The St Patrick Series Book #1: The St Patrick Bride

Chapter Three: While in Amalfi

Christopher's POV
"...I'm concerned." She spoke in a tender tone. "Did something happen when you last deployed? This behavior is concerning Chris!"

I took note of how many times she has used the word 'concern' since I decided to find a payphone and call her. My mother and I have a great relationship. The only indifferences we share is that she wasn't happy about me enlisting. It's tradition for the men in the St Patrick family to enlist. When Tommy did so, I wanted to as well. Being in his shadow is frustrating. He is the perfect son and I'm the screw up. Boot camp was meant to straighten out a rogue teen my father had no time to raise. I happened to enjoy it and I enlisted. Ma wasn't pleased she gave me silent treatment for weeks. When your favorite parent is not talking to you, it tends to pinch. Things with her don't work the same way they do with the Major. If the Major decides not to speak to me, happy day! He picks on me.

"Everything went alright. I just didn't want to come home, that's all."

"Not even to see me?" She asked.

"Ma, it's not like that. Ma, I'm sorry. I just don't want to be around him. You know how it usually ends. It's better if it doesn't even start."

"Well it still breaks my heart Christopher. When will I see you? In your casket perhaps?"

"Don't be morbid ma. I'll come by to see you. I'm..." I looked over my shoulder at the beautiful Italian girl who has just woken up. "I'm in the middle of something. Once I'm done, I'll come home."

"In one piece Christopher. One piece please and alive as well."

"Noted. I love you ma. I'll call you tomorrow. Kisses."

"I love you too. Bye." She hanged up.

I got out of the phone booth stepping into the warmth of the morning sun.  It was a long drive from Florence. I didn't stop. While I was exhausted, the girls slept. I was jealous. All I want now is to get to Frank's place so that I can out in some much needed sleep.

"Good morning." She greeted me with a big smile which I returned. "Nice driving."

Courtney criticized everything I did from how I hold the steering wheel to the speed I was going at. She eventually got tired and fell asleep. That is when the peaceful drive began... with her silence.

"How would you know when you were asleep all the way?"

"Because I'm still alive. You should let Court drive the rest of the way. You must be tired."

"I don't want to die!" I burst out laughing. "She's a bad driver."

"How do you know that?"

I know that because while in Mumbai we rented an old car to get around. She insisted she wants to drive. The car ended up in a tree. I had to part with a good sum for repairs.

"I didn't push her out of the train. I want you to know that." I can't help but wish that her friend knows I didn't intentionally push Court out of the train..she was hesitant and she needed some encouragement. "I know she's a bad driver because she drove into a tree."

The pretty girl managed to contain her laughter. She's different from her best friend. She's warm like the morning sun. I like this girl.

"I'm so sorry. I hope no on got hurt."

"Nah!" We faced the sea in silence.

"Where are you from?" She asked with her chin resting on the wrought iron ledge keeping us from the steep slope.

"Everywhere. I used to be a military brat. We finally settled down in New York after the Major retired."

"Are you in the military? You sound like it."