Epilogue
JILLIE
When we go back to school, Ellen steers clear of us and we do the same. Gianna’s still with Elan in spite of everything, so I think it’s the real deal. He’s really stuck on her too, and she doesn’t care he’s not rolling in the cash. He’s not poor by any means, but his parents are part of the average middle-class that make the world go around.
It’s a bit over six months later when the doorbell rings and my life, once again, changes.
Aunt Ruthie calls for me. I groan and so does Leo. We were rounding second and headed for third base. I straighten my clothes and hair and Leo does the same. It’s a really good thing he does because when I round the corner, there stands my daddy.
I let out a cry and run to him, stopping short, then hugging him so hard. He’s on crutches but is fitted with a prosthetic. He’s not ashamed. He’s in shorts and a sleeveless USMC t-shirt. The scars on his leg, arm, and neck make me start to cry. I can’t imagine how much pain he must have been in. Losing his leg, the burns.
“My Jillie girl,” Dad mutters, burying his face into my hair, holding me close, and rocking side to side. “Christ, I’ve missed you.”
“Daddy…” is all I can manage. I’m overwhelmed with happiness, grief, love.
When he looks up, he must see Leo. He stands up straight, rigid, and I nearly start to laugh. I look over at Leo, and his smile is completely gone. In fact, his face is white as a sheet.
“Who do we have here?” the Colonel asks. Yes, definitely the Colonel asking.
I grin and walk over to Leo, wrapping my arms around one of his and leading him toward my dad, but there’s no need. Dad’s right there.
“This is my boyfriend, Leo. Leo, this is my dad, Ezra,” I introduce.
“Sir or Colonel will be fine,” Dad says, and I snort. Poor Leo.
“Sir. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Leo holds his hand out, and my dad doesn’t take his eyes off Leo’s. He must like what he sees because he reaches out and takes the proffered hand.
“You good to my girl?” Dad asks.
Leo swallows hard—it’s audible. “Yes, Sir.”
“You treat her with respect?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Boy, you in love with my daughter?”
Leo nods. “Yes, Sir.”
It’s then my dad lets out a laugh and hauls Leo into a hug, smacking him on the back. “Good, good. She needs a strong man. You seem like a good match.”
“Daddy,” I scoff. “You’re so mean. Poor Leo.”
Leo fakes a laugh. “I’m fine.”
“Boy… Leo, is it?” Leo nods. “I won’t break you unless you hurt my girl.”
“That’s never going to happen,” Leo assures him.
Dad nods. “That’s what I like to hear. Now, tell me what’s been going on.”
I look at Leo, and he looks at me. With silent communication we agree to skip over everything that has to do with Ella.
“Forget about us. Tell me what happened, Dad. They said you were dead,” I tell him.
He nods, following Aunt Ruthie to the sitting room. “I damn near was. Some Afghan civilians put a tourniquet on my leg and hauled me off in their vehicle. I was too out of it to worry whether or not they were the good guys.”
“It took a long time before I was stable enough to be moved. I was lucky. I didn’t get an infection in my leg or the burns. I was lucky—I lived,” he murmurs. “I lost some good men that day.”
