Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“What? Why are you apologizing? I want to hear from you.”
“That’s good; I’ve mailed one, sometimes two, a day since you’ve been gone.”
“Good. I want to be a part of your life, Faith.”
I glance at our wedding photo on the wall. “You are.” I pause, collecting myself. I don’t want him to hear the sadness in my voice. He’s the one who’s away from home, potentially risking his life for his country. I’m supposed to be his solid foundation, and I’m going to be. “Tell me everything.”
He laughs. The sound is rich, and I can tell it comes from a place deep inside his chest. “Lots of sand, and lots of heat. Long days, and even longer nights.”
“But you’re safe?”
“Yeah, baby, I’m safe.”
My heart melts at the way he calls me baby. “I have a care package to send to you tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Come on now. What kind of wife would I be if I didn’t send care packages to my husband? Is there anything you want or need? Anything nonperishable you’ve been craving?” I ask.
“Nah, I think we’re still set.”
“Then you’ll just be surprised, I guess.”
“A surprise from my wife sounds like exactly what I need. How was your first day?”
Tears spring to my eyes. He remembered. He’s thousands of miles away in the desert, but he made it a point to find the time to call and ask about me first.
“Good.” I clear my throat. “I’m exhausted, but in a good way, you know? This is what I thought my teaching career would look like. It’s… incredible to know that I’m finally starting my career the way I’d always hoped.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m glad it went well.”
“Very. My fellow teachers are friendly. I love my classroom. I took a few pictures. I emailed them, but I’m not sure if they went through.”
“I haven’t checked. Service is spotty, and so far, I’ve only found this one location that I can get a connection to call. I was lucky that my shift is tonight, so that I would be up to call you to ask about your day.”
“The only thing that would have made it better is if you were here to celebrate it with me. Instead, Hannah and I are having dinner on Friday night.”
“I’m glad you have her.”
“I’m glad I have you.”
“It’s different this time,” he confesses. “My deployment.”
“How so?” I have a thousand ideas running through my mind about what he might say. That it’s more dangerous, hotter, more work, just to name a few.
“Because I know I have you, my wife, waiting at home for me. We always do our best to take the most safety precautions we can. However, now, it’s even more important. Outside of my immediate family, I’ve never had anyone at home waiting for me.”
“You have me. I’m your family now.” I want to be his home, because he is mine. It’s no longer a place, it’s Chad.
“I know you are, baby. That’s what makes this different. I’ve never resented my job, not a single day since I signed up. Not until I had to walk away from you and step on that bus, not even twenty-four hours after you became my wife.”
“I wish you were here.”
“I am there. Maybe not physically, but I’m with you, Faith. Always.” He sighs heavily, and I know that means our time is over. “I need to go. I just wanted to hear about your day and hear your voice.”
“You made my day better than I could have imagined.” It’s true. This day was already perfect, but him calling made it exceptional.
“I’ll call soon.”
“Be safe.”
“I love you.” Those three words mean something altogether different to me than they do him, but I repeat them anyway.
“I love you too.”
The line goes dead, and it feels as though my heart is splintering in two. I love talking to him, to get to hear his voice, but when he has to go, it’s just like he’s stepping onto that bus all over again.
“I’m stuffed.” I push my plate away from me. It’s Friday night, and Hannah and I are having dinner.
“Me too,” Hannah says, doing the same. “We’ll get two boxes and split the leftovers. Cold pizza for breakfast is life.” She laughs and takes another sip of her wine.
“The food was great, but it’s even better that this place is within walking distance for both of us, and this”—I hold up my glass of wine—“this is just what we needed.”
Hannah clicks her glass against mine. “Yeah, but you know what I miss?”
“Erik?” I state the obvious.
“Yeah, Erik and sex.”
My mind instantly goes to my wedding night. “Yep,” I agree. If I were to close my eyes right now, I could picture him moving above me. His gaze never leaving mine as he thrusts inside me. I squirm in my seat, pressing my thighs together. Is it cliché to say that my wedding night was hands down the best sex of my life?