Mrs. Bradshaw

Letting go (Part 10!!!)

I have never had a man treat me like this.
"Rooster? Why exactly are you doing this?" I asked the question that has been floating around in my thoughts since he asked me out.
"You're absolutely gorgeous and we have met before. I hope you did not forget me!" He said. I panicked trying to remember when we first met. I thought we first met at Topgun but apparently we didn't? He looked at me for a second as he sat down next to me on his couch. "You forgot didn't you?" He said, sounding a little disappointed. I didn't want to disappoint him so I thought I could lie my way through this.
"No, I remember, don't worry!" I said fidgeting with part of my shorts.
"Then tell me the story," he said. I began to panic a little more.
"S-sorry you caught me. I don't remember but don't take it personally I forget a lot of things!" I said trying to make him feel better about forgetting.
"It's alright. Our meeting was brief. It was about 2 years ago. You came into the Hard Deck with your uniform on. You were at a base in Florida for a special mission which is where you got a kill and also saved your team. I remember when you sat next to me at the bar. I bought you a drink to try and talk to you." He told me about the first time we met.
"You're that guy?! I remember you now! You didn't have the mustache back then that's why I didn't recognize you!" I said finally remembering who he was. "I can't believe I forgot about you! I'm so embarrassed."
"Hey! It's okay! It was two years ago so I understand!" He said trying to make me feel a little better. "How about we do something together?"
"Oh? Like what?" I wonder what he wants to do with me?
"Let's watch a movie and then I will make you dinner," he said. He sounded excited which made me feel excited. Bradley Bradshaw will be making me dinner!
"That sounds like a wonderful idea!" I said. I started to feel butterflies in my stomach. I'm not exactly sure if it's because we are so close to each other or because I'm falling in love with him.
"Did you hear that in the next day or two they are going to have the people who are getting ready for this mission move into a house together. They want us to be close," he said, trying to get his tv to turn on so we could watch a movie.
"No I didn't hear that! It sounds like a great idea! Also do you have a blanket?" I asked because I was a little cold. I think he had his ac turned down.
"Yes there is one in the closet in the hallway, feel free to grab however many you would like," he said as he pointed to a closet. I got up and walked to the closet. I opened it and grabbed a grey blanket which was super soft. As I turned to walk back to him I saw some photos on the wall. One was of a group of pilots from a while ago. As I looked I saw Maverick and someone who looked exactly like Rooster. I read through the names and saw Nick "Goose" Bradshaw. I'm guessing that's Rooster's dad.
"Hey Rooster? Did your dad fly with Maverick?" I asked as I came to sit back down with him. Right before I sat back down it seemed like Rooster was a completely different person.
"Don't talk about my dad and Maverick!" He snapped at me. I jumped a little, dropping the blanket on the ground.
"S-sorry!" I said, grabbing the blanket off the ground. I set it next to him. He seemed furious at me for asking that question. "I can leave if you'd like," I said, putting my right hand on my left elbow. He did not answer so I stood there for a second.
"You should never be nosy in someone else's business! That's very rude!" He said, breaking the silence. I don't know why he was so angry at me for just asking a simple question so I grabbed my purse and headed towards the door. The atmosphere in the house felt like I was being suffocated.
"I'll see you around Bradley," I said walking out of the door. I don't know exactly why he acted like that but I felt like if I stayed there any longer I would get yelled at more. I am pretty tough but for some reason I felt like crying. I had a long walk to my dorm which was located all the way across the base. He didn't even come outside to try and stop me from leaving. About 30 minutes after leaving I reached my dorm. I went inside seeing Bob sitting on his bed reading a manual on an F-14.
"What are you doing back so soon?" Bob asked me. I was sweating at this point because of how far I walked.
"Rooster practically yelled at me for asking a simple question so I walked all the way back here," I replied, setting my purse down next to my bed. Bob looked at me surprised about what I just said. He put the manual down and stood up.
"I'm sorry to hear that I'm not sure what happened but would you like a hug?" He asked. It's almost like he knew what I needed at that moment.
"Yes please," I said, putting my arms out for Bob to come hug me. I felt like a child doing that but it felt right at this moment. He embraced me, his chin resting on my head. He was much taller than me. He rubbed my back which was very soothing. I had not had a hug that was like this in a very long time. A genuine hug from someone who knew I needed it. In the past I would tell someone about everything going on but I have not found anyone in the past couple months to tell anything to. Being hugged made me feel safe and I could not hold it in anymore. I began to cry. My tears falling onto Bob's shoulder. He held me tight for at least 5 minutes. I wiped my eyes and I let go of him. He put his hands on my shoulders and looked at me.
"What have you been through that made you cry like this, Marie?" He asked
"I haven't been able to tell anyone anything for a really long time and it all built up inside and I guess Rooster was the breaking point. I'm sorry you had to hug me for that long next time it's okay to let go," I said feeling embarrassed about what I just did. Bob opened his mouth to speak but before any words could come out there was a knock on the door. Bob went to answer it. He probably felt bad because I looked like an absolute mess. Maverick had stopped by to hand us two folders with information on when we would be moving into the new living arrangement. He gave them to Bob and then left.

(This is a bit of longer one! Sorry for not putting out a new episode school has started so it's been chaotic! I hope you all are doing well and thank you for supporting Mrs. Bradshaw! Also don't worry some exciting stuff is happening very soon!)