“All packed?”I ask Koa as I park out front and see him sweeping Lula’s porch.
“Yeah, I’m all set.Lula is just finishing up.”
“Yard looks good,” I compliment.
He smiles.
“Thanks.I’ve been trying to get some stuff sorted around here so that Lula doesn’t have as much to do when she gets back.”
“I’m sure she appreciates it.”
“Oh, she does,” he says, grinning.
I gag.“Gross, man.That’s my sister.”
He laughs, and I flip him off.
He puts the broom inside.“How’s your love life?How’s the roommate?”
“She’s good.We went out last night.”
“Palmer’s?”
“Yep.”
“And?”
“It was perfect.She’s it for me.”
“Good.I’m happy for you, Ledger.”
“Thanks.”
I chuckle as we sit on the front porch steps.“It’s crazy that I was originally looking for a quiet house and roommate.I already know that won’t happen living with Daisy and Beans.She was up this morning at seven, the dog was barking, and she managed to set off the smoke detector while making toast.”
Koa grins.“What a way to wake up.”
“It was.But the weird thing is that I woke up smiling.I wasn’t annoyed by the noise.I just felt… I don’t know, like I was home.”
“She might not be what you thought you wanted, but maybe she’s exactly what you need,” Koa says.
I nod.“She is.”
“Are you going to get out after this enlistment?”
I look out across the yard.“I don’t know.I love the military and the structure, but I can’t imagine leaving Daisy.I want to be here with her.”
“You only have a few more years until retirement,” he reminds me.
“I know.I’ll need to think about it.I mean, I still have two and a half years left on this enlistment, so I guess I’ll have to get used to leaving her anyway.”
“It doesn’t get easier,” he says quietly.
I glance over at him, clapping him on the back.“She’s going back with you.”
“Yeah, but we’re just prolonging the goodbye.”He sighs.“Lula will be headed back here in two weeks.”
“Well, I’ll be back on base then.We’ll be miserable together.”
