the magic word
ROXANNE
I hastily finish scribblingsome notes about what was said around Fire Circle while it’s fresh in my mind. Everyone’s stories were so moving. I had some idea that transitioning back to civilian life was hard, but it’s so much more meaningful hearing it from the veterans themselves.
When I finally set my notebook aside, I exhale and stretch out on my sleeping bag. Writing helps keep my mind off what’s going on outside the tent, but it only lasts so long. The storm is coming, and I have nowhere to hide.
I close my eyes, but every twig snap, every crunch of brush and whistle of wind wakes me and has my mind racing. I pull the sleeping bag tighter around my neck. To some it feels quiet and peaceful out here, but not for me. The hills are alive and every bit of it sends a quake through me. The screech of coyotes echoes through the clearing. They sound really close.
That’s it. That’s it!
I’ve been trying to keep it cool, but I don’t want to sleep in this flimsy piece of nylon while wild beasts stalk me outside. I wrap the extra blanket around my shoulders, bolt from my tentand search around. I’m sure Allie already snuck into Topper’s tent by now and in scanning the camp, I see Duke’s light is still on inside his.
What do I do? Do I knock?
“Mr. Faraday! Mr. Faraday!”
“Who is it?” he asks with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“You know who it is. Can I please come in?”
I’m not sure why I’m panicking, but I am, and with the storm building, I don’t want to be alone.
He shuffles around in the tent, his voice near the door. “Only people who call me Duke are allowed in here.”
“Mr. Faraday, please!”
“When you say the magic word, you’re more than welcome to come in,” he replies casually.
The coyotes screech again with increased excitement.
“Fine! Duke, can I please come in?”
He unzips the door wide enough so I can rush in. I flop down in the corner after he zips it back up. “Can’t believe it took the threat of coyotes for you to call me by my first name.”
I brush my hair out of my face. “Thank you.”
“Say it again,” he insists.
“What? Thank you?”
“No.” His full lips curve. “My name.”
I pause, not sure I really want to give him this moment, but then I catch that he’s been readingDante’s Inferno. Damn, this man has layers.
“Thank you … Duke. How’s that?”
“Feels right,” he says, lying back on his sleeping bag and folding his arms behind his head.
“I, uh, don’t want to bother you …”
“You keep saying things like that, Roxanne, but I now know that’s not really your concern.”
“How do you mean?”
“I think when you say ‘I don’t want to bother you,’ you’re hoping that I’ll say that having you near meisa bother and that will give you an excuse to keep up this wall between us. Let’s get one thing straight …” He pushes himself up. “You are never bothering me. I told you, move into the guest room, for Christ’s sake.”
“Got it.”
