Chapter 8

Brian was still seated on the step when the older ones came back, and he told them what had happened, his small face streaked with dirt smeared tears.

It was past lunch and Brian was not happy although he was concerned about their new friend.

"I'm hungry," he whined.

"You're always hungry." Matthew said tussling his hair. "Let's go for another walk," he suggested. He knew their Ma would not leave till she was satisfied that Sully was all right.

Inside Sully became more and more exhausted with the emotions he was trying to control. He had lived over a year holding his feeling to himself, and now they just kept coming and he had no way of stopping them; wave after wave, hitting him with devastating force.

Images he had refused to let loose came to the fore. His family, then his wife and child... Sobs were wracking his whole body. Then came the battles, each one taking something from him. Finally the last one.

His two friends advancing with caution and then Robert E falling, Cloud Dancing shielding him. Sully running forward and dragging Robert E, then shrugging off the hands of mates to plunge forward for CD. He had to pick him up, and he felt the oozing of blood through his fingers. The Medic team took his burden and he stood while they checked for his vitals. He saw them look and shake their heads as he then went after the ones who had killed his best friend. That was when he was given an award for valour. He didn't want the cold metal medal. He wanted his friend back.

Michaela had stretched the exhausted man out, lying down by him, stroking his head letting him feel she was still there. She thought as she ran her fingers through his hair, rubbing his scalp, it must not have been cut since his discharge.

After what seemed like hours Sully finally began breathing normally; exhausted he had gone to sleep. Michaela made sure he slept before she moved, but he seemed to sense her intention and grabbed her hand and wrapped it around his waist, entwining their fingers.

Sully finally felt as if there was someone that cared for him, a safety he had not felt since he was a small boy.

The children had walked for miles. With each step Brian complained more as he carried the puppy. Matthew let out a huge groan and handed the pup to Colleen and swung Brian onto his shoulders. His younger brother was a little heavy, but it was worth the continual gripping.

They finally saw the cabin in the distance and all heaved a huge sigh of relief. It was good to see the distance was now quite close.

Matthew motioned the others to stay at the bottom of the steps, as he silently ascended them, carrying the squirming pup.

Opening the door he peeked in and could only see the legs of a man and woman protruding from behind the chairs. Surprised he was not able to hold the pup that plummeted to the floor and scrambled towards the pair. Sliding around the chair the pup found Sully's face and began licking him all over.

Matthew tried grabbing him but was too slow; he then retreated out the door.

Michaela had not expected the pup to appear and could not act in time to stop it launching itself at Sully.

She expected him to jump up and be disorientated, but she heard him chuckle and take his hand from hers and pat the dog.

"Hey, boy."

Sitting he looked at the woman still lying on the floor, and suddenly all he had experienced came back. Looking at her, he didn't know what to say. All he was feeling now was relief, as if had removed the huge weight he had carried around with him.

"Sorry."

Michaela looked into his eyes; he looked like a totally different person than the tormented one only hours before.

"Sully, don't be. We need to talk later," she replied as she blushed and scrambled to stand.

"No need," Sully answered trying to gauge her reaction and remember the things he had said through his episode.

"Sully! Yes you do, this was only the beginning; now let me help you." She was in authority now, and he had to concede he did actually feel better.

Why was the prospect of recovery so daunting? Nothing would change. Though looking at the woman who had held him through the ordeal, he realized she did not appear to judge him, she only showed compassion.

"No, I can manage."He stubbornly insisted.

"Let me help you...please. You cannot do this on your own," she pleaded.

Sully knew from experience that she was right. He conceded by saying, "All right, but no office, an' no couch." She reacted by smiling and nodding.

"All right no office, maybe a couch." She smiled at him.

He could tell she was joking and smiled back, looking at Wolf and asking, "Should we trust her?" The pup wagged his tail and yapped in response. "Okay your ganging up on me." He conceded.

A short time later they emerged from the house and saw the children seated on the bottom step. Brian jumped up asking, "Can we get something to eat?" Matthew eyed Michaela with a strange look, nudging his brother's shoulder, silently telling him to be quiet.

"Yes, we will get something on the way home." Then she gazed at Sully who still had a puffy face and red eyes. "Would you like to come?"

He looked at her rather surprised, "Nah, maybe take a rain check though."

"Yes, of course," she answered smiling that at least he may come another time.

The children all got in the car waving to Sully as they drove away.

When they were seated at the table with their food in front of them Matthew asked, "What happened back there?"

She thought it was about what Brian would have told them.

"Well, Sully is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression. It is something those who has seen or been involved in something awful suffer from. The door slamming sent him into a trauma of fright, like a panic attack."

Matthew nodded, Brian whispered, "Sorry."

Colleen, wide eyed, said, "How awful."

"Yes it is, and it takes time to recover. Some people never do. Brian it was not your fault," Michaela continued. She had always tried to tell the children the truth as her work often became difficult. On the Military Base the children saw and heard things at school. Here in the community it was different but her job was the same.

"Are you going to be working with him?" Matthew asked, wondering if she could remain professional after seeing her lying on the floor with him.

"Yes," she responded.

He looked oddly at her again but said nothing.

...

I'm back and we had a good time. Still maybe a little wobbly in the next couple of weeks...