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Chapter 53

NOAH

Three months later

I t’s been three months since we got back to Columbus, and it feels odd that I’m no longer a soldier. Tyler and I are doing great though. We got a house in the suburbs, a dog, and he’s going back to school in the summer. Life couldn’t be better, except that my biggest dream has been crushed.

I was discharged from the Army last month, but I started looking for a building as soon as I knew I was getting booted. It wasn’t that difficult to find one in the heart of downtown, and it works out perfectly because that’s where most of the homeless veterans stay.

I’ve decided to open a homeless shelter for veterans with an emphasis on therapy services. We offer showers, warm meals, and group as well as individual therapy. We also accept dogs. I spent a lot of time doing research and taking notes while I was at the Warrior Refuge, and I knew this was what I wanted to do when I got out. Now I’m going to school just like Tyler. I want to be a counselor.

I’m so proud of Tyler for chasing after his dreams. If he weren’t by my side, none of this would be possible. He found us a house to look at while I was still at the therapy center, and we began the buying process right away after I walked through it. He knew exactly what I’d been looking for. Now we have the house with the white picket fence, the dog, and we’re talking about kids. It’s crazy what a few months can change.

We haven’t heard from Scarlett since the hospital, then again, we didn’t expect to. She was clear that she didn’t want to talk to us ever again—that she didn’t want to be a part of our lives. I heard she’s happy though. She has a new boyfriend—Austin. After Tyler sold him the bar, he cut contact with us too. We’re no longer friends, and that stings, but I get that he’s loyal to Scarlett now. I want them to be happy. I want her to have everything she ever dreamed of. The husband, the kids, the house. And I know he can and will give her all of those things. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got married by next year.

I clasp my hands on my lap as I look around the room. The chairs are placed in a circle, and I’m sitting right next to the counselor leading the group therapy. Every chair is taken, and pride fills my chest. Today is opening day, but we’ve made sure to advertise this place everywhere. At the Veterans Affairs Hospital. On posters at the traffic lights and stop signs. Even in the military base. So I’m not surprised in the least that we have a full house, but it still feels surreal.

Tyler was at the door, leading veterans in and pointing them to the chairs, but now that everyone is seated, he exits and closes the door behind him softly. I look around again, seeing that we have ten men here. Some of them look freshly showered, and there’s even a dog next to one of them. Most of them have a smile on their face, probably because we fed them before coming in here, and they have a safe place to sleep for the night.

The counselor begins to lead group therapy and as I introduce myself to go first, I can’t help but think about how lucky I am. While this isn’t the life I envisioned for myself, I can’t deny that I’m happy. Tyler is by my side, I have this place now, and we’re both achieving goals and chasing our dreams.

I couldn’t ask for more.