Page 41 of Annika's Aurora

Annika knew deep down in her heart that Logan would blame himself. He always carried everything on his shoulders, even as a young boy. He blamed himself for every bad thing that ever happened, including his mother’s drug addiction. And especially her overdose. He always thought that if he had gone directly home after school instead of fooling around with Annika and Jamie, maybe he could have gotten her help more quickly. It didn’t matter that the coroner had put her time of death during the morning hours when they were in school.

“I don’t know how to tell him,” Annika finally confessed. “It’s still too painful to talk about.”

Johanna squeezed her hand. “I know it is, Sweetie. But it might be cathartic for you … for both of you if everything was out in the open.”

“Maybe.”

“Just promise me you’ll think about it.”

“I will,” Annika vowed. The two women finished their coffee and resumed their shopping. They were done in time to meet the men for dinner. As they made their way down the block to Jolene’s, Annika spotted the little family again and felt a pang for what could have been had things not fallen apart after Jamie’s death.

Jolene’s was busy, but the Nighthawk crew had still managed to get their usual tables pushed together. Natalie introduced them to her father and Graham’s parents. Natalie’s father was moving back to the area after having lived in Florida for many years. Annika saw her father was getting along very well with the two older men, and Johanna was deep in conversation with Graham’s mom, Mary. It was such a warm scene, a group of new and old friends treasuring the joy of the season together.

But Annika couldn’t get her conversation with her mother out of her head. It was having a dampening effect on sharing in the boisterous mood of the group. Logan, who was sitting beside her, sensed her melancholy. He placed his arm around her shoulders and leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “You okay?”

“Of course,” she lied. “Just a little tired, I guess. Shopping sure took it out of me. I’ll feel much better after one of Jolene’s burgers.”

“I’ve been looking forward to one all day.”

“Logan, you never did tell us the other night.” Finch unknowingly gave Annika a reprieve from having to explain her depressed mood. “Howdidyou get Annika back up the bluff by yourself?”

“I tied her to my back.” He answered simply as if the feat was a normal everyday occurrence.

“Fuck, man. Are you even human?”

“I assure you, Finch, I am just a regular human.”

“No, you’re not!” insisted their teammate, Jude, who sat across from them. “You are a SEAL, a frogman, not even remotely human. But frankly, I’m surprised your skinny little frog’s legs could make that climb.” Logan threw a bread roll at Jude, which he caught easily, laughing.

“Shit, man,” Finch said. “Can we let go of the Army versus Navy battle for one fucking night?”

“Not likely,” Tin Man answered. “Go Army.”

“You’re delusional. Everyone knows the Navy is far superior,” Logan threw back.

“You’re both wrong. The Air Force puts both your measly military branches to shame.” At that comment, Finch found himself dodging several items that went flying his way.

Everyone was distracted for a moment by the delivery of their food. Annika didn’t waste any time and dug right in. Jolene’s burger always did wonders to lift her mood.

“You’ll have to show all of us the contraption you rigged up,” David said, bringing the conversation back to her rescue. “That might be a useful skill to have someday.”

“Oh my God, the whole story sounds so romantic,” Jolene swooned.

“You think everything is romantic, Jolene,” Emma quipped.

“Now you know why the guy who plays superheroes on the big screen wants to make a movie about our superhuman guys,” Natalie remarked. There was another audible groan from Graham at the mention of the movie, resulting in the entire table erupting into laughter.

But then Finch and Jude stood so suddenly, the rest of the table stared at them in shock until a voice came from behind Annika. “How can you all sit here and celebrate while my wife lays cold in her grave?”

Logan stood to face Mr. Petersen. “Again, sir. We are sorry for your loss. But I think it would be best if you went home. You’ve obviously had too much to drink.”

“Why, so you can go home and fuck, not giving a thought to your guilt?” he spewed at them with such hatred, it stunned Annika just as much as it had the last time he’d confronted them. It was then she noticed the wide-eyed little girl standing behind him. The child looked about seven years old, her long blonde hair in desperate need of brushing.

Annika stood and brushed past Mr. Petersen to get to the little girl, her goal to get her out of earshot. She didn’t need to hear her father like that. “Hi, Sweetie,” she said, crouching down till she was eye level with her. “My name’s Annika. What’s yours?”

“Rachel,” she said shyly.

“That’s a pretty name.”

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