Welcome Home, Soldier

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Tyler stretched and opened his eyes. He’d been having the most satisfying dream. In it, Ward had been standing in full military uniform in a field of waving grain. Tyler began running toward him. As Tyler got closer, Ward opened his arms. When Tyler came up to stand before him, Ward’s uniform dissolved and Tyler was enfolded in the soldier’s arms, pressed against his naked chest. He could feel Ward’s hard c**k pressing against his.

Tyler woke up. He reached out and stroked the pillow next to him where Ward had been lying. Tyler smiled. It wasn’t a dream. Ward was back. He mused about the changes in his old boyfriend. Ward was more muscular now than he had been in high school, had a shaven head, and when did that hair on his chest appear? Tyler appreciated these changes. He thought they were sexy. But more than that, he appreciated that the man himself had not changed. He was the same caring person with whom Tyler had fallen in love.

Tyler wondered what time Ward had gone to Jack’s bedroom. The door to Tyler’s room was still closed. As he lay, luxuriating in the memories of the previous night, he heard someone running down the hall.

Jack burst through the door and bounded up on the bed. Tyler engaged him in a morning tickle. Then he realized Eddie hadn’t yet come into the room. The boys usually came in together for a tussle on weekend mornings.

“Where’s Eddie?”

“Don’t know,” Jack replied.

Just then Eddie appeared in the doorway.

“Hey,” Tyler called to him. “What’s up?”

“Where’s Ward?”

“He’s sleeping in Jack’s room, remember?”

“He’s not there,” Eddie said.

“Maybe he’s in the bathroom, or in the living room,” Tyler suggested.

“Nope, I looked all over the house and he’s not here.”

Tyler’s heart froze. What was going on? Had Ward changed his mind? Just as panic was setting in, Ward appeared at the door behind Eddie, holding two large bags. The smell of sausages and pancakes filled the air.

“Breakfast is served,” he said, smiling broadly. “I don’t cook, but I can make a mean trip for carry-out.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Tyler said, relief sweeping through him.

“I know, but I figured you weren’t expecting a house guest.”

“Did you go to get it in the middle of the night?” Eddie asked.

“No. I went this morning,” Ward said.

“What makes you think that he went in the middle of the night?” Tyler asked.

“Cuz when I got up to pee, I looked in Jack’s room and he wasn’t there then either,” Eddie said, looking at his dad uncertainly.

Tyler and Ward exchanged looks. Tyler regretted that he hadn’t closed Jack’s door when the men had gone to bed.

“Maybe Dad and Ward had a sleepover, like me and you,” Jack offered.

Eddie turned to Ward as if expecting an explanation. His face showed concern.

“You know, sometimes a guy has trouble sleeping when he’s been in a war. He remembers all sorts of bad stuff. When that happens I usually get up and take a walk. That’s what I did last night. You musta looked in while I was outside,” Ward said.

“Wow, you were an army guy?” Jack asked, all excited.

“Yes, I was.”

“A real live soldier?”

“Yep, a real live soldier,” Ward said as he tousled Jack’s hair. “See this chain around my neck?” Ward pulled the chain from under his shirt for Jack to see. “Those are my dog tags. Every soldier has ‘em.”

“Wow,” Jack said again, obviously impressed. “What are they for?”

“Well,” Ward hesitated. He glanced at Tyler, then continued. “If a soldier gets hurt and can’t talk or gets ki—”

“Like if he’s knocked out or something?” Jack interrupted.

“Yeah, something like that. Well, then the people who find him will know who he is.”

“Like when a dog gets lost,” Jack added.

“Exactly.”

“We had a dog once. Her name was Trixie. But she died. I wish we could have one again.”

Tyler glanced over at Eddie. He was watching Ward as the man talked to Jack. He had a skeptical expression on his face. Had he bought Ward’s excuse for not being in Jack’s room when he had gotten up and seen Jack’s empty bed? To take Eddie’s mind off whatever he was thinking, Tyler said,” Let’s eat before our breakfast, so thoughtfully obtained by our guest, gets cold!”

Tyler pulled on a robe, and they all trouped to the kitchen.

Once they were seated at the round, oak table in the middle of the room, Ward doled out the sausage and egg muffins, hash browns, pancakes, and orange juice. “Dig in,” he said, picking up a muffin.

“We pray first,” Eddie said firmly. “My mom always wanted us to pray.”

“Oops, sorry,” Ward said as he put down his sandwich.

“Eddie,” Tyler said. “Ward didn’t know.”

“Well now he does!” Eddie shot back.

“Eddie,” Tyler said, feeling embarrassed at his son’s rudeness.

“It’s okay,” Ward said. “I’m happy to say grace.”

They all held hands around the table. Tyler and the boys said a simple grace in unison. “For our health and strength and daily food we give our thanks, oh Lord. Amen.”

Tyler looked up at Ward. Ward was smiling at him. Tyler knew that Ward was thinking something similar to what he was thinking, Thank you, Lord, for bringing us back together.

“How long are you gonna stay?” Eddie asked Ward, when they had finished eating.

“Eddie! Ward can stay as long as he wants. Ward, I’m sorry,” Tyler said.

Eddie looked sullen.

“It’s okay. I should be going. I promised my dad and brother I’d help with doing hay today.”

“Do you live on a farm?” Jack asked, all excited.

“Sure do,” Ward replied.

“Can I come and see your farm?” the boy asked.

“Anytime,” Ward promised.

“But we can’t today,” Tyler said. “We’re going to have dinner with Grandpa and Grandma Pierce. Go make your bed and get dressed. We still have time to make it to church.” The boys left the room.

“Ward, I’m really sorry if Eddie embarrassed you. Like I told you last night, he’s having trouble coping with Tiffany’s death.”

“Don’t worry about it. I understand. It must be a surprise to have me suddenly appear in your life. But I’m happy you’re so glad to see me.” Ward checked his watch. I better be going. I really do have to help with the hay.”

“Give me your number,” Tyler said. “I’ll call you later.”

After exchanging numbers, Tyler walked Ward to the door. “Thank you for last night and for breakfast.”

“It’s me who should be thanking you,” Ward said. “I was afraid you’d never want to see me again after I ran out on you like I did.”

Tyler wished he could take Ward in his arms and show the man how glad he was to have his friend back in his life, but noise from the boys’ room told him it wasn’t the best of plans. “I’ll call you and let you know what Pop says about your working at the mill.”

Ward nodded, smiled, and left.

Tyler watched him walk down the street to his truck. He hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. He turned from the window to go to the bathroom and shower. Eddie was standing there looking at him. “Hey, Ed, what’s up?”

“Why was your door closed last night?” the boy asked.

“What?” Tyler responded, not sure what Eddie was getting at.

“When I got up to pee, Ward wasn’t in Jack’s bed and your door was closed. You haven’t closed your door since Momma died.”

A pang of anxiety washed over him. s**t, Tyler thought. His mind raced. He came up with the only excuse he could think of. “Ward must have closed it when he got up to go for his walk. Didn’t want to disturb me.”

“Oh,” was all Eddie said and walked away.

Tyler scowled. He knew his excuse was lame. Had Eddie bought it? He couldn’t tell.