Come and Talk to Me (10 page)

He swallowed hard. “Lord Almighty. Go easy on me, woman.”

V
AN
A
ND
R
EGGIE
had a great visit with Troy and Sabrina. Van’s spirits were up and it was like old times. The girls did pop away for an afternoon at Key West so the boys could have some time alone. Although Van was okay while they were there, Reggie thought maybe he would open up more to Troy. He never was one for talking on the phone; maybe a couple beers would loosen him up. He wasn’t supposed to drink with the medications, but she wasn’t about to deny him a few with their friends there.

Duvall Street reminded Sabrina a little of Front Street. They had to get daiquiris from Fat Tuesday and walked around with open drinks, just because they could. One thing that never stopped amazing Reggie was being able to walk from bar to bar with a drink in hand.

“How are you holding up, hon?” Sabrina asked when they finally stopped to kick their feet up at Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville.”

“Me? I’m fine. It’s Van I worry about, Bri.”

“He has doctors, a whole crew, and you. I’m not worried about him. You look weary. Who’s looking out for you?”

“I’m fine. Really. It’s hard when he puts himself down, is all. He’s always been my strength. When he gets depressed, I don’t know what to do with him.”

“Have you talked to his doctor about an anti-depressant?”

“That’s all I want; him taking
another
pill.”

“It’s that bad?”

“All they do is feed him pills, Bri.”

“But now he’s had surgery. It’s bound to get better, right?”

“That’s the plan anyway. He’s going to be on restrictions and he’s not going to like it or listen, if I know him.”

“Threaten to hold out sex.”

“Who’s that going to punish?” Reggie laughed. “How are you guys doing? Any luck with your lab work?”

“There’s no medical reason why I’m not getting pregnant. We were told to stop stressing about it. It’ll happen when it’s meant to happen.”

“It’ll happen, Bri.” Reggie gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “Let’s get back. We’ll stop and get some Force Five wings for dinner. I wanna see Troy’s eyes water when he tries them!”

“You know he loves hot food.”

“This place gives you a t-shirt if you can make it through the batch.”

“Oh, this I gotta see.”

~*~

“You look like you’ve lost a few pounds, but other than that, you’re still an ugly bastard.” Troy handed Van a beer. “You holding up?”

“When I’m not flat on my back, I’m great.”

“I thought you liked being flat on your back.” Troy grinned.

“Only when I’m being held down by my wife.” Van allowed himself a chuckle.

“There it is.”

“There what is?”

“The laugh. I thought you’d lost it.”

“Don’t give me shit, man. It hasn’t been easy. Reggie’s been coddling me to death.”

“So let her.”

“Are you the one high on pain meds?”

“You’ll heal and you’ll be the same hero jackass we all know and love. It won’t kill you to take it easy for a few weeks.”

“What hero work can I do with a limit of picking up no more than twenty pounds?”

“Only twenty pounds? All hell. I guess asking you to help me pee is outta the question then.”

Van exploded in another loud laugh. “Shit. Maybe when I re-up we should try to head back to Maui.”

“You do that,” Troy said as he clinked beer bottles with him. “I’ll do what I can from my end.”

~*~

“Desk Jockey? What’s this bullshit, Garner?” Van threw a letter on his CO’s desk. He had been back to work for a few days and had an unwelcome surprise in his work mailbox.

“Just what it says. The range is below acceptable on your back. They don’t want you out on the water and putting the other members of the crew at risk.”

“At risk? My ass! What is this bullshit really about?” Van slammed his fists to the desk.

His CO stood. Regina had him pegged when she said he had short man’s syndrome. He was five foot four inches. He was an inch taller than she was but for a man, he was considered short. He had to prove how big he was on a daily basis and, in his mind that equaled to being an asshole. Nothing was up to his standards, nothing was done fast enough, and he didn’t know how to speak in any voice other than a yell. He picked up the paper and envelope then shoved them into Van’s chest. “Desk Jockey or take an early out.”

“Bullshit!”

Garner walked to the front of his desk. “No bullshit. You think you can stay doing what you want just because you like it? What military do you belong to, Kimball? You have to follow rules like everyone else.”

“A few degrees of bending? That’s what you’re calling this? Petty Officer Clark is fifty pounds overweight if he’s an ounce. I can run circles around that bastard and out bend him.”

“He can lose weight. You, on the other hand, have gotten increasingly worse over the last few months and it shows. You’ve been out three times with that back. They know it’s only going to get worse. You’re a liability out on the water.”

“Liability?”

“It’s a matter of time before you slip up and cost someone their life.”

“I acquired this back saving a life, asshole.” That would probably cost him. You never spoke back to a commanding officer, let alone swore at one. He knew he had nothing to lose. “This isn’t about my back! This is between me and you!”

“The hell it is. Regulations are regulations.”

“You’ll never let it go that I keep covering your ass, will you?”

“Like hell.”

“You are the disaster waiting to happen. You’re the one who has the crew in danger constantly with all your miscalculations. You trying to get rid of me because you’re afraid I’m going to tell someone about all your fuck-ups!”

“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, Kimball. Just take that gorgeous wife of yours back where you found her and lead a cushy civilian life in paradise. Drink Mai Tais and find a nice waterfall to screw her under.”

“You son of a bitch!” Van landed a solid punch on Garner’s chin and sent him flying over his desk, backward. Van stormed out of the office, but not before punching through the glass on the door first. When he reached the gate, the MP’s stopped his car.

“We received a call from Garner.”

“And?”

“We’re not supposed to let you leave.”

“You calling in backup to keep me?”

“Nope. I want to shake your hand. I’ve been waiting years to see someone pop that prick.” He motioned to the bandana covering Van’s knuckles. “I don’t want to know, do I?”

“Nope.”

The MP stood at attention and saluted Van instead of shaking his hand. Van smiled and returned a casual salute back.

“Tell him I removed the barrier myself and punched your lights out, too.” He waved at the second officer who was removing the sawhorse that served as a roadblock.

“I’ll think of something. You’re my new hero, Kimball.”

Van laughed and drove off base. The smile was short lived. He decked his Commanding Officer and went AWOL. There was going to be hell to pay.

~*~

The phone rang at one in the morning. Reggie’s hand landed hard on it as if she was trying to shut off an alarm. After another ring, she picked up the receiver, but was still half asleep. “Hello,” she mumbled into the phone.

“Reg?”

“Derrick?”

“You awake?”

She looked over at the clock. “It’s one a.m. why would I…” She sat up, suddenly awake. “What’s wrong? Where’s Van?”

“He’s fine. He’s here at my place.”

“Your place? But he’s on duty tonight.”

“He kinda…left.”

“Left? How? Why?”

“It’s a long story. I just wanted to let you know he was okay and he was here in case the MPs show up lookin’ for him.”

“The MPs? What the hell happened, Derrick?”

“He took a swing at Garner.”

She gasped, knowing what that could mean. “Why?”

“He’s out.”

“Out? Who?” She was confused.

“Van, Reggie. He’s out.”

As Reggie hung up after saying she’d be right over, there was a knock at the door.

“Shit!” After throwing on a robe, she went to answer it. She slowed down her pace and decided it was best if she played stupid. “What are you doing here?” she asked Garner when she opened the door slowly and pretended to be sleepy. “Is Van okay? What’s up with the MPs?” she asked, looking behind him.

“Is he here?”

“Why would he be here? He’s on duty.”

“He went AWOL. Do we have permission to search the place?”

She pushed the door open, leaning against the door jam. “I know goddamn well you don’t need my permission, but I appreciate the formality.” The MPs walked in while Garner stayed outside the door.

“Has he tried to call you?”

“Would I be worried about him right now if he did?”

“Military wives are a rare breed. There’s no telling the lengths you’d go to—to lie for your husband.”

“True enough. I’d also put a slug up your ass if he’s lying somewhere hurt because of you.”

“I always knew you were a real lady there, Reggie.”

“Mrs. Kimball, to you,” she said, crossing her arms. “What’s the matter? Did you forget to put a tracking device on this piece of property of yours? How is it you lose a man?”

“He’s in deep shit. I’m not going to even try to sugar-coat it for your pretty face.” His eyes began to wander down her front and she was suddenly very uncomfortable. She grasped the front of her robe and held it tight. He smirked, reached over, ran his hand down her face then gently stroked the hand that held her robe together.

“Do you get much on the side, Reggie? You know, when Van’s away and on duty?” He leaned into her with his hip. His erection pushing against her made her want to scream, but she was frozen with fear. He slipped his hand inside her robe with his fingertips touching her breast. “…Because I can make things easier for him if you want me to.” He leaned into her, pressing himself against her harder and his hand going a little further inside the robe. He brought his face closer, like he was going to kiss her. “If you can fit me in some—”

He stopped talking when he looked in her eyes. They had been full of fear, but they were now open wide and looking over his shoulder. He looked in the direction of her gaze; there was an MP behind him. They had gone out through the back sliding door and came around to the front of the house. Garner quickly dropped his hand and stepped back. “Tell him to be sure he gets back to the station as soon as he shows up, if he knows what’s good for him.” The MP hesitated, briefly looking over at Reggie before he followed his CO back to the work truck.

She closed and locked the door, leaning against it for strength to remain standing; it wasn’t enough. She slid down to the floor and shook violently. She rubbed her hand against the carpet trying to wipe off his touch then clutched her robe tighter. She breathed deeply and clenched her eyes tight to fight her tears. She wanted Van now more than ever, but she knew she could never tell him. He’d kill Garner for sure. Reggie had no idea what made him punch his CO, but she was sure he had it coming. Of course, the military would never see it that way. She had to go to Van, but she wanted to wait a minute. There was no doubt in her mind that they’d try to follow her, thinking she knew where he was. After waiting ten minutes on the floor, gathering herself, she ran to her bedroom to get dressed.

Reggie parked at the grocery store parking lot and waited; she hadn’t been followed. She ran the equivalent of two blocks to get to Derrick’s townhouse and came bounding up the stairs. He was waiting at the door and gave her a strong hug.

“Is he okay?”

“Just drunk. His hand is cut up a little, but he doesn’t need stitches.”

“His hand? Why?”

“He punched out a glass panel. Come on.” He led her to Van, who was passed out on the couch. She gave his sleeping face a kiss and knelt on the floor. She picked up his hand; Derrick had already cleaned and bandaged it.

“Won’t they come here?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. I figured he was safer here for a while than at the Monkey.”

“You guys aren’t supposed to go in the Brass Monkey. The wives don’t even go.”

“After punching out your CO, I guess a little bar hoppin’ on the wrong side of the tracks isn’t going to do any more harm.”

“What happened, Derrick? Tell me.”

“One of the dysfunctionals called me and told me to come get him. Not everyone listens to the ‘no Brass Monkey’ rule, Reg.”

“Not that. Why did he punch Garner? What did you mean when you said he was out? I don’t get it.”

Derrick let out a heavy sigh and walked over to Reggie, offering her his hand. He helped her to her feet and brought her to the loveseat.

“From what I gather, Garner, that chicken shit, put a letter in Van’s mailbox at the station sometime after supper.”

“What did it say?”

“He was being taken off regular duty and getting assigned to strictly desk work.”

Reggie gasped and put her hands to her mouth. “That would kill him!”

“It isn’t right, I know, but he and Garner have always clashed. I’m sure he saw a way to stick it to Van good and seized his opportunity.”

“Why doesn’t he transfer Van if they don’t get along?”

“Why transfer when you can totally screw up someone’s life?”

She stood up, furious. “That groping bastard!”

“Groping?”

“Whatever,” she said, trying to brush off her comment. Derrick couldn’t know either. She cursed herself for shouting it. “He’s a bastard. How can someone like that be in the position he is and mess with everyone else’s lives? Van loves what he does. How can one person do that to him?”

“It’s just done, Reg. It ain’t right, but it’s done. If it could have been reversed before, it sure as hell can’t now. They’ll throw him out for sure if they don’t send him to the brig first.”

“They can’t do that!”

“He hit an officer. They can.”

“You gotta help him, Derrick.”

“I don’t know what I can do.” He turned at a knocking on the door and saw two MPs standing outside. “Aw, shit.”

“I was so careful to make sure I wasn’t followed.”

“They’re making rounds. I have to let them in.” Derrick went over and opened the door. Reggie stood there nervously waiting to see what would happen. There were two MPs, but their CO was no longer with them. “Where’s numb nuts?” Derrick asked.