Jerry nods his head. All of us nod our heads back.
A saying Grace and I say to each other I brought up in group because I knew it would help all of us. Now, it’s something we say at the end of every meeting.
Jerry rises from his chair and we all follow his lead like we were trained to. Some things, the respect, just don’t go away. “I’ll be seeing you all again Thursday night. Until then, don’t raise too much hell.” He winks at the end. A few break out a small chuckle while others shuffle out of the meeting remaining silent. I don’t judge. I remember how silent I was. It’s not easy being vulnerable. But I find it being the easiest with Grace.
After a few slaps on the shoulder from some of the group I help Jerry fold up the metal chairs for the night.
In between stacking the chairs he asks me, “So, have you decided on a date yet?”
I stack the five chairs I’ve carried over and tell him with a smile, “Not yet but there’s no rush. I already know I have her forever. Whenever she wants the big day to be, that’s when it’ll be.”
Jerry smiles at me, a proud one. And god, it makes me feel proud, too. “How’s Connor doing?”
My mouth widens to a full blown smile with a chuckle. “He’s great. Might give Grace gray hair young with how much he wants to ride a bike, but he’s doing good.”
“I’m glad everything worked out for you, son. I know it wasn’t easy, but I’m happy for you.” Jerry smiles at me and I see the glassiness in his brown eyes.
I stack the final three chairs and meet him over by the coffee machine. He pours himself his third cup of the night. “You were right, you know.”
He snickers before taking a gulp of his coffee. “I usually am. What was it about this time?”
“You told me I had to let someone in,” I remind him. He nods his head, taking another gulp of his coffee. “If I hadn’t of let Grace in I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t be the man I am today. So, I thank you.”
He sets his coffee down on the makeshift table and lays his hand on my shoulder. He peers up at me with firm yet caring eyes. “I’ve lost too many people not in battle but because of it. You thought the fight was over but you had so much left of it inside you. It took letting the right person in for you to see that. You keep her in, you hear. Even when the days get fucking tough and you feel the guilt and you feel depressed you don’t shut her out. You keep her in and let her fight for you when you become too weak. She’s your strength, you hear. And we all need strength, son.”
I swallow. “I hear you loud and clear.”
He pats me on the shoulder. “Good.” Returning to his coffee he asks me over the lip, “Can I be the officiant of this wedding when you get a date?”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Really?”
“It would be an honor, son. A real god damn honor.”
I clap him on the shoulder before pulling him in for a hug, careful of his coffee mug. The old man throws an arm around me. “We would love that.” I release him and I swear I see him blink back a tear. And who said Marines weren’t emotional fucks? “I’ll give you the date as soon as I know.”
“I’m real proud of you, Oak. You’ve come a long way.” His praise is like sun on my skin.
“I still have a lot further to go.”
He smirks. “We all do.” Clearing his throat he then says, “Now go on home to that fiancée of yours. A woman like her shouldn’t be waiting too long.”
I nod my head smiling like a fucking loon. “Yes, sir.”
Our support group meetings are at night. They start at eight o’clock and end around ten. By the time I finish helping Jerry with the chairs and make the trip back home it’s usually close to eleven or a little after.
Tonight is no different.
I pull up in our driveway on my bike a little after eleven. Grace, Connor and I have a three bedroom home with a two car garage and a nice backyard with a fence.
Our dog, or should I really say Connor’s because the labradoodle has taken with him the most, loves running in the backyard. For Christmas last year I finally got him the present he’s always seen in his future, a dog named Chewbacca.
The boy cried and so did Grace and me.
Ever since the two have been inseparable.
Unlocking the front door I quietly shut and lock it behind me.
To no surprise I find my gorgeous fiancée waiting up for me on the couch in the family room. The tv is on low and some romantic comedy is playing.
