Three Of A Kind

Part Two- Dusty roads

Elijah

People milled around behind me creating a busy atmosphere, some minding their own business, others not.

"Hey Eli, whatchya got there?" My best friend, Rover Sims, snatched the letter from my grasp and twirled the golden piece of straw he had between his teeth as he read. Its not like I was a wimp or scared or Rover or an'thin. But I was still processing the information. Thoughts and questions whizzed around my head and a plan formed. As long as Rover stayed here, I knew he could... and would, manage. For himself and my family. It was selfish, but nessecary, and he was the only one I could truly rely on.

Rover's face grew solemn as he continued to read, the piece of hay stilled on his bottom lip in concentration. Taking the troublesome grain from his mouth and placing it haphazardly in his straw hat, he glanced up at me and whistled with his brow furrowed. He handed me back the piece of paper as if it had a fungus attached to it and I took it from him, loathing the expensive texture and fancy font that tried to hide the true meaning of the paper. I was now a military man, in a war that I didn't want and I didn't start. Why couldn't everything go back to the way it was when I was in college? Care-free, stupid, and fun. Why did life have to throw so much shit?

"Elijah, man, what are you going to tell Clara?" Rover waved his hand in front of my face a few times. He could tell that I was slipping into my thoughts before I even left.

Running my hand down my face in frustration I found that I was sweating. Clara and I were already on the rocks, and our situation was not something you would find in a fairy tale. Dear Lord, what was I going to tell her? Although I loved my wife much more than she certainly loved me, I still had a stronger connection with my daughter-Summer.

How was this going to work?

Taking my expression and silence into consideration, Rover must have decided to let me alone, as he nodded and walked away with a pat on my back. Catching his sleeve at the last second, he looked back at me with pity in his eyes. I didn't want his pity. I didn't need it. He saw this and turned back to face me, arms crossed.

"Rover," I spoke to him for the first time since he took the paper, and let go of his arm cautiously. "While I'm gone... could you-"

"Thought you'd never ask Eli. Of course I will, it'll make us even."

Nodding, I stood there for a minute before reaching forward and pulling him into an embrace. A manly embrace of course, actually, it was more of a gang hug than an embrace. Very manly. Patting his back I let him go. "Thank you Rover Sims, if there is anything I can do to repay you..." I trailed off.

"You just come back, ya hear? I can't cover for you forever." He laughed and I joined him, but we both knew the truth behind the comment. I can only rely on him until I'm lain in the ground , after that he has no reason to up hold my family.

Leaving Rover, I go back to my room to tell the news to Clara and Summer, dreading every step marked by the creak in the floorboards. The bareness of the room I was staying in reminded me that this was never supposed to be permanent, yet I had been here for over three years with a steady job and friends. Sounded pretty permanent when I said it out loud. A worn quilt was spread neatly over the bed and a wooden nightstand was placed carefully next to it. Atop the stand was a picture of my family. Summer had framed it for me on my last fathers day there, now the frame was worn from when I held it countless times and the glass jad cracked on the trip here. Picking it up once more, I noticed how different we were when the picture was taken to how we were now.

Clara's ash blond hair fell slightly past her shoulders in waves. Her blue eyes were bright and looking right at me as I kissed her on the cheek, her smile matched her eyes, beautiful and happy. I had one arm wrapped protectively around Clara's waist, my dark skin standing out against her pale complexion, and had planted a light kiss on her cheek, my eyes closed tightly and the corners of my lips turned up in a smile. Taking a minute, I looked over at Summer, who was five at the time...four years ago. Her big brown eyes were open wide as she stared back at the camera with a giggly smile on her face, her slightly tan arms holding onto my head and her feet dangling from my shoulders.