Chapter 5

Flipping over to the next page, Michaela could not get over there was more to Sully's story, his military service. As a councillor for The Department Returned Veterans it was her job to assist him recover and how she met him. She was handed his file and told many had tried to help him through the depression and PTSD, but nobody could. It was considered he would eventually just give up. She noted the others had all been males and she was determined to try something different, convinced the key must have been in the files somewhere.

She was continuing with the reading over and over again; this time she just had to find it.

Colleagues had waited for him to come to them and that had not worked as she had discovered.

He had immediately joined the army after his wife and child had died. At this point she knew he had given up any hope; this was a good way to end the pain. Death by armed fire, join up and get shot, nobody would think anything of one laying down one's life for their country.

He had been deployed to the current conflict of that time a real gorilla campaign. They were fighting a dirty war; Michaela had been there too for a short time and had, had to deal with so many broken men.

Sully had climbed to a commander of his men a rag taggle group. These consisted of men from different backgrounds and ethnic groups. Citations from his men showed he was well respected and loved. He was an able leader and his unit was consistent and coherent. Most men had received recommendations for valour and bravery.

One day, when Sully received an honour, he had led the men into an extremely violent battle. The fire fight lasted nearly the entire day with a number of casualties and a death. Sully had dragged his mates to safety but only heard what happened later, too busy saving others. This was his last battle he was withdrawn straight after and was evacuated to hospital after, with battle fatigue.

Michaela did not have the name of the dead soldier nor those he saved but decided all leads needed to be followed. She wrote the unit number down on a piece of paper and placed it in the file.

...

Returning home, Michaela received a big shock when she entered their small apartment. The older children were busy, Colleen doing her homework at the table. Matthew was laying on the large lounge, texting his girlfriend that he had managed to pass his Probationary car licence. Brian was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Brian?" she asked, growing very suspicious when there was no real response from the older two, other than Matthew's lazy shrug of his shoulders.

The place was very still and quiet, another true give away that Brian was doing something he knew he wasn't allowed to do.

Michaela moved to Matthew and Brian's room. Their apartment was very small, therefore the boys had to share something neither liked much, but knew it was all they could afford at the moment.

She knocked softly and opened the door. Brian was seated on the floor, his back to his bed, one hand behind his back and the other gave a small wave. Michaela was wary now; she knew that glance her youngest was giving her. Immediately she knew something was going on and she had to steel herself not to over-react.

She had done that when she decided to leave the home he had grown up in, and as a result he had tried running away. Ever since she was always mindful to try and put herself in his place and stay calmer with him.

Suddenly there was a small whimper from behind the child, and Brian quickly looked at her, waiting for the reaction.

She moved in and sat beside him asking, "May I meet your friend?"

Worriedly looking at her, he gently brought out a small fluff ball onto his lap. Brian immediately tried explaining, "A kid brought it to school, it is the last of the litter of Malamutes and his father was going to take it to the Pound to be put down. He just wanted it to live. I want it to live."

Michaela understood that Brian needed to have a companion; the others where far too old for him. Sadly she had already been through this discussion with him, explaining that the apartment was already too small, plus their lease did not allow pets.

Still determined, Brian offered the puppy to her to nurse, thinking that that would change her mind. She accepted the bundle of fur as the pup snuggled into her lap, his wet nose resting on her arm.

Sadly she had to explain once again why they just could not keep a dog. Brian dejectedly listened as tears silently trickled down his cheek. He nodded when she said the dog needed room to roam and play.

"Isn't there anyone who could have him? Where I could visit?" Brian pleaded. "I don' want him to die."

Michaela immediately thought of one place where there was enough room. Brian saw the flicker in her eyes and pounced. "Can't we at least ask?"

Driving out as she had a few mornings before she repeatedly told herself that this was the most foolish idea she had ever thought of. Brian however had decided anything was much better than the alternative.

She climbed slowly onto the porch, Brian carrying the puppy beside her. Michaela had told Brian it was up to him to ask Mr. Sully if he would like the dog.

Knocking again for the second time she knew she may have to do it again so didn't step back, surprised when the door was opened as it had been in the morning.

"What do ya want now?" a gruff voice asked.

Brian was near his mother when she introduced her son. "Mr. Sully, this is my son Brian."

The boy stepped shyly forward, "Ummm, Mr. Sully."

"Just call me Sully," the man hidden by the door said.

Brian summoned all his courage. He had to do this to save the pup. "Sully, do ya want my pup?" he asked.

Eyeing the pup in the boy's arms Sully decided he did not want to take the pup.

"Nope." He said knowing that to have a dog meant looking out for it.

"Sorry we disturbed you," Michaela said turning around with Brian who was protesting.

"No! We can' take him to the pound. They will kill him." The boy's distressed voice flowed up to an unkempt Sully who stood at the now widely open door.

Softly Michaela placed her arm around Brian, knowing this was going to be really hard. "I am sorry Brian, we can't keep him."

"But!" Brian protested again trying to squirm free.

Sully had no idea why but he stepped onto the porch. "I'll take him."

There were two different reactions. Michaela looked at Sully fully for the first time, her eyes locking with the most amazing blue ones she had ever seen.

He was looking at her in much the same way.

Brian ran up the stairs and handed Sully the puppy, "Thanks, mister."

Michaela joined them, "This is very kind of you, you don't have to if you don't want to."

"I do," was his quick reply.

"Can I visit him sometimes?" Brian eagerly asked.

"Brian," his mother said in a tone of voice he knew well.

"Yeah, why not. Sometimes," Sully replied wanting to please them both.

"Thanks," he received from both as Brian run up to pat the pup once more, smiling at Sully. Michaela smiling in gratitude, they turned and returned to the car.

He stood with the puppy in his arms, watching as they walked to the car, the blonde boy turning around and waving shyly.