Page 63 of Open Secrets
Great.
Chapter Nineteen
Lyle —A week later.
“What?” Maria practically screams the next Saturday.
“I know,” I say, hands up.
“It cannot take a year.”
“Apparently it does.”
She stares at me like I’ve just grown two heads. “So, what happens in this year? Do they still deploy you?”
I shake my head. “Technically, they can’t. I’ve been set for home post. This is more like a transition requirement. Time to find housing and shit. They’re also gonna make sure I’m financially and medically and in other ways ready for civilian life.”
Maria scoffs. “You know how to be a civilian.”
I shrug. “Nothing I can do. I already asked if they could expedite it. Now it’s just a waiting game.”
“This sucks,” she pouts.
I grin. “I’m still gonna be home.”
Her pout deepens, exaggerated. “Now that we don’t have debt, I was looking forward to laying on a beach with you somewhere.”
“Me too, dammit.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “I can’t believe this is actually happening. I mean—you’re home, we’re debt free, your parents are around, Anna is letting me chose my dress. Life is blessed.”
I put my hands on her biceps and pull her close until her forehead bumps my chest. “We are blessed. And you’re still going to therapy.”
She blows a raspberry against my shirt like one of the kids. “Why do I have to? Dr. Nina wants me to go see my dad.”
“You want to see him?” I ask.
“Of course I do.Hedoesn’t. I’ll just drive all the way over there and he’ll tell me no again.”
I kiss the top of her head. “You know I’d love to go with you.”
“I know. But someone’s gotta be here for the kids. Speaking of—when will they be here?”
I check my watch. “Probably soon. My dad’s not allowed to drive in the dark anymore.”
“Well, I’m gonna take a shower,” Maria announces.
Before she can make a run for it, I catch her wrist. “You showered this morning. Come on, you can’t avoid them forever.”
“I can,” she mutters under her breath, already darting up the stairs.
I shake my head, smiling after her. My phone buzzes. I fish it from my pocket, already half-expecting a reminder from my CO or some Army admin.
But the name on the screen makes the smile die in my throat.
I’m outside xx.
It’s from someone I never expected to hear from again.
