Page 2 of Saving Veronica
“I want emergency-room trauma surgery. Meaning if someone comes into the ER and needs surgery, I’d be the first one they’d call.”
“Cool, and with your experience in the field, that works in your favor.”
“It does.”
“Well, I see our guys just arrived,” Wolf said, as he pulled his wallet and pulled a card, then a second one. “This is my card. I’m based out of California. Occasionally we’re out of Virginia. This second card is from a former teammate of ours. He wasn’t so lucky on one of our missions, ended up losing a leg, but he’s great with computers. If you need anything, and Imeananything, give one of us a call. Tex is the best computer geek you’ll ever meet. If you lose something and it doesn’t want to be found, contact Tex, he’ll find it for you. No matter what it is, just tell him Wolf and the gang told you to contact him.”
“Thanks, not that I’ll ever need it, but it’s nice to know there’s help out there if it’s needed.”
They shook hands, picked up their packs and left. Within the hour they were checked into the military transport area, and strapped into their seats. The closer the time to take-off came, the more excited Finn became to realize that he was really heading home. It had been so long, that he hadn’t wanted to get his hopes up. Now, the plane was ready for takeoff and he couldn’t wait. He looked over at Patch and the two only exchanged grins. They would catch this military plan to Virginia, receive their discharge papers, then they would catch a commercial flight to their final destination. If Finn had his way, he wouldn’t fly again for the next ten years. He couldn’t wait to get home. As he laid his head back, he automatically reached out to pet the dog’s head that had been next to him for the last forty months. When he didn’t feel him, he jerked his head up and looked around. It was Patch that reminded him what he had forgotten.
“He’s not here, remember? We shipped him out with the human wounded.”
“Yeah, forgot for a minute.” The dog he had handled for the time he’d been in Afghanistan had been injured while saving Finn’s life. Patch had done the best he could and sent him with the others, hoping to get him to a vet in time, but since military dogs were considered as equipment by the United States government, the chances of Finn seeing Major again were slim to none. With a heavy sigh, he settled back, and tried to get some shut-eye.
*****
After the plane landed in their home state, Finn and Patch were waiting in the baggage claim area to grab their duffel bags. They were dressed in their camouflage, with everything they owned packed in their military duffels. With them slung over their shoulders, they turned to the sound of applause from everyone around them. They looked at each other, then turned toward the crowd and saw everyone from their flight standing there applauding. People began to approach to shake their hands and thanked them for serving their country.
“Damn,” Patch said in an aside, at one point. “Never expected anything like this. I just served my country. Why all the attention?”
“Because, we got shit on when we returned from Vietnam,” came a gruff, gravelly, elderly voice, and Finn grinned when he turned and saw who had spoken.
“Grandpa.” Finn stepped forward and held out his hand for a shake, but was surprised when his grandfather pulled him in for a huge hug.
“Welcome home, Son.” After Grandpa had given him the hug, then stepped back, Finn saw his own father standing there.
“Dad,” Finn said, and didn’t bother trying to shake his hand. He immediately hugged him and held on for dear life. He’d always had a close and good relationship with his parents, but the last time he’d seen either one of them was before he went to Afghanistan for the first time, three years ago. It had been right after his mother’s funeral.
“How you doing?” Finn stood back to look his father over with a critical eye.
“Better now that you’re home for good.”
“Douglas, you’re coming home with us?” Grandpa asked Patch.
“Um… I hadn’t planned on it. I was going to get a hotel room in town.”
“Bullshit. You’re come home with us,” Grandpa said, and wrapped his arm around the stunned man. Patch and Finn had grown up together and gone to the same school, but Patch had been in the foster-care system whereas Finn had lived with his parents.
“Give it up, Patch,” Finn said, as he picked up his bag. “Gramps won’t let you. You should have known that.”
“Patch? What’s that mean?” his father asked.
“His name in the unit.” Finn grinned. “As a medic, several times he just threw a patch on someone and sent them back to fight.” Finn paused when two security guards hurried toward them.
“Excuse us, but are either one of you Sergeant Major Finnegan Larson?”
“I am. What can I do for you?”
“Can you come with us, please?”
“Um, why?” Finn looked at everyone and saw Patch’s wide grin.
“You received a delivery here at the airport earlier this afternoon. We received a message to keep it for you, and you would be on this flight. We were also informed that you would be able to take it home with you. If you’ll follow us, you can pick it up.”
“What the hell?” Finn asked, and looked at the others. “Who’s it from? What is it?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Patch slapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s go see what it is.”
