The Falling Man

Chapter 41

Tommy POV

It had been two years since that phone call in the Garrison.

"Hello?" Her soft, tired voice says through the line.
"Hello Ethel, it's me again. Uh..." I clear my throat, waiting a moment for the phone to hang up as it usually does, but this time the phone line doesn't die.
"I know it's late to be calling and I know you...You most likely don't want to talk to me, but...I'm calling to say that uh...that I miss you. See, I...I, I can't really talk to anyone else the way that I talk to you. And...Yeah...I just wanted to tell you...I miss you, and...I really do love you, Ethel, and...Yeah. I'm sorry for everything." My voice cracks, I release a breath and wipe my teary eyes, slamming the phone down.

I let out a "Fuck!", kicking the chair to my right. I wipe my hands over my face, and come to sit on the ground. It was embarrsssing really; the way I told her we couldnt be together, to now groveling for an ounce of her attention and confessing how much I miss her and love her through tears when she finally decides to not hang up the phone immediately upon hearing my voice. I sit on the ground for a while before letting out a deep breath, pulling myself to my feet, straightening myself out and returning to the snug to tell them I am going home, and telling May I would pay for the hotel she books herself into. She looks sad and shocked but I couldn't sleep next to the woman, not tonight.

As I drag my feet down the cobbled street home. I reminisce on being the young boy before the war, walking down these same streets. That young boy had resurfaced around Ethel, which I think is the main reason I feel so deeply connected to her. I could be kind and soft around her. She didn't fear me, I wasn't a dangerous man to her. The reality sets in of actually having to let the woman go. Let her move on, allow myself to move on. I couldn't live how I've been these past few weeks any longer. I said my final piece and with that it was time.

I knock on the door of Arthur's house. He doesn't answer so I knock louder. "Who the fuck is that then?" He yells out the second story window. "Hello Arthur!" I say back, walking around the entrance of his new home to meet his eyeline. "How are ya, brother?" I ask him. "You alright Tommy?" He asks looking concerned. "Yeah, no, I'm uh... just here to take a look at your new house." I exclaim. "What the fuck. Alright, you could've told me you'd be around this early in the morning, eh? I'll come down." He says annoyed.

"Alright." I state. I walk back to the front door as he opens it. "Hiya Tommy." My brother states. "Hello, Arthur. How's things?" I ask. "Not too bad, yeah." He says as I walk through the door. "That's good." I say. "Ah, let me show you the upstairs."Arthur says walking past me. "Great." I state. I follow my brother up his creaky stairs. "This is...the upstairs!" He says holding his arms out. "Looks great." I say taking in the rooms, peaking my head in each one. "It's usually a bit tidier than this. I didn't know you were coming Tommy." He says resting his hands on his hips.

"Its fine, Arthur. So, do you give me my blessing now, or—" I say to my brother jokingly as he has recently become a re-born again Christian, because of his new love interest Linda. "You must need it more than most brother." He states chuckling. "Yeah, well, the Russians have made contact and I have a meeting with them on Monday..." "Oh. I'm back to meetings Monday, myself. The Russians, eh?" He states interrupting me. "Mm-hmm." Is all I respond with. "Well here we go again, Tommy." "Yes, here we go, Athur." "I suppose I'd better get to feeding the chickens, before Linda gets back." Arthur says looking around. "I need you with me brother." I state to him, with a pat on the shoulder. He lifts his head and nods at me. "I'm with you, Tommy."
—

I walk around my property taking in the sights of the stables, and long grass patches, puffing on my cigarette. I smirk to myself as I turn around to take in my massive house. I had achieved everything I ever dreamed of, and I would only achieve more.