Wes looked up at the sky and then turned his body to ensure eye contact. “And I told you…you were being loaded into that damn ambulance. I couldn’t break cover. I whispered I was with you all the way. I thought I’d never see you alive again. I was discussing the program with Ellie. She asked me who I had in mind when I designed the program. I kept my answer vague.”
“She figured it out?”
“Yup. I told her how…guilty…I feel for not making it to you sooner. She looked at me straight on and asked me if I told you I’m sorry.” Wes took a haggard breath.
“I accept your apology, only because you need me too. Not because you have a valid reason to feel responsible. Damn it, Wes. We’ve spent a lifetime backing each other up.” Troy kicked at the ground. “That day in Khost Province.”
“Helluva shit show.” Wes shrugged.
Troy chuckled uncomfortably. “For some more than others. I can see it like it was yesterday. Bullets are flying around us like rain. We got dropped in to pull some army asses out of the frypan. Bear and you are carrying that dumb captain to the helo. Ice and Smooth were carrying the corporal. Macho Man had a private. I had the staff sergeant. He was able to stand, so I was supplying cover fire. And Jaime, Eric and two other PJs jump to the ground before the helo touches down. We load everyone onboard. I take a step back and sweep the area.” Troy imitated his motion.
“I swept left to right. I hear your gasp. You were on my right. The bullet tore into you, and you went down. Bless O’Reilly. He saw it, pulled on his bag and tumbled ten feet to the ground. Your heart stopped on that damn piece of dirt. How that second helo made it in, I’ll never know. I’ve played that sweep hundreds of times in my head.”
Wes managed a smile. “We’re even.”
“Good. And we’re old, tired, and I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”
The two headed to the cafeteria.
