Page 72 of Coming Home

“Crawley, don’t do this. I’m here. I can help.”

“Wish I could, Ben. There’s no one I trust to have my back more, but I’m afraid they’ve pulled rank on me and unlike you, I still plan to stick around here for a few more decades.”

I nodded. “Yes, sir. I understand. I don’t like it, but I do get it. Stay safe. I’ll behave.”

“Wow. You must really be in love, because honestly I thought we were going to have to knock you out and tie you up to keep you here,” Crawley laughed.

“I do, and that’s not necessary. I’m out,” I said. There was only a mild sting of guilt as I said it. I knew it was time for me to move on.

Much to my surprise, a few hours after they left, Major Collins showed up personally. My papers were in order and I was officially being discharged of service. It was all happening so fast, it was making my head spin.

“Why the hell did you send me back here if it was coming up this fast?” I asked.

Jeff shrugged. “Just thought you needed to tell them in person and say goodbye.”

I nodded. “Only half the team was here though.”

“I’m sorry about that, but you are officially no longer my problem,” he said, handing me my final orders and escorting me to the plane waiting to take us home. “Wait, where’s your chair?”

I laughed, then groaned. “You’re serious?”

“I just got you one hundred percent medical disability. Hell yes, you’re going to ride out in that chair. Don’t blow it now,” he warned.

“Yes, sir,” I said, taking a seat and driving my electric chair out. The men awaiting us struggled to get me and the chair up the ramp, and I just sat there and let them while trying not to laugh. If only they knew.

We were in the air for about two hours when the call came through. It was a call that would haunt me for the rest of my life. I didn’t know what was being said, but I knew from the look on Collins’ face that it was bad.

He hung up and looked over at me.

“What?” I demanded.

“Your unit. They didn’t stand a chance. It was a setup. I’m so sorry,” he said.

My heart fell. “How bad?”

“I don’t know.”

“How bad, Collins?” I yelled.

“Early reports look like three survivors.”

“Three? What the hell happened?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know,” he said, and I could tell he was clearly just as upset.

“Who made it?” I asked. I had to know.

“Crawley, Jake, and Bulldog were medevacked out, but early reports say they’re stable.”

“That’s it?” I asked, feeling the bile rise in my chest.

“I’m afraid so, son.”

I leaned over the side of my chair and vomited. They were all gone? It was too much to comprehend. I had just seen Mike a few hours ago. He was fine. He had to be fine.

“I’m so sorry,” Major Collins said.

Shelby

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