The Lonely Hearts 06 The Grunt 2 Read online

  “I won’t flake out,” Brett said, looking out at the driveway. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Gavin turned on his heels and gave a big playboy grin. “I flew here, but this guy had it up for sale over in Sneed’s Ferry, so it looks like I’m driving back, baby.”

  Brett stepped out on the porch for a better look at the candy red 1969 Chevy Camaro Z28 with black stripes, black leather bucket seats and radial tires. It was a classic American muscle car that boys and men alike dreamt of having as their own. “You really going to put that thing in the road and put all those miles on it?”

  “Cars are meant to be driven my friend. It’s in perfect condition. Only one owner. The guy who owned it passed away and the daughter put it up for sale in the front yard. She didn’t have a clue what she had. I got it for a steal.”

  Brett shook his head. “You lucky son of bitch.”

  “Tell me about it,” Gavin said, looking at the car. “Well, dude, I’m going to get out of here. Let’s hook up for dinner and that beer at the bar. I’ll pick you up and show you what kind of horse power she’s working with.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Brett said, watching Gavin head down the walkway to his car.

  Stepping back inside the house, Brett found Courtney in the kitchen pulling out steaks to cook for dinner later. Without seeing her face, he knew something was wrong by the way that she was slamming the spices down on the counter. He walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist.

  “What is it?” he asked, smelling her hair.

  Courtney could feel his manhood resting up against her backside with the thin Nike shorts he had on. “Sharon Riley,” Courtney bit out. “She called me in the mall going off and wanting to know why she hadn’t seen Cameron.”

  Brett sucked his teeth. “What do you mean that she went off on you?”

  Courtney tensed. “She went off…clean off. She said that she didn’t want her blood over at this house with the likes of us and that he spent far too much time with my mom, dad, and me instead of with his own family. Then she said that she’d be glad when Leo Tabor had full custody so that we’d be in her shoes, where she’d decide if or when we got a chance to see him.”

  Brett’s eye twitched. “What?”

  Courtney stopped setting out the food and turned to her husband. Looking up into his blazing blue eyes, she made it as clear as she could for Brett. “Sharon is behind the paternity suit.” Leaning against the counter, she exhaled a breath. “Brett, we need a lawyer…a good lawyer.”

  Brett licked his lips and turned away from her. Putting his hand on his head, he gave a condescending laugh. “That no good, conniving, low-down, racist bitch.”

  Courtney didn’t move. Instead, she let him get it all out.

  Brett looked back at her. “She said that she’s going to take my son?”

  “That’s what she said.”

  “Over my dead body,” he said, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

  “Wait, Brett. Don’t,” Courtney protested.

  “Don’t what?” Brett snapped.

  “Don’t call her. Not right now. I’ve already told her that she can’t see Cameron until a judge says so. I also told her that if she came to this house, it would be the last house that she ever came to. I made myself extremely clear.”

  “Well, she should have never called you in the first place, harassing you and shit. If she wanted to throw her weight around, then she should have called me.” Brett’s chest expanded with anger. “I don’t know who the fuck she thinks that she is, but it’s time I put her in her place for good.”

  Courtney was glad to finally see him respond to something. “We need a lawyer. Mom says that she knows a few.”

  Brett put away his phone. “Tell her to send me the names tonight. But until I get this taken care of block that bitch’s number from your phone. If she wants something, she’ll have to come through me.”

  Brett needed some air. Realizing that he had raised his voice to the point of possibly waking up his kids, he headed back out to the patio. “I’m going outside for a minute. I need to clear my head and figure some things out.”

  Courtney nodded. “Okay, I’ll fix dinner.”

  Chapter 16

  “Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!”

  – Sun Tzu

  Arriving back to the infinite pine trees, freshly low-cut grass, and red-bricked, perfectly squared away buildings of Camp Lejeune was like landing back on earth after a long stint on an intergalactic space station. Everything that was once so familiar was suddenly inexplicably foreign. The blinding splendor of blue water reflecting off the deep blue bay, the beginning of a yellow-gold sunset just off the mesmerizing horizon, the feel of a warm, fresh breeze caressing the skin. It was all so different now. So much more appreciated than before.

  Loved ones lined up in the parking lot with balloons, signs and gifts, waiting on their husbands, sons and boyfriends as they loaded off the charter bus. Each of them eager to get a little distance and time between themselves and the Marine Corps after eight long months in the sandy hell of Afghanistan packed like sardines on a base doing the government’s business.

  This homecoming was glorious for others.

  But for David Lawless, it was more than just a surreal experience to return back to the homeland, especially considering how unworthy he felt not only as an officer but also as a person. It was a sobering reminder.

  I’m not worthy, he thought to himself.

  Feeling less than triumphant, he stepped off the bus in his desert uniform adorned with rank and honors and planted his size 12 tan combat boots on the ground. Home. The word took on different meaning now – now that he had lost men – men who were depending on him to bring them home also. They would never again be able to capture the beauty that was America in their own eyes. They would never breathe free air or see the world that they had fought so valiantly to protect. They would never see their families waiting and happy to hold them in a joyous embrace. The thought emotionally impaled him.

  I don’t deserve to feel any of this either, he thought to himself.

  Despite his inner feelings of inadequacy, his hawk-eye gaze zeroed in on his family across the parking lot waving and smiling. In conflict with his emotions of grief, he couldn’t help but feel excited to see them, after all, they were all that he had in the world; and they were waiting for him. As normal, his father was sitting relaxed inside of the car behind the cool vents of his air conditioner, while his mother and Courtney stood with his girlfriend, Kelly, at the front of the car in the heat like his very own stalker fan club.

  They are beautiful.

  With bright smiles, they spotted him as soon as he got off the bus. It wasn’t hard though, considering that there were few African-American men in the battalion and only one officer. His mere presence here in this capacity was a testament to all that he owed his father and all the men of color who had come before him. They had paved the way for him to be regarded for his rank and his achievements, not the color of his skin.

  So, why at this moment did he feel the pang of unworthiness? Had he let all of them down? Had they all felt the way that he was feeling right now? Was this some cruel rite of passage? So many questions. No way to get all the answers. So, he tried to shake off the feelings. If he didn’t, his family would surely know something was wrong, then they would dissect and finally they would make him discuss his feelings.

  No, he couldn’t let them see. So he perked up. Head up. Chin up. Face as stoic as any other day of categorically being an asshole. Emotions were for someone else, anyone else but him, because he didn’t do well with them. He waved their way, masking his contempt for his failure with an indignant haughty smile.

  Funny as he scanned, he didn’t see Brett Black, although he wasn’t sure why something in him led him to believe that his brother-in-law would be ther
e. Surely, he was the most disappointed in him of them all.

  With his sea bag and gear thrown over his back and his cover down low over his chiseled face and tired red eyes, David made his way through the thick crowd of people, squeezing past crying mothers, talkative babies and ecstatic wives.

  “Need a hand with that, Captain?” a voice asked a few feet behind him.

  David knew that distinctive Texas baritone. He turned to see Brett leaning on crutches, leg in a cast, wearing a USMC gray jogging suit.

  So he had come! “I should be asking you that,” David said, cracking a smile.

  Walking back up to Brett, David stared the man who had started off as a stranger and ended up being his brother-in-law in the face. However, he didn’t have his normal stance of authority and privilege that seemed to propel itself into every situation. Instead, David stood before him now almost as though he was reporting to a superior officer. Humble, regretful even.

  “I’m sorry.” David refused to look away although he wanted to. His lips straightened into a line as he pursed them together.

  Brett frowned, the sun shining into his face, highlighting the healing bruises and cuts indelibly marked on his skin as a reminder of the war he had been forced to leave behind. Squinting, he could see their family waiting behind them, probably wondering what was taking them so long. “Sorry for what?” Brett asked honestly.

  David’s shoulder’s squared. “I’m sorry that I didn’t bring your men home with me, especially your best friend.” David swallowed down his pride and stood a little straighter; bracing himself for whatever Brett might have to say or might have to do. No matter what, it was warranted.

  Awash with emotion, Brett inclined his head. Oh, that. While David’s confession was completely unexpected, it was completely understood, because he felt the same way. Only, in his own quiet hell, he had never imagined what David might have been going through. Maybe this was a glimpse into his own selfishness. Maybe this was what he needed to make him understand that other people had lost someone too.

  With sincerity, Brett reached out and put his hand on David’s shoulder.

  There was no need for an overly ambitious response. “We both lost them,” Brett said, nodding at David. “You don’t owe me an apology. You don’t owe anyone an apology.” He only wished that he could take his own advice. It was the reason driving him to get to Judy. He wanted…needed to say the same thing to her.

  David’s eyes looked as though if he had not been so stubborn, they might have watered. Instead, his eye twitched as he quickly pushed passed the moment. “I wish that were true, but we both know it’s not,” he said honestly.

  Brett knew what it was like to be the center of attention, even if it was only for an audience of one. These situations were never comfortable. He looked over again at their family waiting and growing impatient. “Let’s get you over to the women folk before they lose their shit. We can catch up later over a beer or something.”

  “I think I’d like that,” David said, recognizing that he’d never in the history of their relationship had such a “beer” with his brother-in-law. It was well overdue.

  ***

  A picture of elegance, Diane stood with her covered cup of lemonade under the shade of a large black beach hat and black Jackie O shades, looking as sophisticated as a cover model on a Southern Women magazine, but inside she was a nervous wreck.

  She just needed to see David for herself to make sure that he was okay. Hearing his voice over the phone wasn’t enough. Reports from the base weren’t enough. She needed to look into her boy’s eyes and touch him. Then she’d know that he was fine, and she’d be fine.

  Standing up off the hood of the car as he approached, Diane walked over, meeting him half way, and wrapped her arms around him. Hugging him tight, she pulled back and slipped her manicured hands around his handsome face. Her diamond wedding band and tennis bracelet glimmered in the sun as she drank him in.

  “Thank God in heaven, you’re home,” she said, tears slipping down her cheeks from under her shades.

  David quickly wiped the tears away with his thumb. No reason was a good reason to ever see her cry. “Hello beautiful,” he said to his mother, glad to be back in her presence once again. Everything about her was calming.

  “Hello little boy,” she whispered. Wiping more tears, she laughed and looked him up and down. “My God, you look skinny!”

  He had shed nearly 20 pounds and was now all sinewy muscle, iron, brawn and smooth dark skin – a poster Marine. He reminded her so much of Jeffery when he was David’s age.

  “Well, they don’t cook as well as you do over there, I’m afraid.” David winked at her.

  “Today, you’re in luck. I’ve prepared a feast for you. Kelly and Courtney helped. We’ve been in the kitchen most of the morning fixing all your favorite dishes.” Diane stepped to the side so he could see his girlfriend, who stood still by the car, waiting for him.

  In a simple A-line black skirt and a black cotton shirt clinging to her well-defined form decorated with a single strand of pearls, Captain Kelly Jamison, stood by. Her long narrow face, deep midnight skin, high cheek bones, wide-set nose, wide blazing, brown eyes and full lips were as captivating at that moment as the first time that he had laid eyes on her. The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice. And Kelly got his juices flowing beyond measure. He knew that she would be the last person that he would greet and for the longest amount of time.

  One cue, Jeffery stepped out of the car and closed the door. In his perfectly starched polo and khakis, he strode over to David and stuck out his hand. “Welcome home, son.” His voice was formal and stout.

  “Thank you, sir,” David said, shaking his hand firmly.

  Grinning, Jeffery pulled him in for a warm hug.

  David embraced him happily, patting him on the back. Words could not express how good it was to be in his father’s presence again.

  “Leaving me here alone with the female persuasion isn’t good for my heart,” Jeffery joked. “I trust you’ll give me a year before you do it again.”

  “War definitely isn’t the same without you,” David admitted. “If you ask me, they need a little more Lawless in their lives over there.”

  Jeffery appreciated the compliment. “My war days are over, but I left the Corps in good hands.”

  David avoided affirming that. He wondered if his father had been there with all of his years of experience, would his men even be dead right now. Probably not.

  As if telepathic of his son’s hidden woes, Jeffery gave a bit of much needed advice. “You’ll get used to it…the war,” he said, seeing something dark in his son’s eyes. He twisted his lip up and inspected David closer. “It will take some time, of course, but each tour gets better. You become surer of your decisions and surer of what could happens, one way or another.” Slipping his fists into his pockets, he waited for David to reply.

  David blinked fast. What was he to say? How had he read him so quickly?

  “Alright, you’ve hogged him long enough,” Courtney said, pushing past her parents to hug her big brother’s neck. Her intrusion was more than welcomed.

  “Hey sis,” David said, kissing her forehead. By all accounts, she was glowing and looked happier than he’d ever seen her.

  “Hey yourself, Marine,” Courtney quipped, hitting him across his broad chest. Blocking the sun from her eyes with her little hand, she complained. “It’s melting out here. Hug your girlfriend and let’s load up and go home. The food is getting cold, and we worked too hard to order out.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Brett chimed in, looking in on the kids who were still waiting in the back seat of Courtney’s car. He slapped the top of the car like it was one of their HUMVEE’s. “Let’s get this convoy moving, Marines.”

  Courtney looked over at Kelly, who was still waiting by the car. She smiled at David. “She already gave the order. You’re riding back with her…alone,” she said suggestively. “Do us a favor. Don’t stop off anyw
here between here and the house. I don’t want to wait for you guys to get reacquainted.”

  “Don’t count on it,” David said, pulling his cover off. A man had to greet his lady properly. “Can you hold these for me, Pop?” Passing his sea bag to his father, he walked over to Kelly. Without saying a word, he slipped a hand behind the back of her head cupping her ponytail, pulled her statuesque body to him and kissed her plush mouth passionately for all the days that he had been gone.

  “Oh my,” Diane said, looking away. It was one thing to do it; it was another to see it done. She blushed immediately.

  Jeffery grinned proudly not taking his eyes off the young couple. “What did you expect? He is a Lawless.”

  ***

  Diane wasn’t lying when she said that she had prepared a feast for David’s welcome home party. In the formal dining room, among elegant oil paintings in opulent frames, rich upholstered chairs, fine Japanese bone china, gleaming antique cabinets holding sparkling crystal and an aromatic fragrance of lemon and honey, there was an extravagant spread of warm breads, sweet butters, an assortment of cheeses, succulent meats, steamed vegetables, decadent deserts, expensive wines and chilled bubbly champagne. And in the background, soft music played while the family dog sat by the door opening watching but knowing better than to enter.

  With candles burning on the high on the vintage brass candelabras on both sides of an elegant flower arrangement, the family sat around the long table laughing and joking as the sun set in the distance. The French windows opened in the adjoining den to take in the breathtaking view of green foaming waves hitting against the white sandy beaches and to receive the breeze off the bay.

  Alas, the celebration of life casted away the lingering stink of regret and loss for a few hours.

  As customary in their family, Diane and Jeffery sat at the opposite ends of the dining table; Kelly and David sat on one side together with David sitting closest to their father and Courtney and Brett sat beside each other on the other side with Courtney sitting closest to their mother, while Bella sat in the same wooden high chair that their mother had used on her when she was a little girl between her mother and grandmother and Cameron sat cattycorner between Brett and David.