Getting there
part 5
"Want something to drink before the next bit?" Jim asked defusing the slightly tense atmosphere.
"There's going to be a next bit?" asked Blair.
"Sure, like a rotten tooth, one big tug and it's out, rather than festering away in the background." continued Jim.
"Yuck!"
"Oh, yeah, it's gonna get nasty. Why stop now, just when I'm hating it?"
"Can't wait" said Blair as he went to the kitchen area to make some tea for himself.
Definitely no beer for a while for either of them. Jim brought back a glass of water and put it on the table. He sat on the couch and leaned back closing his eyes for a while.
He felt the couch dip as Blair returned minutes later, the smell of his tea drifting over. Jim opened his eyes as no questions came. Blair was looking at him.
"What?"
"I thought you'd be directing, saying something." said Jim.
"When appropriate, but it's up to you what you look at next, what you tell me. Your pace. You're in control here. I'm here to help when you need it." said Blair.
Jim cleared his throat and drank some more water before going back to the box for the photos.
Some were of army camps and barracks, bits of machinery. Others were of formal groups of soldiers, some with a younger version of Jim, others where he had taken the photo.
There were photos of them in much less neat combats, in all of them the background was non descript. Sometimes the background was open woodland, others with bare sand no other details, some in hotter climates with the men sweaty, but assured. Some where they were obviously goofing around or drunk or maybe both. Jim explained each one to Blair as best he could without having to shoot him.
There were photos of the soldiers with their families and friends - pool parties, barbeques, and days out on the beach. Sometimes Jim was with a girlfriend, sometimes not, but he was there. Blair had never seen Jim like this. Jim handed the last photo to Blair without a word.
It was a color picture of an army unit. The unit was formally arranged, some on seats and some standing. There was a parade ground in the background, grass under their feet. Berets on, just so. All spit and polish. All fire and determination. He picked Jim out, next to another officer. He hadn't seen a picture of Jim in his uniform before. He was quite imposing.
"Major Dickerson, my CO," said Jim to Blair's unasked question.
"Then these are…?"
"Yes," and with his finger he pointed to each man and named him.
Sarris, Brown, Evans, Krasky, Clements, Brodinsky and Colman.
Here at last, thought Jim as he did so. They'd made it this far in one piece, no mess on the floor as yet. But what the hell it was early yet. Still plenty of time for things to hit the fan.