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Chapter 20

Almost

A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she watched the heavily garbed movers pushed and pulled the footlocker out of the house and into a little van. I know Bobby wouldn't lie to me, but..... The chill of the mid-February day blew into the house. Frances quickly closed the door, standing ready for the next wave of movers to come in.

There was a light knock on the door. Frances cracked it open. "Mom, it's me, Bobby."

She swung the door wider as he stepped through. Quickly shutting it behind him, she caught the other mover. Trapped between the door and the door frame, the young man called out. "Mrs. Goren, it's me, Lewis."

Blinking at the long haired fellow, the name suddenly clicked. "Lewis, good to see you again."

Lewis shot a puzzled look at Bobby, just in time to see him slightly shrug his shoulders beneath the thick over-coat. "Ah, Mrs. Goren..." He rubbed his gloved hand through his hair, swiping the long strands out of his face, and tucking them under his watch cap. "I've been helping Bobby all morning."

Frances eyed him from his boots to the top of his head, not quite sure how to respond. "Well, then, you know to wipe your feet before you come into my home." With that she headed towards the kitchen.

Bobby nudged Lewis' shoulder. "Come on, two more trips and we're done here."

Following Goren up the stairs, Lewis thought about the morning events at the Goren home. Reaching the landing, he stopped, looking back down the stairs. "She's getting worse, isn't she?"

Stopping just short of his bedroom, Bobby leaned against the wall. "Stress." He sighed. "Moving out has put more stress on her than I thought it would." He looked over at his friend.

Lewis skewered his lips, then slugged Goren in the upper arm. "Hell Bobby, moving in put stress on her. Quit blaming yourself for her condition." With that Lewis passed him and went into the room.

A small smile crossed his face, realizing how much he valued this friendship. Pushing away from the wall, he entered the room.

_____________________________________________

Ms. Peevy smiled at the room full of students. "We have a special visitor today."

Alex sighed. That's one I would have never thought of.

"He comes all the way from Germany."

Eames shot straight up in her chair. She could have sworn that her heart stopped in her chest. Holding her breath, she waited for Kristine to continue.

"In fact, two students in this room today, know this individual." Kristine looked from Alex to Scott.

Alex glanced over towards Scott, who was still unaware of who Ms. Peevy was talking about. He looked at Alex, catching her eye, he shrugged. A smile crept across Alex's face. She looked at Ms. Peevy for confirmation. Kristine gave her a wink, as she walked passed Alex's desk. Opening the door, she ushered the young man in. Following her to the front of the room, he took his place next to her.

Clasping her hands in front of her, she looked over the hushed room. All eyes were on the young man, who was dressed in his Class A uniform. Alex stared at the large number of ribbons on his left side, wondering what each meant. I wonder if Bobby has that many?

"Class, I want you to meet Corporal Elbert Higgins." Ms. Peevy slightly turned towards Higgins. "Apparently, two of our students have written you, Corporal?"

Higgins smiled. "One by the name of Scott."

Scott jumped out of his seat, beaming. Quickly moving up to the Corporal, he shook his hand. "I meant to write you...to, to thank you for the gifts."

Higgins nodded absently as he shook the boy's hand. "Glad you took the time to write, Scott."

The boy's smile broaden. He took his place next to Higgins

Alex sat back in her seat and rolled her eyes. Yeah, right.

"The other that wrote to me was a Miss Alex Eames." He looked over the crowded room searching the young women's faces to see if he could guess which one she was.

Slowly rising from her chair, Alex made her way to the front of the class. Elbert grinned as he watched Alex extended her hand as she stepped up to him.

Taking her small hand in both of his, he bent over whispering. "Ms. Alex, it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

Alex looked up into his blue eyes, feeling a connection between them. Her face slightly flushed as her smile widen. "It is nice to meet you too, Corporal Higgins." She could feel her gut twisting, fighting the urge to yell out the words: 'Where's Bobby!'

_________________________________________________

Pulling some clothing from the footlocker, several loose envelopes fell back into it. Bobby furrowed his brow as he reached down to retrieve one of them. Flipping it over, he stared at the address. He bit his bottom lip, suddenly realizing how much time had passed since he last wrote to Alex. He sighed. No time to write now. He carefully tucked the envelop back into the box. When I get back. He promised himself.

He transferred the clothes from the footlocker to a small suite case. Quickly zipping up the case, he picked up the case and headed towards the door. Flipping off the light, he pulled the door closed behind him. A car pulled next to the curb as he stepped out of the main door. Opening the back passenger door, Goren peered in. The driver looked at him. "Sergeant Goren?"

Bobby nodded. He threw his small bag into the car. Open the front passenger seat, he stepped into the car. He leaned back in his seat, silently hoping that the driver wasn't a talker.

The driver glanced at his large passenger, grinning. "Not hoping for a lot of conversation, are you?"

Goren shook his head. "Sorry, caught only a few hours of sleep."

"Well, we'll be at Langley in about three and a half hours, if the traffic is good. Just in case you do feel like talking, my name is Tim."

Bobby nodded, as he flipped the lever on the seat, lowering his form back. Tim steered the vehicle around the buildings and out the gate. In moments, the smooth ride had rocked Bobby to sleep. What seemed like ten minutes, he felt a nudge against his left shoulder. Cracking his eyes open, he looked towards Tim.

"Sergeant, we're about five minutes out."

Popping the seat back up, Bobby pulled down the visor, flipping the mirror open. He quickly straightened his collar and tie. Tim grinned at him. "So, who is this gal, Alex?"

Bobby stopped mid primping, slightly turning he stared at him. "How did...?"

Tim chuckled. "You mainly babbled, but I did catch the name."

Goren mentally berated himself for talking in his sleep. "A friend, I, I need to write to."

The driver raised a brow, seeing his large passenger's face flush, he chose his words carefully. "She must be a good friend."

___________________________________________________

As a special guest, Ms. Peevy allowed Alex, Scott and Elbert to have their lunch in the classroom. Sitting around the arts and craft table, Scott managed to manipulate the conversation with the Corporal. As they finished their lunch, Elbert laid the paper napkin over his plate. Turning towards Alex, he smiled. "You're probably wondering about Bobby?"

Alex's heart skipped a beat. "Ah, well, I, …."

"Didn't want to appear rude?" Higgins finished her sentence.

She nodded. "If you don't mind?"

Scott furrowed his brow, trying to find something to say to pull the conversation back to his side of the table. He was mine first! How dare she write him. He glared at Alex.

Higgins noted the infuriating look on Scott's face. Reaching over, he patted the young man on the arm. "Don't worry Scott, she isn't trying to steal me away from you. We share a friend, and I just want to give her a moment of my time, okay?"

Suddenly embarrassed Scott's face went red. "Yes, yes sir."

Elbert smiled at him before turning his attention back to Alex. "Goren has been ordered to Langley. Not sure for how long, but he's there to get additional training."

Alex furrowed her brow in exasperation. I'll never meet him!

Ms. Peevy slightly opened the door, stopping any further conversation. "Corporal Higgins? We're about ready to begin the second half of the day."

Nodding, the young man stood, collecting his dishes. "Thank you Ms. Peevy." He glanced at his hosts, smiling. "It's been real nice to meet you two."

Alex rose, quickly stacking her dishes. Pausing a moment, she laid her hand on his. Elbert's crisp blue eyes met hers. "If you see him, tell him I said 'hi'."

Higgins flashed Alex a boyish smile. "Sure will, Ms. Alex. Sure will."

TBC