There was a short ceremony where we stood at attention while one of the commanders read out what I’m sure was a nicely thought out speech. All I wanted to do, though, was take Jade in my arms and hold that baby girl close.
Eventually, I got my wish, and we were released. Jade acted cool as a cucumber, which didn’t surprise me in the least bit. She’d punished me before when I’d gone to other states for training. Usually, I had to buy my way back into her graces, and though she acted disdainful about the whole thing, I knew she enjoyed every minute of it.
My parents, however, took me by complete surprise. They were wearing red, white, and blue t-shirts, and had even made a WELCOME HOME banner by hand.
“You’re home!” My mother clutched me, sobbing. “My baby is home!”
My dad cleared his throat about a dozen times and shook my hand four more times. Jade handed me a smoothie and managed to look completely bored while I smothered her in hugs and kisses, but I didn’t miss the wry little smile as I finally put her back down.
After I got my bags, and we finally made our way to the car, I decided that no matter how sleep-deprived and time-confused I felt, this was going to be a new start. If only I could change the feeling that there was a hole in our party that just couldn’t be filled.
* * *
My mom turned around in her seat as we left the fast-food drive-through.
“You sure that’s what you wanted?”
I raised my chicken sandwich in the air. “I’ve been dreaming of this for the last six months. If I died now, I could rest in peace.”
“Derrick, that’s not even funny.” She grimaced.
“I’m alive,” I winked at Jade, “so it is.”
When we got home, my dad grabbed my bags before I could get to them and dragged them out to my casita. I went to the kitchen with my mom and Jade.
In spite of myself, I’d missed this kitchen a lot when I was gone. The memories with Jade from the summer before were some of my most precious. At least, that’s what I’d told myself. But when I stepped inside, I was reminded once more that I would never again wake up and find Jessie standing in here, pouring Jade’s cereal with new insults ready to throw my way.
Because Jessie was gone. And my stupid mouth had made sure she wouldn’t want to come back.
Not that I’d forgiven her yet. Far from it. I still couldn’t for the life of me understand why she would let herself (and me) get so deep and then run the other way as if she’d been taken by surprise. Okay, maybe it was a little faster than most courtships. But with the deployment looming, I didn’t have much time. I’d really thought that after all that time we’d spent together, she’d have the courage to jump. And I’d been sure that if I waited, without a ring, she’d find a way to talk herself out of it while I was gone. And I didn’t know if I could take that.
I wandered around the kitchen and rummaged through the cabinets. Jackpot. Mom had stocked the kitchen with all my favorite cereals. She really had forgiven me for joining the Air Force. And, it seemed, for losing Amy.
“Mine.”
I looked down to see Jade pointing up at the cabinet.
“I want mine.”
“A please wouldn’t kill you, kid.” I pulled down the cereal and began to pour her a bowl until she whacked my leg.
“Mine. I do it.”
I wanted to tell her to lose the attitude, but my curiosity won out when I realized she was actually reaching for the box. I handed it to her and watched as she poured her own bowl of cereal and topped it off with about a cup too much milk.
“How long has she been doing that?” I asked my mom as she walked in, yawning.
“Oh, since about a month after you left. Jessie wasn’t here, of course, but she and I had a talk about how she thought Jade was ready. And I didn’t think so at first, but lo and behold, she was right.”
I just let her talk, pouring my cereal, in spite of the fact that I’d just had a chicken sandwich, and pretending this was all fantastic. I hadn’t told my parents about the proposal in hopes they could celebrate with me after instead of asking a million questions before. But for once, my mom didn’t seem fooled. I could see it in the way she pursed her lips now as she studied me.
“I know things didn’t work out between you two the way you wanted,” she said in a soft voice, “so I’m really hesitant to ask this.”
I paused mid-chew and regarded her warily. “Go on.”
“Jade’s choir is performing tonight, the one we told you she tried out for last fall. Anyhow, they’re in the school talent show, and…” She sighed. “Jade is really hoping you’ll come.”
I stared at her for a moment before letting out a strange bark of a laugh. “Never did I think I’d see the day when you had to beg me to come to something for Jade.”
