1
Evan
I stand in the center of the McCarthy Security office, surrounded by office equipment. The tiny whine of the printer, the refrigerator in the break room, and the fan on the ceiling seem much louder than they actually are. But I’m still getting used to this. I’m used to working in an office instead of at base, out in the open, with ten pounds of gear and a gun on my hip.
One month and three days. That’s how long it’s been since I was honorably discharged from the United States Army. All it took was one bad fall over six months ago to change my life forever. I had a concussion, but the doctors said I would be back at it in just a few weeks. No one can explain or in turn fix the extreme vertigo I started to experience. No matter what I tried, it didn’t work. Numerous doctors, physical therapists, medicines and even MRIs that showed nothing–nothing could explain why I had it or how to stop it. Yes, they finally found a medicine that helped it and made the symptoms more tolerable, but not enough that I could stay on active duty. Let’s face it, no one wants a man with sudden bouts of dizziness and nausea to be the one having another person’s back. No, I understand that. But it didn’t make it any easier. Being in the service was my dream. Ever since I was little, playing army men, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. A badass willing to die for his country.
But my dream died one month and three days ago. I was discharged. Honorably, but still discharged. So I moved back home to Whiskey Run. Bought a fixer upper and started working with my brother in our family’s security business. It’s been in our family for generations, and even when we were little, our dad had us by his side, doing security and installations. It’s second nature for me, and I stepped back into the role easily. I miss the activity and excitement, but I have to admit it’s nice being back in Whiskey Run. It’s changed a lot in the four years that I was gone. It seems it’s more of a tourist town now with the way people come to tour the distillery and sample the Blaze Whiskey – which is what Whiskey Run is now famous for.
“Hey, you free to do a quote over at Red’s Diner?”
My brother Sam interrupts my thoughts, and I nod in agreement without even thinking about it. I’ve discovered since I got back home, I do way better if I stay busy. Of course my idea of staying busy has been working in the office and away from the public, but I know I can’t stay like this. I’m going to have to go out and work eventually. “Yes, sure.”
Sam is writing on the white erase board all of the day’s jobs with his back to me. “Good. Violet says she hasn’t seen you since you got back so I told her I’d see if you were free.”
“So she’s taken over the diner now?”
“Yep, since her parents moved to Florida and retired. Around three years ago, I guess. Anyway, you’ll be surprised when you see the place. She’s made a lot of changes... good ones, though.”
I feel like I’ve known Violet my whole life, and I feel a little guilty that I haven’t gone in to see her yet. She’s ten years older than me and the same age as Sam, but even with the age difference, I still would call her a friend. I can’t explain why I’ve avoided people and places since I got back, but I have. Maybe I don’t want the curious or pitying looks, and sure enough, if I go to Red’s Diner where almost everyone in town eats at least once a week, that’s exactly what I’ll get. But I can’t hide forever.
“Yeah, I’ll go. I should have already gone in to see Violet anyway,” I tell Sam, and even I can hear the guilt in my voice.
He keeps flipping through the pages of his notepad and writing on the board as he mutters, “That’s what she said.”
“So what is she looking for? Did she say?”
He flips a few more pages. “Yeah. She needs her alarm updated for the front and back doors, and she’s wanting to add a digital camera so she can access it from her phone.”
“Great. Easy enough. I’ll head over shortly.”
I grab my notebook off the table and am about to walk into the supply room when Sam stops me. “Hey Evan, I know it’s going to take you awhile to get adjusted to this, but I want you to know I’m glad you’re home.” He fans his hands around the office, but I know he’s talking about more than just the office. He’s talking about all of it—moving back home, leaving the Army, joining the family business.