River sighed."Hey.It's Mitchell.He's not doing so great."
I set my sandwich aside, my appetite gone."What do you mean?"
"Ever since he got out, he's feeling down, and his brother is worried.He thought we could help."
I considered what I'd need to do to get away for a few days.My brothers would understand, and cover for me at the inn."What can I do?"
"We're headed to see him in North Carolina.Can you meet us there?"
I brushed the crumbs off my hands."I'll be there."
"We need everyone there to show him that we care about him."
"Of course."I was quick to support a fellow soldier.We all had things we were working through, and I wanted Mitchell to know we were there for him.
"Thanks, man.I appreciate it.I'll text you the information on where we'll be."
"I'll let you know once I have a flight."I gazed out the window where flurries fell haphazardly to the ground.
River sighed as if he'd been stressed."I can't thank you enough."
"Hey, this is what friends do."We promised we'd always be there for each other, and that transcended our service in the military.
"I'll see you soon."
The sandwich felt heavy in my stomach.I had to leave before the parade.I wasn't sure how tenuous the situation was with Mitchell, and I needed to get there to support him and my friends.
I hated leaving Natasha, but I didn't have a choice.She would understand.
I sent her a quick text explaining the situation and hit Send before I could second-guess myself.I didn't want to call her when she was deep in planning with Eve.I'd take care of this situation and be on a flight home in no time.
I cleaned up the kitchen, then searched for a flight to North Carolina.After I booked it, I packed and locked up the house.On the way to the airport, I called Mom and Dad to tell them what was going on.
"Let us know when you get there," Mom had insisted.
"I will."My grip on the steering wheel tightened.I hoped that we weren't too late, and we'd be able to help Mitchell.
"We love you."
"Love you too," I said as I clicked off the call and parked in one of the airport lots.My family had my back, and Natasha would understand.I might have left the army, but I still had obligations to my fellow soldiers, who were my friends.I wouldn't let Mitchell suffer alone.He needed to know that we were there for him.
I'd be back before I knew it, and we'd be planning our holiday light-trail outing.Soon it would be Christmas, and we'd be together.
I hated to be leaving when I'd only recently gotten home.But I didn't have a choice.We vowed to be there for each other if anyone was struggling, and Mitchell was clearly in trouble.
The entire time I was on the shuttle to the airport and went through security, there was this sense that I'd forgotten something.But I shook it off.I could buy whatever I forgot, and I'd have my brothers check on my house, and the inn's renovation if I was still out of town on Monday.I'd told Natasha where I was going, and I was confident that she'd understand.
Chapter23
Natasha
Eve and I worked late, and by the time we were finished, I was ready for bed.When I checked my messages from Ford, there weren't any.I couldn't remember how we'd left it.Was I supposed to text him when I was done?
Usually one of us checked in, asking where we should meet after work, and he hadn't said anything in front of Eve.Maybe he was waiting for me to reach out to him.
Natasha: I just got back to my apartment.I'm exhausted so I probably won't be good company tonight.But you're welcome to come over.
Ford promised to help with the toy drive at town hall tomorrow.We could use as many extra people as we could get to direct traffic and wrangle the groups into order for the parade.
