Chapter 29
Problems apparently fixed! Yipee!
Dinner at the Manosos
Frosyni POV
I carefully placed the hair piece on top of my head to cover the bald spot where I received the stitches. The curly hair was something unusual for me and really gave me the Halle Berry look when she wore hers short and spikey or curly. I decided to go the full route and add earrings and sultry eye make-up. I smiled remembering the previous night at the dance club and our love making after. Maybe I needed to cut back on the sultry for this night. I'd be meeting Tank's best friend the first time.
I had two pair of wool trousers. One I had already outgrown now that I was back in physical training. Most women want to lose weight and mass, I wanted to put it back on. This second pair would last until spring, maybe. I added a light weight turtle neck sweater and a wool jacket. Together they made me appear as if there was more mass than there really was. Since it was January, I went with boots with 2 inch heels.
Tank smiled as I walked into the living room. "We could stay home."
I laughed, "If I wear anything other than my ACUs you get all hot and bothered."
"Not true, you are hot in them too, it's just I have to control my urge to salute first."
"I assume that was a double entendre."
He laughed, "No, but…"
We stopped on the 5th floor at Rangeman for Tank to sign several papers. I stood at ease by the front desk. I saw Lester come out of his office not paying attention and nearly walk into me. He stopped and stared. Finally he said, "Leave your boy toy and come away with me darling."
"Where, to the nursery?" I responded.
He threw back his head and laughed, "You sure you don't have a sister?"
"Nope, God only made one and she's mine," Tank said as he came towards us.
"Lester, when you are ready for a long term relationship, you'll find your woman. You just have to grow up first."
"Why when I'm having so much fun?" he said as he walked away.
With that Tank and I stepped into the elevator to for the 7th floor. Tank rang the doorbell and when the door opened, Tank said, "Carlos, I'd like to introduce you to my wife, Frosyni."
The pictures I had seen of him at his parents' house showed Carlos as a child, young teenager, graduate of first basic training, then Ranger school but by the time he had completed Special Forces his demeanor had changed. The man standing in front of me most resembled the Special Forces graduate but with years of combat to steel the eyes and set the jaw, but also of one coping with PTSD. He was still underweight, muscle mass diminished. That would change with time as he rebuilt himself. There were already signs; the way he carried himself; regaining confidence.
He immediately saluted and uttered, "Colonel." I returned the salute. He wasn't in service and I wasn't in uniform but I understood the gesture. When I put my arm down he immediately grabbed it and pulled me into a hug. Since I was in heeled boots, he was four inches shorter but still could whisper in my ear, "Thank you doesn't begin to cover everything I owe you."
Instead of arguing with him I simply said, "Just take care of your family."
When we separated I was nearly bowled over by Stephanie. "You don't mind do you?"
"It would be nice if you invited us in," I joked. We were still in the elevator hall in full view of the monitors.
Once inside Stephanie became weepy.
"You used up your five minutes of tears earlier lady," I said sternly but meant it as a joke. She laughed, "Yes ma'am," and wiped her tear away.
I looked at Carlos, Stephanie and Tank and said, "OK we all look great considering what we've been through, so let's skip that BS."
The other three laughed. After we all were settled and refreshments served, we began tentatively. Ranger started, "The first morning I was back here I was hit by barrage of info. One of the most stupefying was learning Tank was married. I was afraid…..and then he stopped.
"You thought I had gone back to…..Lula." The name was hard to Tank to say.
"You told me you were through with her before, I wasn't thinking that morning. Finally Bobby walked me through it, several times."
Ranger looked at me, "Tell me, why would a major fall for this guy?" he asked as he waved towards Tank.
"I don't believe I fell, I had to be led down the path step by step and sometimes dragged. He's very persuasive," I said.
Tank smiled and nodded in agreement.
I shook my head, "Up to the day of the explosion, I led a life in a self-imposed emotionally bereft shell even beyond what my work required. I did my duty as best as I could, I strived to be the best in martial arts, weapons, anything that required physical agility, strength, or intelligence. My work has often been extremely dangerous, I had to remain closed. I couldn't risk hurting someone. Suddenly two civilians come along, save my life and then one of them won't leave me alone," I said laughing at the end.
Ranger looked at Tank, "What made you take her home? There are plenty of rehab facilities."
Tank smiled his evil smile, "Unlike some people in this room, I saw and I wanted and wasn't messing around. My contract is over, the risk has been lessened…somewhat."
Ranger looked at me, "What did you see in him?"
"I worked with Delta Force for two years and not one got close to me. Along comes a damn Special Forces without bravado, he breaches my defenses with caring, warmth, and love. My training was failing me, my objectives were changing. Then I remembered Socrates: The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new."
I smiled and turned to Stephanie, "I don't believe we discussed how you did and Carlos met?"
Ranger looked uncomfortable.
"Carlos," I said, "Stephanie and I talked at great length as I was recuperating. Unfortunately the first week is pretty much a blank now due to concussive issues."
Stephanie blushed, "First time was just for coffee, but the second time he came to my rescue. Joe Morelli hand cuffed me to the shower curtain rod.
"Kinky sex?" I asked.
She laughed, "No Joe was upset with me and broke into my apartment when I was taking a shower."
We then alluded to what we had been doing the past year; Stephanie's time in Georgia and her job. When the topic turned to Ranger's mission he stopped. "I don't know what I can discuss."
"Have you discussed it with your wife?" I asked a bit too professionally.
He looked at Stephanie, "Parts."
"How about with your core team?" I continued.
He shook his head, "A few more parts."
"The mission objective?"
"No ma'am."
"Carlos, I'll need to talk to you officially but privately. Right now I can tell you those responsible have been or are being dealt with."
"How do you know this?"
"It's what I do."
He looked at me with a trained blank stare. I returned it. I could out stone face him any day.
With that the doorbell rang and Ella wheeled in dinner. I stood to help her, "Sit down Colonel you are our guest," she scolded.
We are half way through dinner when the other family member announced his desire to join us.
"Finally I get to meet Jethro!" I said enthusiastically.
Ranger and Stephanie looked at me like I had consumed too much wine.
Tank just laughed and explained why I called the baby Jethro.
"Tank made a joke?" Stephanie asked astonished.
"I want you to know I have a keen sense of humor," he answered.
"Since when?" Ranger asked with a bit of shock and a lot of humor.
I wanted for Tank to answer, but he turned to me and winked as if to say…you are on. I smiled a big smile and said, "Amazing things happen with love, commitment, and regular sex."
Sam arrived in his mother's arms freshly diapered and with a giant smile on his face. He saw Tank and stuck out his arms and "Ahhhhek". Everyone froze.
"No that wasn't a word, just a sound, a coincidence," I assured them. How devastating to have the baby's first words not be Dada or Momma.
Tank took the child and started humming and rumbling. Sam's eyes opened wide.
"Great," I said, "Now he thinks you are a Harley Hog."
Eventually the discussion turned back to Ranger's remaining time in Benning and Stephanie's settling with her family.
"Daddy wants to talk to you," Stephanie said. He was rather in shock when you spoke to him."
"I was rather blunt."
She laughed, "Don't I know. I'm surprised the paint didn't peel off this room from your dressing me down."
Tank and Ranger looked at me.
"Trust me, I've done worse but not to a civilian."
"Daddy said it was exactly what he needed to kick him out of the chair and really look at what had been happening under his nose."
"He ignored his job as a father. Like so many he thought his responsibility ended with handing over his paycheck. How is your mother?" I asked.
"They tell me she is changing; they have her medicated but suspect bi-polar and early dementia," she said with pain.
"Stephanie, you did not cause this," I said flatly.
"I know, I know. She was always…..mercurial, but becoming more difficult the last few years. The drinking got heavier. Maybe those were the early signs. Grandma Mazur kept saying it was the change."
Ranger put his arm around her shoulder.
"And how is your grandmother? I found her to be unique, especially her direct style." I smiled.
"Oh?" Stephanie was curious as to what happened.
I laughed remembering the day. "If I hadn't been so primed to chew some ass I would have laughed. I showed up in uniform and she asked if I was dressed for Halloween. Then she assumed I was a guy and when I told her I was married to Tank, she asked if Tank was gay. I explained I was a woman and she said I didn't have much up top," I chuckled as I looked down at my C cups.
The three others chuckled.
Stephanie replied, "She's doing what she can, but she's nearly 90 now and slowing down. If Mom wasn't sick I think Grandma Mazur would rather live in a senior living facility with her remaining friends."
"How are your sister and family?"
"Valerie has blossomed," Stephanie said with giggle. "The busier she gets the better she handles it. She is truly a Burg mother. Mom succeeded with one of us," Stephanie shook her head sadly.
It was time for Colonel Bitch to step up again. "Stephanie you were always different from your sister. Do not let anyone make you feel like you must move back because of your mother. You can support her in other ways. You left, in part, to overcome that dependent personality; learn to think prioritize your thoughts and actions and not let others dictate your life. Focus on what you have here; your husband, your son, and a respectable job. Those are your priorities now. Remember what I said earlier; the secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but building on the new."
Stephanie shook her head, "I will have to see her."
"Yes but with your husband, son, and father alongside. From there you, Carlos, and your father will be able to determine where she is in her journey and how you can relate and help her."
You give good counsel," she said.
"That's why the Army pays be the big bucks," I replied.
Both Tank and Ranger laughed out loud. They knew otherwise.
