TRIVIA: Really easy one. Actually two. What are the reasons behind the Sparky and Crash nicknames? Each reason gets a chapter!
?-?
The two women were happily watching their movies when someone knocked on the door.
"I'll get it!" Mya exclaimed, jumping up. Tara skeptically looked at her enthusiasm. She understood why when the door opened.
"Ice cream delivery!" Josh exclaimed, holding up two bags of ice cream.
"Wow," Tara exclaimed, curious, looking into the bags that Josh set down at the tiny table. She found a small package of plastic bowls and spoons, plus three different half-gallons of ice cream. "Mmmm." She smiled, taking her favorite, mint chip.
"Hey, that's mine!" Mya exclaimed.
Tara shrugged. "There's a triple chocolate mousse in there. Take that."
Mya frowned, but the idea of all three chocolates got to her, and she smiled and took the ice cream from the bag.
Once settled with their ice cream, the three of them sat down to finish the movie marathon.
?-?
Sue smiled with wide eyes, seeing where they were going. "WOW." She signed as they walked into the boxes to watch Manny and Thunderpants practice.
Once they settled into their chairs, Manny nodded towards them, and got ready to practice. Soon enough, he was galloping around the course, solo. Sue was imagining that there were 10 other horses, and Thunderpants was winning. They went around several times, and Myles was timing them each time.
After about an hour, Myles went down to talk to Manny. After a brief conversation, Manny took Thunderpants back to the barn, and Myles came back up.
Jack touched Sue's shoulder. "READY GO?"
"NOW? She signed sadly.
Jack nodded. "YES."
She pouted, but agreed. Ah, the life of the rich. They walked back through the building to the car.
"Hey, Jack." Evan said, jogging to them.
"We're having a pre-season party for all the home horses tomorrow night. You guys wanna come? You can meet everyone."
"Yeah, sure. Sounds like fun."
Evan smiled through his mask. "And maybe your wife could teach Tina more sign language, she's looking like a pro!" he glanced towards his girlfriend, who was fumbling through a few basic signs.
Jack turned to Sue. "YOU WANT TEACH TINA MORE ASL, WHERE? PARTY TOMORROW."
Sue smiled through her mask and nodded. "SURE."
"Alright, see you tomorrow!" Evan said, then they walked away.
"Looks like we're 'in'." Jack said to Myles and Sue when they were in the car and the masks were off.
Sue smiled and nodded, but a frown soon followed.
"WRONG WHAT?" Jack signed when he saw this.
"I just realized, I don't have a dress fit for a party. Only everyday dresses."
"They look pretty fancy to me." Myles replied. Jack interpreted, since Myles was driving, and Sue couldn't see.
"Not for this crowd." She replied.
"We can buy one online and rush ship it, OK?" Jack replied.
Sue nodded, hoping that it would come in time.
?-?
Cathi moped around her house. Myles was away, and she didn't really know anyone else in DC, especially no one that she could talk to. She never really did have anyone. Her friends were all surface friendships, and her Mom died before they could bond deeper. And all her boyfriends had been duds. Well, there was that one. Her perfect soulmate.
"Oh, why did you have to go get yourself killed?" she screamed inside her empty house. "I told you I would've married you." She then whispered. Her mind went back to 15 years prior.
"Hey!" Cathi said, seeing Pete standing at her front door. She widely smiled at him, but was returned with a sad smile. "What's wrong?"
Pete stayed quiet as he walked into the house, and sat on a living room couch.
"Hi Pete!" Ben said, coming into the room. "I'm sorry honey, but I gotta go. See you later?"
Cathi sadly nodded, then walked over to Pete. "So what is it?"
"I," he started. "I'm leaving tomorrow."
"What?! Where are you going?" Cathi replied, shocked.
"I'm, I'm going to Iraq to join the army."
Cathi looked at him with wide eyes. "Tell me you're joking."
Pete squinted his eyes shut and shook his head. "I just feel like staying here is me not doing my part, you know?"
"But we were supposed to get married!" Cathi replied, tears pouring down her face.
"I know, and when my tour is done, we will."
"But what if you don't come back?" she quietly said, choking back her tears.
"I will, I promise."
"And that is the last time I saw you." Cathi replied. The memory made her start sobbing again, but only for a short time. Then she sat there in silence for a few minutes, not moving. After the silence, she grabbed her phone.
"Hi, Reverend Capp. It's Cathi Armstrong. Do you mind if we talk for a bit?
?-?
"Hey, how ya doin?" Bobby asked into the phone.
"I'm good, how are you? We haven't talked in a long time. Being remote has really been hard to keep track of everyone." Jack replied as he was getting ready to call room service for dinner.
"Good, Sparky."
Jack smiled. "Good, Crash."
"So, you making any headway?"
"Hopefully." Jack replied. "We're invited to a party."
"A party, eh?" Bobby replied. "Now remember, show that Sparky charm, and Sue'll do the rest."
Jack laughed. "Yeah. As long as you show your Crash charm."
"Ah, now, that's not as nice a charm."
"Always the kidder, never the kidee."
"Hey! That's not nice!" Bobby rebuttled.
Jack smiled. "I gotta go, but I'll talk to you soon, OK?"
"Always here for you, mate." Bobby replied before he hung up.
Jack laughed as he ordered his and Sue's food. And Sunny too!