for me too. I pour some solvent on the snake and start running it through my guns. I'm off in my own little world for a bit. I can't help but think about everything that has happened. Everything is changed now that Mark's return date is put off. With a start, I realize that we are going to spend our first anniversary separated. The top layer of our wedding cake is waiting in the freezer for us to share. There is a special bottle of champagne that we have been holding on to for that day. And now, I would be alone. And so would he.
I could feel tears welling up behind my eyes. I quickly looked down, staring at the gun in my lap. I start blinking hard to try to keep them from falling. I hate crying. Crying in front of guys is even worse. I continue to run the bore snake through the barrel, not even seeing it any more. My head is buzzing thinking of all the things we planned to do when he got back. Now all of it will have to be pushed back or just cancelled. It doesn't seem fair. But I know it is. And it isn't his fault, either. I push my self-pity back down and resolve to not let this get me down. I am here with my friends and I am going to enjoy myself. And when Mark gets back, I will rape him raw.
A plate with chimichangas is put in front of me. I look up and see Sam standing over me. He hands me the plate and sits down beside me. I nod my thanks and quickly wipe down my gun. After all this time, I am sure that it is perfectly clean. I check it once just to be certain then I wipe it with an oil cloth. Once all the excess oil is removed and I am happy I set it back in its holster and set it in the pocket of my chair. I scrub my hands off on another rag and pick the plate up and set it in my lap. "Thanks, Sam."
"Hey, it's no problem. You looked pretty down. Is everything ok?"
I nod and start munching on my food. "I'll be fine. I just got hung up on thinking about all the things that Mark and I are both going to miss. He's not even going to be home for the holidays. It's just going to suck."
"Well, you know I'll always be there for you. If you need something, and I can help out, just give me a holler. If nothing else, I can at least talk with you when you feel lonely. I may not be there, but I will still try to be there for you."
I smile. I really do have some good friends in these guys. I open my mouth to tell him how much I appreciate it when Todd walks up to us. "I am there for her already." He scowls at Sam as he says this. I shoot Todd a look, wondering what is wrong with him. He pulls a chair over and sits down beside me. I look back as Sam and shrug. I don't know what crawled up Todd's butt either. Thankfully, before any one can say anything else to make the situation more awkward Scott walks over with two cups of beer.
"Here, Julia. I heard about Mark. That sucks. But beer will make it seem better. Cheers!" I laugh and we tap glasses. Beer may not make it all better, but it does go down well on a hot day. And after all the crap that has happened I am more than happy to imbibe in a few. Scott sits down on the ground near us and starts asking questions about my gun. He hadn't been able to shoot it but he shot a similar one of Todd's.
From there, the conversation spiraled around and hit on almost every topic. I had a lot of beers and a shot here and there. Everyone seemed to think I needed another drink, too. Maybe they were right. I just agreed and went with it. By the time the sun was setting I was pretty blitzed. This seemed to set the mood for everyone there though. And as it was our last night we decided that we would not be taking any booze home the next day. It all had to be drunk. I was more than willing to do my part and help the group out.
As usual, it was Scott that was going around and making sure everyone had a full glass in their hand. We lit lanterns as it got dark and tossed together a decent meal. It consisted mainly of leftovers and munchies and no one minded. We drank, laughed, talked, insulted, and made up stupid toasts all night long.
"Here's to Scott! May his bottle never empty and his stomach never fill!"
"Here's to Julia! And here's hoping her tits make it to every camp!" You get one guess who said that.
I cam back with "Here's to Sam! The only guy at camp who knows the color of the eyes on my tattoo, but not on my face." To which I heard at least two people respond, "You have a face?!" I laughed and tossed back another shot. Scott was standing by and quickly refilled my shot glass. I raised my glass again and Scott had to catch me before I fell over backwards. "And here is to Todd, good friend and new member of our group, may his scowl never fade. If it did, I don't think I would recognize him."
Todd scowled at me but raised his glass and took a sip. I tossed mine back again and stumbled over to him. I blamed it on the fact I was walking away from the light and into the dark. Walking towards him as he fought to keep the scowl on his face. I thought that wasn't a bad analogy for any time I walked towards him. I giggled and plopped down on his lap. "But it's a cute scowl and suits you well." I giggled as I patted his forehead. He shook his head and pulled back a bit. He took my hand and pulled it down from his face.
"Cute?" he asked. I grinned drunkenly and giggled again. I wrapped my arms around his neck and fell back against his arm. "S'cute. I said so. That makes it true." He tightened his arms around me and pulled me up so I wasn't hanging over the arm of the chair.