Page 8 of Absolution

“I know this can be information overload, so if you have questions or you just need more time, that’s perfectly fine. There’s no wrong answer or way here.” Doctor Burgess crosses his arms over his chest, pensive as ever.

My eyes bounce around the room, Jackson and Mark sit to my right, protective as ever of me since the rescue. Doctor Burgess standing to my left, scrutinizing my every move, and making me thankful he can’t read my thoughts.

I glance at the man in front of me, he’s standoffish and quiet. As I stare at him a little longer, I can see the resemblance they all recognize. Still, he’s a stranger like everyone I meet as of late.

“So, you’re my cousin.”

He nods reluctantly. “Yes, our fathers are brothers.”

“Yeah, I’m lost again but I appreciate you being here today.”

“Man… this has to be hard as hell on you, it’s a nightmare at best but I hope you’ll give me some time. We may never be the friends we were, much like the brothers you have in this room, but I’d be grateful to have you again in any way you feel comfortable.” He drops his head when tears fill his eyes.

I sit up, offering my hand to him. “So, Boone do you like wine or just hanging out at the docks?”

“Name like Creed, you’d think you would’ve learned some manners by now, but then again, you are a Hatcher.” He takes my hand, giving me a good shake.

Mark claps his hands. “Give him hell. This is going to be good!”

“Don’t need to go raid the blood bank, Twi-hard?” I quip, and Mark flips me off. “Let me get a few things straight here since my brain is still pretty foggy after everything.”

“Oh, so it is something new?” Mark grins at Boone.

“I’m Creed Randal Hatcher. My parents are Crawford Randal Hatcher and Kathryn Alice Hatcher. I have a degree in Political Science, which someone needs to explain to me why at some point. I joined the SEALs after graduation.” I take a steadying breath, thinking; this is where it gets hard. “Two years in, I was on my third mission with a team of six when we were ambushed, and I was captured. They held me captive for approximately three months before I was rescued by the incredible team from Cole Security Forces. I was medically discharged a few weeks after returning stateside.”

“I sustained multiple injuries, including wounds to my thigh, ribs, and shoulder. Wait… I’m forgetting something.” I cut my eyes when the room is silent. “I’m kidding. I have a traumatic brain injury impacting my temporal and parietal lobes. Basically, I’m a first-grader learning how to read again if I can remember where I put the book.”

Boone quirks his brow. “What made you think you could read to begin with?”

“Ha!” Mark's fist bumps Boone. “That’s what I’m saying!”

Jackson sits forward in his seat beside me, his brows pulled tight. “I can tell you’re trying to work through all of this, take all the time you need, Hatch.”

“I’m getting there.”

“I’m gonna head out, I’ll call Crawford and Kathryn later and give them an update.” Boone walks over to the bed, stretching his hand out.

I take it with a smile; I like my cousin. “Ask them to come next time, please.”

“I can do that.” Boone waves at the rest and continues out of the room.

“I’m going to run down and check on a friend.” Mark slaps the back of my hand after we shake.

“See ya.”

Jackson stands, lingering with the good doctor. “I’ll be flying back to California tomorrow, but I want you to know, I’m leaving my number, and you can call any time.”

“Thank you.” After taking his hand, Doctor Burgess follows him out, leaving me alone with my thoughts or lack thereof.

Obliviously, there are so many things I’m not being told. I’m not sure if they’ve been told not to talk about it or if someone has decided I don’t need to know. Then again, I’m as indecisive as they appear to be on the topic of what exactly happened on the mission.

“Well, this fucking sucks.” I grab the remote from the nightstand and hurl it across the room. “Please, God, either let me forget forever or give me the details I need to account for my brothers and their lives. If not, then tell me why I’m still here, and they’re not!”

A tap on the door startles me, and I quickly wipe my face just as Jackson saunters back in. “Hey, Hatch.”

“Yeah, what’s up?” I turn my face, drying it on my shoulder.

“I couldn’t leave until I mentioned one more thing to you.” It distorts his face. Maybe this is what I’ve been hoping for.