14.
Angela.
March 15th.
Fort Bragg.
"Angela look…there is someone by the car…do you know that woman? Is she a friend? Is she Holly?"
The woman outside my car was not a friend.
She was not Holly.
Infact, I had no earthly idea who she was, or why she was taking pictures of my plates and base car sticker. I pushed my cart over to Humera which had both my girls in their removable car seats. Humera had the cart with the food, and Alexandria in a sling.
With Diana gone I had to be the defiant one. Plus, it was my car.
Plus it was a woman, a low risk.
"I'll go see. If I give a thumbs up bring the groceries. If I do a thumbs down take my girls in the store and wait."
Concerned, Humera raised an eyebrow, "What about you?"
"Gordon gave me a taser."
It was grand.
Then I slung my black leather D&G purse over my shoulder, and headed off across the parking lot. I slunk over and noted she was peeking in my windows. She was a very nosey woman.
So I slid my hand in my purse and held onto my taser, just in case.
I approached her and my new car, "Can I help you ma'am?"
Making sure there was enough distance between us. Should she turn out to be evil.
The woman looked up.
She looked maybe forty. Tall, in casual chic clothing. Cream pants and a pumpkin color sweater. Dark hair pulled up in a bun. She gave me her attention, "Is this your car?"
I nodded.
She then pulled out a pad and pencil, "Could I have your name please?"
There was something seriously wrong with this woman.
I didn't know what she was after, so I didn't know if she was dangerous or not just yet.
"Who are you?"
She then reached into her bag and pulled out a business card. Sue Summers was on it. Why was that name so familiar?
Investigative Reporter?
"What are you investigating Ms. Summers?"
Her answer would determine the signal I sent Humera.
"Special Forces and their home life. I have a theory that there is a high divorce rate among Special Forces married couples…" I gave Humera the thumbs down. "I would much appreciate it if you could give me any names of wives of such men?"
I shrugged, "Sorry. I don't know any."
"Perhaps you could help me. You are an Army Wife?"
Well I couldn't exactly deny it now could I? I smiled, "Have a nice day ma'am."
Inside the J&J…
"What does she want?"
I took my spot beside Humera at the front of the store, peeking out the window while Sue Summers investigated my car.
"To interview Special Forces Wives."
Humera made a face.
"I know…I'm going to go have security chase her away."
That afternoon…
Just as I set Wendy down in the playpen Gordon appeared in the living room. He held up the small black pager.
I had paged him as soon as I had gotten home, a good twenty minutes ago. No matter what was going on between us he never neglected me and I loved him for it.
Whitney wiggled her way over to her sister.
"What's wrong?"
I stood and wiped baby drool on my jeans, "There was a reporter nosing around my car at the food store today. She took down my tag number and base id number. She wants to chat with us wives." I then handed him her business card and he frowned.
"Sue Summers? She works for Fox News. Did she ask you anything?"
I shook my head and patted his arm when I walked past him. He gently grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.
"No, she never got the chance."
His blue eyes searched mine and he softly kissed my lips. Then again and again until I slowly, softly kissed him in return. I sagged against his strong body as he ended the gentle kiss. "I love you," he told me. To which I smiled and kissed him once more. "I'll be home tonight and we can talk, ok?"
I nodded and kissed him once more.
I loved my husband. How many wives could honestly and truthfully say that? He went over to the girls and kissed them both, and then he kissed me one last time before he left, business card in hand.