I still got the negative.
“Well, uh…I don’t want to be telling you your job, but…isthat the way it’s normally done?”
“Absolutely.”
It was?
I clearly showed my surprise because after I did, the QuietMan gave me more words.
“Military.You train with someone.You bunk with someone.You breathe their air all day every day, they mean something to you.You couldhate their guts and you’d still form a bond.They’re in it with you.They’refamily.There are men…and women…who might rush into danger just to save a life.But there’s a big difference between instinct and already being in danger.Knowing your time could be up at any moment.And watching that grenade fall atyour feet.Which is also at the feet of your brothers.Then throwing yourselfon it knowing every man standing with you has the same exact thought to do thesame exact thing because one might have to go, but that bond is so strong,you’ll die not to make the other ones have to break it.”
“You’regonnaneed to throwyourself on a grenade for me?”I whispered.
“I need you to trust that I’d throw myself on a grenade foryou.”
That was easy.I did that already.I mean, he was wearingcargo pants.And a gun.
And I could do it and he could sleep in the guestroom orhave an afternoon off.
“I trust you, Mo,” I promised.
“You have no idea the meaning of the word trust, Ms.McAlister.”
“Lottie.”
He tilted his chin up this time.
“So, you have to sleep in the same room with me?”I asked.
“Yes,” he answered.
“But you’ll be sleeping.”
“I require four hours of sleep a night, ma’am.And from REMto battle ready requires two point five four seconds.I don’t know what thetime is to do that and get down the hall if you’re facing a threat.I just knowit’s longer than two point five four seconds.”
Two point five four.
Exact.
“You’ve timed it?”I queried disbelievingly.
“Yes.”
Wow.
“When will you shower?”
“I don’t waste time when I shower.It takes less than fiveminutes.So I’ll shower with you in the bathroom with me and the door locked orI’ll shower while you’re dancing, when Smithie has his men on you.That is, ifI feel the club is clear.If not, I shower with you in the room with me.Outside me taking away that choice, it’ll be your choice.”
He did not offer the choice of showeringwhileIwas showering in the same shower, which was a shame.
“Why don’t we, um…just play that by ear,” I suggested.
Back to dipping his chin.
“Do you need to go pack a bag or something?”I asked.
“It’s in my truck,” he answered.
