60. Wildcat
wildcat
Strider
“What’s the seatbelt?” I ask as we turn the corner down the hall.
“I’ll tell you if you tell me.” The man at my side studies me as we walk.
“If I knew what it was, I wouldn’t have asked.”
Duh.
“Mirren had a web put in on her last knee surgery. It’s connected to the bone inside her thigh at the femur and wraps just below the knee cap and anchored between the fibula and tibia. It acts as a seatbelt. In her case, her knee can’t blow out sideways.”
“That’s… wild.”
“It’s how professional athletes with high ankle sprains are back on the gridiron or the court within weeks. They can’t roll it over because it only allows a certain range of motion before it stops it. Where the muscle or ligaments might be weak, it steps in to protect them”
“Okay, that’s really cool.”
“Yeah. Now your turn.”
I blow out a breath as we get in the elevator, and I push the button for the third floor. “I have a rare autoimmune condition where my body attacks my red blood cells faster than my bone marrow can reproduce them.”
“That sounds like Leukemia.”
“It’s a distant cousin. It’s not cancer. It comes in cycles. I need platelets, a blood transfusion, and a month of prednisone, and I should be fine.”
The elevator doors open, and I lead us to the right.
Jamie stays quiet, thoughtful even, as we walk. When we get to the right door, he puts a hand up to stop me from pulling it open. “I don’t want to be an ass, but is it hereditary?”
“No. My parents don’t have it, and I can’t pass it on. There are some studies that discuss genetic components.” I offer a sad smile. “Mirren knows, but, as far as I know, there’s nothing that would or could impact our kids.”
With a cool nod, he removes his hand, and we walk into the office.
June
My son is a good man. He’s strong and discerning to a fault. I could go on and on about his good qualities. He’s probably the most like his dad. Not just in looks, but in discipline and temperament. Hell, he chose the Navy, just like Harry. And for the same reasons.
They never really butted heads the way people who are similar tend to do. He didn’t butt heads with me either. He’s always been deferential, respectful, kind… even sweet. Though he’d complain about me describing him that way.
He and Johnny are my two quiet, introspective ones.
But Jamie… He’s a watcher. Has been since he was a kid. Both in the sense that he knows the state of play at all times, but that he does it as a sentry on a wall. He’s the protector. He’s noble to a fault.
And he’s up to something.
Strider didn’t need something to eat. They would’ve asked when I got them coffee. Not that I don’t trust that boy… man… whatever. But he has a secret, and Jamie is in on it.
And I want to know what it is. Not because we’re not allowed our own mysteries or have to lay our cards on every table. Hell, I kept secrets every day until Mirren was recruited—with my blessing, of course.
Brody’s dad was at the agency when I was. He wasn’t my handler, but as things tend to go, these things stay in the family. Brody called me to discuss whether it was okay to approach Scooter. She was a good choice.
Jamie might’ve been, too, except his tolerance for bullshit is much smaller.
And trust me when I say our government and how they operate is full of bullshit.
The decisions, the lack of decisions, the ability to wait on the tiniest of details to fall into place, the shit timing.
All of it would’ve been Jamie’s undoing.
Besides, he would be one of those, not unlike me, who would go under and be under.
He could have cut us out, lived and breathed the job, been career.
Mirri, on the other hand, would never lose her family for her job. So, she found a balance. She was the right choice. I couldn’t lose any of my kids, but I also knew I wouldn’t lose her. That made it easy to give a nod to her recruitment.
It’s not like they couldn’t approach without my blessing. This is the U.S. government we’re talking about. They don’t care about little ol’ me, but knowing she’d have support was and is important.
So she learned my secret—our secrets—since Harry was there too. My girl ran with it, seeing the why behind the what and embracing a more clandestine life.
Strider was a happy accident. I like him and I like him for her, which is even better. But what could have him taking Jamie somewhere into the bowels of the hospital with only a sideways glance?
A mom has to do what a mom has to do, right?
I press go on my phone and lift it to my ear. I’ll catch hell for this, but only if they catch me. Here goes nothing.
“Hello?”
“Diane? This is June Jones, Mirren’s mom. How are you?”
“Well, hi.” The water in the background shuts off. “It’s early. Is everything okay?”
“Of course. We’re at the hospital, but…”
“Is Strider having a flare up? I thought everything was okay. I haven’t heard from him in a couple of days, but he knows the signs and symptoms and—” Her panicked voice hurts me to hear.
One mom to another, I know that worry. I live with that worry. No matter how well I know my daughter and her skills or how much I trust my sons, I’ll never not be their mom first.
“Oh. I didn’t mean to worry you, Diane. Truly. It’s Mirren. It’s her knee. She fell on it awkwardly, and we’re having it seen by a doctor. I’m sorry I didn’t lead with that. Strider is with my son somewhere in the hospital, probably scouting breakfast.”
She exhales, and there’s a slight tapping in the background. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions. I always worry about him. And you’re right about finding food. The girls weren’t light eaters, but feeding a boy, especially one who’s active, that’s a whole other bear. And he’s never stopped.”
“Tell me about it. I have five boys plus Mirren. And I still do for family dinners. Speaking of, I need some of Strider’s favorites so, as we include him, he has a taste of home.”
“Mirren has his favorite cookie recipes, but I’ll get you some of his others. That’s so kind of you, June. Will you do the same for me with Mirren? I know it won’t be as frequent…” Her voice trails off as sadness laces her tone.
“Something to know about us… we’re a big, loud family. We’re not the us four and no more kind either, so plan on visiting. You always have a place with us.”
“That’s. Wow, that’s so nice. This whole thing happened so fast, and I have to tell you, it’s a little scary. Or it was. But your girl… she’s special. Every mother-in-law’s dream actually. Loves my boy. Wants the best for him. I couldn’t ask for more. Thank you, June, for sharing her with us.”
“You took the words out of my mouth. I mean it. Now after the holidays—or before if you want—plan a trip down. We need to get to know each other. Do you practice yoga?”
Our conversation continues for another twenty minutes. She doesn’t ask how I got her number, presumably because she figures Strider gave it to me. She’s extremely easy to like even if I get the vibe that we’re not similar.
Once we disconnect, I switch to my messaging app and update Harry. He’s not a worrier, per se, but he’s not exactly settled knowing Mirren’s op went sideways. Or that she needed surgery.
Mirri is good. They should be calling us back at any time. Thanks for lining up all we need for getting our girl home.
Harry
Of course. Besides, I need to get *my* girl home. Miss you, Wildcat.
Miss you too! I’ll keep you posted here. I’m dead on my feet but needed to make sure Scooter was okay.
It’s okay to rely on people, you know. Hambone would take watch. So would Bootsy. Don’t put the world on your shoulders.
They needed their rest.
And you didn’t?
You know what I mean.
And you know what I mean. I’d hate to have to lock you up so you can’t leave the house next time.
I’d like to see you try. {winking emoji}
Oh, I know you would. You like when I restrain you.
“Mrs. Jones?”
I fumble my phone before catching it midair.
“Mirren’s awake and ready to see you.”
I look around, searching for Jamie and Strider. Hefting my bag onto one shoulder and throwing Mirri’s backpack over my other, I follow the nurse to see my girl.