Jamie didn’t answer right away, and Rachel could sense the topic wasn’t an easy one for him to talk about.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m not trying to pry.”
“No, it’s fine. Some days it seems like a lifetime ago, and other days it seems like it happened just yesterday.”
They reached the end of the pier, and turned onto the sidewalk that ran the length of Main Street. Business was brisk at the burger shack, and the line extended down the pier. Families strolled along the sidewalk, window-shopping and eating ice cream. The sound of children playing in the nearby park, the sun sparkling on the water, and the sheer beauty of the day made it difficult to believe anything as ugly as war existed.
But it did. And it had exacted a terrible toll on the man sitting beside her.
“Why were you over there?” Rachel asked.
“I was part of a unit doing humanitarian work.”
Rachel accepted his explanation, even if she didn’t entirely believe it. She knew there were U.S. troops in Syria helping the Kurdish militia retake some of the cities, and Jamie’s Marine unit had likely been part of that effort.
“The strike came just before dawn, when most of our unit was asleep,” he continued. “The sirens went off, and I heard the whistle of the incoming rocket, but we didn’t even have time to grab our protective gear before the entire building just detonated.”
Rachel looked at Jamie. His jaw was set, and she could see how hard it was for him to talk about that night. She put a hand on his shoulder, and he stopped.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I can’t begin to imagine what you went through, but I’m so glad you’re safe, and that you’re home.”
He nodded, but didn’t look at her. “Thanks.”
Rachel drew her hand away. “You said you were trapped in the rubble.”
He drew in a deep breath and blew it out hard. “Yeah. We were on the first floor, and were pretty much buried by the two floors above us.”
“But you survived.”
“I did. I was unconscious during most of the rescue effort, but when I came to, I couldn’t see anything and I thought I was going to suffocate on the dust. But I could hear them up above me, working to remove the debris.” He was quiet for a moment, lost in reflection. “I could barely breathe, never mind yell to let them know I was alive. But they didn’t give up, not until every member of our unit was found.”
“Can I ask about your injuries? How serious were they?”
“I was busted up pretty good,” he said. “The surgeon said I might always have a limp, that’s how badly my leg was damaged. I think there’s more metal than bone in there, now.”
“And the scar on your stomach?” she asked quietly.
“That’s where a piece of rebar went right through me.”
Rachel gasped. She couldn’t stop her horrified reaction. “You were impaled?”
“Pretty much,” he acknowledged.
Rachel tried to imagine the scene, but the images were so horrific that she shuddered. She regretted having asked him about the incident, not because she didn’t care but because she’d ruined an otherwise perfect day by bringing the subject up.
“I’m so sorry,” she finally said. “I didn’t mean to make you relive that again.”
To her surprise, he stopped and took her hand, squeezing her fingers. “No, don’t be sorry. I’m glad you asked. Being at home with my parents—they don’t get it. They know, of course, but they don’t talk about it. I don’t know if it’s because they think it’s too hard for me, or because it’s too hard for them.”
“You’re their only son,” Rachel said quietly, looking down at their linked hands. “Their only child. I’m sure they’re just grateful to have you safe.”
“I think so. My mom drove me nuts when I was first home. She couldn’t do enough for me, and was always hovering, trying to make sure I was comfortable.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “They were dark days, and I wasn’t a very good patient. Then one night I heard her crying when she thought I couldn’t hear. That’s when I finally realized how tough this whole thing has been for them, too.”
“Is it better now?”
“Oh, definitely.” He shaded his eyes as he looked up at her, his expression lightening. “You’re here. The world is suddenly full of possibilities.”
Rachel laughed. “You haven’t changed a bit since you were a kid, Jamie Colter.”
“Oh, Rachel,” he said softly, and his voice was rich with promise. “That’s where you’re so very wrong.”