Remember Laughter

by Ginny Sterling

  “Are you kidding me, mother?”

  “No. Why would you ask that?”

  “The cat is insane. Look at me! I can’t even walk in the house anymore without that mongrel stalking me. Do you have the spray bottle? I see that tramp’s arched back underneath the table from here! If she bites me one more time, there is going to be one less animal in the world.”

  “LEIA RENEE HOLLAND KETCH!” her mother roared indignantly, her eyes the size of dinner plates as she stared at Leia. If she was a betting woman, she could have sworn there were flames in her mother’s eyes at the verbal threat to her precious Mr. Snookums. Truthfully, she could never hurt another creature… but she might complain, gripe, and threaten just a bit.

  “Mom, the cat is a menace,” Leia moaned, hating the whine in her voice.

  “He’s protective.”

  “You could have named him Cujo or Killer.”

  “He’s sweet - and you obviously need to find an animal that suits your personality, too.”

  “Ma,” Leia hesitated, smiling for the first time in weeks, “I’m not so sure I would claim to be anything like Mr. Snookums… OW!” Leia yelped angrily, her smile fading as the animal latched onto her bare leg with its teeth and began kicking feverishly at her skin with its’ back claws.

  “CAT? You got a death wish??”

  Shaking her head at the memory, Leia looked at Daisy again and then back at the dog. The animal had an odd, egg shaped head with an elongated nose. Warm tones of caramels, browns, and white were all over its’ body as it watched her with intelligent dark eyes.

  “You’re shaking your head,” Daisy said politely, “Would you prefer a cat to join us while we talk, instead? This little guy is new here and could use a friend but if you prefer something else…?”

  “Absolutely no cats,” Leia said with a shiver, thinking of her mother’s cat. “I used to have dogs when I was growing up and might get along better with a canine. Is he gentle?”

  “Very - but set in his ways.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He does what he wants; we are just along for the ride,” Daisy said, smiling.

  “Sure. Yeah, he’ll do,” Leia said impatiently, looking around. This was unlike any office she’d ever seen. Maybe this was a mistake. “Can we get started? I’m having second thoughts about this and I feel like a fool.”

  “Quit looking at this as a formal counseling session,” Daisy said firmly. “You’re new here in town; it’s been a while since you’ve been home, and I think we’ll get along famously. Let’s just be two girls having a nice chat over a cup of coffee. How does that sound?”

  “I’d love a cup.”

  “Then let me get Spud out…”

  “Spud?” Leia interrupted, grinning. “You named the dog Spuds MacKenzie after a beer commercial?”

  “No. His name is Spud cause he’s the biggest couch potato that I know. When I open the door and let him out, he’s going to take off and sprawl all over the sofa in front of the television.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Oh, yes. I’m not joking. If you are looking for a lap dog to watch primetime television with – this is the animal for you. When I said ‘stubborn’… I meant it. I’ve tried to move him a few times from the couch and he just gets this slack body, refusing to move from his spot. It’s like Sheldon on that TV show,” Daisy said thoughtfully, tapping her finger on her chin and shaking her head. “No matter. You get the idea. That is Spud’s couch and no one touches it.”

  Daisy sat silently at the table with her friends, picking at her French fries absently. Her last session of the day had been heartbreaking. She had asked Ethan, her fiancé, if they could stay home where she could just cuddle with him for silent support. She didn’t feel like being out with friends tonight. After hearing Leia’s history, Daisy had found herself crying right along with the young lady that sat before her.

  Leia seemed so strong, so composed… and it was all fake. Once Daisy had found just the right questions to ask, her armor façade started to crack. It was painful to see someone that seemed so independent, actually reveal how lost they truly felt.

  “I just feel like I’ve got nobody anymore…” Leia had said bitterly, her voice lost, choking on the panicked tears that were strangling her. “I talk to my parents and try to make friends – but my heart is gone. He’s just gone – and I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

  Daisy had pulled out all her professional statements, quickly sorting through them mentally to find one that fit but came up blank. Instead, she ended up hugging the woman, holding her, as she cried pitifully. Spud had abandoned his spot on the couch, laying his large snout on Leia’s lap.

  Twenty minutes later, Leia was signing adoption papers for Spud and gathering up a few basic needs. She had insisted on taking the dog home with her that night. It surprised and pleased Daisy that she’d taken to the animal.

  “You okay, sweetheart?” Ethan asked gently, squeezing her knee under the table. Daisy glanced up to see their friends, Lily and John, watching her quietly. Her fiancé’s concerned eyes held hers as he repeated his question.

  “I’m fine, why?”

  “You’re crying.”

  “What?” Daisy balked, quickly reaching for her face to see that she indeed was crying silently.

  “What’s going on?” Lily asked politely.

  Daisy knew Lily from her relationship with Ethan. Lily was a teacher at the elementary school in town and had a heart of gold – which probably led to the reason John had married her quickly. The two had become pen pals by sheer accident and it had led to a deeper relationship between them.

  Friends had become soulmates.

  John, Lily’s husband, had been Ethan’s commanding officer while he was in Afghanistan before he lost his leg in an explosion – and that was how Daisy had met the handsome, caring man that sat beside her.

  Ethan.

  “Just a case I had tonight that really touched me,” Daisy began quietly. “I can’t say a whole lot, but I really feel for someone and their story just struck a nerve. This woman, barely my age, lost her husband and needs support to carry on. It was more than I was ready for and hit me hard, because I feel so blessed to have met you,” Daisy said painfully, looking into Ethan’s dark eyes. “I don’t know what I would do if you were gone.”

  “Oh, that’s terrible,” Lily said thickly and Daisy knew the caring woman’s heart bled for the unknown female. “Maybe she could use another friend or someone to talk to? I know when I lost my best friend, I really relied on communications with John to help me get through. He was so sweet, so kind, and just what I needed.”

  Daisy shook her head slowly at the suggestion.

  “I’m not playing matchmaker with anyone that is hurting so badly, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to be able to talk with another person.”

  “No. I agree completely.”

  “It would have to be someone noncommittal and upbeat. No romance at all because she doesn’t need someone to replace her husband or memories. She needs someone to take her mind off things so she can heal. The last thing I would want would be to suggest someone that harms her further.”

  “Oh no! Exactly!”

  “It would have to be someone that can make you smile or laugh and can reach past the wall she has built up. Someone that isn’t looking for a relationship, so that way things don’t get complicated or messy. Friendship only- I cannot stress that enough!” Daisy said strongly, still shaking her head against the idea. This could backfire so badly and land in her lap.

  “What if you didn’t do the recommendation?”

  Ethan and Daisy both glanced sharply at John’s quiet words. Ethan grinned and she knew he was brimming with admiration. Ethan still reveled at how clever and ingenious his former CPO could be.

  John snapped his fingers, tapped his forehead, and smirked.

  “Are you thinking what I am?”

  “Nawwww… but on second thought, he would never go for it, would
he?” Ethan said shaking his head. “He’s a goofball that has a heart of gold – and definitely non-committal. He probably wouldn’t even write back more than once.”

  “I think he might, if given a reason to,” John hedged.

  “Seriously?”

  “Who are you two talking about?” Daisy questioned, glancing between the two men as Lily sat there with a confused expression. She also had no idea who her husband was discussing.

  “John?” Ethan asked pointedly of the man sitting across from him at the dining table at their favorite restaurant. “You think Hody would be okay with a pen pal? Daisy is right and I could see how this could get screwed up badly.”

  “Jason Hody is a great guy and he owes me one.”

  “He does?”

  “Yep. I saved his rear-end from setting off a detonator when he’d first arrived in Afghanistan. He made a rookie mistake and I happened to be close enough to disarm the bomb before it went off.”

  “He’s nice? Like, really genuinely nice?” Daisy interrupted.

  “He’s a great guy,” Ethan admitted with a sideways glance. She saw he was still staring at John quietly before he gave a single nod towards her.

  “You think he might be up for writing someone to cheer them up?” Daisy eventually asked, feeling hopeful and breaking the silence between the couples as she processed the suggestion. Maybe setting up clients with the option to write would give them all a chance to reach out and feel like they’d done a good deed. This might not be such a bad idea.

  “I think the bigger question might be, would your mysterious lady be up to sending a stranger a letter or care package?”

  “Leave that up to me,” Lily said happily, clapping her hands excitedly. “John and I have been trying to send a little something each month to the guys in the squad that were under him. A lot of people have moved on with their lives already. We try to email to keep in touch with everyone, but there are a few stragglers still out there in the desert.”

  “We’ll keep it simple and let it be your client’s idea,” Lily continued on, shrewdly. “If it’s their idea, they’ll buy in to it, instead of feeling like it’s being pushed onto them. I can speak to the group, so no one is singled out, and ask for them to help me send letters or care packages out to the soldiers. This can leave you out of the loop, Daisy.”

  “How will you know who to focus on?” Daisy asked, quickly, feeling full of anticipation at the idea.

  “We’ll figure it out,” Lily grinned.

  “Lily, I’ll email Hody and let him know to be on his best behavior.”

  “I thought you both said he was a good guy?” Daisy asked cautiously.

  “He’s a great guy – but he’s a single guy alone in the middle of nowhere. There is likely to be tacky jokes, crude humor, and pranks pulled. I want him to be polite.”

  “Being polite would be a good thing.”

  “Yep, better warn Hody,” Ethan grinned and kissed Daisy on the cheek. “It will be fine. Just think, this guy could have been Mike’s brother from another mother. They are very similar in personalities.”

  “Ohhhh,” Daisy started, thinking of the outlandish man that wasn’t present at dinner tonight. Mike was at home, surprising his wife for her birthday. The arrogant, obnoxious man melted like butter at the crook of his wife’s little finger. Having someone that joked, smiled, and was playful could be a good thing for the right person – and if they were also truly kind, loyal, and loving? Oh yes, this could be a great idea since this person Hody was someone that they all thought the term ‘noncommittal’ applied to.

  “No matchmaking?” she hedged, holding out her hand with her pinky extended.

  “Nope.” Ethan said firmly, linking a pinky with Daisy as if to promise via pinky-swear. The innocent look on John’s face struck Daisy as unnerving. They were trying too hard to get this man named Hody to communicate with someone. She wasn’t stupid. The men were up to something and she had to trust in Ethan’s faith in this unknown man.

  John quickly held up two fingers.

  “Scout’s honor.”

  The waiter arrived with their bills, interrupting the discussion as they finished up and got to-go boxes. Daisy let the matter drop and knew she would not push the issue when Lily spoke to the group. If Leia decided to write, it would be up to her – not Daisy.

  “John? You think a pen pal is a good idea?”

  “I do, sweetheart.”

  “You know, not everyone meets their soulmate, by chance, like we did. It was sheer fate that you got my letter that day.”

  “And I thank my lucky stars every time you smile at me.”

  “I love you.”

  “You are my everything.”

  “But you aren’t trying to set up Hody with this poor girl, are you?”

  “Lily, would it be so terrible if they ended up being friends?”

  “John, you are matchmaking!”

  “Not at all,” he protested with a sly smile, kissing her knuckles where they held hands, “but there’s nothing wrong with introducing people and seeing if they click, you know? I have a soft spot in my heart when it comes to my military brothers. I want them to be as happy as we are – and while I know ours is a one-in-a-million-love story, there’s nothing wrong with maybe giving happiness a little shove in the right direction.”

  “I love your tender heart.”

  “Let’s go home and you can show me how much you love me,” he said softly, kissing the tip of her nose.

  Hody,

  I’m cashing in my favor and before you hit delete, hear me out. This is important to my wife… and I’d do anything for her. Lily has someone she knows that could use some cheering up and you are the funniest guy I know out there. You always made the rest of us laugh during times that were really trying-so I know you’d be perfect. Just be yourself, be nice(!), and crack a few jokes.

  Nothing more, nothing less – and we’ll call it even.

  John

  P.S. – when are you coming to visit? You know we’d put you up here if you ever wanted to get away from that mess for a week or two.

  Chapter 4

  Jason read the email over and over again – stunned that his former CPO had reached out and was actually reminding him about how stupid he’d been when he first arrived there in Afghanistan. He’d dealt with the ribbing for days back then, until John wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and announced he was finished teasing him but would ‘owe him one someday’.

  Apparently the older man had gotten soft if he was cashing in his favor for his wife. He’d enjoyed picking on the older, hard-headed man over the years. It promised to be nothing but fun to get him riled up once again.

  He really needed to focus more on keeping in touch with his military brothers. He’d let several emails go unanswered. He’d read them, but just didn’t answer because someone had already commented what he was going to say – plus he was always nervous about his writing. He knew he got letters and words mixed up. The squiggly underlines on his slowly written emails thankfully told him when he’d screwed things up.

  Cracking his knuckles, he grinned as he carefully typed a response.

  John,

  How ugly is this chick that you are trying to set me up with?

  I figured saving my tail would involve some huge favor, like selling a car or giving up a kidney. I have yet to see a photo of you & your wife to see how your taste in women run – so this might be above and beyond us being ‘squared up’. For a while there, I didn’t even think you looked at women. Ha!

  If I do this favor – WIFM, dude? What’s in it for me?

  Nice? I’m always nice…

  Jason

  P.S. I know I need to visit, but things ramped up here for a bit. When they settle back down I’ll try to get away. I’m sorry I missed your wedding and Cooper’s. I plan on being there for the next one, unless something else happens. I can’t say much – you know the rules.

  Hody,

  Remember how it felt when Etha
n lost his leg? How quiet and devastated we all were? That is why I mentioned for you to try being nice and funny this time around. This person needs a little more positivity in her life. I’ve never met this woman so I have no idea what she looks like – but she lost her husband and could use some cheering up. That’s all I know.

  My beautiful bride is going to see if this lady will send you a care package to start the communication – which is why I reached out. I remembered how you rolled your eyes when we got letters from the kids. Some people don’t reach out because they have to, my friend – they do it because they need to. If you don’t get a letter or a package, so be it… but if you do?

  Write back – please.

  Be jovial and light-hearted.

  Think of it as a personal challenge to help someone get through the trauma that we all went through not too long ago. We didn’t lose Minter, but could you imagine if we had? A spouse would be that feeling - times a thousand! Don’t mention her husband’s death, start fresh, and extend that dorky hand of friendship that you are always high-fiving everyone with.

  One letter – that’s all I’m asking.

  No kidneys are involved.

  I promise.

  John

  Jason stared silently at the screen , wondering if his former CPO understood just what he was asking of him. He could talk and joke around with anyone face to face – but he’d always been treated as if he was dumb growing up in school. He wasn’t stupid, he just had a really tough time. Now, he was being asked to put himself out there for someone else to pick on?

  Did he understand just how long it would take him to write an email that was worth sending? Flashbacks of how he’d desperately tried to talk himself out of school projects, being a bully to get other kids to do his homework, all came rushing back, filling him with that silent, deep shame. If John knew, would he even ask him to do this?

  Probably, he thought, shaking his head.