The Long Way Home

by Roslyn Bane

  “That’s against—”

  “Policy. Oh, I know that. But let’s be realistic. People find ways to hook up.”

  “I didn’t. I don’t cheat,” Kris screamed.

  “Well, what was I supposed to do? Wait until Uncle Sam decided to send you home again? And you came back damaged! Pacing the floor at night, crying out in the middle of your sleep like some psycho. Christ, you sweat half the night. If I wanted sweat like that I’d sleep with a man.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. That’s only the half of it. Look at you. You’ve lost weight, you don’t even look decent anymore, and that’s with your clothes on. Take those off, and well, you’re hideous. Why would I want to look at that? So, I wanted to be with someone who looks good…who is sexy…who is normal.”

  “Get out!” Kris thrust her arm out and pointed to the front door.

  “What?”

  “Get the hell out of my home,” Kris screamed.

  “I live here.”

  “Your name is not on the mortgage, or on the bills. Get out.” Kris stormed into the bedroom, grabbed a suitcase from the closet and started stuffing Shelly’s clothes into it. Shelly watched from the doorway as Kris slammed the bag shut, and flinched when she threw it at her. “Get the fuck out. Go to your sexy perfect girlfriend. I’ll get your stuff packed. You can pick it up tomorrow. It’ll be in the driveway.”

  “Don’t you think you’re being ridiculous? It’s not like you’ve wanted to have sex.”

  “Get out. Get out!” Kris picked up a bottle of perfume and threw it at Shelly. It busted against the wall spraying her with perfume, the smell instantly saturating the air, “Get out and don’t come back.”

  With her suitcase in her hand, Shelly hurried to the door. “Freaking psycho.” Shelly ducked out the door as a book slammed into the wall inches away from her head.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  KRIS STEPPED OUT OF the shower, wrapped her towel around herself, and rapidly moved to her locker. She spun the combination, opened the lock, and pulled her clothes out. Toweling off she put her bra on quickly and pulled her shirt over her head. She finished dressing at a more leisurely pace. She stepped over to the counter and applied some makeup before returning to the locker and gathering her gear. As she was walking out of the locker room, she saw a familiar face. “Hey, Sam, how are you doing?”

  Surprise crossed Sam’s face. “Hey Kris. I’m okay. How are you?”

  “I’m well. How’s therapy going?”

  “Good. I’m able to do stairs now, and they have me getting up and down from the floor with and without the prosthesis.”

  “Oh, that’s good.” Kris pointed to a flyer hanging on the wall, “Are you doing any of the events next weekend?”

  “I don’t feel up to it.”

  Kris looked closely at Sam, saw the tiredness in her eyes, and the sadness. “It could be fun.”

  “I’m not ready.”

  “Well, maybe not for some things. Surely you could shoot a basketball? I can’t imagine a marine not being ready to do a little competition. You don’t have to play full court ball.”

  “I didn’t know that.” Sam looked at Kris, studying her.

  “You should sign up. Get out and socialize a little.” She reached a hand out, touched Sam on the forearm and felt an unusual warmth pass under her hand. “It’s a good program, Sam.”

  “I know. I…” Sam was mortified to feel herself choking up, as a wave of sadness washed over her.

  “You what?”

  “Ah…nothing. I have to go, I wanted to get a workout in, and they close early on Fridays.”

  Kris touched her arm again, the same warmth tingled through her hand, “Talk to me. I can see that something is bothering you.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “I’m worried about you now.” Kris searched Sam’s face for some sign of her emotions.

  “Kris, I want to go work out.”

  “Okay. Go ahead. I’ll give you an hour. But, I’m coming back, and I hope you’ll join me for a coffee before I head home.”

  “I was going to be here longer. How about if I meet you down at the Coffee Bean around six?”

  “I’ll see you soon. Have a good workout.” Kris smiled broadly and felt her own mood lighten as she agreed to the plan.

  ***

  Kris walked into the coffee shop and looked around. It took a few moments before she saw Sam sitting at a corner table. She noticed the crutches propped against the wall and hurried over. “What happened? Did you get hurt during your workout?”

  “I got a blister on my stump. I can’t put the thing back on until it heals. I’m going to be crutching around for a few days.”

  “Oh, that’s bad.”

  “They said to expect it and warned me not to ignore little skin problems. So, I’ll be hobbled for a few days. What would you like?” Sam motioned for the waitress to come over.

  The young redhead arrived and smiled. “What would you like, hon?”

  “I’ll have a dark roast, one cream,” Kris said.

  The waitress turned to Sam and gave her a long, appreciative look. “How about you, Sam? Do you need a refill?”

  “Sure, thanks.”

  Kris couldn’t help notice the long appreciative look the waitress gave Sam before she walked away. Kris turned her attention back to Sam. “Are you a regular here?”

  “I was before I went over to Afghanistan. Not so much now.” Sam finished her coffee. “So where are you from?”

  “I grew up in western Maryland. Both my parents are physicians.”

  “So, medicine is a family business?”

  “You would think so, although they didn’t push me into it. Despite the fact I tried to avoid it for a long time, there was nothing else that interested me as much.”

  “Where did you go to school?”

  “The University of Maryland for undergrad and USUHS for medical school.”

  “USUHS?” Sam looked confused.

  “Sorry, Uniformed Services University for Health Sciences. It’s medical school for those who plan to work in military medicine. Uncle Sam foots the bill. We sign on the dotted line going in for an eight-year commitment when we’re done with school.”

  “So, you were commissioned before you finished?”

  “Yes.”

  “You could have worked anywhere. Why the military?” They barely acknowledged the waitress as she returned and put the coffee in front of them.

  “Probably the same reason as you. Deep down, a love of country. And I wanted to help those who put everything at risk to protect us. Why did you join the Marines?”

  “I wanted to fly. I had a choice to select Navy or Marines. I chose the Marines.”

  “The few, the proud.”

  Sam smiled. “Absolutely.”

  “You said you selected, were you at the Naval Academy?” She looked at Sam, noticed the fierce pride in her leaf-green eyes. A vague sensation of familiarity fluttered through and disappeared instantly.

  “I was.”

  “That’s quite the accomplishment. Your parents must have been so proud.” Kris saw her eyes flicker, and the slightest momentary change of expression.

  “They didn’t know. I like to think they would have been.”

  Kris didn’t know what to say, “I’m sorry, I—´”

  “It’s okay. I really don’t know my family. I have an older brother and a younger sister and brother, although I don’t know where they are. We were placed in foster homes when I was eight. For a while the youngest two were together, eventually even they were split up. I know they were adopted. I lost track of my brother when I was twelve. He was four years older and just disappeared.”

  “What happened to your parents?”

  “My mother was injured in a car accident and has a traumatic brain injury. She is incapable of taking care of herself. She’s been in a home since. She has the mental capacity of a young child. My father couldn’t handle the stress of that and f
our kids. He dropped us off at a church for Sunday school and never came back.”

  She reached out and touched Sam’s hand, surprised by the softness of her skin. “I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry.”

  “There’s not much that can be said.” Sam picked up her coffee, blew on it before sipping it carefully. “She’s been a ward of the state for a long time. I visit a few times a year. She doesn’t know who I am. I send money for clothing and extras. I go when I can to visit my mom, but it’s…well, it’s hard to describe. I’m older now than she was when she was injured. Although she’s in her fifties, she acts like she’s five. The last time I was there, before deployment, she asked if I was her mom. I told her I was an old friend.”

  “Oh God! That must have been hard.”

  Sam shrugged and sipped her coffee.

  “Wait.” Kris reached out and touched Sam’s hand again, felt the unusual warmth, “When you were in the hospital, in Bethesda, did anyone, any family come to visit?”

  “My foster parents visited. I had friends that stopped by. I didn’t like having visitors. I spoke on the phone with my sister…foster sister.” Sam turned her hand up and held Kris’ momentarily, “It’s okay Kris, it is what it is. You can’t imagine it because you grew up in a secure, loving family. I did too. I was in the foster system until I graduated from high school. Families from our church took us in, but no one could take the four of us. I was frightened for a long time. The Klines made me part of their family, and they treated me like one of their own kids. I was fortunate that they kept me. I was lucky again when I was accepted into the Academy. The Academy and the Marines are my family. It’s a hell of a good family.” She picked up her empty coffee cup. “Do you want a refill?”

  “No, I shouldn’t. I’ll be up all night.”

  “Can I buy you dinner?”

  “Oh Sam, I’d like to, but I need to get home. I have some records I need to review.” She saw the disappointment on Sam’s face. “Can I take you up on that some other time?”

  “Sure.” Sam smiled.

  Kris picked up her bag and touched Sam’s hand for an instant. “I’ll see you later.” She walked to the door and looked back and saw Sam reaching for her crutches. She hurried back to her. “Sam how are you getting home?”

  “I have someone coming in a few minutes to pick me up.”

  “Oh, okay. I’ll see you later.” Kris looked in the window as she left and saw Sam talking to someone on the phone. She was almost to her car when two teenagers walked by carrying a huge bag of Chinese food. The smell of eggrolls and kung pao chicken wafted along behind them. She changed directions and walked to the restaurant. She ordered, and sat down on the cheap plastic bench seat to wait for her food. Fifteen minutes later she left with her bag of food and rain drops began to fall. By the time she reached her car it was a steady rain. She drove down the street carefully as people rushed by. She was waiting for an older lady to clear the crosswalk when she noticed a figure on crutches hurrying down the street, toward the bus. The bus pulled away and the person stopped and slumped in despair. “Oh shit, it’s Sam.” She drove over to the curb, shifted to park, and climbed out. “Sam! Sam! You come over here right now! What are you doing?” Kris hurried over to her, reached for her arm, but Sam backed away.

  “I was trying to catch the bus.”

  “I can take you home.”

  “I’ll catch a ride.”

  “I am not going to leave you out here in the rain waiting for a bus when I can get you home faster than the next bus will come by. Don’t be foolish Sam, take the ride.”

  Thunder rumbled in the distance, and they stared at each other with the rain pouring down. “Okay. I appreciate it.” Kris reached out to guide her to the car, and Sam recoiled, “I can get there myself.”

  “I’m sorry. Of course, you can.” Kris watched as Sam got to the car, placed her crutches across the backseat and swung the rear door closed. She used the roof for support and hopped twice before getting into the passenger seat. Sam pulled the door shut and Kris went around and climbed in. She looked at Sam sitting in the seat, stiff as a board, jaw set, eyes straight ahead. Water streamed down her cheeks from her soaked head. “There are some napkins in the glove compartment if you want to dry off a little.”

  “Thank you.” Sam opened the compartment and pulled out several napkins. She passed a few to Kris and used several on her own face and hands. Kris quickly wiped her face and hands, pushing the used tissue into the center console. She turned on the heat and pulled away from the curb. They drove for several minutes in silence. The smell of the food permeated the air. Sam’s stomach rumbled and she pressed her hand to it. When they passed the turn that would have taken them back to base Sam spoke up. “Where are we going?”

  “To my place. We’re both soaked, and I have that delicious Chinese food that we’ve been smelling. I have some dry clothes you can change into. And don’t even try to say no. Stubborn damn Marine. You can’t afford to catch pneumonia. You’re still not at full strength.”

  “Okay.”

  “Don’t even try to argue with me…I’m the doctor here.”

  “I said okay,” Sam grumbled.

  Kris gave her a quick sidelong look. “You did. Well, then…good.” They drove for several more miles before turning into an older established neighborhood of ranch-style homes. The houses were well spaced with large yards and mature trees. Large stately oaks, magnolia, red cedar, and wax myrtle adorned the lawns. Well-maintained gardens and shrubs surrounded many houses. Flowers that she couldn’t identify burst with colors from gardens lined with pine straw.

  Kris pulled into a driveway wide enough for two cars, and jumped out. By the time she got to the other side of the car, Sam was getting out. Kris retrieved the crutches from the back seat and handed them to her. She reached back in and grabbed her purse and the Chinese food. “Watch the walk it gets slippery when it’s wet.” She unlocked the door and held the screen door open for Sam to enter. “Come on in.”

  Kris flipped on lights as they entered. “Home sweet home. Let me put this in the kitchen, and I’ll get you some clothes to change into and show you around.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Sam shivered.

  “Did you want a shower to warm up?”

  “No, that won’t be necessary.”

  “Okay here’s the bathroom.” Kris pulled a bath sheet from the linen closet. “You can use this to dry off. There’s a hair dryer under the sink if you want to dry your hair. I’ll be back in a moment with some clothes. We’re close to the same size.”

  Kris hurried to her room, rustled through her drawers, selecting a few items and returned to the hall bathroom. “Here you go. I’ll go set the table. Take your time.” Kris set the clothes on the counter and shut the door behind her.

  Chapter Thirty

  SAM DISROBED QUICKLY AND checked to see if the bandages around her leg were wet. She assured herself it was dry. She rubbed with the big fluffy towel vigorously at her arms and back to warm up. She picked up the sweatpants to put them on and was pleased to see that they were solid black. She smiled when she saw a familiar red t-shirt with gold letters, USMC. She slipped it over her head. A pair of thick white socks were next. She pulled one on, reached to put one on the other, and shook her head in disgust. She placed the remaining sock back on the counter. She towel dried her hair, finger combed it, and with a quick glance in the mirror she stared at her own eyes. God, I look like shit. I must be down ten pounds. My cheeks are hollow. I need some sunshine. I look like a vampire.

  Shaking her head, she turned away from her reflection and turned on the tap to wash her hands and saw that several safety pins had been placed on the counter. She stared at them for a moment, common sense and safety warring with pride. After a minute of internal debate, Sam sighed and leaned against the counter. Reaching for the pins, she tacked the pants leg up so she couldn’t trip over it, picked the wet clothes off the floor, and folded them neatly. She stacked them on the vanity and avoi
ded looking at her reflection again. She followed the scent of the food back to the kitchen.

  ***

  “What would you like to drink? I have tea, juice…wine if you want it,” Kris asked.

  “Any chance of beer?” Sam asked.

  “I might have some.”

  Kris rooted through the fridge before finally digging one out from the back and looked at the label, “It’s an India pale ale, is that okay?”

  “That would be great.”

  “Do you need a glass?”

  “No. This is fine.” Sam leaned a crutch against the counter and took the beer from Kris. “Why don’t you go change?”

  “Okay. I’ll be a minute. Let me put this over on the table for you.” Kris placed the beer and her glass of wine on the table, “I’ll be right back.” She hurried down the hall, stripped off her clothes, and quickly dressed in a pair of jeans and a squadron t-shirt. Coming back to the living room she found Sam looking at the pictures on the wall.

  “That’s my family, a couple years ago. Before I went to Afghanistan the first time. We were at the beach vacationing together.”

  “Looks like everyone was having a good time.”

  “For the most part, although there was underlying tension…fear because of the deployment.”

  “Probably so.”

  They moved back to the kitchen table, and Sam sat down at one of the place settings. Kris pulled the eggrolls and sauces from the oven and placed them in front of Sam. She returned quickly with the rest of the food. “It’s kung pao chicken, wonton soup, and some pot stickers.” She caught Sam’s stare “What?”

  “That’s a lot of food for one person.”

  “Well, I wasn’t going to eat it all tonight.” She laughed. “Come on let’s eat.”

  As they ate dinner, Sam asked her about the house. “This is a nice place. It’s peaceful here. It has a solid feel to it. In a lot of newer homes, you don’t get that feel.”

  “That’s true. This was built-in the seventies when houses were still built with lots of wood. It’s a good neighborhood, close to the hospital and the base. I had some walls knocked out, to open up the floor space a little, and eliminated one of the bedrooms so now it has three larger rooms. The bathroom is roomie, and there’s a patio out back. I’d thought of selling it a few times, especially with the deployments but I wanted to know I had a place to return to right away.”