Recovery
Autumn. The trees took on the color of the season. It was a rainy day. Jack and Charmaine left the hospital. Jack spent most of his time with Mel in the cabin. She helped him in everything as a NP, as a friend and as a lover too. Jack began to be himself again. Life returned to his soul, but also felt guilty because of their twins. Preacher run the bar that time. He gave Jack as much time as he needed. He hadn't finished with the attacker yet…
AT THE CABIN
Door knocking.
Mel opened the door. He was standing there. A tall blond man. Green eyes, charming face. Slim but masculine physique. He was wearing a wool sweater, a shirt underneath, and a brown cloth jacket above.
A smile appeared on Mel's face. They haven't seen each other in a long time. She hugged him and invited inside. Jack had just put a log in the fireplace.
+ Jack! He's one of my dearest friends, Andrew. Andrew, this is Jack… my love. And there was the word. Without regret and hesitation. She knew she couldn't call him otherwise.
Jack felt warm inside. And in this case, not because he would have had a heartburn. The two men shook hands, then introduced themselves too.
+ How long will you stay in our little hamlet? – asked Jack.
+ As long as you need me. - The man pulled his lips softly into a smile and looked into Jack's eyes.
+ I'll make you tea. – said Mel.
Made the tea and left the two men alone. She went out and sit next to the water.
+ So, how does this usually go? - Jack asked the specialist.
+ I think, and it's my personal opinion, you need a friendly conversation first. So think of it as just talking to a friend. Who is Mel's friend, and who has such a good influence on her, that my friend as well.
The man was sympathetic to Jack at first sight. Pleasant appearance, friendly manners.
Look. I don't know how much Mel told you about me. But she did a lot about you. And to tell you the truth, I know what you're going through now. Believe me, I know!
Jack stared at himself. He watched the previously stranger play with his fingers. Rotating them around each other. It was as if he was trying to hide his nervousness.
+ Bad habit. Remained from the university and have it ever since. It helps to relax the nerves.
Jack also possessed bad habits that he used to erase bad memories from his head.
+ I have too. Remained from the marine times and have it ever since. But I think they don't help me to relax my nerves. - Jack chuckled falsely.
+ Do you want to talk about it? About your time in the service?
+ I don't really know what to say. There are memories I want to get rid of them. I was a sergeant. My job was to rescue my comrades. And there was a case when I failed. That moment haunts me to this day. The face of that boy still appears in my dreams to this day. In my nightmares. Mel says I have night terrors. I get up and scream. I cry while I am shouting the name of that boy.
+ Do you feel guilty? – asked Andrew.
+ Yes. Disappointment towards myself. I failed. I've been feeling this since then.
The man started to examine Jack's face. Then he took a sip of his tea.
+ Where did you serve? – inquired.
+ In the Middle East.
+ And the case you mentioned. Where did that happen?
+ Mosul. Iraq. 5 years ago.
+ When did you leave?
+ Half a year later.
+ My term has expired. And I didn't want to go back anymore.
Jack grabbed the mug and started to stroke its handle. It was still hot. The heat permeated its entire material. Warmed his palms too. It was a pleasant feeling.
+ You know, you'll never forget the things you experienced there. And that's okay. Our feelings make us human beings: guilt, happiness. If these are not there, then we are just moving objects. I tell you something! "Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic".
Jack's eyes lit up. He was familiar with the text. He loved Oscar Wilde's writings and had a great memory. As it turned out, it's sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse.
+ Read a lot? – asked Jack.
+ If I can, yes. You know, Oscar Wilde was one of my wife's favorites. She was the one who familiarized his writings with me. When she's gone, I kept flipping the books. She always left notes on the pages. Was a literature teacher.
Andrew rolled his eyes. He was thinking then he laughed a quite big.
+ She left a poem on a sticky note and put on to my lunch, every day, for 3 years. I'll say something else… My fondest memory of all was when I realized what she did when she was edgy. One day when she came home from the school she sat down on the sofa. I heard her talking, but I didn't understand it. It wasn't really speech. More like singing. In a soft, feminine voice. I went closer and saw her eyes were closed. And what left her mouth wasn't quite nice. Swore, but to cover it up she sang the words. That was the moment, when I realized she was the one. I could see her other side. Her darker side or something like that. When she noticed I had been watching her, started to laugh. And I just said: Oh, so you have a dark side like the moon. And I still don't know why, but she turned around, pulled her skirt, and showed me her butt and said. This is the darks side of your moon.
They suddenly started to laugh so loud.
They talked for hours. Mainly Jack's feelings and his current life was the topic. The bar owner started to feel he was really talking to a friend. They had a lot in common and that helped Jack so much. He opened up. Opened up to a person who was not Mel. It was a huge step, approaching towards to a stranger. He's taken a new level in his life. Just lifted a huge weight off his chest.
THE NEXT DAY
The cabin was cold inside. The fire went out. Jack felt Mel was hugging him in the bed. Woke up. Careful not to wake the woman up. Put some log on the fire, got dressed and went into the bar.
By the time Preacher got into the restaurant, Jack had been there for at least 2 hours.
+ Hey! Good to see you, brother. – said Preacher.
Jack came out from behind the counter, walked over to Preacher, and hugged him for minutes.
+ You too, brother!
+ How are feeling?
+ I don't know. Lost, maybe confused. But I had to leave the house. I have to move on.
+ I hear you talked to Mel's friend. Helped?
+ I think yes. A lot.
+ Good to hear it. – said Preach.
+ Uhmm, and I'd like to come with you. You know, over to the veterans.
+ Sure bro! Anytime!
AFTERNOON
Mel and Andrew visited Jack's bar. Behind the counter there was Jack. He was wiping glasses. Did his thing. Mel saw the same man she had on the first night.
He licked his finger, picked up two napkins, and placed them on the top of the counter.
+ So, what are we havin' here?
He widened his eyes, straight in her face, then a smile curled across his look.
+ Whiskey? Soda? Cosmo? You look like a cosmo person? You need a minute?
+ Uhmm, no. Ugff, any chance of getting a Jim straight up? – smiled at her man.
+ Nope. Not unless you have a deep relationship with the bartender.
+ As it is, I have.
Andrew watched the two lovers flirt with each other. It made him happy. Saw that his friend was passionately in love and the man was starting to recover. Then he noticed:
+ I would accept a Cosmo.
Mel and Jack chuckled.
+ Just kidding!
+ Beer? – asked Jack.
+ Ugff. Not now. I have to drive today. Just a soda. Thanks!
Short silence.
+ So, you are out. Good to see.
+ Yeah, I needed this. Thank you for the talking yesterday. It helped a lot. The man nodded and raised his glass a little.
Mel shifty reached behind the counter with her hand, grabbed a mug and poured herself a coffee.
+ Hey Mel! - Andrew lightly growled at the woman. Don't do it! They'll get us out of this bar. He joked.
+ Eating? – asked Jack.
+ You have to taste the food! Divine! – said Mel.
+ I hope not you're the cook! - The man told the woman.
+ Hahaha… She laughed, slightly offended.
Then Andrew turned to Jack:
+ Have you ever tried her food?
+ Yeah, and it was pretty tasty. – replied. Then he saw Mel was looking the other way. He suddenly shook his head and said silently: - awful. And both began to laugh.
Charmaine arrived when they finished their meal. Her face was pale. And the already thin woman became very skinny.
+ Hello! – greeted them.
+ Hey. – said Jack and the others.
+ Charmaine! He is Andrew, the therapist.
In that case, what is the perfect greetings? Absolutely cannot say "Nice to meet you"... So Andrew just said hello.
+ How do we start? – asked Charmaine.
+ We talk like two friends. I hope you will be my friend.
+ Does it really help? – turned to Jack.
+ Trust him! – replied Jack.
She took a deep breath.
+ Okay then.
+ Come! Let's go for a walk.
It was a long walk. They talked for hours. They said goodbye as fresh friends. That's how they did every day for a month. In the beginning Andrew helped her because he loved Mel as a friend. But in the end, he started to love somebody else. Realized he had begun to be attracted to Charmaine.
Weeks have passed. Charmaine could laugh again. And Andrew was no longer able to contain his feelings. During one of their conversations, he revealed his thoughts. The woman felt the same, but she was not brave enough to take the first step. Andrew stayed there for one more month. He was encouraged by Charmaine's feelings.
He has been already known by the whole village. The handsome psychologist. When it came time to travel home, he asked Charmaine to go with him to Los Angeles. She can start a new life there. And she happily said yes to the new life and new love.
ON THE DAY OF THE FAREWELL
Charmaine and Andrew went into the bar to say goodbye to their friends. She was grateful to both of them. Meanwhile Mel was talking to Charmaine, Jack was doing the same with Andrew.
+ There was something I wanted to ask all the time, but I didn't dare. – said Jack.
+ How my friend, Mark was.
+ Yes.
He smiled at Jack.
+ He was a good man. Great doctor. He pushed his emotions to the background, and this is why he was respected so much by his colleague. Was my best friend, or more. Brother.
Jack noticed that this was a similar relationship to what they had with Preacher. Like blood brotherhood.
+ You know, we even wanted to make a blood contract in college, but then Mark learned about blood-borne diseases, so it never happened. Fortunately.
Andrew went on to list Mark's qualities… bad and good ones equally.
+ I know what your fear is, Jack.
Jack had this thing in his throat. He dreaded the furthers.
+ You don't have to compete with him, Jack. You are different. And that's not a problem. Mark means Mel's past, you means her present and future. I know I'm right. She also died due to the accident. And now I see a woman who lives. You brought her back to life… I loved my friend! So much, as a man can love! Mel was happy with him and had been planning their family since I knew her. But honestly, I have to say that I've never seen her as happy, complete as she is now. And I have to thank you for this. If Mark were here, he would just approve too. She meant the world to him and he would love that she is happy.
Jack was touched. His eyes filled with tears. Felt he would miss this man. He became his friend. In fact, a very good friend of him.
His voice choked up and said:
+ Thank you! For everything. Then he hugged Andrew.
+ Hey, don't act like a chick man! Gather yourself immediately. – and winked at Jack.