Page 14 of The Soldier Next Door
I laugh. “Yes, yes I’m real. I’ve missed you,” I whisper into her hair. She smells just like all of her letters, sweet with a hint of vanilla.
She takes a step back, her face flushed with excitement and her eyes full of happiness. I can’t stop smiling and we both stand there, goofily grinning at each other.
“Susie honey, who’s there? Oh Brady, hello and welcome back!” Mrs. Monroe greets me, embracing me in a light hug. “And thank you for your service. Please come in! Jim!” she calls. “Our next door neighbor is here!”
Her husband shuffles over. He’s very average looking, with a plaid shirt and khakis.
“Hey Brady, it’s good to see you. We’re so glad you could drop by. It’s a combination block party and graduation party for our daughter, Susie, so make yourself at home. And thank you so much for all you’ve done for this country. Please help yourself. We’ve got cake, food, drinks, and you know they’readult drinks.Not much of that in Afghanistan, right?” he chortles.
I’m half listening to Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, while trying not to stare at their aforementioned daughter. She’s having difficulty looking away from me too. Susie’s looking me up in down like she’s mentally undressing me with her eyes, and I hope to god her parents don’t notice.
I snap back to attention.
“Um, sorry?”
Jackie smiles.
“Brady, can I get you anything? Water or beer?” she asks me.
“Sure, why not? Got a corona with a lime?” I ask.
She smiles.
“Absolutely. Susie, help me?” she asks.
Jolting to attention, Susie agrees and follows her mom into the kitchen. I can’t help but watch her ass sashay back in forth in her short, flirty white dress.
“So, tell me, how was deployment?” Jim asks, slapping a meaty hand on my shoulder.
“Deployment was the same old same old, nothing special,” I answer, hoping to end the conversation as quickly as possible.
He nods his head at me. “You know I’m more of a Marines guy myself. I traveled all around Asia and Africa throughout the eighties.”
“Really?” I ask, feigning interest while subtly watching the kitchen door for any sign of Susie.
“Yep, yep, best time of my life. Then I met Jackie in between tours and decided to settle down. Then we had Susie. I loved traveling the world, but when you know, you know. You know?” he asks me, chuckling at his own joke.
I smile at him wanly, mulling over his words. “I do know actually. Thanks man. I appreciate it.”
Just then, Jackie and Susie come walking towards us, Jackie with a beer and Susie with a plate of food.
“Here you go. My mom thought you might be hungry since you just got off your flight,” Susie murmurs, handing me the plate. Jackie hands me the beer and pulls Jim off to talk to some relatives. They suspect nothing, and for that, I’m grateful.
Meanwhile, Susie and I sit down and catch up.
“Thank you for the food. I actually was starving,” I say with a grin.
She smiles. “Oh my gosh I still can’t believe that you’re here. I’ve dreamed of this moment for months and you’re here. Just…wow. I’m so happy I feel like I have a hanger in my mouth.”
I chuckle at her, loving her forthrightness. “This burger is good but it has nothing on all the treats you sent me.”
She blushes, and I watch as her décolletage turns slightly pink.
“Well, now that you’re here, you can finally get them fresh. If you think you loved me then, well just wait,” she tells me. “You’ll love what I have now even more.”
“Love?” I ask her, cocking my head to the side. My blue eyes pierce her with an intensity that makes her blush.
“No, I meant “love” as in love my food…I mean, my baked goods. Just watch your waistline is what I’m trying to say,” she stammers.
