Learn with Me

by Kris Jacen

  Siah started to get up and Carter pulled him back. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I was thinking I’d be nice and see our friends out while you found a pillow and blanket for Briar,” Siah said in a semi-sarcastic tone.

  Carter looked around and realized he’d missed the end of the movie. The crew was straightening up the room and getting their shoes on. Okay, he’d spaced out.

  “Ooops? Guess I didn’t catch that the movie was over,” Carter said sheepishly.

  “Ya think? You were zoned,” Randolph teased.

  Carter and Siah slid off the chair and helped with the rest of the cleanup. It didn’t take long before the crew was heading out.

  “Thanks again, everyone. I know it wasn’t a lot but it went so much smoother with the help. Now to get the furniture picked up and final cleaning. See you three on Monday.” Carter turned to go find the linens for the couch.

  “You think the super would just transfer the lease to us?” Wells asked.

  Carter stopped and looked over at Wells. “Us?”

  “Yeah, it’s a two-bedroom, right? We’ve been thinking about getting out of the barracks. Me and Randolph. It’s a decent little apartment. We’d pay you for the furniture. It’d save us the hassle of getting it.” Wells was shifting from foot to foot, like he was nervous or something.

  “I don’t see why he wouldn’t. I can check with him for you tomorrow if you want?”

  “That’s be great. Thanks. Shoot one of us a text and let us know.” The mil-crew said their good-nights and walked out, followed quickly by the other three.

  “I’ll just head to bed. Nice to meet you, Briar,” Siah said before leaving a kiss on Carter’s cheek.

  Carter couldn’t really look at Briar. He just didn’t know what to say or do.

  “I’m sorry. I know I said it earlier but I really am. When Jill called and— You know I’ve— And then she just—” Briar couldn’t seem to complete a sentence right now.

  “You’ve changed. Short hair, all bulked up.” Carter thought a change of topic was a good idea.

  Briar ran a hand over his head. “Still not use to the short hair, even after six months.”

  “Why’d you cut it? You’ve always loved having long hair even though I do have to say I don’t know that it would go with the new build.” Carter sat back down in his chair. If they were going to talk, he was going to be comfortable.

  “Yeah, I did love the hair but the Army tends to want guys to have their hair short.”

  “It does but what does that have to do with you? You told me I was selling out when I joined to leave home.” Okay, he was a bit confused. Briar hadn’t been anti-military but definitely hadn’t supported Carter’s decision.

  “Ummm, I kinda… well, I signed…” Briar was stumbling over his words. Had he had a few too many beers? They always had drinks during movie night but never enough someone got smashed, okay, there was that one night— He was so taking on the rambling habit from Siah and he needed to break it.

  “Spit it out! Just say whatever. I can guarantee after the past year, I don’t think I can be shocked anymore.”

  “I-enlisted-in-the-Army.”

  Carter didn’t think he heard Briar correctly. Granted, Briar hadn’t breathed and Carter thought he’d run all the words together. He would swear Briar had said he enlisted. “One more time, but slower. I would swear you said you joined the military.”

  “I did. I just finished AIT and I’m deploying in about six weeks. I couldn’t let things go unfinished before I left. I was a shitty friend, not even listening but what I said today to Randolph is still true. I consider you my best friend. It looks like you replaced me with some great guys and gals but…” Briar looked away from Carter.

  “I didn’t replace you. I had to learn to live without you. It took some time but yeah, the crew is there for me.”

  “When I enlisted, my family didn’t take it well. Said the Army took their little girl from them and now me. Told me if I went, I was dead to them. Even told me not to list them as next of kin.” Briar’s chest was going up and down pretty fast. Like he was trying to control his emotions but it wasn’t easy.

  “They said what? Are you fucking kidding me?” Carter couldn’t believe Briar’s family. The Army hadn’t taken anything from them.

  “I’d love to be joking. They blame you and the Army for everything with Jill. I did too for a while until I really thought about everything that happened. Looking back? Jill was a spoiled brat that got every little thing she ever wanted without raising a finger… even you. She didn’t know how to not be the center of attention. Didn’t know how to be alone. I don’t want to—”

  “You don’t need to finish,” Carter interrupted.

  “Yes, I do. I don’t want to hurt you again, I really don’t, but I don’t know if she really loved you or loved the idea of being married and you were just convenient. I hate to say ill of the dead but I don’t think she was capable of loving anyone other than herself. Think she was unhappy for a long time and when you weren’t there to make her happy she looked other places. They said she’d been arrested a few times for drug possession, going back about five years, and—” Briar cut off with a half-sob.

  “Stop. You don’t need to tell me anything more.”

  “That she didn’t accidentally overdose. It was on purpose. When the police showed up to notify Mama and Daddy, they were out so they told me. I couldn’t let them know she killed herself so I just didn’t.”

  Carter just sat there processing it all. Wait. Five years? That would mean she was using when they were still married. How had he not known?

  “Do you think you can forgive me? I know things won’t ever be the same again but maybe we can build something else?” Briar asked.

  “Maybe? I’m willing to give it a shot, if you are.”

  “I’ve got a huge favor to ask.”

  So this was what it was all about. Briar needed something from Carter so he was putting on a show. How fucking gullible was he?

  “Oh really?” Carter hoped Briar could hear the sarcasm in his voice.

  “It’s not like that. I don’t need money or a place to live or a kidney or something. Mama and Daddy disowned me. I’d like to list someone that would care if I was hurt as next of kin. May I list you?”

  Now Carter felt like an ass. Christ, he was messed up today. He cleared his throat before responding. “I’d be honored to be listed just know if I get a notification? I’ll make sure you’re fine then I’ll kill you myself.” He was only half joking.

  “Fair enough. Go to your man. I’m sure he’d like to take my head off by now and needs to love on you to make sure you’re okay. Just find me a pillow and I’ll be good.”

  Carter stood up and took the three steps to the couch and held out his hand. Briar looked at his hand for a minute before he put his hand in Carter’s. When he did, Carter pulled him up into a hug and whispered, “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too.”

  Chapter Twenty-five

  A crash sounded from the office but Carter wasn’t sure if he really wanted to go check on it. He was exhausted. In the past year, it had become a thing for Siah and Carter to take Cal and Cam every few weeks for a night, sometimes two. The office even had a set of twin Murphy beds for when they stayed over. Carter and Siah were two more uncles for the twins now and it gave Mooney and Debbie some time for themselves.

  Mooney was serious about retiring and they were trying to figure out where they wanted to live, what he was going to do, what Debbie wanted to do, etc. etc. Carter never realized how many parts there were to retirement. Carter was glad he was only getting out. It was sooo much easier for him. When he’d told the mil-crew, they’d just shrugged, looked at each other for a minute or so before Wells spoke for them and asked why he’d thought it was going to change anything. Yeah, he had an amazing crew.

  This weekend, Siah was away with the travel team from the academy unexpectedly. The blac
k belt that was supposed to go ended up breaking his ankle falling down some stairs two days ago. The team couldn’t go without a certain number of higher belts so Siah volunteered so they wouldn’t have to cancel.

  They’d already made plans with the twins and didn’t want to let them down. Carter had said he could handle it. You’d think two thirteen-year-olds would be a little calmer than toddlers but he’d swear they had more energy than ten two-year-olds. When he’d made a comment about it to Debbie, she’d just laughed at him.

  Today he’d taken them to the Air and Space Museum and an IMAX movie. He’d thought he’d be able to work on his paper when they got back to the condo. The boys had homework with them he’d promised Debbie they’d complete.

  Carter looked at the time. Time for dinner. He pushed up off the couch and called for the boys. “Cam! Cal! Let’s make dinner.”

  Siah had started teaching the boys how to cook a few months ago. He was determined he was going to have them competent in the kitchen. Why it was so important to Siah, Carter didn’t know but he’d learned the “pick your battles” rule early on in them living together. He still winced when he looked at the bookshelves Siah had wanted that Carter had thought were a waste of space.

  “Cal, tonight you cut the veggies. Cam, you’re on stove duty.” Carter started pulling things out of the fridge.

  “What are you—” Cal started the argument tonight since he hated cutting vegetables.

  “going to do? If—” Cam couldn’t not support his twin.

  “we’re doing—”

  “all that!” They both frowned at Carter. It had taken Carter a few times to follow them when they finished sentences but now he was an old hat at it.

  “I’m making the garlic bread. Tonight is Spaghetti Bolognese. Thought it would be nice to have.” A knock at the door distracted Carter for a minute. “Cal, answer the door then wash your hands. No slacking on the veggies.”

  “Am I in time?” Carter looked up to see Randolph standing there.

  “In time for what?”

  “Dinner of course. Wells is on a date tonight so I thought I’d drop over.” He was standing there with a big smile on his face.

  “Of course you are. We’re going to have to start giving you cooking lessons too. You do realize the kitchen works in the apartment right?” Wells and Randolph had moved into Carter’s old place. Seems the super liked having soldiers as tenants.

  “Are you sure? I think you’re making things up. Boys, chop, chop. I’m hungry.”

  “Rule is if you want to eat you have to help,” Cam pointed out before pointing at a big pot on the counter. “Take it and fill it with water.” Carter gave him a sharp look. “Please,” he added quickly.

  “You heard the rules. You can be in charge of the spaghetti.”

  § § § §

  It didn’t take much time for them to cook everything. Cal, even with how much he hated chopping, had put together some nice side salads. The Bolognese was perfect. Cam was becoming quite a little chef. Randolph had somehow almost burned the water. He’d forgotten he’d put it on to boil and it boiled down. Luckily, Cam had gone to check on his gravy— Carter had tried to call it sauce and Cam had lectured him for a few minutes— and caught that the water was almost gone.

  Just as they were sitting down, there was another knock at the door. Carter pushed back from the table and looked at Randolph. “Did Tank not have somewhere to eat tonight too?”

  Carter opened the door and couldn’t figure out what he was seeing. There was a… Sergeant First Class in uniform standing there he’d never seen before.

  “Can I help you?” Carter asked hesitantly. He didn’t know what the hell was going on.

  “May, what’s up?” Randolph asked as he came up behind Carter.

  “Not sure, Randolph,” Carter said as he turned back to the soldier.

  “Are you Carter May?” the soldier asked. By then the twins had walked up to stand on either side of Carter. “And you, Josiah Kent?” the soldier asked Randolph.

  “I’m May but this…” He gestured to Randolph. “Isn’t Josiah Kent. He’s not here at the moment.”

  “May I come in?” Carter nodded as he took a step back. “Boys, go finish your dinner. I’ve got this.”

  The twins shared a look before they continued to flank Carter. “We’ll stay with you, Uncle Carter. You might need us,” Cal said and Cam nodded. Might be the first time Carter could remember only one of them speaking.

  The sergeant studied the twins, like he was trying to place them. Then a look passed over his face and he asked, “Are these Sergeant Major Luna’s sons?”

  “How did you know that? And I’ll ask again, who are you and why are you here?” Carter was getting a bit pissed now.

  “Sorry. I’m Sergeant First Class Monica. I’m assigned to the CID battalion so inadvertently I work for their dad. I’ve seen them around headquarters and of course in pictures on his desk. As to why I’m here…” the Sergeant paused. “You’re listed as next of kin for a PFC Briar Mason. PFC Mason was seriously injured in an IED attack. He is currently in critical condition and they are trying to stabilize him for transfer to Walter Reed.”

  “Maybe I should call my dad?” Cam said quietly. Carter just nodded. Not sure he’d heard the sergeant correctly.

  “No fucking way. I just got an email from Briar this morning,” Randolph argued.

  The fuck? He got an email from Briar?

  “I’m sorry to be the one to pass on information. Complete information on the incident has not been released by the command at this moment. Someone from the unit or Landstuhl will be in contact when the transfer has been scheduled. I don’t have any more information at this point.” The sergeant stood there waiting for… something.

  “Dad and Mom are on their way,” Cam said, walking back next to Carter. When had he left to call them?

  “It sounds strange to say thank you, but thank you for delivering notification.” Carter looked to Randolph and gestured with his head to the door.

  “I’ll see you out.” Randolph moved to escort the sergeant first class out. When he got back to the living room, he said, “Need to figure out who’s going to Germany to bring Briar home.”

  Carter finally asked the question bouncing around his head, “What the hell is going on? Since when are you and Briar buddy buddy?”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  When would everything just settle down? Christ, things had been bouncing since Siah had planned the field trip to Arlington last year. No, maybe, it went back longer than that. He thought about it for a minute, yeah, things had been fluxing since he’d been attacked four years ago. Not everything had been bad; he had great friends; taught at a fantastic school; lived in a nice place; and best of all, had a partner that loved and supported him.

  He could’ve done without the drama though. Between Carter getting bashed and then the notification last weekend about Briar, things could be smoother. They were still waiting to hear when he’d be stateside. About two days after the incident, he’d been stable but then an infection set in and he crashed. He’d almost not pulled back. After the episode, someone had finally told Carter the extent of Briar’s injuries and how they occurred.

  The unit had been on a patrol and the guy in front of Briar hadn’t been paying attention to what was around them and triggered an IED. Briar somehow had realized what was going on and threw the guy next to him to the ground and covered him. Briar had taken most of the back blow and shrapnel. He’d almost bled out from his injuries. Damage to his knee and calf meant he’d lost half his right leg; it was touch and go whether he was going to lose his right arm or not.

  Siah heard the front door open and shut then a loud thud. Ahh, Carter was home.

  “Hey you!” he called.

  “Hey,” Carter responded as he walked into the room. He looked like death warmed over.

  “What the hell happened to you?”

  “Fifteen-mile road march with full pack.” Carter dropped o
nto his chair and just looked at his boots.

  “Full pack?” Siah knew he should know this by now but yeah, the answer was escaping him.

  “Ruck sack with all gear loaded. About sixty pounds or so.”

  “Ouch. Why are you staring at your boots?”

  “Trying to figure out if I have the energy to unlace and kick them off. It’s an awful long way to move. Making it from the car to here took a lot out of me. You’d think between the runs and working out at the academy with you would have me in better shape.”

  Siah took pity on Carter. He slid off the couch and knelt in front of the chair. Pulling Carter’s right foot into his lap, Siah undid the laces and worked the boot and sock off his foot before he complained. Carter couldn’t stand anything on his feet unless it was a shoe; couldn’t walk around in slippers nor could he stand walking around in just socks. Siah on the other hand needed something on his feet or they were freezing unless he was on the mat.

  After the second boot was gone, Siah crawled onto Carter’s lap and cuddled in. They just sat there, enjoying that they could.

  “Do we have any plans for tonight?” Carter asked.

  “Nope. We’ve been running this week. What’d you take three classes at the academy and then the double class over at the college on Wednesday?” Siah thought that’s what Carter had done but since he’d been buried in state frickin testing along with teaching at the academy doubles all week thanks to the flu the week was a blur.

  “Yeah, but I really needed to get a combination down so I can advance.”

  “You don’t need to push yourself to advance. I keep telling you, you’ll get there. Bree said the other night you had it down.”

  “That would so not be what she told me,” Carter grumbled. “Still not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that one, my partner’s a second-soon-to-be-third degree black belt and two, the civ-crew all outranks me on the mat.” The mil-crew had finally decreed that if they had a nickname then Bree, Jack and Barbie were going to have one two. Somehow, Siah and him weren’t in either group. They were kinda their own group.