The Red Coral Bracelet

Chapter 12

Navy

He was standing in front of me, for real. I reached out and touched his cheek to make sure. Uncle Danny was really standing in front of me! I let out a squeal of delight and threw my arms around his neck. Laughing he hugged me back just as tightly. Picking up Luke's bag again, I walked hand in hand with my uncle towards my family.

"Dad." I said and he turned. "Look who I found."

"Daniel." Dad said.

"Samuel, how are you?" Uncle Danny laughed and they hugged.

"I'm good. Thank you for taking care of the kids when they were over there."

"Don't mention it."

I shook my head as I watched the two older men interact. They have been best friends forever. They  met when Dad punched some bully in the face for taking Uncle Danny's money. Ever since then, they've been the best buds through everything. High school, college, Marines. Dad had to retire to take care of Grandpa when he was doing bad. Uncle Danny stayed in and kept climbing up the ranks. It took a while, but he finally got General, just like he said he would when he was a little kid.

Uncle Danny's wife, Claire, came walking over, elegant as always. The two hugged for the longest time then kissed. I made a face and looked away, making my siblings laugh. Together arm in arm, the six of us strolled back to the cars. All of the kids were put i n the two minivans while we piled into my truck. I laughed as Luke made weird faces behind May as she talked about the dress we got for me.

"You really need to get a girlfriend, Luke." Andy commented. "I mean, it's pretty lame that you take your baby sister to all of the balls."

"Hey!" I protested. "If he gets a girlfriend, then I can't go. And I like seeing all the ladies pretend to be nice to each other."

"You have Imlay." May pointed out.

"No. I don't have him."

"What do you mean?"

"He isn't here. I haven't seen him for six months. And I bet I broke his heart when I climbed onto that plane without saying goodbye to him."

"He called you, didn't he?" Forrest stated.

"How do you- Forrest! You're not supposed to be looking through my phone!" I tried to grab it from him.

"He called and did you answer?" Andy asked.

"Yes! We talked for a couple minutes then he had to go."

"And?" June encouraged me.

"And nothing! We talked, we hung up. End of story. He didn't say anything about what had happened. Only that someone told him I was doing better. Andy?" I looked over at him.

"Fine! I texted him and told him. He cares about you, so I wanted him to know how you are. I've been texting with updates about you for the last couple months."

"What?" We all asked at the same time, turning to look at him.

"He deserved to know!" He tried to explain.

"I would have told him if I had his number."

"And now you have it."

"Ugh. Why are you so complicated?"

"Because I'm related to you."

Laughing we dropped the subject and came to a stop in front of the mansion. I ran and jumped on Luke's back and together we entered the house. Smiling, Luke carried me up the staircase towards his room. I laid back on his bed and watched as he set his things down.