Our Bruised Bodies | Bradley Bradshaw

ACT FIVE - PART NINE

"What?" Bradley asked honestly annoyed, for he was painfully aware that Maggie had been starring at him for the better part of half an hour instead of marking essays just as he had been doing and finally his patience had run out, causing him to start a conversation he already did not want to have, but Lincoln was in the air right now with the class, doing fine and Maggie would have to mark all the essays before she would go and prepare the next class. So, they were stuck together alone for a while longer and Bradley couldn't take getting starred at any longer.

"You are my boss." Maggie explained, as if she was talking to an idiot, gesturing with her hands towards Bradley and then towards herself.

"Yes." Bradley agreed, stretching the word for longer than necessary, for he was just irritated. That did the lack of sleep, and the constant nagging feeling inside of his stomach.

"I'm just... I'm unsure how to approach this. I don't want to be disrespectful, but I also don't want to be too mild since I need to bring something across here." She explained to Bradley, which caused him to wonder if she really asked him for advise on how to best talk to him about something that sounded very uncomfortable.

"Just say what's on your mind." The taller aviator then decided, only to regret it instantly, hearing the words coming from Maggie's mouth.

"Well. Being smart has never stopped you from being a complete fucking idiot and you are very smart." She declared, while looking so overly worried, fearing she was doing it somehow wrong.

"Wow, okay." The taller aviator said after a moment. "First off, I didn't know you knew how to swear. Second, what the fuck."

"I came on too strong?" She worried, looking as uncomfortable as Bradley felt in that moment.

"I ... honestly, I don't know what just happened." Bradley muttered, unsure if he could concentrate on marking essays now again.

"It's just, we all see how miserable you are. In the air, its alright, you seem lighter, as if the pressure gets lifted for a while, but the moment you are back on the ground. You are extremely helpful, and you look out for everyone, but you seem sad and overworked. And we don't want you to feel like you can't rely on us in return." Maggie Newman had a heart of gold and no one could deny that, but that didn't mean that Bradley appreciated people worrying about him.

"I'm fine, Maggie." He assured but her face did something complicate, which expressed her doubt instantly. It felt uncomfortable having to see it. "End of conversation please. I still need to mark these." Bradley therefore added, hoping she would change the way she was looking at him and she really did.

"Okay, sure." Maggie agreed, only for silence to settle over them for the total of five seconds.

"Or you could call your wife really quick, just an idea." Maggie threw into the room, which had Bradley groan before putting the essays way. There was no use in trying to get work done now. Maggie had destroyed his best working avoidance method. Working himself half to death, so he was too tired to think about his wife or how he was destroying his marriage.

"Excuse me for a moment." He grumbled as he got up from his seat and moved to leave his office, while Maggie leaned back in her chair, a bright smile on her face, thinking Bradley was going to call Grace right now.

"Take as long as you need." She called after him as Bradley pulled the door shut behind himself, wondering what had happened with naval aviation. A few years ago, they were all cocky assholes, who didn't give a damn about each other. They didn't even know each other's first names. Now his colleague was not only aware that he was married, but she also tried to motivate him to solve all his issues with his wife. It was annoying. Most likely healthy, but also very much annoying.