#3 The Red, White and Chicago Blue

Chapter 17 "The Imagination Is A Mysterious Thing"

"Mom?! This can't be!"

"Did your brother talk to Yates?"

"Are you really my mother or is this just someone using a voice changer?!"

"You'll just have to find that out for yourself, sweetheart."

She threw the phone on the floor and put her foot over it.

"Who was that?"

"No one, dad. No one."

When they pulled into the parking lot, he demanded the phone.

"I said it was no one."

"Give me that phone."

"Dad, I said it was NO ONE."

He picked up the phone anyway and went into the call history. Kim's cell phone was the latest incoming call.

"How is this even possible? Her phone is at the house..."

"I really don't need this right now."

"Tatum, you and Brayden go inside. We'll be in in a little bit, okay?"

"Got it."

They got out of the car and walked inside.

"Hannah, talk to me."

"This has been happening since we got back from New York. Is mom really dead? Or is she alive somewhere?"

"She's gone."

"Are you really ready to just throw all those years away?"

"Your mother gave me the best years of my life. Not only that, but she gave me three reasons to keep going. I've felt like giving up every day since she died, but I know that's not what she would want."

"I just hope the new commander isn't expecting a warm welcome from anyone. Well, from me anyway."

"You will show the new commander the utmost respect. Do you hear me?"

"I'll respect her, but I'm not gonna like her."

"That's all I'm asking for."

"Are you worried that I'm gonna make you look bad by lashing out at her? Come on dad, get real."

"None of us want a new commander either. But, we can't leave that position empty forever. Someone has to take that spot since your mother's gone."

"Will you stop saying that?!"

He looked over and saw Noah's car pull into the parking lot. "I'll be inside, alright?"

"You're leaving me out here?"

"Your boyfriend is here."

"Yeah get out of here."

He laughed. "Don't have too much fun."

Noah turned the car off and went to walk inside; when he noticed Hannah leaning against her father's car.

"Hey you." He smiled and wrapped his arms around her.