Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Chad and the rest of the unit smile and reply, “You’re welcome.”
I go to the laptop and disconnect the big screen, so it’s just him and me now on the laptop. “Thank you so much for doing this,” I tell him, my throat tight once more.
“Anything for you, wife,” he replies with a gentle smile.
“Please tell the rest of the unit how much I appreciate them doing this. Today was something these kids will never forget.”
“And what the kids did for us is something none of us will forget either,” he says, once again touching the screen. Every time he does this, it’s as if he’s reaching right through the device and caressing my face. “I miss you so much,” he whispers.
“Miss you too,” I murmur softly.
“I wish I could stay and chat longer, but I need to get to the mess tent. A line is going to form soon to get in here and call home, especially after having the opportunity to chat with your class. It’s such a great feeling to do this type of stuff, but it’s also a reminder of what we left behind.”
His words are like an arrow to my heart. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even think about that aspect.”
“Don’t. Don’t apologize. I’m the one who suggested this, remember? And when I asked for a couple volunteers, every single person in the unit stepped forward. We understand the sacrifices we make, and we deal. Not one of the service members who were in this tent just a few minutes ago feel anything other than joy after speaking with your class, babe. I promise. But as the nights start to close in on us, we all desperately want to hang on to that little slice of home as long as possible.”
I nod, understanding what he’s trying to say. Unfortunately, the kids behind me start to get a little rowdy, and I know our time is over. “Thank you for doing this.”
“I love you, baby,” he whispers.
“I love you too.”
It’s funny how easy those words are to say now, and I really hope he understands what they mean. Yes, I love him as a friend—my best friend, honestly—but it’s so much more than that now.
He’s my everything.
“Talk to you soon,” he adds, before reaching for the button to disconnect the call.
“Bye,” I whisper right before the screen goes blank.
As much as I want to sit here and maybe have a good cry over missing him so much, I can’t. There are nineteen students ready for story time and their afternoon snack, so that’s where I shift my focus. To helping grow little minds, all while mine is thousands of miles away, in the desert sand.
“What do you think of this one?”
I look up over my champagne glass and smile. Shayne is on her third wedding dress of the afternoon, and I couldn’t be having more fun. “Oh my God, you are breathtaking,” I tell her, watching as she twirls in front of the wall of mirrors.
“You think?”
“The important question is what do you think?”
She grins from ear to ear. “This is the one.”
“Shayne!”
I turn toward the voice and laugh when I see my mom and mother-in-law walk around the corner. They’re both standing there in complete awe, staring at the beautiful bride-to-be in what I assume will be the dress she chooses.
“You are absolutely beautiful. My son isn’t going to know what hit him,” my mom states, making us all laugh.
“I agree. You’re going to be the most stunning bride, Shayne,” her aunt, Chad’s mom, adds.
She studies herself in the mirror for several long seconds before nodding. “This one. I love it,” she announces, earning cheers from all of us.
“Excellent,” the saleslady replies. “What do you see for a veil? Waist, fingertip, floor, or chapel length?”
Shayne’s eyes bug out a little bit, and I can sense there’s a hint of panic happening. Quickly, I stand up and approach. “Why don’t we try one of each? Then the bride can determine which length she likes with the dress.”
The saleslady nods. “Excellent idea. I’ll be right back,” she replies, scurrying off to retrieve the veils.
“Joan and I were just admiring the mother-of-the-bride and -groom dresses. We may try a few on today,” Beth states.
“Please do,” Shayne replies. “That’s why I wanted to get as much of this stuff done as I could this weekend, since Faith is here.”
Joan looks a little unsure, twisting her hands together. Shayne steps forward, taking her aunt’s hands in her own and giving them a squeeze. “Uncle Henry is giving me away because he’s the closest man I have to a father. And you, Aunt Joan, are the closest thing I have to a mother. I want you both to sit in the front row, and yes, that means you get to wear a mother-of-the-bride dress, because there’s no one I look at as a mother more than you.”