A Soldier Finds His Way

by Irene Onorato

The men cast wistful glances at the shanties. No one said a word. They didn’t have to. The looks on their faces said it all.

  Edward stood silent as Marcus’s mini-sermon hit home. Always complaining, never content. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to break the cycle, it was that he didn’t know how.

  “I think I’m going to turn in.” Harmon backed away from the men. “We’re starting out early tomorrow.”

  * * * *

  The locals smiled at Edward and the guys as they strolled through the small village. Children jumped and played around the men as they walked. A couple of the guys kicked a soccer ball through the rows of shanties, passing it back and forth as kids squealed with laughter.

  By the time they got to the end of the village, night was falling. They about-faced and started back. Campfires dotted the lane ahead of them. Women busied themselves preparing evening meals, ducking in and out of the shacks, bringing supplies to the fires.

  Sanchez and Alvarez stopped to converse with an old woman.

  Her face lit up when she heard them speak Spanish.

  The rest of the men continued on.

  “Have you guys seen Jackson?” Edward stopped and turned full circle.

  “He was with us a minute ago,” Dexter said. “Maybe he had to duck into the boonies to use the facilities.”

  They turned a corner. Up ahead, Jackson squatted around a fire with several women who were cooking some sort of animal carcass on a spit. One of the women cut a slice of meat and offered it to Jackson, who took it and popped it into his mouth. Jackson rubbed his belly in a universal gesture of satisfaction, and the woman handed him a second slice.

  “He’s going to pay for that,” Dexter said.

  “Yup. He knows better than to eat local food out here in the jungle,” Edward agreed.

  * * * *

  Darkness reigned over the jungle as Edward lay in his hammock in the near pitch-blackness of the shack, lost in his thoughts. Loud snoring came from one of the guys, probably Peanut. It was the slow, evenly spaced snores of a man fully at rest, and he was a bit envious, as sleep was eluding him.

  Pictures of Audra went through his mind as he struggled to sleep. It wasn’t only the thoughts of her that kept him lying awake, but also the heat. The drizzling rain did nothing to diminish the oven-like conditions, but added to humidity that made skin chafe and moods flair.

  The hammock shook as Jackson tried to negotiate his way through the hammock ropes for the second time that night. Vomiting and diarrhea had started soon after eating the meat offered by the local woman.

  Dexter, generally laid back, woke up enraged and flew out of his hammock in search of Jackson in the dark. His cursing and scuffling woke the others.

  Flipped out of his hammock by the altercation, Edward fumed.

  In the darkness, Edward grabbed someone by the neck in a chokehold. He didn’t care whom, but someone was going to pay for disturbing the peace tonight. When he heard Dexter grunting and cursing, he realized it was Jackson’s neck he was squeezing.

  Greco sat up and shined a flashlight on the heap of men on the dirt floor. “What’s going on here? Lieutenant, let him go! That’s an order, son.”

  Edward released Jackson and rolled off of him.

  Dexter lay in a precarious position with a foot tangled in his hammock ropes, yet still held onto Jackson’s legs.

  “Let him go, Dex!” Greco shouted.

  Dexter complied.

  Jackson ran and retched his guts up outside. Between heaves he yelled expletives at Dexter and Edward.

  Greco was irate. “LT, help that moron untangle his foot. Both of you settle down. I’ll have a talk with Jackson about his dietary indiscretion when he stops barfing and swearing. Meanwhile, you two try to get some sleep. If you can’t do that, lie there and shut up so the rest of us can sleep. We’ll all move over and let Jackson sleep closest to the door where he can hock up his organs without disrupting the rest of us. Move it!”

  * * * *

  Daylight filtered through the mosquito netting and the men started to stir.

  Edward picked up his boots and shook each one upside down. A field mouse fell to the dirt floor and scurried out the door. He grunted. “Nice.”

  He stumbled out of the hovel wearing a sleep-deprived scowl. The rest of the men followed.

  Jackson didn’t look good.

  “Hey, Marcus,” Edward called.

  Marcus came out of his shack. Edward pointed at Jackson. “See what you can do for him, would you?”

  Marcus nodded, came out with his satchel of supplies, and took Jackson aside for a few minutes. He came back and reported to Edward. “Dehydration. He should be okay once he gets fluids in him.”

  Greco’s promised conversation regarding Jackson’s eating habits came in the form of a short chewing-out. “Idiot. You know you can’t eat the local fare out here in the middle of nowhere. What were you thinking? From now on, you’ll eat only Army issued grub while we’re here.”

  Jackson acknowledged with a “yes, sir,” and that ended the talk.

  * * * *

  The Alpha unit got their gear together and loaded it into a truck driven by a local man.

  Edward shook hands with Lieutenant Harmon and wished him luck. “Watch yourselves up there. Check the ground before you sit. Bullet ants—make sure you remember that. If you get stung, you’ll know how they got their name. Take this.” Edward handed him a slingshot.

  Harmon took it with a puzzled look on his face. “What’s this for?”

  “Use it on the monkeys. You can’t shoot them, but you can deter them with that. They’re howlers, and they can give away your position in a heartbeat. Watch your stuff when they’re around. They nearly made off with my canteen once while my back was turned.”

  Harmon thanked him and tucked the slingshot into his vest. The truck pulled away.

  All Edward and his men could do now was watch and wait. They tried to ease their boredom by playing cards, pitching pennies, and telling jokes. Waiting was hard on his guys. Alpha males were used to action, not hanging around twiddling their thumbs.

  Greco had remained at the communication center monitoring progress as information came in from Harmon’s team. By late evening, he joined Edward and the men around a small fire they’d built between the shacks.

  “We heard from Harmon.” Greco nudged a stick deeper into the fire with the toe of his boot. “They arrived at their objective. Whatever the satellite gurus thought they saw turned out to be nothing of interest to the US military. We’re going home in the morning.”

  Peanut scowled and planted his hands on his hips. “You mean to tell us our leave was cut short for nothing?”

  “What do you want me to say? I follow orders, just like you do.”

  Edward grumbled, displeased at the recent turn of events.

  Marcus stood nearby with a goody-two-shoes smile, no doubt meant to diffuse Edward’s anger. “Look at it this way, Edward. If this mission hadn’t come up, those girls would still be stuck in the cabin. Instead, they’re home safe with their families. I’d say God had a plan and executed it with perfection.”

  Chapter 13

  Audra smiled and set her coffee on the counter. “Looks like you made a friend, Dad.”

  Cricket’s toenails clacked against the tiles as she crossed the kitchen floor. Sniffing the air with heavy whiffs, she followed her nose to the stove, and sat looking at Dad with pleading eyes as the smell of bacon wafted through the air.

  Each time Dad looked down at the tail-wagging dog, she licked her chops with anticipation. He patted her head. “Don’t worry. You’ll get your share. And, I’ve got bone wrapped up and ready to go. This is a full service kitchen here, complete with takeout.”

  One by one, family members made their way to the kitchen table, and serving dishes began circulating.

  Hank entered the room. “Good morning, everyone. Man, it smells good in here. Freshly brewed coffee
, bacon. Mm-mmm.”

  Audra pulled out the vacant chair next to her and patted the seat.

  Hank joined her. His face lit up when a platter of pancakes made its way around the table, and came to him. “Pancakes. My all-time favorite food. Can’t get enough of ’em.” He piled a stack onto his plate and slathered butter and syrup over everything before tearing into them with grunts and moans of delight.

  Across the table, the twins averted their eyes each time Hank looked their way. His disheveled hair, unkempt beard, and loud voice seemed to capture their attention. Their gaze kept going back to his eye patch no matter how hard they tried to look elsewhere.

  Audra squelched a laugh as a piece of Hank’s pancakes landed near her plate.

  She ate her fill and put her fork down.

  Hank glanced at her, then pointed with his fork to the link sausage left on her plate. “You gonna eat that?”

  “No, you can have it.”

  His fork clacked against her plate as he speared the sausage. It disappeared in two chomps.

  Dad sat at the head of the table with Cricket sitting on the floor beside him resting her head on his knee. He slipped her pieces of bacon and sausage.

  Hank looked over and grinned. “Spoiling my dog, are you?”

  The twins whispered back and forth to each other, but their voices could still be heard. “Ask him.”

  “No, you ask him.”

  Hank looked across the table at the girls. “Ask me what?”

  Robin spoke up. “What’s with the eye patch?”

  Mom stepped in. “Girls, leave Hank alone. It’s none of your business.”

  Hank smiled. “It’s all right, I don’t mind telling them what happened.” He focused on the twins. “When I was in the army I was in a vehicle that got blown up. I lost my eye and my hearing on the same side.”

  “Why don’t you get a glass eye?” Robin asked.

  Dad shook a finger at the girls. “That’s enough. I’m sure Hank doesn’t—”

  “I do have a glass eye.” Hank answered despite Dad’s intervention. “I left it at home, on the dresser.” With a sly smile, Hank added, “I like to keep an eye on the place when I’m gone.” Hank threw his head back with a huge laugh.

  In an instant, the whole room broke into stitches. In the middle of downing a glug of coffee, Mike burst into laughter and spewed some out his nose. Vanessa tried to help with a few slaps to his back, but he laughed and choked at the same time while coffee dribbled down his chin.

  “A merry heart does good like a medicine,” Dad said as the laughter died down.

  Heads nodded in agreement.

  Kyle steered the conversation. “After breakfast, I’m going with Hank and Mike to see if we can take care of Edward’s truck. Hank says it’s buried under some snow, so we may be gone for quite a while. I’ve got a buddy who has a tow truck, and he’s offered to help us.”

  “Listen.” Dad’s face took on a serious expression, and he spoke with a tone of authority. “I don’t care what it takes or what it costs. I want Edward’s truck returned to him in pristine condition. I owe him that. No, I owe him much more. I don’t care if I have to buy him a brand new truck, for that matter. Whatever it takes, do it.”

  * * * *

  Audra rose and followed the men to the front door.

  Hank stood in the foyer rubbing his belly, and guzzled the remains of a glass of orange juice before putting on his coat.

  Dad took his wallet out of his back pocket, handed a credit card to Kyle, and stepped back, putting his arm around Mom’s shoulder.

  Mike leaned down and tickled Zoe for a minute before pulling Vanessa into his embrace for a good-bye kiss.

  Audra tapped Hank’s arm, then pulled him around the wall into the living room.

  She took a cursory look around, making sure they were alone. “Can you ask Edward to call me?”

  “I have no idea where Edward is right now. But, I’ll be going down to Fort Bragg in a few days to teach a couple of classes, and I usually run into him there. I’ll tell him to call you.”

  He took a pen from his coat pocket and wrote Edward’s cell phone number on Audra’s palm. “Remember, his phone is still in his truck. I’ll get it, charge it up, and see that he gets it. Why don’t you try calling him in a few days?”

  A blast of cold air swirled around her.

  Hank touched her arm. “I think that was Mike and Kyle walking out the door. I’ve got to go. I’ll call you if I hear anything.” He turned and left.

  Audra traced Edward’s phone number with a finger. More than just a number, Hank had written hope into her hand. A lifeline filled with possibilities.

  * * * *

  Audra stood at the living room window with Vanessa.

  Outside, the men loaded into Kyle’s SUV. Cricket jumped into the backseat with Hank and they were on their way.

  Even after the vehicle drove off and turned out of their view, she stayed at the window with Vee.

  Mom joined them and put an arm around each of their waists. She squeezed Audra. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

  Dad entered the room before Audra could answer. He brushed his hands together. “Well now, maybe we can get on with our lives.”

  Audra’s tears came without warning. She headed upstairs to her bedroom, hobbling with her sore hip as she went, then slammed the door with a window-rattling bang. Leaning against the headboard with her knees drawn up to her chest, she pressed a pillow against her face and sobbed into it.

  Mom came in and sat on the bed beside her. “I stood outside the door for a few minutes and prayed for you. It breaks my heart to know you’re so upset. I’m sure your father didn’t mean his remark to sound as callous as it did.”

  Audra wiped her eyes and swollen nose with a corner of the pillowcase. Palm extended, she revealed the numbers Hank had written in blue ink.

  Mom cradled Audra’s hand in her own. “Is this Edward’s telephone number?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let’s talk. Nothing leaves this room. Scout’s honor.” Mom held up a three-fingered Boy Scout sign and took the oath.

  A box of tissues sat on the nightstand. Audra snatched a few sheets and wiped her face. “The night before the accident, Vanessa I sat around talking about guys and relationships. Then, the very next day, I met Edward. I may never see Edward again, and…”

  Mom nodded. “I see. It’s obvious you’re attracted to this man. Who can blame you? We wouldn’t be sitting here having this conversation if not for him. I wish I could have met him, or at least seen what he looked like. Tell me, what does he look like?”

  A salty teardrop ran over Audra’s lips and she licked it away. “Men with his good looks usually only show up in dreams. Yet, there he was, in the flesh. Strong, virile, and alluring. I can’t seem to stop thinking about him.”

  “With what you just told me, it’s no wonder he’s still on your mind.”

  Audra moved a tad closer to her mom. “Last night, when I closed my eyes, I was transported back to the cabin. I smelled the old musty wood, and felt the warmth of the blanket Edward tucked around my legs and feet. The fire crackled and the rocking chair rungs thumped rhythmically against the rough floorboards as Edward sat and rocked beside me.

  “At our feet, Zoe built a tower out of dominoes, and the ivory-like pieces clacked together as the tower leaned and fell to the floor. Cricket slept by the fire, curled up on the braided rug. The wind howled, and she lifted one ear, but only for a moment.

  “It was such a beautiful dream, if that’s what it was. I don’t remember falling asleep.” She took her mother’s hand. “Oh, Mom, what am I going to do? Every time I close my eyes, I see him. I’m so confused.”

  Mom gave Audra’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Take things slow. Most of all, ask the One who has the answers to help you. If anyone can help you sort things out, He can. You’ve been through a traumatic experience, and you’re an emotional wreck.
Go wash your face and take a few deep breaths. It’ll make you feel better.”

  Audra sniffled and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

  Mom stood with her and kissed her forehead. “Don’t be angry, but your father called Brad and let him know what happened. Brad’s on his way over now.”

  “Oh, Mom.” Audra’s shoulders sank.

  “I know, I know. Your father’s incorrigible. But,” she pinched Audra’s cheek, “we love him anyway, don’t we?”

  Mom left the room.

  Audra hobbled into the bathroom. As she reached for the faucet handle on the sink, the doorbell rang.

  * * * *

  Descending the stairs presented a huge challenge and filled Audra with dread. With the bannister on the same side as her casted arm, there was nothing to hold onto. Last thing she wanted to do was fall down a flight of stairs and add to her injuries.

  Brad sprinted up as she stepped down onto the first tread. He smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Let me help you.”

  “Thanks, Brad. Going up is easy, but coming down is a little scary.”

  Mom and Dad watched from the base of the stairs. Dad’s face beamed with a radiant smile. “It’s nice having a strapping young buck lend a hand, isn’t it?”

  “Joe.” Mom’s warning came with the clenched-jaw skill of a ventriloquist. Her sideways elbow to Dad’s ribs almost made Audra laugh.

  A soft moan escaped as she took the last step.

  “Are you in pain?” Brad’s eyes exuded concern.

  “I’m okay. Going up and down stairs is a little hard on my sore hip.”

  Brad guided her into the living room and waited until she eased down into the easy chair before he backed away and sat on the couch.

  Mom came and stood nearby. “Do you need one of those pain pills the doctor gave you?”

  “No thanks. I’m all right.” Audra lifted her pink cast and wedged a small throw pillow under it. “Besides, the pills make me sleepy.”

  Dad sidled up beside her Mom. “Why don’t we leave these two alone so they can talk?”

  “You don’t have to go.” Audra swept her hand toward the loveseat and recliner. “I’m sure Brad would enjoy visiting with all of us together.”