‘Charlie!’ ‘What the hell, Jim? Jim?’ ‘Fucking armor-piercing rounds.’ ‘Charlie?’ ‘Here, I’m here.’ ‘I’m fine. Hang on, they’re coming.’ ‘I love you.’ ‘Goddess, no. No, no!’
Charlie was sitting on a table facing the stretcher Jim had lain on before he was taken up to surgery. While a doctor cleaned and closed her wound, the chaotic images of the last few hours flurried like a storm in her mind. She had returned to her stone state of mind. Her green eyes fixed on the blood-covered sheets, oblivious to anything that was going on around her. The events of his last few moments ran through her mind over and over.
De stood just outside the door with Jeff and Jose, giving them clearance to make the calls home so arrangements could get rolling. Keith approached, “Sorry for the intrusion.” Behind him were the leads from the other six teams. “How’s she doing?”
“Not sure. We’ve never seen her like this; she shut off completely.” De said.
“I know this is a lot to ask, but we all wanted to make sure it would be alright if we accompanied you home?”
“I think Jim would have liked that; not sure about her, though. You did offer to take her out.” De tried to joke.
“Yes, well; she did save my life.” He motioned to his bandaged arm. “We have all been working with James for several months now; it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t pay our respects. To him and his family.”
“If it would be alright?” Erik asked. De nodded his approval.
Jeff and Jose took their leave to get the calls started. De went back into the room with Charlie. “Char, I have the boys calling home. You need me to get you anything?” He said softly.
“I think I don’t know what to think. What the hell happened, De?” She looked at him, the sadness overflowing in her eyes.
The doctor finished wrapping her shoulder, placing her arm into a sling before he gave her final directions, saying that someone would be in shortly to take her to her husband; then he left.
“I really wish I could answer that. We will get him for this, Charlie. I promise.”
“Why do they want to go home with us? Pay their respects for what?” Before he could even ask, she pointed at her ear.
“Char, now is not the time…”
She cut him off. “Time for what, Dietrich? My husband, my whole reason for living; the father of my babies is lying on some table, somewhere.” She started crying. “Never to hold them or me, ever again. I can’t do this. I can’t.” He wrapped his arms around her.
“Yes, you can. We will get through this together, Char.”
After being led to a sterile room, three nurses and the coroner waited for her arrival. He explained they would be taking care of everything to prepare him for the flight home. He asked Charlie if there was anything on his person she would like to hold onto. She remained silent; De mentioned all of Jim’s personal effects.
Charlie almost had to be sedated when she was handed Jim’s wedding ring and dog tags. De placed the ring onto the chain, then slipped it over her neck for her to hold. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close as he pulled her from the room. Looking back, the nurses began stripping away what remained of Jim’s bloodied clothes and bathed him.
Once they were finished, a clean white sheet was pulled over his lifeless body. Charlie turned to De, burying her face into his shoulder as she began to cry. “It doesn’t even look like him.”
Softly, he spoke, “It is gonna be alright, sweetie. I’m here for you.”
Grant stood front and center, addressing the remaining eight men of Alpha. “Good morning, I am Major Grant Jackson. My second in command, Captain Leland Meyers.” He continued talking when a knock came at the door. Peering in, a corporal entered, handing him a message.
He read the note before passing it to Lee. “Plans have changed; as you all know, Captain Meyers and I have had the privilege to serve with Major James Thorn, formerly of this very company. Late last night, his team was ambushed by General Bashal’s men; in the fight, he lost his life. It is now at his family’s request for us to be part of his honor guard. He is being laid to rest near his home in Nevada. A plane is being sent for us; we leave in two hours. I expect everyone to be packed and ready to go. Dress whites are required. If you need anything, get your asses to the supply room now. I will not tolerate anything but perfection. Dismissed!”
Lee waited until everyone was gone. “Jim’s dead? Charlie must be a wreck. I can’t imagine what must be going through her head right now.”
“Whatever it is, I bet it ain’t pretty. Jose said she was wounded too. Come on, we better get ready; we have to be there to meet their plane when it arrives.”
Charles and Alex sat with the children to explain to them what had happened. Cassidy started crying while Dietrich held a stone-cold face. Ace tried consoling his little sister. Charles then told them that their mother may not be able to care for them until she feels better; they would still be living at the house with him and their younger siblings.
Ace asked point blank, “Did that fucker get away?”
Wanting to scold him, but the circumstance wasn’t warranted, “Yes, he did. And when your Mom is ready, we will hunt him down. I promise you that.” Alex responded.
Jillian came into the room, taking Cassidy into her arms. “I know, baby, I know. But you are a tough girl, just like your Mamma. You need to be strong for her, help her get through this. Okay, sweetie?” Cassidy nodded. Dietrich stood up and stormed out of the room with Ace running after him.
De was holding her hand as they looked over everything that had been done to prepare Jim for the trip home. Jean Luc found a very expensive suit to have him dressed. De picked out the casket he was laid in. Charlie tearfully kissed him one last time before they closed the lid.
They were given a police escort all the way to the airport. When they pulled up to the special plane, Charles had sent for them; Jeff, Jose, along with a few of the others, lifted the casket from the vehicle and carried it up the ramp into the main compartment of the plane. Charlie was carefully led by De and Keith.
They sat her down closest to the casket; she leaned, placing her head against the lid, while everyone else settled into their seats. The attendant made his rounds while the captain was going through his announcements and their ETA. De placed his hand upon her shoulder, asking her to sit back while they taxied out to take off.
During the flight, everyone but Charlie kept getting up to move around. She maintained her cold exterior, refusing to speak or acknowledge anyone around her. De asked her to let him watch over Jim while she tried to get some sleep. Again, she refused. She quietly told him, “He never left my side, and I will not be told to leave his.”
He then offered to get her something to eat, only to be met with another refusal. He told her he was going to stretch his legs. She kept her head down as she nodded.
Sitting down with the group, Erik asked, “Is she going to be okay by herself?”
Leaning back, “Honestly, none of us have ever seen her like this.”
Jose added, “She is a tough one; it will take her some time.”
Keith jumped in, “Yeah, but how long. We need to start planning how we are going to get that bastard back into custody.”
“If she has anything to do with going after him, he ain’t going to be in any type of custody. She is gonna put him in the ground.” Jeff said, looking over at her.
They all just about jumped out of their seats when Charlie quickly passed them. Ducking into the bathroom, she lost all of her composure. Her entire body began to shake as she heaved into the toilet. She remained inside until it passed. After rinsing her mouth, she looked into the mirror. She glared at the woman, not knowing who she was. Her shoulder began to hurt; the pain caused her to become sick again.
A light tapping against the door snapped her back. Pulling it open slightly, the attendant handed her a bottle of juice and two little pills. “For the nausea, after what you’ve been through, it’s understandable. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” She tried to smile but just couldn’t muster one.
She stayed a bit longer until the pills felt as though they were starting to work. Straightening herself up, trying not to look as horrid as she felt. She opened the door. Stepping out, she turned into the main cabin to see De and Keith sitting next to Jim, talking. As she approached, the attendant handed her some crackers to ease her discomfort.
De looked up as Keith said, “Are you feeling better? Sorry, I came over; I knew you did not want him left unattended.”
“Thank you, just a bit too much at once.” She sat back into her seat.
“Char, really. We’ll watch over him; please, go lay down.”
“Okay, I am starting to feel this." She adjusted her arm in its sling, "If Keith is okay at his post here, can I speak with you in private?” He nodded, following her into the little room.
Closing the door, he sat next to her on the bed. “I’m sorry if it seems I’m being bossy.”
“No, that’s fine. I can’t do this, De. How am I to explain all of this to the children?”
“Well, your Dad and Alex have kinda already prepared them.” She threw her good arm into the air. “They wanted to take all this extra pressure off your shoulders. Your Dad has already gotten all of the arrangements taken care of; Jose left word for Grant and Lee. Everyone will be waiting for us to arrive at the airport.”
“What the hell am I supposed to do? Be the grieving widow?” She began to tear up.
“Exactly. You need to let it out, sweetie. You have a bad habit of holding things in until you explode.” He said, kissing her forehead.
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel. I’m in pain, angry, sad; what the fuck?”
He ordered her to lie back and rest. Pulling the blanket over her, he said there would be someone close to Jim at all times; he would come wake her in a few hours.
After they landed, everyone on board had to wait for the customs person to enter the plane to verify everyone’s passports and all of the paperwork for Jim’s transport. Charlie looked out of the window; she saw her father standing there with one of the babies in his arms, while Jillian held the other. Alex and Ace were trying to hold De and Cass back until the right moment. She scanned all of the faces; her entire family was waiting for them to disembark.
“Everyone is here.” She said quietly to Jose.
“Lee and Grant brought Alpha with them to serve as Jim’s honor guard,” Jose said, holding her hand in his. Kissing the back, “We’re all here for you.”
When the all-clear was given, they gestured for the unit of soldiers to step aboard. Alpha team moved toward the plane, walking up the ramp in perfect unison. They each expressed their sympathies to Charlie before taking their places on either side of the casket. De offered his hand to her.
Clenching his arm tight, they led the entourage down the ramp. They were halfway towards their family when Charlie turned around to see them carry Jim down. Her knees began to buckle under her; De wrapped his arm around her to help keep her stable.
Her resolve hit that last tiny bit before total breakdown when she heard Cassidy and Dietrich cry out, “Daddy!”
“De, I can’t do this; please, I can’t.”
“I’m right here; do your best for them.” He jerked his head towards her children.
Ace couldn’t hold them any longer; they broke free, heading full speed at their mother. “Mommy!” They yelled, almost knocking her over.
“Careful.” De said to them, “Mommy’s still sore.”
“Sorry, Mommy.” Little De apologized.
Charlie tried holding both of them at once with her good arm. “I missed you both so much.” She went stone again.
Charles and Jillian approached; kissing JJ and Izzy, her tears started flowing. Her father tried holding her. De had to catch her when they all turned to watch the casket being loaded into the awaiting vehicle.
Ace supported her on the other side. “It’ll be okay, Mom.” He said.
Charles led his family to the vehicle awaiting them. Jillian was riding with Alex, Ace, and the babies, while the twins, Charlie and De, rode with Charles. Everyone else was shown to the remaining vehicles for the long drive out to the valley where the services were being held in the morning.
Jillian helped Charlie get ready for the services. Her wound began to bleed through and had to be redressed. The pain was surging; Charlie refused any attempt by Jillian to take one of the pain pills the hospital had given her. “I’m fine; I need the pain to keep me focused.”
Charles entered the room after they finished. Jillian excused herself to go make sure the children were ready. Holding his daughter in his arms. “I know there’s nothing I can say right now to help you feel any better. But I truly am sorry you have to go through this.”
Tears began filling her eyes. “Daddy, will this ever get better?”
“That is hard to say. I loved your mother so much. When I lost her, I went into a dark place. If it wasn’t for my best friend, I don’t think I would have ever come out of it.” He looked into her eyes, “Yes, Jillian has always been my best friend, just like Alex is yours. We at least had each other to get us through our loss. Look, you have me and Jillian. Just don’t forget,” he gestured towards the window, looking out at the people below, “you also have all of them to help you get through this. You just have to let them.”
“I can’t do this, Daddy. I can’t face all of them like this.” She hugged him.
“You have no choice.”
Charlie sat coldly with Cassidy in her lap, watching the Alpha honor guard carry Jim from the vehicle towards the burial plot. A flag was draped over the casket. Charlie took a deep breath as a breeze flowed around them.
Her father sat on her right, holding little De; Ace to her left; Alex and De standing right behind her with the rest of their team. They all looked on while the casket was carefully set down. Charles asked the High Priest, who officiated their wedding, to oversee Jim’s service.
Standing across from them; everyone from the office and the group from the alliance. Standing upright, not a sloucher among them. Charlie held her gaze right in front of her; she could not bear to take her eyes off of Jim for a second. The pain from her shoulder burned a constant reminder of everything.
Her mind kept flashing through every moment, from the day she saw Jim for the first time to their first time together, the wedding, the kids. ‘Bang!’ She snapped back to the present. The priest had completed the ceremony; they were now giving him a military salute while the flag was being folded in the traditional tri-fold.
She forced every emotion down as deep as she could when the head of the Company, along with a General from SOF HQ, approached to present her with the flag. “Mrs. Thorn, on behalf of a grateful nation, I am very sorry for your loss.”
Cold as ice, “Thank you.” She said, accepting his gift. Cassidy took it from her and began hugging it close to her heart. De reached out, placing his hand on Charlie’s shoulder, letting her know he was there.
Charlie stood, gesturing for little De to follow; she and the twins walked up to the casket. One at a time, De and Cass said goodbye, then went right back to sit with their Grandfather. She remained there as the guys lined up around her.
Starting with De, one by one, each of them slammed their SOF team’s crest into the lid. Charlie held two in her hand; she was unsure if she could do it. When it was her turn, she placed hers right next to De’s. With his help, she closed her fist; she slammed it into place. Then right above hers, she placed Jim’s. This time, a chunk of her pent-up emotion came out, and she slammed her tightened fist against the metal.
All of them continued standing there, while everyone began to leave. Little De and Cass wanted to stay. “No,” Alex told them, “you go back with Grandpa; we’ll be there in a bit.” Stomping their feet, the twins did as they were told.
Charlie stepped forward, kissing the lid one last time before it sank into the darkness. The sixteen of them watched the caretaker begin to lower the casket. Alex pulled her back, wrapping his arms around her. “You need to let it out, sweetie. You can’t keep it inside.” He told her.
Everyone felt a chill surround them when she pulled away, coldly looking into his eyes. “Like you did? Blaming me for everything. I will not be told anymore by anyone how I should be feeling or what I should be letting out. Fuck you!” She walked away as the caretaker began replacing the earth.
She was halfway up the path when Jeff called out to her, “Charlie, he is only trying to help!”
Whipping around, “No! You all can stand there and brood about losing a friend, a brother. Look at what I lost!”
Grant ran to her, grabbing her tight. She tried to wiggle free. “Charlie, we do know what you lost. We hate that we can’t bring him back. I would trade places with him in a second if I could.”
Rob took her. “We all would, just so you wouldn’t have to endure this.” Hugging her, trying not to cause her any more pain.
Between her emotions bubbling over and the burning in her shoulder, she suddenly became lightheaded and began to fall. Rob caught her in his arms. Carrying her out of the cemetery towards the car. Gently, he set her into the back seat with De and Alex.
“I didn’t think she would ever let that go,” Andy said.
Brian looked at him. “I don’t think we’ve even seen a fraction of what might be inside there.” He said as they drove back to Charles’ house to meet up with everyone else.
Charlie was sitting all proper on the sofa, watching the guys outside. Andy and Lee were giving little De and Cass piggyback rides around the yard. Alex and De were taking turns with Grant and Rob, holding JJ and Izzy as they stood by the garage talking to the seven gentlemen that accompanied them home. Marjorie and Jeanie claimed the babies from them for their nap. She watched them walk back towards the house. Her view was continually interrupted by someone stopping by to extend their sympathies.
Erik asked, “Two sets of twins, huh?”
Alex answered, “Yeah, kinda threw us all for a loop when that happened. Three years difference between them. And this guy.” He hugged Ace. “Our oldest will be graduating high school next spring.”
“He is your son?” Keith inquired of Alex, who nodded that he was. “Where are you off to?”
Ace told them, “I am staying put at the University for two years, then I’ll be heading to MIT, full scholarship in the electronic engineering program.”
Keith asked. “So, you are good with your hands then?”
“Better believe it.” De added, “See that Aston Martin there. He rebuilt that himself; he started when he was eleven.”
Keith was impressed. “The 1963 Db5, really? How does she sound?”
Ace got excited to finally get to show off his pride and joy. He ran off to retrieve the keys from his bedroom.
Charlie had finally had enough of everyone telling her how sorry they were. Politely, she excused herself, “I’m not feeling well. I think I need to go lie down for a bit.” She headed up the steps.
Ace almost knocked her over on his way back. “Sorry, Mom. Are you alright?”
“Just a little tired. I am going to rest.” She felt a smile creep through as he nodded to her, then ran back down the steps.
Charlie reached the bedroom door; stepping in, she looked around. The bed was perfectly made; she started seeing memories of her and Jim making love after they had set the date for their wedding. She turned to the window; Jim was there when she broke the news to him about being pregnant with twins the first time, kneeling and kissing her belly.
It all became way too much. She was just about to break down again when she heard the engine of Ace’s car start up. Snatching up her purse, she ran back down the stairs. Shoving past people, she bolted out the front door.
Ace was just getting out of the car when she came running up. Tossing her purse into the other seat, “Baby, I need to borrow your car.”
“Charlie, you can’t drive a stick with your shoulder like that,” De called out.
Revving the engine, she pulled off the sling. “Fucking watch me.” She slammed it into gear and tore down the driveway.
“Now she snaps,” Alex said. “Don’t worry, I will take the trailer and get it back tomorrow. If she ruins it, I will help you rebuild it.”
Grant came up to them with Cass on his back. “Where is she going?”
“I would think home,” De said.
Jose asked, “You sure she should be alone?”
Ace took Cass. “Let’s go find Grandpa.” He told her.
De called out to the guys, “We’re heading out to follow her, so let Charles know.” Then Keith and Erik asked if they could help. “Sure, maybe less of a chance of her shooting one of us if she sees you, Keith.” They jumped into De’s vehicle.
Rob called out, taking a few in his car, “Which way do you think she went?”
Alex yelled, “De, take the shortcut through the valley; Rob, hold to the fifteen. I’ll stay here and explain everything to Charles.”
Speeding the entire way, she cut across the valley, making it home in record time. Flying to a stop in front of the house. She fumbled out her keys, unlocking the door. Flipping on the lights, she flew through the house, as if looking for something.
Stopping in front of her wedding picture. Her tears began to flow uncontrollably. Yanking it down, she stared at his smile; her heart began to ache for him. She dropped the frame on the floor as she made her way up the stairs. In a daze, she walked down the hall, peering into each room. Not seeing that anyone was home.
When she came to the last door, she gently pushed it open. She stepped in, catching his scent in the air. Its overwhelming power forced her mind to snap even more. She noticed the bed was still unmade; the little outfit she had worn for him that last night before their trip was still there, tangled within the sheets. She grabbed hold of it, smelling deeply for any sign he may have left behind.
Further, dwelling down that dark path her father told her about. She started pulling the bed apart, inhaling every piece before throwing it across the room. She then went through the closet and dressers, praying to find something that had the strongest scent of him. Before making her way into the bathroom, she spotted his shaving kit. Taking in the sweet smell of his aftershave bottle. Then she found his razor; her eyes blurred from the tears as she slowly twisted the flaps open, exposing the blade inside.
Unknowing what she was capable of doing. De sped as fast as he could before pulling up to the house. The lights were all on, and the door was left open. He ordered Jeff to check the garage. Cautiously, he entered, peering in at first, then calling out to her, “Charlie?”
When she did not answer, he stepped in, followed closely by Erik and Keith. Looking around, nothing appeared to be out of place. Jose was checking the kitchen while De peeked into her workroom. Rob was just pulling in the drive when De came back out. Standing at the base of the steps, Jeff came in, saying the garage was clear. That was when they all heard the thump of someone falling upstairs.
“Shit!” De yelled, bounding up the stairs.
De flew into the room; she was lying on the floor, blood pooling around her. He saw the blade and the marks on each of her wrists. Grabbing towels, he yelled, “Rob, Jeff, find her trauma kit!” Keith helped him hold pressure on the cuts until they were able to get the kit.
Jeff ran in, “Fuck! Here, you need to wrap those tighter. Rob! You find it yet?”
“Yeah, here.” Pulling out everything. They began to stop the bleeding and stitch the cuts. “Damn it, she tore the stitches in her shoulder too.”
De held pressure to the shoulder while they sewed and bandaged her wrists. Time seemed to drag on before they ripped her blouse open and began reclosing the wound.
“Damn you, Charlie,” De said as they continued their work.
When they finished, De lifted her from the floor, carrying her out of the room. “Where are you gonna put her? She trashed that room?” Jeff asked.
“Ace’s room, hurry, second on the right.” He rushed her down the hall. Jose held the door open; he took her inside, laying her on the bed. He stepped away slowly as Rob covered her with a blanket and began checking her vitals.
Jeff ushered everyone back downstairs. “Rob will take first watch.” Closing the door behind them.
“Is she going to be alright?” Erik asked.
“I wish I knew; that was a lot even for her. But then, we never really lost anyone before.” Jose said.
De then said, “We got to give her some time.”
When they reached the living room, Keith stated, “Time is something we are short on, and every minute that bastard is getting farther away.”
“We know that! She just watched her husband die and buried him within the last seventy-two hours. Tell me how Bashal is gonna be a top priority? Believe me; let him try to slip away again. She tracked his ass once before to take him into custody, when everyone thought he was dead. She will do it again; just give her the time to grieve.” De barked; Keith backed down and agreed.
The rest of the guys were pulling up; Alex was towing the car trailer. Rushing in, Andy was shocked at how clean everything still was. Jeff told them, “She’s upstairs with Rob.” Alex nodded, running up with Grant right behind him.
They went into her room first and began to panic at the sight of the blood on the bathroom floor. “Rob!” Grant called out.
“Ace’s room.” He called back.
Alex swung the door open, seeing her lying there with bandages wrapped around her wrists. He became overwhelmed. “Damn it, Char. Why the fuck did she do this to herself? She needs to go to the…”
Rob said softly, “De doesn’t want her taken to the hospital. You know, they ask too many questions and would have committed her.”
Grant bent down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll sit with Rob for now.” Alex agreed, then headed back down the stairs.
When he reached the kitchen, everyone had found a corner to sit in. Alex walked over to the laundry room. Grabbing a small key from on top of the door frame, he entered, unlocking the fridge next to the dryer. He removed a bottle of beer, popped the top off, and swallowed the contents. Tossing the bottle into the trash, he grabbed another. “Anyone else up for a drink?”
Once everyone had a bottle, including the new Alpha’s; they all drank a toast to Jim. Sean asked where everyone was going to sleep.
“Well,” De said, pointing at the delegation, “you seven are welcome to take refuge over at my house, along with my bunk mates there. And the rest can head over to Alex’s.”
“Just how are we supposed to get there?” Asked Cesare, the lead from Italy.
“Easy, we own the houses next door. Pick a side, there is plenty of room for everyone.” Alex answered.
With that settled, they spent the next couple of hours, talking about missions. What it was like working with Jim. How if it wasn’t for Charlie coming into their lives, they would have no purpose, just mindless soldiers. Even the stories of when the team found out about them for the first time. How De lost his temper.
“I am not surprised, not one bit,” Keith said. “You know she threatened to toss me off the plane just to see if I could fly.”
“You did call her a fiery haired bitch.” Jeff reminded him.
“Yeah, but she started it when she called me a limey prick.” He laughed, getting the rest to laugh with him.
Jose was a little quiet at first. “She saved my ass in Laos; carried me uphill after she was hit in the leg. She gave you Ace.” He said to Alex. “And she gave Jim. Damn, she gave it all to him.” Everyone drank another round.
Rob came down, “Hey, De?”
“Yo.”
“She’s awake, asking for you. Grant is watching her until you get there. She needs to be watched closely for a while.”
“On my way.” He quickly tried to sober up staggering his way to the stairs.
Alex then said, “You are a lightweight, De. Charlie can still outdrink your ass.” De flipped his middle finger up to Alex as he walked up the steps.
“Really?” Asked Anton from Russia.
“She drank us all under the table every time we would party. Never lost any control or hangover that I ever saw.” Sean told him.
“What the hell?” Grant said as De staggered in.
“Just had a little drink is all.”
“I guess I will leave you alone; maybe break up the party and fix some coffee. Don’t upset her.”
He gave Grant a salute, “Yes, sir, Major.”
“You’ve been drinking.” She said to him as he sat down on the bed.
“You’ve been using your arm as a turkey.”
“I couldn’t stand it any longer. ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’ Over and over, I needed to get out of there. Then I went upstairs and saw...” She began to cry again.
He pulled her into his arms. “Shush, I know. It is going to be hard; we are all here to help you get through this. Just rest for now. I am going to make myself comfortable over there in that chair.”
She leaned back on the pillow while he settled in. He watched her drift back to sleep. He must have fallen asleep as well; he never noticed that Grant had covered him with a blanket during the night.
Jeff was standing over her when she awoke the next morning. “Where am I?” She asked.
“Home. You’re in Ace’s room. You kinda trashed yours. De and Al are in there cleaning it up as best they can.”
“What?” She lifted herself from the bed. Jeff put his hand up, trying to make her lie back down. “Remove your hand unless you want to lose it, Jeffery!” She barked.
Not wanting a fight, he instead helped her up. “I grabbed you a change of clothes. I’ll step out so you can get dressed, then I will help you downstairs.” He slipped through the door, telling Jose she was up and on the warpath. Jose ran down the hall to tell De and the rest.
When she was ready, he put her arm back into the sling before walking her down the hall to her bedroom. De was right on cue, opening the door, inviting her in. She looked around. “What did I do?”
“Well, you went a little crazy last night,” Alex said. “Scared the shit out of everyone.”
“Uh, where is everyone?”
“Downstairs, worried about you. Grant is refusing to head back to Virginia until he knows you are going to be alright.” De took her hand and walked her downstairs.
Grant was the first to see her coming down. Grabbing her into his arms, he picked her up from the bottom step. “Don’t you ever pull another stunt like that.”
She looked at all the faces. “Where are they guys from…”
Lee answered before she finished, “They headed out early this morning. We will be leaving in a bit.”
They all walked into the kitchen. Sean held out a chair for her. “What kind of tea would you like?” He asked.
“I think I can manage.” She walked past, pulling out her cup, then a spoon. Following her usual pattern until she stopped by the dishwasher. Looking in, she gently asked, “Where did all my knives go?”
Standing in the doorway, De said, “Well, after last night, I didn’t want anything sharp around for a while.”
Everyone jumped in shock when she flung something with her good arm. Lodged into the frame next to De’s head; she said, “You missed one.” She began humming while she prepared her tea.
The day went on; De, Rob, and Jose were the only ones left at the house with her. Charlie decided she needed to get some rest, but found only memory flashes of the past few days. She awoke screaming, startling them while they tried tidying up after everyone.
“Charlie?” De entered the room; she was curled into a ball, crying.
“I keep seeing him. He jumped between me and…” She sobbed as her body began to shake. Holding her to him, she could hear his heart beating faster and faster in his chest.
“Here, drink this.” Jose handed her a small glass. “You were supposed to sip it.”
“You said drink, I drank.” She smarted off, “Can I have the bottle?” They both looked at her; De was leery about the idea. “What, it may help me sleep?”