Chapter 8: The Ride Away
The SUV was warm. Heated seats. Tinted windows. A blanket was already waiting on the seat beside me.
I sat in the back with Colonel Hayes while two soldiers rode in front. The other SUVs followed behind. As we pulled out of the driveway, I glanced back one last time.
My family was still on the porch. Rachel had her arms wrapped around herself. My mother was crying now — not for me, I was sure, but because she finally understood she had lost something she never truly valued.
The car turned onto the main road. The house disappeared behind us.
Colonel Hayes spoke after a few minutes of silence.
“Daniel talked about you constantly,” he said. “Even on deployment. He said you were the strongest person he knew. He was right.”
I kept my eyes on the passing trees. “He was the strong one.”
“No,” the colonel said quietly. “He was brave. You’re something else. You finished what he started. That takes a different kind of strength.”
I placed both hands on my belly. The baby kicked softly, as if agreeing.
We drove in silence for a while. Then Colonel Hayes spoke again.
“Your new home is ready. It’s secure. Private. Everything you and the baby will need is already there. And your office at Stratix is being prepared. They want you to start whenever you’re ready.”
I nodded slowly.
May you like
For the first time in nine months, I allowed myself to feel something other than grief and exhaustion.
I felt the future opening in front of me.
