Page 87 of Salute, To Bravery
“Call me if there are any issues, I will check back in an hour,” she said before leaving just as quickly as she came.
The corners of my eyes sting, and more tears gather at the edge. I look everywhere but at him, trying to hold it at bay, but it stubbornly clings to my lashes before finally rolling down my cheek.I could fill a pool with the number of tears I have shed over the past week, knowing there isn’t an end in sight. This is only the beginning of many more weeks of pain.
“Why couldn’t I hold things at bay as well as he or his sister could?”
“Because they train all emotion out of us, make us heartless robots set on completing a mission.” Her voice sounds far away, but there is no mistaking its origin. Reilynn.
I turn to look at her eyes rimmed in red, the pain so evidently displayed.“Look at us, two of the hottest emotional messes in this entire godforsaken hospital.”
“You look more like a drowned rat,” she jokes, but her laugh is hollow.
“How are you?”
“Don’t worry about me. How are you?”
“As well as I can be, and I do worry about you, Rei. You were the first person who welcomed me into the family, while everyone else struggled to process the pregnancy news, you were just excited. My favorite sister.”
“I’m your only sister, and I was also only twelve, so not sure I really understood everything that was about to change.”
“Fair, but—”
“I really am okay, Jane, truthfully, I’m not sure I have even processed everything. I wanted to stop by before I had to head back to base, but I needed to see how his surgery went.”
“Hey, Rei?”
“Out with it.”
“Did you really threaten to cut off someone’s balls if they didn’t break protocol and call me?”
“Yes, yes I did.” Her laugh was less hollow, seeing the small spark in her gave me hope that she would be okay. I don’t know what Brandon was to her, but I had my suspicions they were more than friends. “Sometimes the rules are meant to be broken.”
“I almost lost him twice.” This would hopefully be the final surgery, and we could start the journey to his recovery.
“I know. Jane, I’m so sorry, for everything.”
Rushing to hug her. “This wasn’t your fault.”
“Don’t give up on him, he needs you, Jane. He just needs time.”
“I won’t.” My voice is strained with emotion, the pain stinging and tightening. I need him, but it doesn’t feel like he needs me at all.
Chapter Four.
Craig
The machine’s beeping jolts me from the void again, reminding me I’m alive. The sound both comforts and unnerves me, like a lighthouse beacon guiding me back to consciousness. My tether to here and now, pulling me back from the worst of the nightmares and pain, kept me tossing and turning, which was a feat considering I still had IV tubes connected to my arm. Hopefully, today will be my last day here.
It’s been a week since my last surgery, and I am more than ready to be out of this fucking depressing hospital. It wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for all the other injured veterans screaming in their sleep as well. There was no space to move on, no space to process, and sure as hell no space for privacy. No space to just get away, I needed to get away from this for even a second.
I open my eyes slowly, sensing someone’s gaze on me as chills run down my body. The nurse’s light blue scrubs are a crisp contrast to her ebony skin, and her silver-streaked hair is pulled back into a tight bun. “Good morning,Staff Sergeant Scott,” she greets with a warm smile.
The sunlight streaming through the window illuminates her worn face, making her seem almost angelic. At the very least, a saint for putting up with injured service members in various states of injury and mental state. We could be a vulgar bunch, mostly surprised she, or any of the other staff, didn’t strangle us in our sleep. Lord knows we gave them enough to complain about.
She spoke in a soothing voice. “How are you feeling today?” I ignored her question, but she continued, “Excuse me, I believe I asked, how are you feeling today?”
“Fine.” My voice sounded rough and annoyed, all but wincing at how harsh I was, never one to share my emotions easily. All I want is to be released and live with my wife anywhere but in this hospital. I feel like I am going insane here. Trapped in an open cage.
Jane has been my constant companion for a week as I recuperate from surgery. Her presence is a beacon of hope in this miserable place, bringing me comfort and companionship. I would do anything to be the man she deserves, but now I am only half of what I used to be.
