Title: Welcome Home

Location: Washington D.C

Date: 7/22/2018

P O V: Joseph McGuire

"Damn Jaz you look beautiful" Patricia was crying openly hugging her as I spun her slowly in her wedding dress, which was designed by Nathan's wife she owns her own bridal shop, she personally denoted everything to Jaz and Adam for their wedding today.

It pained me to know she couldn't see a damn thing it wasn't right she almost gave her life to protect this country why should she lose her vision, there are so many evil people in this world who deserve a world of pain, Jaz is not one of them.

Preach, Amir, Hannah, I had gotten in late last night we were pretty beat but nothing would stop us from attending. I was honored to be his best man, Preach was officiating the ceremony, Patricia was Jaz's maid of honor, A.J, Preach's girls and Nathan's daughter her bridesmaids. Hannah was so nervous to talk to Jaz yet she was here owning up to what she did talking to Jaz while we waited for the ceremony to start.

It was small just family, friends Amir was walking Jaz down the aisle he looked so proud and so damn nervous I had to laugh. He almost tripped going down and he had his vision Jaz stood smiling shaking her head as she helped him up, not easy for her to do nine months pregnant.

Their vows were hand written simple but beautiful when Preach announced them Man and Wife Patricia screamed the loudest, we all stood up throwing rice and cheers. Jaz ducked laughing throwing herself against Adam's chest.

After a few hours of talking to guests I stole her away to walk to the coffee shop a few doors down, I held her arm as we laughed over Amir's graceful walk down the Aisle. I was just so amazed to see her not only standing and laughing but glowing.

Joking with her you would never know she had almost died a few months ago she was healed physically except her vision. I couldn't stop touching her face or holding her hand anything to stop the images of seeing her in Preach's arms covered in half her body's blood arm dangling chest unmoving. I know I annoyed her when she slapped my hand away and threatened to chop it off and feed it to her future dog. So I did my best to control myself.

When she got up to use the bathroom since she peed every ten minutes now, I went to the jukebox maybe music would help me relax, I had some major decisions to make, Preach had confided in me that he was ready to retire he wanted to see his girls grow up he wanted to be there as they grew. Losing Nathan almost losing Jaz it shock us all up, Amir was thinking about going to Washington and taking a job in DIA like Adam, which left me with choices, I love what I do, but I'm starting to think it might be time to switch get married settle down a little.

I wanted to talk to Jaz see what she thought she had no choice but to give up field work did she wish it was different though? Was she happy? Did she regret any of it? She would never be recognized by the us government for her sacrifices, they refused to even admit she was hurt in an official mission.

"Watch where your going you stupid bitch"

I spun to see some teenage jerk had shoved Jaz so hard she fell against the counter grabbing her stomach a quick glance told me she had lost her balance falling into him knocking his coffee onto the floor.

Anger floored me as I raced to her side. Before I could open my mouth to curse this asshole out the guy behind the counter stepped forward. He and Adam had become friends over the last few months.

"This young women is the definition of an American Hero she lost her vision she almost lost her life defending the rights of over spoiled self indulgent kids just like you, so if you can't stand up like a real man apologize and accept that fact that she accidentally knocked your precious four dollar coffee over, than you can get the hell out of my shop and never come back, because I have nothing but respect, admiration for these fine men, women who give their all to defend people they've never met"

"Apologize please this bitch should be kissing my feet so I don't sue her fat klutzy ass I am so sick of these stupid vets coming back thinking we owe them something I didn't make her ass join the military she choose that, so don't except sympathy from me you little bitch"

I didn't see who threw the first punch but someone came from behind grabbing the kid dragging him out of our faces. My hands were clamped no one could grasp my thoughts the rage that burned inside of me seeing the look of shame and anger on Jaz's gorgeous face. Just once was it too much to ask for her to have one simple day when she didn't hurt?

Veterans have such a hard time adjusting to civilian life after returning from war as it is as of September 2014, there are about 2.7 million Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (compared to 2.6 million Vietnam veterans who fought in Vietnam; there are 8.2 million "Vietnam Era Veterans" (personnel who served anywhere during any time of the Vietnam War)

According to RAND, at least 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have PTSD and/or Depression. (Military counselors I have talked to state that, in their opinion, the percentage of veterans with PTSD is much higher; the number climbs higher when combined with TBI.

19% like Jaz have TBI Traumatic Brain Injuries. Some never recovery fully she was luckier than most.

As of 2008 the army Rate for Suicide exceeded the Civilian Statistics.

In 2016 there were over 430, 000 Veterans unemployed not by choice not because they are lazy because people simply do not want to hire vets.

More than 25% of returning Soldiers will find themselves homeless.

I pulled Jaz closer to me feeling her pain how could people be so cruel so ignorant there were men and women some as young as 18 years old risking their lives every day they spend months, years away from family and friends, knowing they might not make it home. Those who do make it home most are never the same we carry the tattoos and scars in our memories forever we carry them on our skin, in our hearts, we remember every loss, we remember every mistake we made, every risk we did or didn't take which resulted in a bad mission.

Yet this is the thanks we get it makes me wonder why I do it? A few people slowly came over to us thanking us for our service one women asked if she could touch Jaz's stomach which I know freaked her out but I squeezed her hand. She allowed the women who said a prayer blessing her baby, thanking her for her service and assuring her if she ever needed anything she was always welcome in her beauty shop on Madison Drive.

Jaz was exhausted I could see it on her face so I kissed her head rubbing her shoulders suggesting we get back she nodded wearily just as I felt a gush of liquid run down my leg. "Uh Jaz I think you just peed on me"

"No McGuire ah! I think my water just broke!"