Page 64 of Destiny Reclaimed
So, he really didn’t remember a thing. Considering all the horror soldiers go through and see, Jack sometimes thought traumatic amnesia wasn’t a bad thing.
“You don’t owe me anything. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Mr. Tebon leaned forward. “We owe you everything. Without you, our son may not have made it back to us.” The man paused and drew in a deep breath. “It was bad enough we lost Marvin. I don’t think we could have taken the loss of another son.” The burly man’s voice cracked.
Mrs. Tebon returned and set the tray she carried on the table. Then she sat in the vacant armchair.
Her husband reached forward and grabbed one of the coffee mugs. “I like it black and strong.”
Jack followed suit. “Me, too.” He used both hands to steady the cup. Still nervous about how he was going to approach the topic he needed to with Gary.
“How are things at the store?” the caring woman asked.
“Busy,” Jack replied. “The summer tourists have started to filter in as they head on up the peninsula.”
She nodded. “It’s that time of year. And Gwendoline sure seems to like to shop.”
Jack’s heartbeat kicked up a notch. “Yes. I see her there pretty regularly.”
Gary’s penetrating stare drew his attention. Without a word, the veteran stared at him.
After a few beats, the man swung his gaze to Gabriela. “Have we met before?”
Adrenaline rushed his veins. Did he remember her? He and his Protector had hoped that Gary would recognize her and that would help to jog his memory, but honestly, they thought it would be a stretch and weren’t optimistic.
She tilted her head to the side, causing her shiny, golden strands of hair to fall over her shoulder. “You do look familiar.”
“Do you waitress at the drive-in?” he asked.
She shook her head.
Gary reached to the tray and grabbed a mug of coffee. His hand shook. Gabriela darted forward to help study the cup. When her fingers touched him, he recoiled as if he’d touched a hot stove. The cup sailed through the air and crashed to the floor. Ceramic pieces and liquid sprawled over the hardwood.
“I’m sorry. I was only trying to help,” Gabriela said as she began to pick up pieces.
Gary’s mom sprang from her chair. “I’ll get a towel.”
Jack fixed his gaze on Gary. The guy looked mortified. His facial muscles were taut, and his white knuckles let him know exactly how tightly he gripped the arms of the chair.
Mr. Tebon swallowed audibly and fixed his gaze on his son. “It’s okay. It’s just coffee.”
The embarrassed veteran stared at the floor.
Mrs. Tebon returned with a towel and a plastic container. She held the bin as Gabriela put the broken pieces into it. Then, she sopped up the coffee.
Jack stood. Was his visit the reason Gary seemed edgy? “I think we’ll be on our way.” He bounced his gaze between the Tebon family members. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...”
Mrs. Tebon touched his arm and interrupted him. “You’ve nothing to be sorry for. You are welcome here anytime. We owe you so much.”
He shook his head and was about to respond when Gary cleared his throat.
All gazes landed on the man.
“It’s true.”
Jack wasn’t sure if he was simply being agreeable or if he had begun to recall what happened in Vietnam.
Beads of sweat budded on the sides of Gary’s face. He fixed his gaze on Gabriela. The man’s irises darkened and he swallowed hard a few times. “You were there, too.”
