Bucky sat at the back of the room and listened as Sam guided conversations and other veterans shared some of their experiences and concerns. He found a sense of relief almost at the fact that there were others who understood some of what was happening in his head on a regular basis. The stories were all different, but he related to what everyone else in the group was going through. He didn't share but he decided that he would come back.
As everyone dispersed at the end of the session, Bucky made his way up to Sam at the front of the room.
"Hey man. What do you think?" Sam inquired as he stacked some pamphlets and put them in his bag.
"Enlightening. Do you mind if I come back next week?"
"Of course man."
Sam clapped Bucky on the shoulder with a smile. They headed toward the door and started to debate what to grab for lunch before they headed back to New York. Sam paused in the hallway when he saw a woman down the hall looking at the bulletin board.
He called out, "Ruthie?"
She turned and smiled immediately and made her way to them.
"Sam! It's been a minute."
Bucky was speechless as he stared. It was the woman in the red hat he saw yesterday that looked identical to his old flame.
She embraced Sam in a hug and when she stepped back, she looked at Bucky and he could see recognition in her dark eyes. He braced for the worst but was pleasantly surprised.
"Sergeant Barnes?" She questioned.
He nodded and said, "Please. Call me Bucky."
She smiled then and stuck out her hand.
"Pleasure to meet you Bucky. I'm Ruth." He took her hand and shook it. The warm firm grip and bright smile were things he was not used to being on the receiving end of. She turned to Sam and asked,
"What are you gents up to this afternoon?"
Sam told her they'd just finished his weekly group session and were just talking about finding lunch before they drove back up to New York.
"I was just about to grab lunch myself. Mind if I join you?"
Sam glanced at Bucky then said, "Not at all. Any suggestions?"
They started to make their way out of the building. As they stood on the steps, Ruth said, "I know a great Cuban place just about a block from here."
"I'm down. Bucky?"
He wasn't sure what it was about her that made him feel comfortable enough to be honest, but he didn't hesitate,
"I've never had Cuban food before but I'm willing to give it a try." He shrugged his shoulders.
Ruth asked, "Do you like pork and/or strong coffee?"
"Yes."
"Then you'll like Cuban food." She smiled at him again and they set off down the sidewalk.
Ruth and Sam chatted on the short walk there, catching up. They arrived at a small little restaurant tucked in a strip of all kinds of businesses. It was a hole in the wall kind of place but when they walked in the smell was tantalizing.
Ruth greeted the woman behind the counter.
"Hi Maria!"
"Ruthie! It's been awhile. How are you?"
"I'm good. How's the family?"
"Oh, you know. The boys are driving me crazy as always." They both laughed and Ruth asked for her usual.
Sam ordered next and Bucky was studying the menu when Ruth stepped up next to him. She said,
"I recommend the Cuban sandwich. Pork, pickles, mustard and swiss cheese all melty and toasted. I always get the café con leche. Cubans make the best strong coffee."
He nodded and went with what she recommended.
They all sat at a small table along the far wall of the small restaurant. When their food arrived, Ruth watched Bucky take the first bite of his sandwich and asked,
"So? What do you think?"
His mouth was still full, so he just nodded enthusiastically, and her face lit up in a smile.
"I always love trying new food. It's like a mini adventure."
Sam laughed and they all dug in.
Ruth took a sip of her iced café con leche and looked straight at Bucky. He could feel her gazed and looked up.
She said, "Not to make this weird but you seem like you've wanted to ask me something since we met."
Sam looked sideways at Bucky in question. He wiped his mouth on a napkin and took a drink before he cleared his throat.
"Actually, yeah but it's a bit…out there."
"Fire away Sarge."
"I feel like I know you. Were you in New York City yesterday morning?"
"I was."
"Were you, by chance, wearing a red hat?"
"I was. Why?"
"I saw you walk past on the street while I was getting coffee and you look just like someone I used to know."
Ruth was quiet a moment and Bucky started to get nervous that he'd crossed some line, but a small smile graced her lips and she looked back up at him.
"Do I look like a girl you maybe dated before the war? Her name was Dorothy Stark?"
Bucky's eyes grew wide and Sam whispered, "What the fuck?"
"How did you know?"
"She was my grandmother. She used to tell me stories about you. Actually, both of my grandparents did."
Bucky just stared for a moment before he finally got his mouth and brain to connect.
"Now I feel really old. You look just like her when she was your age."
Ruth blushed at that and glanced down.
"I'm sorry. That was forward of me."
"No, it's alright. I just…. I've heard a lot about you and it's just kind of amazing to meet you in person."
Bucky smiled slightly and Sam just chuckled. The trio ate quietly for a few minutes before Bucky spoke up.
"So Ruth, how do you know the bird man here?"
Sam frowned and punched Bucky in the shoulder. Ruth laughed lightly.
"Work actually. I work for Stark Industries as a liaison to the VA for Stark's medical and prosthetics division."
Bucky raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like an interesting job."
"Oh it is. I love it. The technology available today is beyond incredible and, I mean you know Tony Stark, he's always at the forefront. Plus getting to take that technology and apply it for our veterans…well, they've sacrificed so much for the rest of us that I believe they deserve everything we can give them and it's the least we can do to help them return to civilian life or continue in the military if they choose."
It was obvious she meant every word and was clearly passionate about it. Bucky turned sideways in his chair and leaned against the wall and looked at both Ruth and Sam.
"Well, I have to say, I'm glad there's folks like the two of you looking after veterans."
Both smiled in return and then Sam chimed in with,
"Hey man, not all veterans are grumpy snowmen like you."
Ruth let out a laugh and Bucky just chuckled at Sam.
They finished their meal and as they stepped out onto the sidewalk Ruth said,
"Well gentlemen, it's been a genuine pleasure, but I have a train to catch. Thank you for joining me for lunch."
Sam glanced at Bucky and Bucky nodded and shrugged.
"Can we give you a ride?"
"That's really sweet of you but I don't want to be an inconvenience."
Bucky chimed in, "No inconvenience. We're heading back to the city anyway."
Ruth looked uncertain. "You sure?"
Sam just said, "Come on. We're giving you a ride. My car's parked at the VA. Let's go."
Ruth smiled shyly and they all set off back toward the VA.
