Coming Home

Nightmares And Daydreams

The trail was so twisted and covered in dirt. The M16A2 rifle was large and heavy in my inexperienced hands. I could hear the explosions of people learning how to handle hand grenades. I could hear the drill Sergeant shouting, "Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage!". The Oakly Combat boots on my feet were much to large and practically slipped off with every shaky step I took. This was all too much..too much..too much.

I bolted awake, breathing heavily, and glistened from head to toe in a sheet of sweat. Running a hand through my hair, I grabbed my cell phone off the night stand and saw that I had serveral texts and numerous missed calls. Feeling groggy, I threw my phone down onto my bed. I swung my legs over the side and stumbled into the bathroom.

After a quick shower and some fresh clothes, I came back to my room and grabbed my phone. I had a couple more missed calls and another text message. I sighed and started going through them. I had eight missed calls from Dev, one from Mum, and one from Lukas. The texts were all from Lukas, most of them begging me to pick up the phone and stating how sorry he was.

I just shook my head. Staring at my phone for a while, I decided to ring back Lukas and my mum. I first rang back my mother. She didn't answer, so I left a voicemail. "Hey Mum! I'm sorry I missed your call, I had a late night last night. I hope you're having a great time at work! I love you so much! Call me when you get the chance! Bye!", I said much too chipperly.

The kitchen seemed almost too far away, like a far away Wonderland. I silently strolled into the kitchen, grabbing a box of Frosted Flakes. I took them to the living room with me and plopped down on the couch. I munched on a couple handfulls and then called Lukas back.

"Riiiiiiing, Riiiiiiiing, Riiiiiiing.", the sound of the phone dialing always gave me a headache.

Lukas answered after the fifth ring, his voice rough and scratchy sounding as if he had been crying, "Hey little sister...". I felt my heart break a little. Lukas had always been the strong one. The big brother.

"What's wrong, Lu?", I asked softly. He hardly ever called unless I was in trouble, he needed my help, or if something was wrong.

He exhaled heavily, "Heaven was in a wreck. I brought her truck to the hospital and waited there for her, but when she saw me.. She went back in and got Tuck's keys and left with his car. I don't know what to do Jose'."

I smiled slightly. Lukas had always thought it was funny to call me Jose' because of my fasination in Spanish. "Lu.. It's gonna be alright.", I said calmingly.

"What should I do, Josie? I really don't want Hev to be angry with me.. She didn't even give me time to explain myself..", he said sounding as if he might burst into tears at any minute.

What he said hit me hard in the gut. I had done the same thing to Dev. I hadn't given him a chance to explain at all. Oh my God.. I can't believe I've screwed up so badly..

"Lu? Send her flowers. Anonymous flowers asking her to meet you at that new Chinese resturant. Say 'From Your Secret Admirer'. Then when she gets there and is seated, enter after her and beg her to hear you out. Get a seat in the middle of everyone. Heaven doesn't usually like to make a scene. I've gotta go, Luke. I...I have something I need to do before Dev leaves.", I said quietly.

"Yeah.. Okay. Thanks Josie.", and with that, Lukas hung up.

I immeadiatly dialed Deyvon's number, praying for him to pick up, but there was no answer. I hung up without leaving a voicemail and dialed his mum.

"Kiana?," I asked when she picked up, "Do you know why Deyvon isn't answering his phone?".

She answered chipperly, "Oh! I don't know! He said he was headed out on a date with you! He said you guys were going to 'Isle of Capri'." I hung up. I just couldn't talk to her at the moment. I grabbed my keys through on some shoes and jumped into my car. Where are you going?, I asked myself. The Isle of Capri to get some answers. That's where.