Chapter 5: Too Much

Jeremy woke early in the morning and got dressed. He wanted to be out of the house before anyone woke up. He had a dream that his father found out what he had done to his mother and tried to kill him. He was so angry right now that if there hadn't been three women in the living room his mother would probably be in trouble. That was why he was leaving early. He knew he needed to walk away from the situation. If he was going to keep his promise about never hurting his mother again than he needed to get some help. He quietly walked past his mother's friends and left the house.

Denise woke up slowly reliving the last few days events. She got up quietly and looked into Jeremy's room. He was already gone. She was about to go into the living room when the phone rang. She answered it quickly hoping it didn't wake any of her friends.

"Major Frank Sherwood's residence."

Michael rushed to Denise's house pounding on the door. He looked at his watch and hoped it was too early for Denise to be awake and answering the phone. His wife finally opened the door.

"Michael what are you doing here?" Claudia Joy asked surprised her husband had come over. She stepped aside to let him in. Pamela and Roxanne were awake as well. He didn't see Denise and hoped that meant she was still asleep.

"There's been an accident. Franks unit fell off the radar." Claudia Joy faltered. This couldn't be happening. Denise didn't need this right now. How much more was her friend expected to take?

"What does that mean?" Roxy asked him tears in her eyes. All the women had tears in their eyes.

"It means his plane was either shot down, captured, or they had to go in hiding."

"Oh my god. This can't be happening" Claudia Joy said sitting down.

"I thought maybe you should tell her. She's going to need someone she trusts and can count on right now." Michael said putting a hand on his wife's shoulder.

"This isn't fair. I don't know how much more she can take." Suddenly Pamela shot out of her seat.

"I just remembered that I woke up early this morning before I fell back asleep. The phone was ringing." Everyone looked horrified. Claudia Joy ran into Denise's room and saw her friend dressed, showered, and standing by the window. She had a heartbroken look on her face. She turned to look at Claudia Joy and her eyes shone with defeat. They said no words. Claudia Joy just wrapped her arms around her friend. Denise didn't cry. She was out of tears. She couldn't focus on anything and it scared her. She could barely feel her friends arms around her, she could barely hear the people talking in her living room. All she heard was her heart pounding in her chest. Her whole body was stiff as stone. She wouldn't let herself relax in the comfort of Claudia Joy's embrace. When she had first entered the room she didn't even know who she was for a second. Claudia Joy sensed Denise's pain and took her by the shoulders. She looked her straight in the eyes.

"He's okay" she said firmly. Whatever had been pulling her under suddenly let go. Denise's eyes focused on Claudia Joy. And this time when she hugged her she felt Denise sink into her embrace. Drawing both comfort and strength. And that was all Claudia Joy could really offer her.

Pamela and Roxy slowly walked back to their homes. Neither could believe this weeks events. Denise was getting beaten by her eighteen year old son and now her husband could be dead. Both were very worried about their new friend. Claudia Joy had sent them home to be with their families. She had stayed saying she couldn't just leave Denise alone. Her kids were older and would be able to understand.

"Do you think Denise will be alright?" Roxy asked Pamela stopping their slow walk.

"If her husband comes home sure. But if he's dead its going to take a lot more than the three of us to help her. If my husband was in this situation I don't know what I would do. But she's got Claudia Joy. Those two have been friends for as long as I've been on this post. Maybe even before I was here. If anyone can help her its Claudia Joy."

"Its not fair you know. Denise is a good person. She shouldn't have to deal with this many things at once."

"We have to believe that Frank is going to come home. Denise is going to be pulled down until she hits rock bottom. Unless she has constant support. We can't show any doubt no matter what we think."

"Gotcha stay positive" Roxy said saluting Pam. Pam laughed and saluted back.

"What do you say about taking the kids to the pool?"

"I say that sounds like heaven."

Jeremy paced his living room. His mother had called him and told him about his dad. As Jeremy continued to pace he didn't hear Mr. Holden enter the room.

"How is she sir?" he asked when he finally noticed the older man's presence.

"She's understandably upset. Claudia Joy is going to stay with her. Jeremy sit down." Jeremy nodded and sat down. "When your father gets back I need you to do something."

"Anything sir"

"Tell your father what you did. I need to make sure you never do it again. And I know that if your father knows he won't let you hurt his wife again. I can't be here every minute but he can. I know you love your mother Jeremy and she loves you. But what happens if you get so angry one day that you don't even realize what you're doing? I've seen soldiers go crazy like that. You could seriously injure her" Jeremy looked down avoiding his eyes. But then squared his shoulders and sat up straight. Looking him straight in the eyes he replied.

"Sir I don't want to hurt my mother. And I am going to tell my father and I am going to do everything possible to keep my anger under control and be there for her now." Michael smiled.

"Well that's all I can really ask for. But don't think that my warning doesn't remain on the table. If you do hurt her again whether you meant it or not I will make good on my word. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes sir" Michael got up to leave but stopped before he exited the house.

"And Jeremy you're father is coming home. You have to believe in that"

"Thank you sir"

Claudia Joy sat in the chair across from Denise's bed watching her toss and turn in her sleep. Claudia Joy knew she needed to do something to help her friend. Denise had to deal with too much already. The problem was Claudia Joy couldn't think of anything that would help. She was torn from her thoughts by Denise's sobbing. Rushing to the bed Claudia Joy pulled Denise into her arms. Denise latched onto Claudia Joy crying for Frank. A tear fell down Claudia Joy's face hearing the pain in hr friends voice. She finally was able to calm her down and get her to go back to sleep. She walked out of the bedroom and saw Jeremy standing there a worried look on his face. He had obviously heard his mother's cries and it scared him.

"She's okay. It was only a bad dream. Look I need to go check on some things can you watch her?" Jeremy nodded and looked past Claudia Joy into his mother's room. He could tell Claudia Joy was hesitant to leave her best friend alone with the person that had been hitting her only the day before.

"Yes ma'am you can count on me. Nothing is going to happen to my mother while you're gone" It seemed to ease her worries a little. Enough at least that she smiled and left the house. Jeremy sunk to the floor just outside his mother's room. He put his head in his hands and waited. If his mother should need him nothing was going to stop him from helping her.

Denise woke up and looked around. Claudia Joy must have gone home. She was happy that her friend had finally gone home. She needed to get back to her life. Denise hated that people had been stopping their lives to take care of her. No matter how much she needed Claudia Joy's comfort right now it didn't matter. She heard something outside her bedroom door and got out of bed to see who it was. It was Jeremy. He was sitting on the floor leaning against the wall just outside her bedroom. He had his head in his hands.

"Jeremy" she said softly. He jumped up quickly surprise and concern in his eyes.

"Are you okay? Do you need something? Claudia Joy said she'd be right back" Denise smiled. She sat down on the floor and Jeremy followed her getting back into his previous position.

"Mom I'm sorry. I'm sorry I hit you." Denise smiled wider and leaned her head on his shoulder. Jeremy smiled feeling like things were going to get better. "He's coming back. I love you"

"I love you too Jeremy" the two sat that way for an hour. Talking some but not much. Just enjoying what it felt like to lean on each other again. To be truly mother and son.