𝘋𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘰𝘯 [𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘎𝘺𝘷𝘦𝘳 💣]

Chapter 4

Jack's POV

3 years later...

"You're not coming home, are you?"

This kid just answered the phone and has already put everything she needs to know together. What did she hear the sound of my breathing and telepathically figure things out? Clearly, she didn't need me to tell her anything.

"How did you-" I start, over the phone.

"You're calling early," JJ replies. "Really early."

"So I've been in the sandbox for three years and you've figured out my habits from halfway around the world? Are you not at least glad to hear your daddy's voice?"

"I am, but I know you. For this instance, you want to talk to me in person."

Three years ago I was worried about her pulling a plate down on her head, and now she's smarter than me. 11-year-old girls are wild. I fear for everyone around her more than I fear for her. The kid can shoot about anything you hand her and can kick anybody's rear who crosses her. Her daddy and the Delta boys have made sure of that. This doesn't even mention that she grew like a weed. She's not even in middle school and is gonna be near as tall as me sooner than later. Kiddo is already 5'4" and shooting upwards fast.

"Ok, you got me. Just give me a chance to explain."

"Dad, you said you were coming home."

"I know I did, and I'm sorry. I can't... it's complicated."

"What's complicated? Why aren't you coming home?"

The little hitch in her throat nearly breaks me. There is a lot of distress in her voice. She's lost so much over the past few months. Maryann passed away unexpectedly three months ago in a car accident. They got word to the unit, and I was sent on emergency leave for about a week to get my affairs in order. I buried my ex wife and moved my daughter over 1000 miles back to Texas to live with my sister and her husband. The blessing here is that my sister lives in our old house. She bought it from me when we moved. JJ is back in her old bedroom, hanging out with her old friends, and getting some sense of normalcy after all this.