Jillie and I get into my car, ignoring my parents’ curious looks from where they stare out of the kitchen window.
“If you hadn’t bumped into me on the beach, when were you going to tell me all of this?”
I hold her hand as I drive. I don’t want to let go. Is that her hand sweating or mine? Maybe both?
“I was going to stop over later today. I know you’re not a morning person.”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
“I know. You told me that night.” I squeeze her hand gently.
Damn. Someone parked in front of her house. I squint to get a better look. Are those men in uniform getting out of that car? I slow down a bit because if I’m seeing what I think I’m seeing, Jillian’s world is going to shift.Please, no.
She sees them too. Her entire body goes rigid.
“No.” Her whisper echoes my thoughts.
She’s stiff, her hands shaking. Her eyes are wide, and she’s pale—so damn pale.
“Jillie. Wait for me.” I hurry to help her out of the car because she looks as if a light wind would blow her over.
“No.”
“Let’s see what’s going on. It might be nothing.”
Maybe he just got hurt. Hurt is better than dead, isn’t it?
She’s mumbling beneath her voice about it being bad, so bad it’s going to destroy her. I’m not one for praying, but I am now.
Jillie’s aunt opens the door to the uniformed Marines as we’re making our way to the door.
“No,” Jillie whimpers. I hold her tight to my side.
“Jillian Fox?” they ask her aunt. Her expression is one of sorrow and horror. Her aunt says something then points to Jillie.
“Jillian?” they ask.
She nods. Her entire body is shaking. I’m so worried about her I miss the first part of what he said—who he is, or who they are.
“They were out on patrol when an IED went off.”
“No,” she whispers.
“Colonel Ezra Fox was among the caravan. At this point in time, it is believed there were no survivors.”
“No!” she cries.
“Jillie,” I say as she begins to sink to her knees. She’s crying so hard, her body’s convulsing. She lets out an anguished cry, and I swear, at that moment, I can hear her heart shatter.
“At this point…?” Jillie’s aunt leads.
He nods, this Marine with horrifying news. I wonder how many times he’s had to deliver this news. How many times he’s seen people fall apart. I wouldn’t want that job. Not for all the money in the world.
Jillie’s starting to hyperventilate now. I pull her into my lap and rock her as I listen.
“We’re unsure if all of the bodies were Marines or if there were civilian casualties.”
And I can tell by his tone that’s all he’s going to say about that.
