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“Yeah.” I moved my gaze over to the water. “He was in Nam, too.”
“So, what you’re telling me is he has some good stories on you to tell?” She giggled, and it lightened the mood and stopped the dangerous slope I was heading toward. I still found it hard to control, and I knew I had a lot of work to do there, but Sue made everything easier. Even something as simple as breathing.
“Oh, yeah.” I laughed, thinking about just how much shit we actually did have on one another.
I hopped to my feet and offered her my hand. She took it with a confused look.
“I want you to meet my parents.”
“Oh, yes. All right.” She leaned back and scooped the flowers she had brought. “Lead the way.”
“Mom? Dad?” They both stood grinning. “This is Sue, the girl I was telling you about.”
“Lovely to meet you, Sue.” Dad offered a hand, and Mom nearly fell over her feet trying to get closer then enveloped her in a big hug.
“We’re so glad to meet you, Sue. Please call us Edison and Meg. Our son has told us a little about you, but I’m curious to know more.” Sue smiled at her, and I was grateful to know they were so interested in getting to know her. As I expected, Sue didn’t put on at all. She was just as she was with me. She never tried to impress. She didn’t need to because she was who she was, warm and friendly.
“Well, that works out great for me,” Sue looked up at me, “because I have a ton of questions about this guy, like was he always such a romantic?”
“Oh, Sue, I’m not sure how to tell you this, but that kind of charm only comes out when a Logan has fallen.”
“Mom!” My mouth dropped open. “Dad, can you help here, please?”
“I would, but it’s true.”
“Oh, I wonder what else I can get out of them.” Sue, to my surprise, rubbed her hands together and made my dad laugh.
“The three of you are just dangerous.” I held up my hands and stepped back.
“Oh, Meg, I picked these for you.”
After my mother thanked her for her thoughtful gift of the flowers, my father gave me a knowing grin. I had to grin back, and he slapped me on the back.
We ate, swam, and built a bonfire for later that evening. We did all the things I’d forgotten I’d even missed until now.
“Where are you living?” Sue asked Frank, who had joined us. He and Zack had been tossing the football around near the water’s edge.
“I’m in Washington at the moment, but I think I might just spend some time here in the Montana mountains.” Frank leaned back on his arms and watched us.
“I bet that’ll make some people happy.” She smiled at me.
“It’s strange not seeing the guys every day,” he admitted, and Zack gave me a look. We might not talk about it, but we all felt the same way.
“Interesting how war can still divide people even after you’ve left it.” Sue brushed some sand off her arm, and us three all looked at one another. It was amazing how Sue just understood things without even trying.
“Well, I won’t speak for the rest of you,” Zack leaned back and propped a leg up, “but I haven’t felt this put back together since we left that shit storm.”
“Did any of you go to Jimmy’s funeral?” Frank asked the one question that still stung like crazy. Zack looked at me, and we both hung our heads. “Yeah,” Frank tossed a stick in the water, “it was just too soon.”
“We had a drink for him,” I whispered. “It was about all I could handle at the time.”
Sue remained quiet, but she did reach over and cover my hand with hers. Just that simple action provided more comfort than she’d ever know.
That evening, while the others played a game of water football, Sue and I settled ourselves next to the sand pit near the fire. I was impressed she had made the effort to get to know my family and friends. It told me she was interested in who I was and where I came from. I hoped I could do the same with her family at some point.
“Thanks for coming,” I smiled down at her, and she gave me a warm smile back, “and for giving me another chance.”
“You always had a chance, Daniel. I just needed to make sure you were ready.”