Cole

by Autumn Gunn

“I should be heading off to school. I have to take a shower before class.”

  “Got ya.”

  “What are you doing this weekend?”

  “No plans yet. Why?”

  I was thinking of baking some things. The weather is supposed to be nice. There’s a secluded stream running down to the lake. It’s a short, but beautiful hike. We could go there and have a picnic in between your morning and afternoon classes on Saturday.

  “That sounds great.”

  “Super. After you finish your morning class I can come by and pick you up and we can go.”

  “Deal.”

  “But don’t worry. You’ll see me in class before then.”

  “Good, because I like seeing you.”

  “And I like seeing you. Enjoy your day.”

  “You too.”

  And she slowly walked out the door. I couldn’t help but watch her walk out. Her body looked amazing in her yoga pants. I didn’t know how much longer I could resist.

  Chapter 14

  “We really need to get you a bike. Or maybe even a skateboard.”

  “Not a bad idea. I don’t want to commit to a car right now. With the long term future being so uncertain right now.”

  “You’re always welcome to borrow the Jeep.”

  “Thanks. You’re right though. I do need to get my own way around. I like walking, but maybe it’s not going to be practical all the time.”

  “You could always get a clunker. If you need to sell it quickly you can.”

  “Also true.”

  “What are you up to today?”

  “No plans at the moment. Why?”

  “Beautiful day. Haven’t gone fishing in awhile. Up for it?”

  “Up for it? Sounds like fun and some good eats later. Let’s do this.”

  Jax drove out of town to a little lake. We sat under a tree in the shade. Fished. We each had a couple beers, and ate some sandwiches. We talked about old times and the future. How Jasmine was growing up so quickly and what it’s like to have a child. We even caught a few fish. Nothing too big, but big enough for dinner. Jax dropped me off at home and headed in to pick up Jasmine.

  As I was turning the key the mailman approached.

  “Hello. I’m Mike the mailman.” He had a smile ear to ear.

  “Hello Mike. I’m Cole.”

  “Cole Callahan?”

  “That’s the one. How did you know?”

  “Think I saw a letter in there for you. Thought it was a mistake at first. Didn’t know there was a Cole here now. Was going to ask Mr. Justice if he was home, but it looks like I just got my answer.”

  “OK. Thanks.”

  “Welcome to town, Cole.”

  “Thanks, Mike. Good to be here.”

  He handed me the letters and made his way to the neighbor’s house.

  I went inside and sat in the living room. A letter for me? Only one person had my address. Or should I say one group of people. I sorted through the stack. There it was. A little over half way down. Mostly just a bunch of bills. It could have easily been mistaken for one. A white envelope. Typed. The United States Department of Navy return address gave it away. I stared at the exterior. I knew no matter what it said this letter was the most important I had ever received. Either way it was going to change the course of my life forever.

  I opened it and read. It wasn’t exactly what I expected.

  From: Commanding Officer, NAVAL AMPHIBIOUS BASE CORONADO

  To: Petty Officer Second Class Cole CALLAHAN, USN

  Subj: Report for Duty

  You are hereby required to report to the Officer of the Day at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado located at 3632 Tulagi Rd by 23:59 on 21 June, 2015.

  So they wanted to talk to me face-to-face. The best way to deliver bad news.

  I just stared at the letter. Over 15 minutes passed. I knew what was coming.

  Chapter 15

  Jax offered to run the gym for a couple days until I arrived on base and knew for sure what was going on. My guess was I’d be there two days. Four days tops. Then it would be all over.

  When I stepped off the plane Buckeye was there to meet me. He had picked up that nickname in Iraq. Being from Ohio he did everything he could to catch his Ohio State Buckeyes play football on TV every fall weekend. He’d offer to cover two shifts for just his one if it landed during the game. There was only a seven hour difference so most of the time he could watch the afternoon games in the late evening. When Ohio State played a night game on prime time TV you’d see him downing coffee all day in order to stay up for the game. Either that or to get his energy level cranked up beyond belief pre kickoff.

  “Pretty boy Callahan, how are you brother?”

  “Good to see you, Buckeye. Thanks for picking me up.”

  “No problem, but you owe me a shift this fall when football season starts back up.”

  I smiled. “Deal.” Buckeye hadn’t changed a bit.

  We spoke as we drove to the base.

  “Everybody’s talking about you, man. Excited to have you back.”

  “I’m excited to be back. Get back to work.” And I was, but I had to be honest with myself. I didn’t know how long this homecoming was going to last, or if it was going to even start.

  “Well it’s all good now. You’re back home with us now.”

  “I am. And it feels good.”

  I was trying to keep a straight face, but the pain inside was tearing me up. My boys were welcoming me back. Buckeye pretended like nothing ever happened. He had moved on from the incident, but the Navy wasn’t ready yet. I wasn’t going to bring it up. One because it was a happy moment. Two because I didn’t want to get any scuttlebutt started. If I started talking about getting discharged it’s only going to be bad for morale and get people talking. I didn’t need any of that.

  Buckeye and I pulled over for a beer just outside the base. When we arrived he took me to the Officer of the Day and I reported in. They issued me a temporary room and the linens I’d need. I was to report to my Commanding Officer tomorrow morning at 08:00.

  I laid down in my room. I tried to sleep, but it was no use. At one point I even heard a few SEALs run by chanting some old cadences I had remembered. It felt comforting yet uncomfortable at the same time.

  I didn’t have any books with me. I always travel light. I didn’t feel like walking around base either. I just resigned myself to staring at the ceiling and taking in the sounds, smells, and memories of this place where my SEAL career began.

  Chapter 16

  The alarm on my Timex rocked me from a deep sleep. I jumped from the rack and got on the ground in the prone position. I popped my head up to get a look. To locate the direction of the enemy fire, but this time there was none. Just a room with a bunk bed, a chair, and a small table. It had happened again. Unfamiliar surroundings heighten my PTSD. I flipped on the light, remembered where I was and why, and headed to the shower.

  Maybe it was true. Maybe I wasn’t fit for duty. In a couple hours I was going to find out. At least what their opinion of my mental fitness was.

  Three hard knocks on the Commanding Officer’s door. “Permission to come aboard, Sir.”

  “Permission granted.”

  I opened the door and there sat Captain Culver. He was a tough old son-of-a-gun. A chest full of ribbons. He was fit as a fiddle. I remember seeing him at the track one morning. He still ran 5k each morning. Monday through Friday. And he didn’t just run it. He owned it. Under 20 minutes every time. Pretty incredible for a man approaching 50.

  “Sit down, Petty Officer Cole.”

  I took a seat and Captain Culver opened a dossier sitting in the middle of his desk. It was the only thing on his desk.

  “Young man. I’ve been a SEAL for a long time. Longer than most. I’ve seen a lot of good young men and women pass through here. A lot. Sometimes we have a really exceptional SEAL. Exceptional even beyond the already amazing men and women we have. It’s hard to stand out when everyone is already a stand
out performer. It doesn’t happen very often, but sometimes it does. You are that SEAL. The best we have. That’s what makes today even more difficult.”

  I could feel the knot in my stomach tighten. My throat went dry.

  “Petty Officer Cole. I have your results here in front of me. If this was 20 years ago I would have torn this paper in half, threw it in the rubbish bin, and we’d all be back on our way. Back to doing what we do. Unfortunately this isn’t 20 years ago. This is today. There’s a lot more eyes now. A lot more PR to deal with. A lot more power in the hands of doctors. And the Navy doesn’t want to take any risks anymore.”

  Captain Culver paused.

  “And right now I’m a risk,” I said it for him.

  “That’s what these papers say. I know it’s not true. You know it’s not true. But they don’t know it’s not true. And their opinion, regardless if it’s correct or not, is the only one that matters.”

  The Captain looked me in the eye. I’m sure he could see the look in my eye. Knowing what his next sentence would be. He didn’t want to drop the hammer, but he had to. It must be the worst part of his job, but I was glad he had called me in face-to-face.

  “Petty Officer Second Class Callahan, at 23:59 today, you are officially released from active duty. You are authorized a disability severance of 15%. Your discharge is honorable and the Navy transition team will work with you to transition back to civilian life.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  We both held eye contact.

  “Young man, I can still see the fire in your eyes. If you’re interested I can probably make a few calls and secure a pogue position.”

  “Working at a desk, sir?”

  “That’s right. Administrative, but you’d still be a vital part of the missions.”

  “Thank you, sir. But that would only make this harder. Every day knowing I’m not out there. I’m so close, but so far away. It would be torture. Thank you, sir, for this proposal, but unfortunately I think a clean break is the way to go.”

  “I knew as much. No warrior wants to be relegated to a desk. Just figured I’d let you say it for yourself. Petty Officer Callahan, is there anything I can do for you?”

  “No sir. I’m all squared away.”

  “Son, I’ve prepared a small package for you. Inside it contains 20 letters of recommendation, your severance pay, your unused leave pay, and a small hazardous duty pay bonus. My mobile phone number and civilian email address are also inside in case you ever need anything. You are always part of the family.”

  Those last seven words stung the hardest. I was part of the family, until I wasn’t. And that was now. Captain Culver meant it, but Captain Culver is a person. A SEAL. Some guys in white coats were calling the shots now and they say I’m not part of the family, but I don’t really care what they think. Captain Culver’s words were all the guarantee I needed.

  “Do you have any questions, Petty Officer Callahan?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Thank you for your service. You’re one hell of a SEAL. One hell of a young man. You’re always going to land on two feet with both guns blazing.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. The Captain shook my hand. His handshake was firm and his hand was strong. All muscles. Not the hands you see these days that spend more time at a typewriter. The kind of hands your WWII grandfather had. The kind that spent the day holding a hammer, turning wrenches, building and fixing things.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Thank you, Petty Officer Callahan. If you have no questions you’re dismissed.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  I executed a perfect about face for the last time and exited the Captain’s office. I walked around the corner and entered the men’s room. I went to the back stall, put down the lid and sat down. My head in my hands. It was over. It was really over. Part of me had just died. Thank God I had the gym and the community now. And of course Carissa. Without them I’d have nothing.

  Chapter 17

  I didn’t have to tell Jax. He could see it in my eyes. He gave me a big hug.

  “You’re always one of us, brother. No matter what somebody else says.”

  I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to. Just hearing those words from Jax was all I needed right now. I sat on the couch.

  “How’s the gym going?”

  “Great. We had three more signups when you were gone.”

  “Maybe I should leave more often.”

  “Definitely not. They were looking for you. They seemed a little bit disappointed when I told them you weren’t instructing.”

  “Well, that’s about to change. I’m all in now. No more disruptions.”

  My phone vibrated.

  “Looks like you spoke too soon.”

  It was Carissa’s number.

  “Hey Carissa.”

  “Howdy stranger. I heard you were out of town. I didn’t have anybody to wrestle with.”

  I laughed and heard Carissa laughing on the other end.

  “Yeah, I was gone for a few days, but I’m back now. No more interruptions.”

  “Good, because this Saturday night there’s a new restaurant opening. My friend, Kassidi got me a reservation for two. I wanted to know if you could join me.”

  “Definitely, but what’s the dress code?”

  “A shirt, jeans, and a big appetite. This is small town America. We don’t do too fancy too often. We like people just how they are.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “Great, so I’ll pick you up at 8:45?”

  “You know where I live?”

  “From the gym. Your real home.”

  We both laughed.

  “Deal.”

  “Great. I would say see you then, but I’ll see you at the gym before then, so I’ll just say see you soon.”

  “See you soon.”

  She hung up.

  “Sounds like you’ve got a date.”

  “Yeah, Carissa knows a new restaurant opening this weekend. Got us a reservation.”

  “Botako’s?”

  “Botak-what?”

  “Botako? Is that the name of the place?”

  “No clue. Didn’t ask.”

  “It’s impossible to get reservations for that place. Opening night is invite only. I think there are going to be some big wigs there. Politicians, athletes, and such.”

  “So I might have to use some covert measures to avoid the paparazzi?”

  “No paparazzi in this town.”

  “Music to my ears.”

  Chapter 18

  Botako’s was amazing. I was no culinary expert, but I knew what tasted good and this was amazing. Apparently the chef was from Naples, Italy and had met an American girl on holiday years ago and moved to the States. Now he was getting older and moved to our quieter town and wanted to pursue what would likely be his last business venture. Something from the heart. Something he could put his passion into.

  His father ran a pizzeria in Naples, just by the port where you can take the boat to Capri. He had worked there and learned the business. More importantly he learned how to make amazing pasta and pizzas.

  Being opening night, no expenses were spared. You could try all the different pizzas and pastas. I think we almost made it through them all. And that was after the bruschetta. After dinner we couldn’t resist the tiramisu, gelato, and Italian cookies. We left stuffed.

  “Maybe we should go for a walk. Walk some of this off.”

  “Good idea. The Chinese have a proverb about walking 1,000 steps after a meal. I think after this one we might need 10,000 steps.”

  “I think I need a million!”

  We both laughed.

  We walked for a while and came upon a park with some trails.

  “It looks spooky. We should try it out!”

  “Good idea, partner. If we see any vampires what should we do?”

  “Easy. Bite them before they bite us!”

  “Does that work?”

  “Probably not, but w
e can try.”

  We continued with these goofy jokes down the path. It wasn’t spooky at all. The cedar chips beneath our feet felt perfect and the moonlight gave plenty of illumination. It was beyond a romantic evening.