Her Unexpected Hero

Thursday

“California here I come. Right back where I started from,” Andrea Carlisle quietly sings to herself as she stares out the plane window at the city below them. San Diego, California. Home of the Chargers, SeaWorld, miles of sunny beaches, and the combined naval bases at Coronado.

“Are you from San Diego?”

Facing her elderly seatmate, Andrea smiles, “Once, long ago. My parents moved out east when I was a child. This is more of a quick vacation.”

“First time back?”

“Yes,” Andrea says, turning her gaze back to the window. “But hopefully, not the last.”

“Got a list of sites to visit?”

Definitely. None of which the people back home would approve of. Andrea nods and gives an evasive answer, “SeaWorld and such.”

“Well, have a good time.”

Andrea smiles, “I plan on it.”

“Report at oh eight hundred. Dismissed.”

Hefting his heavy bag onto his shoulder, Petty Officer Third Class, Luke Brangan makes his way over to the waiting vehicle. He climbs inside and sits beside one of his teammates, the bag dropping heavily at his feet. Deployed for the last three months. Three months since he has been home.

“It’s good to be home.”

Luke nods at his teammate, Dave. Sitting back against his seat, Luke crosses his arms over his chest and shuts his eyes. An elbow digging into his side has him opening them. He glares at Dave, “What?”

“Come on, bro. We’re home.”

“Exactly, so let me rest.”

“You can sleep when you’re dead.” Dave claps his hands together and rubs them, “What do you say? Gather at Pete’s at nineteen hundred?”

Luke stifles a yawn, “Sure, why not.”

“Wow, isn’t he the life of the party?” Vince shakes his head at Luke, “You’re getting old, man.”

Luke flips him the bird, “Eat me.”

Male laughter echoes in the vehicle. Charles claps Luke on the shoulder, “Have one for me too.”

“Now there’s the old man,” Dave snorts.

“While you bozos chase tail, I get to go home to the most beautiful woman on the planet.” Charles leans back in his seat, “I’ll take that anytime.”

“Charlie, you’ve got it good.” Vince winks at him, “But given my luck, I’ll stick with chasing tail.”

The vehicle comes to a stop. The men take turns grabbing their gear and jumping down. Dave falls into step with Luke, “Want to get some chow before Pete’s?”

“I have to meet up with Tonya.” Luke glances at his watch, “Damn it, I’m going to be late.”

“What else is new?” Dave shuffles his bag on his shoulder, “How is she doing, anyway?”

“Good, last time we talked. Just finished some big case.” Luke stifles another yawn, “I’m sure I’ll hear all about it at some point.”

“Well, give her my love.”

Luke snorts, “That will put me on her bad side. No thanks.”

“That woman sure knows how to hold a grudge.”

This is ground they have covered too many times before. He digs his car keys out of his duffle, “Like you didn’t earn it.”

“That’s low, bro. It was a misunderstanding.”

Luke hits his friend on the shoulder, “You know that, and I know that. You need to convince Tonya of that.”

“Not while she’s packing heat. I like my balls where they are.”

Luke snorts with laughter. They split off and head for their vehicles, “I’ll see you at Pete’s.”