Page 45 of Desolation

“This is Kennedy,” Catherine gestures to the kid in her arms. “Can you say hi, Kennedy?”

“Hi,” she mumbles before hiding her face in her mom’s neck.

“Sorry, she is grumpy tonight. Go head into the kitchen. The guys are all in there. I am just waiting on our babysitter to take the girls for the night.”

“Sounds good.”

I walk into the kitchen and see Jackson, Mark, David, and Jimmy sipping on beers.

“Yes, my Stud Muffin is now here!” Mark shouts, pumping his fist in the air.

“Stud muffin?” Jackson asks.

Mark looks between the two of us. “He didn’t tell you? His call sign is Stud. So you two together are Stud Muffin.” He bends over gripping his knee laughing.

Jimmy and David laugh while me and Jackson look at each other and then at Mark.

“If you two decide you want to get married because you are just so perfect for each other, I am your man.”

“Ugh, yeah that isn’t happening,” Jackson says. “I’m happily married.”

“Kitty might leave you for me.”

“Not happening,” Catherine says as she walks into the kitchen. “And please don’t talk about how you are ordained. We don’t need to hear about the power of Christ in your veins.”

Mark’s face turns serious. “The Lord was talking to me last night and—”

“I’ll kick you out,” Catherine cuts him off.

“I don’t know why you all pick on me,” Mark pouts.

Catherine shakes her head. “Come on, dinner is about ready.”

I loosen up as the dinner goes on and get to know the guys more. It makes me feel more like I’m part of the team. Almost like the camaraderie I had as a SEAL.

After dinner, Mark pulls me aside. “You okay? Jackson told me you were off today.”

I grip the back of my neck. “I don’t really want to talk about this.”

“I’m Father Dixon, you can talk to me about anything.”

“Dude,” I say as I try not to crack a smile.

Mark laughs. “Jokes aside. What’s bothering you?”

“You’ve read my file.”

“Ahh, blaming yourself for the loss of your friend.”

I nod.

“Have you seen a therapist?”

I shake my head. “Not recently.”

“They do help. Not that any of us want to admit it.”

“That’s what I hear. My brother tells me all the time.”

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