-----Back from Iraq-----
It was a Saturday afternoon, the perfect sunny day, the kind that made Fort Marshall magical, the navy blue water curled in little waves that kissed the sandy shore. Emmalin Holden was babysitting the LeBlanc boys, T.J. and Finn, that day. The three Army Brats decided to make the best of the wonderful weather by taking the LeBlanc family dog, Lucky, for a walk, when she saw Jeremy Sherwood. It was the first time she'd seen him since his deployment to the Middle East, six months ago. It had been a rough year for her and her family but she was finally truly happy.
Lucky, the little dog, suddenly tore from his leash, taking off down the sidewalk to God knows where, leaving the three army brats standing there shocked. When Emmalin's brain finally registered what happened, she bolted at top speed after the little dog, the LeBlanc boys trailing after her.
"Lucky, Lucky!" she shouted after losing him on a busy street.
"Emmalin, he's never run away like that before, even when we didn't have him on the leash." Finn pouted, the little boy quickly grew worried. She knew that if they didn't find the dog soon he'd be reduced to tears.
"He's looking for something. He knew where to go after every turn, like he was chasing something." T.J. explained, gripping the missing dog's collar, his fingers tracing the patch that said '23rd Airborne'.
"We'll find him, guys." Emmalin smiled, thankful that her voice sounded more convinced then she really was.
The group turned the corner, searching along the sidewalk that lead even farther down the beach.
"Look there he is!" Finn shouted excitedly, pointing in Lucky's direction. The small dog was a few feet down the sidewalk, eagerly jumping up and down at a male figure's side.
"Jeremy." Emmalin smiled once she got close enough to recognize the nineteen year old, sprinting the rest of the distance to him and the dog, "Your back from the Middle East. I've been meaning to come see how you've been." Her eyes took him in as he kneeled down to pet Lucky's ears, his darker tan and stronger muscles were changes that came from being station in Iraq.
"Hey Emmalin. I just got back." Jeremy explained as he rose, his tall frame towering over her 5'5 figure. He was in shorts and running shoes, Lucky must have interrupted him right in the middle of his workout. When their eyes met she noticed how sad he looked, sadder than she'd ever seen him. She wondered what he experienced overseas that would make this unhappy look appear in his eyes?
"You found Lucky!" Shouted Finn, excited to know his dog was safe.
"How do you guys know Lucky?" Jeremy asked, raising a brow.
"He's our dog." T.J. showed Jeremy the now useless collar.
"Really? Lucky saved my life back in Iraq. I'm the one who put that patch on his collar. He's a good ole boy, I hope you guys take real good care of him." Jeremy explained, stroking the dog's fur again, his eyes suddenly looked even more forlorn.
"Yeah, he's like the best dog ever!" T.J. agreed.
Jeremy walked Emmalin and the LeBlancs back to the LeBlanc household, the little dog trailing his every move.
"You look good, healthy." Jeremy told Emmalin commenting on her improved weight, his hands in his pockets.
"Things are …good right now." She said smiling, as they reached the LeBlanc doorstep.
"Well, I'll see you Emmalin." Slowly turning away from her.
"I know we've never exactly been close friends or anything but…um… I'm here. If you need to talk, about anything. And I won't tell anyone." Emmalin called after Jeremy, her eyes following the lines of his back as he walked farther from the doorstep.
"Thanks. But I'm okay." He turned toward Emmalin brushing her off, Jeremy's voice sounded firm, but the confidence didn't reach his eyes.
Emmalin found the look in the Army Private's eyes unsettling, it left her worried. Jeremy could insist all he wanted that he was okay, but Emmalin Holden knew better.