Chapter 6
“It probablyhasn’tbeen this bad before,” Andy agreedthe next morning.
Tony sat on the edge of the bed, his attention out thewindow to where Claire was planting impatiens and pansiesbeneath the trees. She looked drained this morning, her eyeshuge and dark, her hair pulled haphazardly out of the wayinto a ponytail. She was wearing jean shorts and a black cotton T-shirt to work in, and all Tony could think of wasthat for a woman with two children and a twenty-year reunion from Nam, she looked awfully damn good.
“...I’m surprised we haven’t had more, what with what’sbeen going on.”
With a start, Tony came back to attention. “What are youtalking about?”
“The buildup in North Africa,” Andy said, “The U.S.took its first casualties this morning. Every time somethinglike this happens, I get an increase in PTSD business. Toomuch like old times, ya know? During the Gulf War it wasstanding-room only.”
Tony found himself nodding. “And she has a seventeen-year-old son who evidently has been pushing her to allowhim to join the air force.”
Andy actually groaned. “Well, it’s safe to say you don’thave to take all the blame for her troubles, pard. She had herhands full before you even walked in the door.”
“I’m sure that makes me feel much better. Have youfound me any nurses?”
“Always a one-track mind.”
“I’m not in the mood today, Andy.”
Andy understood. “Actually you’re in luck. I’m surprised your lady hasn’t had a better response locally. The vetcenter in Richmond is a good one. They have a women’sgroup. Want the number?”
“And the address. I’ll stop by as soon as I can.”
For a moment, there was just silence on the line. Evenwith his attention divided between the phone call and thewoman out his window, Tony heard the caution it implied.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to get this involved?” Andyfinally asked.
“Of course I’m not sure,” Tony snapped, rubbing at hisleft temple. “If I were sure of everything, I’d be a counselor at a vet center. Just give me the damn number, allright?”
“All right, bud. But it might just be about the time to dothe bigdi-di mau,get me?”
Di-di mau.Bug out. Get your butt moving. Tony understood just fine.
“The number,” he said again, trying to keep his temper.
Andy gave him the number. He gave him the name of thecounselor he’d already contacted, and the women’s therapist. Tony was writing the information down when hecaught a snatch of laughter out the window. When he turnedagain, it was to see Johnny Henderson crouched before hismother, a motley bouquet of wildflowers in his hand. Claireand her son laughed, and she kissed him. Even from this faraway, Tony could see the pride in her eyes, the gentle possessiveness of maternal affection. Johnny reached over andtouched her face, and Tony felt almost jealous. Excludedfrom the ring of comfort Claire seemed to offer. He wantedher to touch him like that, to smile for him without hesitation. To open up to him without fear.
She wouldn’t. It wasn’t what he was here for. All thesame, it hurt in ways Tony hadn’t anticipated.
“Tony?”
Tony yanked his attention back to his friend. He’d lost hisway again, and that wasn’t good.
“Yeah. Thanks, Andy, I’ll make the calls.”
Andy answered with a small sigh. “Well, listen. Youknow where I am. Call if you need me. Anytime.”
“I know. Thanks.”
After hanging up, Tony kept on watching out the window. He had one more phone call to make to set this all intomotion. He had to call Gina to see if she’d like to join himfor a few weeks. And then, if he was going to make goodany part of his promise, he was going to have to get over tothe inn and begin examining those unfinished rooms. But for right now, he couldn’t seem to move away from wherehe was watching Claire Henderson.
“What’s her name?” Claire asked her son.
Crouched down before her, Johnny gave her a greatscowl. “Mom.”
Claire chuckled. “The only other reason for you to wantto go to the library is to check out a book,” she goaded.“And I know better than that. You’ve already read theirentire section on the joys of flight.”
