Chapter Three
Donnie turned the music down and let the car crawl along the driveway of his childhood home. The grass was looking a little long, but the flowers were pruned and the cracked flowerpot still sat on the front step. He smiled, finally turning off the engine. Home.
Grabbing the flowers, he trotted up the front steps of the bungalow. Before he could knock, the door swung open, and his mom squealed.
“James! I can't believe it. You’re here!”
The five foot four petite women engulfed him in a hug as he held the roses out to his side to avoid them getting crushed.
“Happy Birthday, Mom.” He hugged her tightly and smiled at his dad standing in the doorway. His mom wasn’t letting go. “Any chance I can breathe?” he asked, voice warm.
His mom stepped back, a huge smile still on her face. “Look at you. Handsome as ever. Are you alone?”
Donnie rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mom. I’m alone.”
His mom laughed. “I’m teasing. This is such a wonderful surprise.”
He held out the flowers. “Still your favorite, I hope.”
“You know they are. Come on, get inside, I’ll make brunch. Have you eaten?”
“No. Brunch sounds good.”
As the door closed, he hugged his father, not missing how much he’d aged since the last time he’d seen him.
His short beard was now white and stood out against his black skin.
Grey flecks were spread over his hair, too.
Retired from the force, he’d gained a little weight, but his eyes still twinkled whenever he looked at Mom.
Mom always looked beautiful. She kept her dark hair long and always dressed to impress.
She did yoga and was in a walking club, which kept her healthy and in shape.
She didn't look anywhere near her fifty-eight years. He’d missed them.
He really did need to make more of an effort to come and see them more often.
“It’s good to see you, son. You've made her day,” his dad said, voice warm.
“It’s good to be here. I know it’s been too long.”
They all moved to the kitchen and his mom got eggs and bacon from the fridge.
“Here, Mom, let me do it. It’s your birthday.”
“No. Sit down. I don’t ever get to cook for you, and I want to do it. Now, tell me all about what you’ve been up to.”
He knew better than to argue. His dad grinned and they both settled at the small kitchen table.
While his mom cooked, Donnie caught them up to date on what he could.
They knew he was a SEAL, and he talked about his teammates, but he could not tell them about Onyx.
He chatted about how some of the team were now settled with women, and how Diane was expecting a second child.
“That’s wonderful. You see, you can have a relationship and kids and do your job. Steve is living proof of it.” His mom loaded up his plate with more bacon.
“I know, I know. I’m not saying never, Mom.”
“So, there’s no young lady in your life right now?”
“No. No one right now. Work has been keeping me busy. I saw Mrs. Weston at the florist.” He wanted to change the subject from his love life.
“I bet she was surprised to see you,” his dad said.
“Yeah, she was. She looks good. She mentioned Mr. Weston had a heart problem last year?”
“He did. A heart attack. Thankfully, it was mild, and he’s recovered, although I think he has some ongoing treatment. I’m sure he’d loved to see you.”
“How long are you here for?” his mom asked.
“Not sure. Couple of days.”
“Well, however long it is, I am so glad you’re here.” His mom’s smile widened.
Donnie finished his brunch and then cleaned up and did the dishes. They moved to the back yard and chatted away for what seemed like hours about everyone and everything. Except Nate.
Donnie didn’t mind. He wasn't sure he could talk about him. He knew his mom and Charlie stayed in touch, but she didn’t mention her either, so he didn’t ask.
When he’d left after Nate’s funeral, Charlie had texted and called him, but he’d ignored her.
Eventually she’d stopped. He had hated hurting her, but it was for the best. None of what happened was her fault, but he would carry the guilt of that night to his grave.
No one else needed to know. It wasn't going to bring Nate back. To move on, he’d had to leave.
Seeing Charlie and her family every day would have been too difficult.
Donnie stood and stretched, not used to sitting for so long. He needed to move.
“Looks like the grass could use a cut. Why don’t I take care of that?” he offered.
“You didn’t come here to do chores,” his mom protested.
“I know you are not going to stop feeding me while I’m here, so I need to do something to help burn some calories. I got a body to maintain.” Donnie grinned.
His parents both laughed.
“You go ahead, son. You’ll be doing me a favor.” His dad gestured toward the back yard. “I swear the grass grows quicker every summer.”
“Well, OK. I guess I can prepare dinner while you do that.” His mom stood.
“Let me take you out to dinner. My treat,” Donnie said.
“There is no way I’m not making you your favorite while you’re here. As you’re only here a couple of days, I’m making it tonight. No arguments.”
Donnie smiled. “I’m not going to argue, Mom. There’s nothing I like more than your homemade chicken pot pie.”
“Then go cut the grass. And you”—she turned to her husband— “can go to the store and get me what I need.”
His dad stood, leaned over, and kissed his mom. “Anything for you, sweetheart.”
Donnie watched them. Yeah, he was ready to have that kind of love in his life.
***
CHARLIE WAS ABSENTLY scrolling through her phone when the reminder popped up.
Donnie’s mom birthday.
Damn, she’d almost forgotten with everything going on.
Normally she sent a card, but it was too late for that now.
She loved Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson. After Nate died and Donnie had done his disappearing act, she had stayed in touch with them.
Her chest tightened, just thinking about her brother’s best friend.
Sitting in the back of the car with little to do, the memories came flooding back. It wasn't like she thought she had a chance with Donnie. He saw her as Nate’s little sister, but a girl could dream.
When Donnie and Nate went off to university, her last year of high school had been the worst. She kept her head down and counted down the days until she could leave it all behind.
She missed seeing Donnie in school but cherished the time he spent at her house, hanging with Nate.
The two of them had some pretty deep conversations about politics, the war on terror, and what they wanted to do with their lives.
He had always made her feel noticed. Seen.
The night of Nate's accident, she had texted Donnie and asked him to come over. After weeks of building up courage, it was time. She’d done her make-up and put on her favorite dress.
“Hey Charlie. Everything alright?” Donnie stood in the doorway, dressed in blue jeans and a white T-shirt that stretched across his perfectly sculpted chest and showed off his toned arms and all that gorgeous skin that looked like it was permanently tanned.
“I....come in.” She dragged her gaze from his beautiful face and stepped aside to let him in, closing the door. Her nerves must have shown.
“Charlie? What’s wrong? Is it school?”
“No. I’m fine. I....just....Shit, this is harder than I thought.”
“What is?”
Mustering all the courage she could find; she closed her eyes and began talking.
“Look. I like you. A lot. I know you’d never date a girl like me, and that’s OK. I just want to have sex with you. I want to lose my virginity with you. That’s it. No strings.” She kept her eyes closed, her face heating and palms sweating as she waited for his response.
His silence sent her stomach plummeting.
“Charlie? Open your eyes.” Donnie’s voice was soft and very close. She dared to open her eyes and found him standing in front of her.
“Why do you want to lose your virginity now?” There was no teasing or judgment in his voice. His gaze held hers and her cheeks burned.
“Because I don’t want to be the only eighteen-year-old virgin when I go to university.” She averted her gaze, too embarrassed to look at him. “I’ve never even been kissed.”
“Lots of people are virgins when they go to university. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Yes, there is. I want to know what it’s like. If I meet someone, I want to know what I’m doing, not fumble around like a complete idiot.”
She risked looking up and saw Donnie smiling. “You would never be an idiot, and everybody fumbles their first time.” He reached up and she held her breath as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Your first time should be special; with someone you really care about.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Really? Is that how it was for you?”
Donnie stepped back, raking a hand over his face. “Why me?”
“Because you’ve always been nice to me, and I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“You’re my best friend’s little sister.”
“God. I’m one year younger. Are you saying there's some kind of bro code?”
“Yes! What would Nate say if he knew?”
“He would never know. Just once. I know I could never be your girlfriend or anything.” She bit her lip, vulnerable and scared.
“Why don’t you think you could be my girlfriend?” He frowned and she looked at him in shock.
“Er....look at me.”
His frown deepened then he glanced at his watch. “I don’t understand.” His gaze met hers again.
“Seriously? You’re going to make me spell it out? I’m short and fat.”
“So, you think I’m all about the looks? You don’t think too much of me, do you?” He looked offended.
“That’s not what I meant. I mean...” She faltered.
“Not everything is about physical attraction, but for the record, you are beautiful. You shouldn’t compare yourself to anyone else. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
She blushed, at a loss for words. The hottest guy in school had just told her she was perfect. Donnie looked at his watch again. Clearly, he wanted to leave.