Read Online Dirty Work by Chelle Bliss, Brenda Rothert - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Chelle Bliss, Brenda Rothert
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wheelchair. “Can you grab that for me?”
“Where you going already? I thought we could have a beer.”
“Eh, I gave up drinking when I decided to get my life back together.”
I climb to my feet and look down at him. “I never knew you had the ability to turn down a beer.” I laugh because Jim took such pleasure in a drink that I find it hard to imagine him without one.
“It kept me in my shitty place for far too long. When I stopped drinking, I realized I didn’t have to stay a shut-in forever.”
I place my hand on his shoulder and stare down at him with nothing but love in my eyes. “I’m proud of you.”
“It’s mutual.”
We exchange glances before shaking hands. “If I need you, will you be available?”
He laughs. “Why would you need me?”
I walk down the aisle to grab his wheelchair. “Because you’ll keep me grounded. I may need your help or advice. There’s no one I trust more in this world to put me in my place than you.” I smile and shake my head. “You were always the first person to call me on my shit on the battlefield. This is another type of war.”
“Carry that outside. I’ll make it down the stairs,” he tells me before balancing on his one leg. “Politics isn’t for the faint of heart.”
The wheelchair is heavier than I expected, but I easily carry it off the bus and set it down on the pavement. “Don’t be a stranger, Jim. I’m serious about you joining me at some point. I could use another Marine on the road with me.”
He hops down behind me, holding on to the railing and steadying himself. “I’m there whenever you need me.”
I’m overcome with emotion at the thought of saying good-bye. After spending so much time together in the service, it was too easy to lose contact. “I won’t have you absent from my life again.” He holds his hand up to his forehead and salutes me. I do the same, puffing out my chest with so much pride. “Never again.”
“I’ll be cheering you on. Call me whenever, Titan.”
“Plan on it,” I say to him before he waves good-bye and wheels away.
When he disappears into the crowd, I climb back on the bus and swipe Kurt’s letter off the table. My hands are trembling as I lie down and begin to open it.
I hold my breath and force myself to read it.
Titan,
You are one of the greatest soldiers and men that I’ve ever had the honor to serve with. It was an honor fighting by your side and watching you shine in your finest hour.
If you’re reading this, then I’ve chosen to end my journey. Please don’t wonder what you could’ve done differently to change my mind. There’s nothing anyone could have said to save my soul.
I’ve been haunted since that day in Anbar. I thought being in the field every day was hellish, but it didn’t prepare me for coming home broken, trying to fit back into civilian life.
I’ve struggled with the things we did. The lives that were lost on both sides because of the decisions our leaders made. It seems like it was all for nothing. The world is no more safe, the US no more secure than it was on 9/11, but so many souls have been extinguished without a second thought.
I’m reminded daily of the things I saw. Every time I close my eyes, it’s all I can see. My injuries were the least of my worries when I returned home. My marriage ended because of my PTSD, and no matter what help I received, it did nothing to chase away my demons.
You, along with the other guys in the unit, are my only family. The ones I could count on to have my back always. Even today, I know if I’d reach out, you’d be here in a second to save me. For everything you did to save my life that fateful day, I thank you.
Don’t feel like you’ve failed me in some way. I just can’t go on with the remorse and sadness that guts me and gnaws at my insides. I just want peace, and this is the only way I know how to finally find it.
I will forever think of you as a brother and my savior. You gave me a fighting chance
“Where you going already? I thought we could have a beer.”
“Eh, I gave up drinking when I decided to get my life back together.”
I climb to my feet and look down at him. “I never knew you had the ability to turn down a beer.” I laugh because Jim took such pleasure in a drink that I find it hard to imagine him without one.
“It kept me in my shitty place for far too long. When I stopped drinking, I realized I didn’t have to stay a shut-in forever.”
I place my hand on his shoulder and stare down at him with nothing but love in my eyes. “I’m proud of you.”
“It’s mutual.”
We exchange glances before shaking hands. “If I need you, will you be available?”
He laughs. “Why would you need me?”
I walk down the aisle to grab his wheelchair. “Because you’ll keep me grounded. I may need your help or advice. There’s no one I trust more in this world to put me in my place than you.” I smile and shake my head. “You were always the first person to call me on my shit on the battlefield. This is another type of war.”
“Carry that outside. I’ll make it down the stairs,” he tells me before balancing on his one leg. “Politics isn’t for the faint of heart.”
The wheelchair is heavier than I expected, but I easily carry it off the bus and set it down on the pavement. “Don’t be a stranger, Jim. I’m serious about you joining me at some point. I could use another Marine on the road with me.”
He hops down behind me, holding on to the railing and steadying himself. “I’m there whenever you need me.”
I’m overcome with emotion at the thought of saying good-bye. After spending so much time together in the service, it was too easy to lose contact. “I won’t have you absent from my life again.” He holds his hand up to his forehead and salutes me. I do the same, puffing out my chest with so much pride. “Never again.”
“I’ll be cheering you on. Call me whenever, Titan.”
“Plan on it,” I say to him before he waves good-bye and wheels away.
When he disappears into the crowd, I climb back on the bus and swipe Kurt’s letter off the table. My hands are trembling as I lie down and begin to open it.
I hold my breath and force myself to read it.
Titan,
You are one of the greatest soldiers and men that I’ve ever had the honor to serve with. It was an honor fighting by your side and watching you shine in your finest hour.
If you’re reading this, then I’ve chosen to end my journey. Please don’t wonder what you could’ve done differently to change my mind. There’s nothing anyone could have said to save my soul.
I’ve been haunted since that day in Anbar. I thought being in the field every day was hellish, but it didn’t prepare me for coming home broken, trying to fit back into civilian life.
I’ve struggled with the things we did. The lives that were lost on both sides because of the decisions our leaders made. It seems like it was all for nothing. The world is no more safe, the US no more secure than it was on 9/11, but so many souls have been extinguished without a second thought.
I’m reminded daily of the things I saw. Every time I close my eyes, it’s all I can see. My injuries were the least of my worries when I returned home. My marriage ended because of my PTSD, and no matter what help I received, it did nothing to chase away my demons.
You, along with the other guys in the unit, are my only family. The ones I could count on to have my back always. Even today, I know if I’d reach out, you’d be here in a second to save me. For everything you did to save my life that fateful day, I thank you.
Don’t feel like you’ve failed me in some way. I just can’t go on with the remorse and sadness that guts me and gnaws at my insides. I just want peace, and this is the only way I know how to finally find it.
I will forever think of you as a brother and my savior. You gave me a fighting chance
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