Page 90 of No Fear

“Go ahead. Clean towels are in the linen cupboard behind the door.”

“Thank you. Won't be long.”

Only when she was in the shower with the door firmly closed did she let the tears fall. The shock she’d tried to keep locked down finally broke free. No one deserved to go through what Donnie was going through. She hated it was him. He was a Navy SEAL. Strong. Brave, Tough. The man sitting out there was scared all to hell, and there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn't fix it for him, couldn’t take his fear away. All she could do was be there for him, if he would let her.

Twenty minutes later, in yoga pants and a T-shirt, her hair damp, she forced a smile on her face and walked back into the main room. Donnie still sat exactly where she’d left him. The sun had gone down and the room was almost dark.

“That was nice.” She switched on lamps and pulled down the blinds. “I’m going to make a tea. I remember you hate tea. Do you want something else?”

“A water, thanks. And may as well take the pills now.”

“Right.” She moved to the kitchen. “So, what time do we have to leave in the morning?’

“It might take a little time to get through the gate, so 9:15 should allow enough time.”

“And you have a car, I take it?” she asked. “Please don't tell me it’s a truck.”

“Not a fan of them?”

“I like them when someone else is driving. Trucks were not made for little people like me.” She brought the drinks to the sitting area and placed the pills in Donnie’s hand.

“It’s not a truck. It’s a Bronco.”

“Oh, right. Like an SUV.”

“Yes. What do you drive?”

“I...er... don’t really drive much anymore. In New York, it was easier to use taxis.”

“Or be chauffeured,” Donnie said.

Embarrassed, Charlie looked away from him even though he couldn’t see her. Simon was wealthy. He probably earned in a month what Donnie earned in a year. It was ridiculous, really. Donnie risked his life for his country and Simon bought and sold property.

“I imagine my condo is probably the size of your bedroom at his place,” Donnie said.

“The apartment isn’t that big.” She hit him playfully on the arm as she sat beside him. “Doesn’t matter now. I’m not there anymore.”

“Have you been back to get your stuff?”

“Not yet.”

“That was him on the phone, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” She did not want to talk about this tonight. Time to change the subject. “Mackie is really nice. You guys are close. It sounds like you are with all of your team and their families.”

“I am.”

“Did you call your folks?”

“No. I guess I should.”

“Are you going to tell them?”

Donnie shook his head. “Charlie, I’m not trying to deceive them. I just don't want to worry them. Once I hear the final diagnosis from the doctor, then I'll have facts.”

She nodded, then realized he couldn't see her. “I understand. Let’s call them together.”

She called, putting the phone on speaker. She reassured Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson Donnie was doing OK, but the concussion was taking some time to heal, and his sight was not a hundred percent right now. Donnie kept his voice bright on the phone, and his folks seemed relieved and calmer by the time the call was done.