Page 104 of In the Long Run
‘Do you know how many people would kill for this posting?’she continues.
Great.Send one of them.
The screen door opens and Yeti waves hello while letting Madeleine and Chouquette out.The two dogs rush around my feet, sniffing me like they haven’t seen me in years, not minutes.I crouch and pat them, ruffling their fur and scratching their chins.When I stand, my gaze snags on the scene inside the apartment.Celeste is setting the table, while Yeti annoys her.Eugene’s watching them both, his laugh lines more pronounced than ever.Gen’s next to him, typing something on her phone.
It’s all right there.The picture of what I want my future to look like.
‘There’s nothing in Melbourne for you, mate,’ Tegan says.
Not true.Everything I want is right in front of me.
‘I don’t want to go,’ I say firmly.‘Plans change.People change.’
‘Listen,’ Tegan talks over me, ‘take a day or two to think about it.Talk to your CO.Get some perspective.’
That’s the last thing I need.It’s taken me thirty-two years to figure out what I want.I can’t keep second-guessing myself.
‘Who was that?’Yeti asks once I’m back inside.
My mouth answers before my brain can catch up properly.‘My career adviser.’
That gets his full attention.He looks up from where he’s slicing the corned beef I put in the slow cooker this morning, his eyebrows quirked.
I lean back against the kitchen counter, facing the lounge room with my hands braced behind me.There are so many thoughts swirling around my mind.Yeti comes from a massive military family.He might be able to give me advice on how to get out of this.Lowering my voice, I say, ‘They want to send me to Washington D.C.at short notice.’
Recognising the seriousness of what I’ve just said, Yeti sets the knife down.‘Holy shit,’ he cries out.
Thank fuck.Yeti can be a bit clueless sometimes, but he gets it.
I turn towards him.‘Do you think I can—’
‘That’s so awesome, Forty!Man, I’m jealous.’
Okay, he doesn’t get it.
‘What are we celebrating?’Celeste asks from across the room.
‘Forty’s moving to Washington!The city, not the state!’
‘What?’Gen half stands from her stool, hands gripping the countertop.
‘It’s not—’ I start.
Yeti slaps me on the shoulder.‘Don’t be humble right now, Forty.Get braggy.This is a huge win for you.’
‘Is this the posting you’ve been talking about for years?’Celeste wants to know.
‘Yeah.The one I was in line for after this current postingcycle.’Each word tastes more like sawdust.Gen sinks back down onto her stool.I need to talk to her without an audience.
Yeti slings an arm around my shoulder.‘My brother’s mate did it a few years ago.Said it was the best posting he’s ever had.He was a Major when he went, though.Wait, are they going to make you up early too?Jesus, this gets better and better!’
‘Can someone please translate for those of us who don’t speak Army?’Celeste asks, casting a wary glance at Gen.
‘Basically, Forty’s a lucky fuck and he’s about to get everything he’s ever wanted.You’re looking at the future Major Watson.’
‘It’s not luck,’ Eug says firmly.‘Knox has worked hard for this opportunity.For years.’
‘I’m so stoked for you, man.This is the kind of opportunity that could set up the rest of your career.’Yeti beams at me, his expression faltering when no one else joins in.
