Page 11 of Stay with Me
With one last glance, Brody turned and walked toward his future. If he was wondering what could’ve been between them? Well, that was something for him to pine over in the dark hours of the night.
Chapter Six
Brody took one last look around the studio apartment that had been his home for the past few years. Honestly? It wasn’t the greatest looking place. Beige walls that might have been white at one point; faded carpet that was bare in spots; tiny kitchenette with the chipped counters. He could’ve stayed in student housing off-campus but this little two-story with three apartments upstairs and three downstairs had caught his eye. It was somewhere quiet that could be his. He could see where his posters had hung on the walls. The dents where his small couch and table had been. Was he going to miss this place? Maybe. It definitely had been his and only his. No one could’ve taken it away from him.
He hefted the last box and, balancing it on his hip, Brody closed the door on this chapter of his life. He had a room at the Homewood Suites for the next three days while he studied for his NCLEX. He’d put in for his license in North Carolina and Texas, to start. He knew he’d be covered on any military base but those two states hit something in him.
As Brody got to the bottom of the stairs, he saw his landlord, Mr. Moore, crossing the parking lot. The man raised his hand in Brody’s direction, so Brody stopped.
“Glad I caught you,” Moore said as he paused in front of Brody’s car. “Wanted to give you this.” The man held out an envelope. Shit. Brody was going to be making a decent salary as a lieutenant, but he wasn’t making bank. Please let it not be a bill for damages. He didn’t think he’d left any but you never knew.
“Mister Moore. Let me just put this in the back,” Brody said as he shifted the box into the back seat of his ancient Toyota. He was praying that it was going to make it to Texas and maybe lastanother year. Look at him being optimistic. When he closed the door, he turned and took the envelope but didn’t open it. “Did I damage something?” He wasn’t going to panic or get defensive.
“Damage? Why would you ask that?” Moore asked.
“Isn’t this a bill for damages? Requesting more than my security deposit covered?” Brody actually looked at the envelope. It wasn’t a normal ten-inch, business one. This one was more like a card.
“Absolutely not. My wife and I wanted to give you a card for your graduation and becoming an officer. Been watching how hard you’ve worked. Kept your head down. Never saw you partying it up like some of the other students we’ve rented to. We’re proud of you and hope you’ll remember us,” Mr. Moore finished with a shrug.
Brody was speechless. He didn’t realize that the man knew him from the next student, never mind that his wife knew who he was. When he focused back on Mr. Moore, the man was shuffling backward.
“Wait!” Brody exclaimed. “I… I didn’t think anyone noticed me. There’s no way that you could know how much this means to me.”
“Aren’t you going to open it?” he asked hesitantly.
“Honestly? No matter what’s in the envelope, your words just now are the best gift.” Brody wasn’t going to gush or open a vein but…
“Go on, open it,” Mr. Moore instructed.
Raising the envelope, Brody slid his finger in the flap and pulled out the card. It was a beautiful graduation card. There was a black border around the edge with a cap and rolled diploma at the top. The words? They made him choke up.
Graduation
As you step into
the world so wide.
With dreams to chase
and hearts full of pride.
May every path
you choose be bright.
And every challenge
lead to light.
Congratulations graduate,
on your special day.
May success and happiness
come your way.
Congratulations.
