Page 30 of Lorenzo & Lily

Chapter Six

“The meet wentlike I said it would. I think the only thing helpful now would be to see what Field has been up to in Valentia, and if he was successful.”

Alex leaned back in his chair, currently situated in one of the lounges at the MARC. “I’ll check with my union contacts to see if he’s reached out to anyone else. However, Lorenzo, don’t you think trying to stop the strike is a fruitless task at this point? We should just prepare for strike talks.”

“The strike may not happen, and I think it’d be better for all of us if it doesn’t.”

Nate nodded. As Valleria’s Minister of Finance and Treasury, he also had a vested interest in avoiding a strike. “I’m not saying you’re wrong, but maybe Alex is also right.”

“How’s Papa handling all this?” At the mention of their father, all his brothers stiffened. “That’s what I thought. He’s recovering, that’s true, but he doesn’t need this added stress right now.” His brows furrowed as he wondered again what stress he might cause him when he learned about his little Liliana.

“Captain?” a MARC worker called.

“Yes, Jeannie?”

“The tea is all set up and everyone’s on their way down.”

“Thank you. Was everyone informed that my brothers would be in attendance?”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Excellent.” Lorenzo stood up and gestured for his brothers to follow. “Come on. We’re going to greet everyone as they come in.”

“What’s the point of tea?” Nate asked.

“Socialization in a non-threatening setting. Members of the VSO spend a lot of time here and enjoy tea with the residents,” Lorenzo said, referring to the Vallerian Service Organization.

“This helps?” Marcello asked.

“Not always. The reactions tend to be extreme: either people hate it and refuse to attend, or they’ll like it but won’t admit they do. In any case, it gets the residents out of their rooms. A lot of them have had rough days already, as some have therapy, PT, and a host of other things we’ve done to push them. And VSO members are trained to deal with returning soldiers, and the challenges they face.”

He led them into one of the dining halls. Tables set for six were scattered around the room. Some standard chairs at each table were either missing to allow for wheelchair access, or altered to allow for other disabilities or comfort. Though it boasted traditional tea fare – finger sandwiches and the like – it also featured some heartier food. The aroma of Vallerian Grey tea and Vallerian Roast coffee, as well as scrumptious food filled the room. He hoped they had a good turnout.

Lorenzo greeted the VSO members and double-checked the setup before arranging himself near the door. Slowly, the residents started trickling in, greeting him with familiarity, and his brothers with reserve. Ethan was giving the residents a keen gaze, as if assessing their injuries – doctor’s habit, he supposed – while Alex, Nate, Marcello, and Eddie greeted them with respect.

He turned to his brothers during a lull in arrivals. “All of you should take a seat. Spread out at different tables. I’ll stay here to greet the last few who arrive and check on a few things.” As they nodded and walked off, Lorenzo counted heads. Several MARC residents were missing.

Including Perez.Damn it.

“Andrea,” he called to one of the VSO members. “Please head up to room forty-seven, and take a tray of something with you. There’s a soldier there I’m worried about. Hector Perez.”

“Of course, Captain. I’ll head up there now.”

He took in Andrea’s pretty petite frame, and recalled how Perez had looked that morning. “Ask the nurses to give him a heads up before you get there. I don’t want you to walk into anything, er, uncomfortable.”

Andrea giggled. “Of course, Captain.”

As she wandered off, other staff or VSO members asked him for input or decisions that needed to be made, so Lorenzo spent most of tea time running around. It was only after a glance at his watch, when he realized tea time was almost over, that he took an empty chair beside Alex. He poured himself a cup of coffee, which was still hot thanks to the volunteers.

Alex eyed Lorenzo’s empty plate. “Nothing to eat?”

Lorenzo, too anxious about that evening to eat anything, just shook his head. “I’ve got plans later, remember?”

“Hot date, Cap?” one of the soldiers teased with a smile; few knew the hard work and time that went into something as simple as a smile.

Lorenzo smiled back big. “Like you wouldn’t believe.” As the men around the table chuckled and the women softly smiled, Alex did none of that.

He leaned forward, so only Lorenzo heard. “We still need words, you and I.”

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