Page 4 of Buddy System

Chapter

Four

Skyler

It turnsout my arm is still attached to my body, even though my shoulder was pretty much crushed, and there is some permanent nerve damage. They did extensive repair surgery, and I may face more later depending on how well it heals. One thing’s for sure: I won’t be fighting in Afghanistan anymore, and that’s a relief. I was glad to serve, and now it’s time to figure out what to do with my life. They call this a million-dollar injury—bad enough to get you sent home, but not serious enough to kill you. I wouldn’t be able to shoot anyway since my right hand is mostly numb. I wonder if that will ever go away.

I got sent here to Walter Reed a few days ago, and today I found out that Levi is here too. So I’m standing outside his door. I hear voices inside, and I’m not about to interrupt him because the other voice is female, and it doesn’t sound like a nurse. I can’t wait to see how he’s doing though. Probably pretty banged up. I am too, but at least I can get up and walk around. I’ll be going home pretty soon, but I’ll have to find somewhere that will handle PT for me. It would be nice if I could do it at home, butI’m not holding my breath. Someone will probably need to drive me to a bigger city for a while. We’ll see.

The door finally opens, and my eyes take in the amazing sight of Brooke Spencer. Just like every other time I’ve seen her, I’m struck speechless. This woman is a goddess, even with her clothes rumpled from travel and tell-tale dark worry shadows under her eyes. Those eyes! She’s ethereally beautiful. It takes me just a little too long to gather my wits and extend my left hand, saying, “Hi, Brooke, it’s good to see you. I owe everything to your husband, you know. He saved my life by risking his own.”

“He says the same thing about you saving him. You’re both heroes, if you ask me.”

I’ve always thought she was beautiful, but when she smiles, oh my ever-loving God. I think about that smile all the time; I’ve never seen anything like it. That lucky bastard has the most incredible woman in the world. We exchange pleasantries for a moment, and her voice is low and sexy. I need to stop thinking this way because she’sLevi’s wife. But damn, if I’m not fighting a boner. Maybe I need to find a woman when I get out of here.

Levi and I became friends right after we enlisted, and we were lucky to be able to stay together the entire time we served. We clicked right away. I don’t know Brooke anywhere near as well, and that might be a good thing considering my reaction to her. Since their wedding—where I served as Levi’s best man—Levi spent every possible moment he could with her. Can you blame the guy? I missed his company but didn’t begrudge him one moment of happiness with her. They moved into a crappy little house off-base, and I’ve only been there a few times.

Eventually, she says she has to scoot out to an appointment and tells me how great it was to see me. I’m sure she’s just being nice. Being around her is like talking to a celebrity. I am painfully aware that I’m standing in the hallway in a hospitalgown and robe—probably looking like I got hit by a semi. Oh well.

“I hope to see you again soon, Brooke,” I tell her, and off she goes. I slowly push open the door to Levi’s room.

He looks like crap. He faces me and gives me a hollow smile, so I joke with him. “Sorry if I don’t salute. The wing’s kinda banged up.” I tip my head toward my shoulder.

Relief floods Levi’s face, and he grins for real. “You doing okay?” he asks. “I’m so glad to see you up and about.”

“Of course I’m doing okay. You saved my life, Levi. If you hadn’t gotten in the way, I’d be full of holes right now and six feet under. I’m so, so grateful, but I’m also sad you got hurt so badly on my account.” I sit in the chair that Brooke must have just vacated next to his bed. Just the thought of her makes me warm inside. I need to nip that shit in the bud.

“Well, you returned the favor, man. They told me later that you protected me from bleeding out by keeping pressure on me?—”

I interrupt him with a humorless laugh. “The pressure was because the roof fell on us!”

“And having you on top of me also kept the wooden beams from impaling me. I think we’re square on who saved whom that day. I will forever think of you as my hero.” He bows his head, breaking eye contact, and mutters, “For what my miserable life is worth, anyway.”

“What do you mean? You’ll be able to walk again, won’t you?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think my junk works anymore.”

I blink at him a few times before asking, “How would you know that? Haven’t you reacted to sponge baths by cute nurses or something?”

Levi snorts. “Whenever anyone messes around with the catheter, it’s like I’m completely numb down there.”

“Oh! Um…sorry, Levi. Have you asked the docs about it?”My God, it would suck to be numb!

“They say there is nerve trauma from the surgery, but it’s just temporary swelling. I think they’re full of shit and just won’t fess up to the real deal.”

“Wow, so when Brooke was just here…?”

“I kissed her and…nothing. You’ve seen her.” He clenches his hands into fists. His face twists in torment. “I’m not a real man anymore! She needs to move on.”

“Levi, no. Brooke loves you, and she wouldn’t do that. I think you need to give it time and talk to someone.”

“Everyone thinks I need a shrink. I need a functional dick!” He looks devastated, and I don’t know what to say, so I switch the conversation to sports. That seems to relax him, and for a while it’s like we’re back to normal.

After half an hour or so, an older couple rushes in—obviously Levi’s parents, so I give him a squeeze and pat him on the shoulder, but he responds with a funny look on his face. I tell him, “Don’t be a stranger. I’ll be going home in a couple of days.” I leave him to visit with his parents.

The next morning, I find myself discharged first thing. My parents, who’d already been staying in Bethesda, arrive to take me home. On my way out, I knock on the door to his room, but no one answers. I try to call, even send a few texts, but there’s no reply.

In the end, I don’t get a chance to say goodbye to Levi before I go.

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