Chapter 28
Jeff reread the letter and set it on the kitchen table. He had made up his mind. Making up his mind wasn't the problem. Convincing Kaitlyn about his decision might be the problem. They had done the typical thing after they had gotten married- he had sold his house and they had bought one in Edison Park. McKenna Rose had arrived two years ago, and Evan Jeffrey was currently overdue. He shook his head. It probably wasn't a good idea.
He wandered over to the fridge, opening it and taking out a beer. He popped the top and took a long swig.
He heard the front door open. "We're home," Kaitlyn called.
"Hey," he greeted as he reached out his arms to take McKenna from her while she set down her briefcase and purse. "How was your day?"
She kissed his cheek. "Busy. How was your shift?"
"Bad. Very bad."
She gave him a hug. "I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"
"After dinner, okay? We need to talk."
She nodded. "If I don't go into labor first."
He patted her stomach. "I think he's waiting for the meatloaf."
"One never knows what he's waiting for."
McKenna squirmed in her dad's arms. He set her down and she proceeded for her chair in the living room.
Kaitlyn watched her go and smiled. In about five seconds, she would change her mind and leave the chair. She walked to the kitchen and checked the meatloaf cooking in the crock pot.
"So, dinner in about half an hour, she called as she replaced the lid on the crock pot and reached for a pot.
She reached for a pot and filled it with water. Settling it on the stove, she turned on the burner, and reached for the bag of potatoes.
He walked into the kitchen. He wanted to wait until after dinner, but he couldn't.
"Kait," he said softly.
She turned and he handed her the letter. She wiped her hands on a towel, and walked over to the kitchen table. Sitting down, she read the letter, then looked up at him.
"I talked to Carolyn," he started.
Kaitlyn nodded. Her twin would no doubt tell him what he wanted to hear and then some. "And she said?"
"She said it's a long, hard road, but it's worth it in the end."
"She would know."
"And she reminded me that I have GI Bill benefits."
"They'll pick up most, if not all."
"That will help. Especially with a mortgage, a wife, and two kids."
She rose from her seat and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around him. "You need to do this."
He nodded. "I do," he said as he stroked her back. "Thank you for understanding."
"Jeff, if you feel you need to do this, then do it. It's not my place to say no you can't do this. If I did that, you'd wind up resenting me. You have my blessing."
"Thank you, Kait. I thought for sure you were going to talk me out of it."
"No. Never. I'm not that horrible of a wife, am I?"
He gave her a kiss. "No, you're not horrible. In fact, you're pretty terrific."
"Thank you, Dr. Clarke."
"I'm a long way from that, Kait."
"You will be. Someday. "
"Yes, in about 5 years."
"It will be here before you know it."
"I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.'
"It's a good thing. You'll see."
