He and I walked out of there with dignity. He drove me in his Indian to a Cemetery where his fallen brothers were buried. They were denied a proper military burial. He explained his predicament and I picked up my phone and spoke with the new Secretary of Defense. The previous one was arrested for consorting with terrorists. He happily arranged the funeral. And they even got a silver star. The funeral was arranged for the next day and it was arranged to Army standards. He was surprised that I managed all this without breaking a sweat.
I winked at him and walked towards the exit. He grabbed my hand and was going to ask me to stay when I got a phone call that Diana was admitted to the hospital. He drove me there like a crazy person. He met my family and was amazed. He was more amazed after he spent the next hour listening to my family talk about me. He looked at me like he was certain I was a figment of his imagination. I had Sasha pinch him hard so he would realize he wasn't dreaming.
When I finally got to see her I spend the next hour screaming over the phone at her best friend's mother for her incompetence. The doctors gave me a sedative to calm me down. I woke up the next morning and Diana was talking to the guy from last night. She looked at me, "Mommy is this my new Daddy?" I stammered, "No he is not" She was hurt to hear that. She lowered her head. I smiled at her, "Mommy will find you a new Daddy just not yet ok. I promise your daddy will be the coolest dad in the world.'
This made the guy look at me funny. Lena pointed out that he needs a shower, a shave, and a change of clothes. He indeed looked bizarre. I answered for him. He has his reasons it is fair not to press our opinion on him. His expression started to switch between anger, amusement, and confusion. I finally got him to leave. And I ran to find the doctor to get her discharge papers, but the doctor insisted on keeping her for another day for observation.
Around lunch, a group of men in Army uniform came and one looked familiar. It was Diana who recognized it was the bearded guy from last night. He cleaned up nicely. He got a haircut, a shave, and yes he changed his clothes too. He asked Lena if he looks better and she growled a yes and walked away from him. I asked him why he was here. He said he felt like this was the place to be. His friends looked at me from head to toe. Benji came and gave them new orders.
I gave Benji a hug, a kiss, and a cup of coffee. He looked like he needed a dozen. He smiled which shocked the new arrivals. They had never seen him smile they have tried everything to cheer him up but nothing works. So they used to tease that the doctors made a mistake during an operation and now he can't smile. This was new information so they followed us and listened to our chat.
When I turned towards the water fountain I saw him looking at me. I smile, "Can we be friends?" He looked like I punched him in the gut. He was insulted that I even said that. I asked him if he was feeling ok. He pursed his lips. The doctors came with the discharge papers.
Lena had annoyed them till they finally agreed. I ran to get my baby home. She was crying because Sasha said she can not to see her friend again. She mumbled an I am sorry. I hugged her and I promised her that she will see her friend just not now.
I carried her to the car. I turned to see Mr. Weird standing behind me. I asked him again, "Can we be friends?" He answered, "I rather marry you." I don't know what possessed me but I started laughing. I told him to be serious and drove my baby home.