“Waiting impatiently.Maynard’s been pacing by the door like he knows you’re coming.”Jock grabbed her suitcase off the carousel, then handed her the dropped bag, his free hand entwined with hers.“Let’s get you home.”
They’d been traveling only for a few minutes when Silly remembered something she’d meant to tell Jock.“Oh, hey, I did one session that really stood out to me.Not because of the art that went into the tattoo, even though that was awesome, but the why behind the tattoo.”
“Yeah?Tell me, baby.”
“He had on insignia that put him in the sand wars, so I asked about it.Thanked him for his service.”
“That’s always awkward as hell.I never know if I should say ‘welcome’ or what.How’d he handle it?”
“He said, ‘My honor.’”
“Oh, that’s good.I’ll have to remember it.”
“His tattoo was a memorial one.The bulk had already been blocked in, but he wanted more detailed work than the apprentice in the next booth was comfortable with.I spent probably six hours working on him, and he sat like a stone.Never moved unless it was a request from me.”
“Memorial for men lost?”
“Yeah, that.But also for innocence lost.The weeping angel was patterned with butterfly wings.Not classic, but still so beautiful.And on each postdiscal interspaces of the angel’s wings was a set of initials and a date.”
“A what?Was that English, Silly?I know you’re bilingual, but you don’t have to show off.”He was laughing as he spoke, and his hand on her leg tightened.
“Basically the space between the veins on the big wings.He didn’t have a long list of men, but he said the weight was still considerable.He said serving with men as you went through hell made bonds that couldn’t be broken, not even by death.”
“Brother was right with that.When you’ve watched the man next to you white-knuckle his gun and still do the right thing, you know he’ll always have your back.”
“So that...Does that ring true for you?”
“I’ve told you about that last day, when I shouldn’t have been outside the wire.”
She nodded.“You have.”
“What I haven’t talked about are the thousand days that led up to the final one.A thousand ways my brothers were part of me, and I was part of them.A hundred sweeps that went like clockwork.Another hundred escorts that ended with everyone coming home.All that time builds rapport, brotherhood, and a deep and profound love.”
“That’s a lot, Jake.”
“I’m going to be working a lot harder in therapy.I want to be a better person, a better man.Not for you, though that’s a side benefit.I need to be better for me.For Tank and Maynard.And yeah, for you.”He squeezed her leg again.“For really the first time, I feel like therapy could help, and I think that’s my willingness to do the work talking.”
“My client sounded very similar.”
“I know my story isn’t new or unique, but I own it.”
The rest of the drive was a blur of soft conversation between them, with her recounting other show highlights and him updating her on Maynard’s progress.
“He’s doing everything better, but nights can still be rough.I keep reminding myself we’re only a week out from the injuries,” Jock said, glancing at her.“Your voice messages help, though.Calms him right down.Me too.”
Silly squeezed his hand.“Can’t wait to see him.And Tank.Oh my god, Tank.I’ll bet he’s been your shadow.”
“More like Maynard’s babysitter.”Jock chuckled, the sound rumbling deep.
They talked about Calder, too, the arrest a relief but the trial looming.“Wrench says the evidence is solid.Other victims coming forwards.”
“Good,” she said fiercely.“That bastard deserves to rot.”
Home loomed as they turned onto their street, the familiar house a beacon.Jock parked, and before they could even open the doors, barks echoed from inside—Tank’s deep woofs mixed with Maynard’s higher yips.Silly’s heart swelled.“They’re excited.”
Jock grinned, unlocking the door.
Tank barreled out first, nearly knocking her over by leaning strongly against her legs.“Hey, big boy!”She knelt, burying her face in his fur, his tail whipping like a helicopter.Maynard hung back, tail wagging more tentatively, his scars visible but clearly healing well.Silly approached slowly, hand out.“Hey, sweet Maynard.Remember me?”
