Halo by R.C. Stephens

Author:R.C. Stephens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-10-07T04:00:00+00:00

Through the fog of sleep I can hear knocking. Whoever it is can wait because sleep feels good.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I want to holler out and swear, but then I get my wits about me and realize where I am. Shit! I’m in Halo’s garage. That must be Halo knocking on the door. I quickly get out of bed. I’m only wearing boxers so I slide on the jeans I left on the floor last night. I must have whipped off the shirt and hoodie I put on after I woke up from that nightmare.

“Hey,” I say, opening the door.

Halo tilts her head to the side. “Are you okay?”

I feel like shit, so I am assuming I look like shit. “Yeah, I guess…” My bandages are itching like hell and I want to rip them off and scratch. I can’t wait to get them off later.

“Oh! It’s noon and Brandon has his pediatrician appointment today at one. You mentioned you would take us and….” She trails off, biting her lip. Her forehead is creased. “Are you sure you’re okay? Because I can just ask Jenny to pick us up. I mean, she offered anyway.” She looks a little flustered. I don’t want her thinking I’m irresponsible.

“No. I’m…uh, okay. I just—I don’t know.”

“What happened? Did you remember something?” She takes a step inside the apartment. I move away from the door, locate my shirt on the end of the bed and put it on.

“I’m not sure. I had a dream and it felt real. The soldier in my dream had a name. They were people I cared about. A SEAL was killed…. my friend…his wife…” Anxiety builds in my chest.

“You really don’t have to take us. It’s obvious you’re having a bad day…”

She is so understanding. I assume it’s from years of being married to a SEAL.

I place my hand on her arm gently to stop her from turning away. She looks up at me with her beautiful round brown eyes. Her lashes are long and full. She’s so pretty. “I want to take you two. Can you give me ten minutes to shower and get ready and I’ll knock?”

She smiles sadly at me. I don’t like that she feels sorry for me. “Okay sure, thanks. I’ll hit the Keurig and make you some coffee.”

“Thanks. Coffee is perfect.” I grin.

She leaves and I exhale a long breath. When I go to the VA later to take care of the bandages, I’m going to try to get in to see my therapist. I need help processing this dream.

I take a quick shower, throw on some clothes and find the heavy winter coat I bought. I knock and she meets me at the door with a travel mug of coffee. I thank her and watch her carefully, checking for signs of awkwardness after that kiss I gave her last night. I know it was just a brief peck on the cheek. But the reality is I wanted more. I don’t know where her head is at, especially now that I know how her husband left her.

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