Page 104 of Caged

“I’ll let him in,” the nurse said, grabbing the wash pan and my dirty gown.

“Thank you.”

It wasn’t Jay.Why hasn’t he come back?

“Are you feeling better after your nap?” Dad asked, returning to my side.

“I am, and very well rested.” I chuckled. I’d slept more than I’d been awake. “Overly rested.”

“You need the rest to heal,” he said with a sad smile. “Especially if you want go home tomorrow.”

Considering myself gently chastised, I answered, “Yes, sir.” I added, “If you want, I can have John give you the keys to my apartment so you can stay there tonight.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“There’s no reason for you to pay for a hotel.”

“Catelyn, it’s not necessary because I’m staying here.” His voice didn’t give away his fear, but his eyes did, showing more emotion than I’d ever seen.BecauseI’ve never given him a reason to worry, not like this.

Knowing better than to argue, I said okay. Besides, it did my heart and soul good to know he wanted to stay.

“Did Jay ever come?” I asked.

“I haven’t seen him.” He didn’t offer more.

I turned to hide my disappointment. Maybe something happened and he couldn’t come back.Is he okay?Maybe my drug addled brain made it up. Maybe Jay hadn’t said he’d come back.

“Catelyn? Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” I forced myself to smile as I turned to him.I’m sure he’s okay. He just got delayed.If I repeated it enough, I’d eventually believe it.I gave my father my full attention.

We talked off and on through the night. Sleep must have eluded him too, because he was alert anytime I woke up. Hetold me about the current happenings in DC, as much as he could, and how much he hated the political games that came with being stationed at the Pentagon.

It wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned hating the political aspect, though he rarely went into much detail. When he said he was considering retiring, I had to ask him to repeat himself.

My father loved the Marines. He always had, and I assumed he always would. When I said as much, he assured me he loved the Marines, but hated DC.

“I’m considering an instructor position,” he said.

I could see him as drill sergeant at Parris Island, whipping recruits into shape. I didn’t envy anyone with the good fortune to learn from him. Being in his recruit training unit would be hard, but they’d be better Marines for it.

“You’ll scare away all the recruits.” I laughed.

“I’ll whip their sorry asses into shape.”

My mind thought back to Jay and how gentle he’d been after I got my ass beat. Suggesting I sing to help keep from going crazy, when the alarm rang non-stop, was the first step of our new relationship.

Friendship, I corrected myself. I doubted Jay wanted more.

I didn’t realize I’d started humming The Marine Hymn until my father joined in. Comforted by his deep tones, I soon fell back to sleep.

Chapter 40

Jay

“How’d it go at the PD?” My father skipped the pleasantries when Ma and I arrived in the waiting room on Cate’s wing Monday morning.

It was tough giving a detailed play by play, but I’d gotten through it. They’d given me a signed report for my insurance claim, plus anything else that needed to be replaced. “Fine,” I said.

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