Staring out at Lake Michigan, I rolled my neck and counted to ten. I could handle a few days with the family.
Maybe they’d help get my mind off all the fucked-up shit I’d seen. My faith in humanity had evaporated while I’d been in combat, but the silence and calm of being a civilian had me climbing the freaking walls.
I needed to get out of here.
Old friends, the kind who were trouble, had been lighting up my phone since the day I returned. They weren’t the type of people I needed to be hanging out with.
As a kid, I found myself in trouble more times than I liked to remember—small crimes, petty theft, and other bullshit things kids do. The last straw came when we stole a car and were quickly popped for the crime.
Instead of spending time in jail, I was given an option—enter the service and turn my life around or head to the slammer and do some time.
The military seemed like the better choice. At least I’d be free and see the world. But the only part of the world I’d seen resembled a barren wasteland, not even close to the tropical paradise the brochures promoted.
I’ll say one thing about the military—it did straighten my ass out and made me a man. I wasn’t the same punk who’d left for basic training.
The last thing I needed was to hook up with mybuddieswho had never left “the life.” I knew they were still pulling jobs that could land them in prison for much of their natural life. I’d finally been given my freedom back, and there was no way in hell I’d give it up to make a quick buck.
Spending quality time with my quiet family should help me unwind and figure out my future, right?
Who was I kidding?
The Gallos had never been quiet a day in their lives. They were loud and obnoxious, but they were my family, and it would be nice to spend time with them.
It was time to get my shit in order, head down to the Florida sunshine, and get the fuck away from the Windy City.
Chapter Two
Opportunities
Morgan
“I’m so excitedto see Sal and Mar,” Ma chattered as she stared out the window, watching the palm trees whiz by as I drove.
“I hope she has food. I’m starving. What’s with the peanuts on a three-hour flight?” I complained as I glanced at the GPS.
We were close, within ten minutes of their house.
“Do you think about anything but food?”
“Yep.” There was so much on my mind, but in that moment, all I could think of was a home-cooked meal. The thing I remembered the most about Aunt Mar was her food. Ma wasn’t a good cook, but we made do. When we’d visit the Gallos, I made sure to memorize every taste until the next trip. “But right now I need to eat.”
“I can’t wait to wrap my arms around my brother. It’s a shame I haven’t been back in so long.” She sighed, fidgeting with her fingernails.
“Why haven’t you, Ma? We used to come here all the time, and then you stopped visiting.”
She placed her hand on my arm. “I felt ashamed after your father left. I couldn’t bring myself to face them.”
“Ma, if they judge you—”
“No, no, Morgan.” She brushed her fingers against my skin. “They aren’t like that. It was all in my head. Then you left for the army and I was scared to go anywhere.”
I glanced at her. “What do you mean you were scared?”
“I always waited for the man to come tell me that my son died serving his country. I was too petrified to go anywhere in case I’d miss that.”
“Jesus,” I said as I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard.”
Her hand flew from my arm and smacked me upside the head. “You just had to sign up for the army,” she nagged as her voice grew nasally. “You couldn’t go off to college like the rest of the kids. I had enough stress in my life besides having my only child serve during a time of war.”
