Instead, everything blew up when Tom came home.But it was a good thing because it exposed a rift in our relationship.I was falling in love, but Morgan was just passing the time.If he could just walk away so easily, then it hadn't meant anything to him.
So when Tom texted and asked me to meet him for dinner, I didn't have any problem saying yes.I'd find out why he was home, and I'd establish a boundary between us.My relationship wasn't any of his business, and his opinions on my career weren't something that I cared to hear.If he wasn't going to support me, then I'd create more distance between us.I wouldn't continue to interact with people who didn't believe in me.
I drove the truck to the Sterling Brothers Contracting office and left the key with a front-office person.It was time to be more independent.I hired a driver to take me to a rental office so that I could rent a vehicle while I looked to buy a new one.
If I was going to live outside of town, I needed a car.
The one thing Morgan had taught me was that I should expect more from my family.And it started tonight with dinner.
I'd napped and taken a shower before I met him at the inn.He was waiting for me at the hostess stand.
He seemed to favor his left leg."It's good to see you."
I wasn't sure what to say to him.I was still so angry at the way he'd reacted to the news of Morgan and me.The logical side of my brain said meeting him for dinner was a way to mend that bridge.
We followed the hostess to a table by the windows.
Tom walked with a limp, which concerned me.
The hostess waited for us to be seated and then handed us the menus.When she left, we spent a few minutes figuring out what we wanted to eat.
The waitress stopped by to take our order.
When she left with the menus, Tom looked out the window at the mountains in the distance."It's so beautiful here."
"Why are you home?"I asked.
He sighed."I injured my knee.Spent some time at Walter Reed in Bethesda."
As upset as I was with him, I didn't want him to be injured."What's wrong with your knee?"
"I had to have surgery, and now I need to do some PT.They sent me home to continue my therapy.Once I'm fully healed, I'll have to be reevaluated to see if I'm deployable."
As mad as I was with him, I could sympathize with what he was going through."And if you're not?"
He winced."I'll be discharged."
"I'm sorry."No matter what was going on with Morgan, Tom was my brother.
He shrugged."We'll see how it goes."
I knew he wanted to retire from the military, so this had to be a blow for him."Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?"
"I didn't tell Mom and Dad until after the surgery.I didn't want to worry them.I wanted to come home, and Colorado has always been that for me.I thought I'd surprise you."
I played with the edge of the tablecloth."I appreciate the thought, but it wasn't the best timing."
He looked away."I can't believe that you hooked up with Morgan."
"I didn't really know him until we moved in together.He said he'd promised you he'd take care of me, and that was him fulfilling his vow."
"Mom and Dad left.You were here all alone.I felt better knowing someone was keeping an eye on you.He said he went in and pulled you out of the fire.I'll be forever grateful for him for doing that."
It was implied that everything that came after was crossing a line with him.But their relationship wasn't my problem."As sweet as the sentiment is, I'm an adult.I don't need anyone taking care of me."
"Why didn't you tell me about the fire?"
"I didn't want you to worry when you couldn't do anything about it.I was fine."
