The Red Coral Bracelet

Chapter 10

Navy

I laid down in my bed, blonde hair unwashed and untamed, tear tracks on my cheeks, eyes red and puffy. I looked like hell. It was nothing new. Ever since I got back from Afghanistan, I changed. I stayed couped up in my apartment at all times. My family brought me food and made me take a shower three times a week. I couldn't overcome what had happened to me. And it had been half a year since it happened.

I got care packages from the guys. Everytime I got them, I would get my group picture of them and just stare at it. It was a better time, then. I was happy and so were the people around me. When I got home, I was less happy. My parents tried to get me to talk about it, but I just couldn't do that. No one in my family got that I was... raped so many times that I lost count, that I was shot four times, lost of my blood, and saw the girl I swore to protect die in my arms! How could they know what I felt? They had no idea. I was alone.

Forrest knocked on my door and I sighed. Getting off my bed, I trudged to the door and opened it. My oldest brother and my favorite person to see at the time stood there smiling. His eyes twinkled like he had a huge secret and he flashed me a wide smile.

"Hello, Navy. How are you today?" He asked, stepping into the dark apartment.

"The same, I guess."

"Well, that is going to change."

"Why is it going to change?" I asked, wondering what he was all excited about.

"Because guess who is coming home tomorrow?"

"June?"

"No! Luke! And there is something else."

"Will you just tell me already? The suspense is killing me." I joked and actually smiled.

"The Military Ball."

"Oh, yeah. I'm not going."

"You promised Luke that if you were both home that you would go together!" He stood up and frowned at me. "The Navy I knew never broke a promise."

"The Navy you knew is gone!" I yelled.

"No, she's not. She is buried inside of you. All you have to do is bring her out again."

"You have no idea how hard it is being me."

"You had a bad experience over there. Are you going to let that ruin your life?" He asked. That got on my last nerve.

"I was raped. RAPED! Countless times. Shot multiple times. I almost died!"

"Almost. Be glad you didn't! There are other people who are dying over there so you can sit here and wallow in self pity!" Forrest yelled right back. "You didn't lose a limb, you have everything that you need.  A family that loves you, your youngest brother coming home tomorrow, and Corporal Imaly loves you! Even with all the scars and baggage you have."

"What are you trying to say?" I asked, quietly.

"I'm asking you to see if you can see past what happened and look at what's ahead of you. You have your entire life to still live. Don't throw your life away because of something that happened to you. It's in the past. Keep it there."

I sat, stunned, on my couch. He was trying to help me, I knew that for sure. I had to stop beating myself up about it. Yes, Peppy was dead and gone, but she's in a better place now. Hoping that she was alive and I was dead didn't do anything, but hurt me more. Luke almost died, but he's alive. I almost died, but I'm alive. Forrest was right and I still had a promise to keep.

"You're right."

"What? Did you just say I was right?"

"Yes, you did. Now, if you'll wait here while I take a shower and get dressed, I want to go over to the ranch."