Soldier Boy

02

Cameron's POV

two hours later

I downed the beer at Pompeya's, the family-owned bar and grill that Cissy and Gavin opened up with their grandparents.

Wallowing in my unforeseen misery, I waved my hand at the bartender, signaling I wanted more. He shook his head.

"Cam, you've already downed four! Your momma would have a fit if you went home slammed!" Sully said.

Sully and my mom are close friends, their parents grew up together, and he knows me well. But he was getting on my nerves.

I'm twenty-four years old. I can't have one more?

"Sully, I love you, I do. Give me another beer."

Sully shook his head. "Go home, boy. Josie's waitin' on ya."

I glared at him with what eyesight remained. I felt sick and my mind was fuzzy.

"Y'all ain't real hospitable! I just want my beer!" I yelled.

Sully shook his head, turning around to put the alcohol up. That's when my fist collided with his cheek.

I remember strong arms pulling me out of the bar. I could hear Sully saying something like it's okay, he ain't thinking clearly.

Then I hit the ground.

~~~~

Mom smiled at me as I woke up.

"Bout time you came too, boy. You spiked a fever last night, had Granny worried sick about ya."

I groaned, laying my head down on the pillow.

"I got you some aspirin and a glass of water beside your bed. Pancakes and sausage are in the oven when you want it. I gotta go to town, Carissa needs help with my grandson."

"Mom, he's my kid. I can see about him."

She laughed. "You ain't known about him for a full twenty-four hours. You have to be there, be a father. Tell you what. Patty Sanders is having a baking contest at the bakery tonight, and Carissa and Logan will both be there. Strike up conversation, ask to take him to the park. Be around, okay? Don't spend anymore time at Pomseya's, or rather, Pomseya's bar. I chewed Sully out for letting my baby have that much."

I groaned, rolled over, and pulled the covers over my body.

Mom sighed and left my room.

Granny and Julie, my younger sister, both watched me get the plate out of the oven and pop it into the microwave.

I turned to them. "What are you gawking at?"

Julie snickered and Granny went back to watching television.

The doorbell rang and Julie answered it.

"Granny, it's Logan!" she squealed.

Granny got up from her chair and went over to the door, taking the boy by the hand and sitting him down on the couch.

"I know it's last minute but I have to work late today, and the babysitter bailed last minute and..." Cissy grimaced when she saw me standing in the kitchen with my breakfast in my hands.

"Cameron," she nodded.

"Carissa," I replied sarcastically.

She huffed and sighed.

"Alright, buddy. You be good for Granny and Aunt Julie, okay?"

Logan nodded his head. He looked towards me.

"Is he my dad?"

Before Cissy could speak, I went over to him and crouched beside him.

"Yeah, Logan. I'm your dad."

Cissy grunted and yanked my hand, pulling me outside.

I laughed and scoffed. She was seriously throwing a tantrum.

"Is it so bad that Logan will have a dad around? I know what it feels like to grow up without a father!" Then, noticing her tears, I spoke more gently, "Why are you pouting?"

She grunted again and paced around angrily as tears leaked out of her eyes.

"I didn't want him finding out, Cam! Not now, and probably not ever. We've been doing fine on our own, we don't need a third person. You and I weren't even together!" She yelled.

"Cissy, are you kidding me? You would deprive our son of a father because we weren't together?" I asked.

Tears fell down her face as she looked at me with piercing blue eyes.

"We were drunk! It was our graduation, and you left the next morning!"

I scoffed, looking back into the windows. Logan was laughing as Julie tickled him.

"No, you were drunk, Cissy. But you were so lovey-dovey that night, I went along with it, because I loved you. I loved you so much that even just the thought of you set my soul on fire. Do I regret the night in the barn? No! I've never regretted anything."

She sniffled, wiping her tears before looking at me.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I never told you, I'm sorry you never got to raise Logan. And I'm sorry that you didn't have a nice military homecoming." She walked slowly into my embrace. I sighed before wrapping my arms around her.

"It's okay. I like this way better. I mean, that little kid in there is us combined. He's amazing, I just know it. Just like his mommy," I whispered into her hair as we just stood on the porch, holding on to each other.

I didn't want to screw up again. I still loved Cissy, I loved our boy even more, and I knew in the end, they'd be my family.