Soldiers in Love

Chapter 5: Donovan-2

Flo’s mouth dropped open and her face turned red. But what could she say? She was caught. She snapped her gum and stomped out of the kitchen.

I burst out laughing. “I can’t believe you said that to her,” I said to Daniel.

He shrugged. “She had it coming,” he said. “She’s always telling me to stay away from you and all that. So I figured a little payback was in order. Besides, they are worse than we are, knocking over boxes and stuff. At least we are quiet.”

Still laughing, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the lips. “I love you,” I whispered.

Daniel went still. “What?”

“I said I love you.”

At first, I didn’t think he was going to say anything. And I steeled myself for his flippant or vague comment. Or even for his silence. I prayed that he wouldn’t reject me though. Because that would hurt.

Slowly, his arms came around me and he pulled me against him, kissing me softly on the lips.

“I love you too,” he whispered.

______

It had been two weeks since Daniel and I had seen his son Donovan at the park. We hadn’t gone there together since but I knew that he’d gone again, hoping to see the boy. But I assumed that he hadn’t by the crabby mood he’d come home with. I felt bad for him, searching for someone who was probably right next door.

Daniel had the day off. I missed him and I was willing to bet that Flo had a hand in this week’s schedule because Daniel and I weren’t working together at all this week. Oh she makes me so mad with her meddling. And speaking of, Daniel hadn’t been around either. I missed taking my cigarette break with him.

The door opened and a man walked in. He was handsome with his thick blond hair and clean-shaven face. He wore dark colored jeans and a black leather vest. His motorcycle boots were scuffed and dirty, a big contrast to the rest of him. The blue button down was open to the third button, revealing a thin braided gold chain around his neck.

“Damn, who is that?” Quanna asked from beside me.

I shrugged. “Don’t know. He’s hot though. That’s for sure.”

“Yes he is,” she said, licking her lips. “And he’s gonna be mine. Shoot. Maybe I’ll get lucky and find love like you.”

I grinned. “Anything is possible. Just get Flo’s approval first.”

Quanna snorted. “There’s nothing wrong with this one.”

“Go get him then. I’ll need details.”

She waved at me over her shoulder. I watched her walk over to the table. The man looked up and returned Quanna’s brilliant megawatt smile.

“Who’s that?” Flo asked coming up behind me.

“I don’t know. Some guy that just came in and caught Quanna’s eye.”

Flo snorted. “You two are gonna get enough about latching onto every Tom, d**k and Harry that comes into this place. They ain’t all the whitewashed upstanding citizens y’all think they are.”

I looked at her. “And you should really stop judging a book by its cover.”

“I call ‘em like I see ‘em.”

“Is that why you got Daniel put off the schedule during my shifts?”

“He ain’t no good for you, Regan.”

“Why don’t you let me decide what is and is not good for me, Flo? I appreciate your concern but I’m a big girl and can take care of myself.”

She started to say something else but was cut off by Quanna calling my name. She hurried back behind the counter. “Regan,” she said urgently. “That guy. He’s asking for Daniel.”

“What did he say?”

“Well, he asked if Daniel worked here. I said yes. Then he asked if he was here today and could he talk to him. I said no, he was off today. Then he asked to speak to you. Do you know this guy?”

I looked over at the man. “No. I can’t say that I do.”

“I wonder what he wants with Daniel,” Quanna said, following my gaze to where the man sat. “What are you going to do?”

I brushed my hair back. “I’m going to see what he wants. He must know Daniel if he asked for him. And Daniel must have mentioned my name to him if he knows it.”

“Why would Daniel do that though?” Quanna asked.

“Because he’s getting her caught up in whatever he’s involved in,” Flo said, narrowing her eyes. “I told you to leave him be. But you wouldn’t listen. Now you’re gonna get yourself in something that soap and water ain’t gonna wash off.”

I rolled my eyes though she didn’t see me. “I don’t think it’s as bad as all that, Flo. I’m going to go over there and see what he wants.”

“Don’t steal my tip,” Quanna warned me. She was crazy about her tips.

I waved her off and went over to the table where Mr. Handsome waited. I stopped beside the table.

“Hello. I understand you’re looking for Daniel?”

“Yes. Daniel Bernhardt. Do you know him?”

“Yes.”

“Is he here?”

“No. He’s off today.”

The man looked up at me. “You have to be Regan,” he said with a smile. “Daniel described you to a T.”

“Well thanks. What can I do for you?”

The man indicated the empty booth across from him. “Please, sit down.” When I slid into the seat, he continued. “My name is Preston Aldridge. I am a private investigator. Daniel hired me to locate his son, Donovan Bernhardt.”

I nodded. “Yes he told me about that.”

“Well I found out more information and I wanted to give it to him. But I haven’t been able to get in touch with him. He said if for any reason I couldn’t reach him, I could give the information to you and you’d get it to him.”

“Okay.”

“Normally, I don’t do that but he was adamant about you being involved.”

“Okay,” I said again. “I will give him whatever information you have for him. Don’t worry.”

The man pulled a long white envelope from inside his vest pocket and handed it to me. I took it, holding it between my hands.

“I’ll make sure he gets this,” I said. “I hope it’s good news. He’s really been on edge lately wanting to find his son.” I told him what happened the other day at the park. The man nodded.

“Yes I do believe that the little boy was his son. The caregiver is a Hispanic woman.” He tapped the envelope in my hand. “I hope this information helps him. It seems a terrible shame that someone who’s risked his life for his country should have to stoop to these levels in order to see his own flesh and blood.”

“Yeah, I agree,” I said. I looked over to the counter where Flo was loudly clearing her throat. “I’d better get back. The powers that be don’t like for us to sit around with the customers.”

The man looked over at Flo. “Can I give you some friendly though unsolicited advice?”

I nodded slowly. “I guess. Everybody else does.”

He chuckled. “That much is true.” He lowered his voice. “I’ve known Daniel for many years. He’s a good man. But he’s been through a lot. You’ll understand when he decides to tell you about his experiences. But he’s not mean, bitter, or angry. He’s just like anyone else, looking for something to cling to in a crazy world. And he thinks the world of you. So don’t let what others say change your mind about him.”

I smiled. “I understand. Thank you sir.”

“Preston.”

“Preston.” I reached to shake his hand and I smiled at him. “I can’t take your order. My coworker will kill me if I do. So I’ll send her over to you if you want anything.”

He grinned. “That’s fine. Thank you. Nice to have met you.”

“And you.”

I went back to the counter so that Quanna could get her tip. Flo sidled up beside me again. “What’s the envelope?”

“I don’t know,” I said. I wasn’t lying. I really didn’t know what was in the envelope.

“So he’s got you running for him. Oh Lord, I knew it wouldn’t be long.”

I stared at her incredulously, not knowing whether to laugh at her stupidity or to get angry. “He’s not running drugs, Flo. I’m not passing information. This man was trying to get a message to Daniel. But since you can’t stand that he’s here, you got his schedule changed. So now this man can’t get to him. You really need to quit meddling, Flo. A lot of problems get started that way.”

I left her standing at the counter, chewing her gum and staring after me. I knew that I’d probably hurt her feelings but right then, I couldn’t care less. She was trying to break up something good that had finally happened to me and I refused to let her do it.

After my shift was over, I drove over to Daniel’s place. He answered after the third knock.

“Hey,” he greeted me.

“Hey back. Are you okay?” I asked him, stepping inside his apartment. “You don’t look so good.”

“I’m okay. Just tired I guess.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I haven’t been sleeping well lately.” He gestured to the futon. “Come sit down. How was work?”

I sat down next to him on the futon. “Same old song and dance. Flo is tripping as usual. I hate that she changed your schedule. It feels like we never get to see each other anymore.”

Daniel slipped an arm around my shoulders. “Yeah it does. But you’re here now. And I’ve missed you.” He pulled me to him and kissed me. The first brush of his tongue against mine instantly sparked that flame of desire that always seemed to burn just under the surface when I was near him.

He pulled back, cupping my cheek. “I miss our cigarette breaks,” he said softly.

I grinned. “Me too. Oh before I forget. A guy named Preston Aldridge came to the shop looking for you.”

Daniel went still. “When?”

“Today. He said that he’d spoken to you and had come to see you at work. I told him you weren’t there. He said he’d tried to call you but couldn’t get up with you.”

Daniel frowned. “That’s strange. My phone didn’t ring all day.” He got up and went over to the night table and picked up his phone. “Damn. He did call. How did I not hear it?”

I got up and went over to him. “Maybe you were more tired than you thought and just didn’t hear it ring.”

“No. I wake up to the slightest sound or movement.”

I glanced at the night table. There was a brown prescription bottle on the table next to the lamp. I picked it up. “What’s this?”

He glanced at the bottle in my hand. “It helps me sleep.”

“That explains why you didn’t hear your phone. Why do you need this?”

“I told you. It helps me sleep.”

I stared at him.

“Remember I told you that sometimes I have really bad nightmares? Well at certain times, they are so bad that I don’t sleep for days.”

I set the bottle back on the table. “Are these one of those times?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

I reached over and rubbed his arm. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

The corner of his mouth turned up. “Only if you can change dates on the calendar. Or wipe out certain pieces of history.”

I shook my head. “I can’t do that. But I am here for you. Whatever you need.”

“Thanks.” He pressed a button on his phone. “I’d better call Preston back.”

“Hold on,” I said quickly. “He asked me to give this to you.” I held out the envelope to him. “He said that he hopes it helps.”

Daniel didn’t answer as he sat down slowly on the bed and ripped open the envelope. He scanned the small slip of paper that had been inside the envelope. He read it and reread it several times.

“Is it what you needed?” I asked, not wanting to be all in his business.

He nodded slowly. “Yes. I think it is.” He looked up at me. “Did he tell you anything else?”

I shook my head. “No. He just asked me to give this to you. He did say that he’d been helping you look for your son. I’m sorry if I overstepped myself, but I told him about going by the park and seeing Donovan playing there.”

“You told him what happened?”

I nodded. “Yes. He said that it was most likely your son. He said his caregiver is a Hispanic woman.” I reached over and put my hand over his. “I’m sorry if I said too much.”

“No. Thank you.” He held out the paper to me. I slowly took it, looking down at it.

“Is this her address?”

He nodded. “Yes. At least I hope it is.”

“This isn’t the address of the house you two bought together though, is it?”

“No. She sold that house. I imagine that’s how she got the money to buy this one. Do you know this neighborhood?” When I shook my head not, he held up his hand, making the money gesture. “That’s the ritzy part of town. I’m surprised you don’t know the area.”

I gave him a crooked grin. “I’m from this side of the river, sweetie,” I said. I held up the paper. “Living over here, has always been and always will be just a dream.” I handed him back the paper. “Are you going over there?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Today.” He lay the paper aside and stood up. “I want to see my son.”