Sammy's Hope

Surprise

I woke up to find everyone asleep. I mean everyone. It turns out the boys and their girlfriends fell asleep. I got extra blankets and laid them on the couples and Sam. I closed his laptop and plugged it in. I went to the kitchen and fixed some coffee. It was three in the morning. I took my pills and got out my laptop. I posted messages and wrote back to soldiers. I checked the time again. It was five. I fixed another cup and then made pancakes, bacon and hash browns. I cut up some fruit. I can hear groans. I smile. I started setting the table. I went and got the mail and found several bags. With a note.

For the boys and girlfriends

I smile and laugh. I take everything in. I walk in the living room to see everyone groggily sitting up or rubbing their shoulder.

"Well there breakfast on the table and someone dropped of cloths for all of you. There is a shower upstairs and there is one down the hall." I said. Their heads snap towards me. I smile and walk to the kitchen and started eating. They started filing in and taking seats. They started to pile their plates. I finished and got up. I washed my plate and silverware and put them on the rack to dry. My laptop went off. I walked over and checked it.

"Sammy? My name is Catalina I'm 13 years old. My father and brother was in the military. They were in Pakistan the time you were there. They never returned home. My mama is depressed and I'm not so far off. What can I do? Will things ever get better?"

I covered my mouth. Tears flow out. With shaky hands I replied back.

"Catalina I'm truly sorry for your loss. I really do know how you feel. After serving four tours and losing my military got to me. I am too suffering from depression and survivors guilt. Tell your mama that they are still alive. They are alive in your heart. You could look in the past to see what went wrong but that won't change what happen. They passed saving lives of their fellow family in arms. You are the image of hope. Your brother and Father loved you that's why they fought for you and your mom so you can keep the privileges you have today. It will get better. I tell myself tomorrow will go better. Even though I lost my parents, my military family. My brother is the last thing I have that is keeping me alive. When then look down. Look up and you can see the sky free from smoke. That's saying people love you to fight for you."

I wipe my face after sending the message back.
"What's wrong Sammy?" Sam asked.
"I got a message from a girl Catalina. Her Brother and Father was serving in Pakistan with me at the camp. They never returned home. Her mom is suffering from depression and she's not far from her. She wanted to know if things will get better." I said. I went to the office and sat down. I put my head in my hands.
Thoughts of screams, gunfire, explosions. I heard a whine. I looked and saw Max. I pet him. I walked to the kitchen dressed for a run. I gave max some food. He started eating. In the living room was a dressed band, girlfriends ands Sam.

"Is there a track somewhere?" I whispered out. The boys nodded.
"Its three blocks down." Said Zane. I grabbed keys, phone and wallet.
"Well lets go I need to run." I whispered. They followed me out. We walked to find a stadium with a track.
I put my things down. I take of the jacket. I started running. Flashbacks going through my mind. Next thing I know I'm full on sprinting and crying. I slow down and fell to my knees. My head touching the ground with my hands covering it.
"I'm sorry." I murmured repeatedly. I heard feet pounding coming near me.
"Sammy?" I heard Sam with a hint of tears. I got up and hugged Sam. I hugged him.
"I'm not there. There's no screaming. No shooting. Just need to breathe." I whispered to myself. I look at Sam's face. He had tears streaming down.
"I'll go to counseling. Well just go to the states and I'll go to counseling. And lay low for a while. Then after that one concert we can come back and continue." I whispered. He nodded. We then got a group hug. They gave me their numbers and emails. I smiled and we went home. We packed everything back up and put it in the truck. Max was in the back seat laying down. I made sure to have our documents. We drove the the docking area where we will be checked.
They all saluted me. I saluted back. They gave me the go ahead and I drove and parked on the fairy. I paid for the admissions and we just sat there. Two days later we docked. I pulled the truck out with Sam and max asleep in the car. When we got to the checking station. I got out and let max out. Then I held Sam. They checked my documents. They looked at me shocked and saluted me. I nod. I got back in. I put Sam in the back seat laying down and buckled him in. Max sat up front. I drove to Washington and rented an apartment for seven months. I carried Sam up the stairs. We passed a blonde man down the hall. I can tell he was looking at my uniform. I shifted Sam and unlocked the door. I let max in and closed the door behind me. I laid Sam on the master room bed. I took off his shoes, watch, wallet, Jacket and jeans. I tucked him in and kissed his forehead. I walked back out grabbing the keys. I walked out of the apartment making sure it's locked. I walked down the stairs to the back of the truck. I grabbed our suit cases. The blonde man from over and grabbed some boxes.
"Let me help you." He said. I smiled and nodded. I lead him to the apartment. I unlocked it. I entered it putting the luggage in the Hallway. Sam walked out in his Jeans rubbing his eyes. I smiled. Sam hugged me. I kiss his head and rubbed his hair. I looked to see the man smiling.
"Hi. Thank you for helping me out. What is your name?" I asked.
"Steve Rodgers ma'am" the man smiled. I smiled I held out my hand.
"I'm Sammy Jacobs and this is my little brother Sam." I said. He shook my hand.
"May I ask?" He said unsure. Looking at my uniform. I smiled and nodded.
"Sam why don't you shower. Maybe we can go see a movie later." I said. He nodded and grabbed his suitcase. I turn towards Steve I led him to the couch.
"You served?" He asked.
"Ugh yeah. I did four tours. Three in Iraq and one in Pakistan." I said. I got up and started unpacking.
"How are you now that your away from the fight." He asked.
I froze a little.
"Not well for now. I feel guilty not being out there to help them make sure they come home. But I have a brother I love and care for. I'm staying with him. I wouldn't know what to do if something happened to him." I said quietly.
"Where's your parents?" He said quietly.
"They passed away two and a half months ago. In a car accident. The Brake was stuck and the car kept speeding up. A deer was in the road. They swirled and lost control and hit a pile. They died on impact." I said. I turned and looked at him. My laptop beeped. I took it out of the bag and logged in.

"Sammy thank you for giving me the advice I needed. I'm sorry for your losses. You share the light in the darkness. ~Catalina"

I smiled. "Welcome" I whispered.
I looked back at Steve to see him looking at the awards and newspaper articles published on me. Sam came out in an outfit I approved.

I smiled. Steve left saying bye. I grabbed my phone, wallet, keys. I told Max we are going out and he has to stay.

I drove to a theater. We got out and I guided him inside. We looked to see what's playing I bought tickets for cars two. I bought popcorn and drinks and went to our seats.

We went home after the good movie. Waiting for the meeting in the next week.