The Aftermath

Catching Up

June 6th, 1940

I woke with a pounding headache and immediately thought that I was dreaming. I heard a blood-curdling scream coming from Tommy's room. I shot up out of bed and ran in as fast as I could. I barged through the door soon followed by my dad. I could hear Van crying in the next room, thinking Tommy got hurt.

I sat on the bed next to him and gently shook him. He jolted out of his sleep and had his ears covered. I tried getting his attention to tell him everything was okay but he couldn't hear me over his own screams. I pried his hands off his ears and gave as gentle a shout at his as I could to get his attention. he let out a huge breath and he was sweating.

"Tommy, you aren't in Dunkirk anymore. You're home. Safe. No bombs. No guns. Just family and love." I got up to go to the bathroom closet to grab a rag and wet it down with cold water while dad continued to calm him down. I came back in and his eyes immediately shot to me and looked at the rag. I handed it to him and he laid back in bed and just sighed, putting the rag on his head. I went back out of the room to the kitchen this time and pulled a glass from the cupboard and fille dit with water. Entering back into his room, he didn't look at me this time.

"Tommy, I brought you some water. You should probably drink it." he sat back up, leaning his head back against the headboard and took the glass from me, downing it in three gulps. He handed the glass back to me. "Would you like more?" he nodded and I went back to the kitchen to get more. When I came in this time, Tommy gave me a soft smile and laid back down.

"Thanks, Rose. You can set it on the nightstand." he patted the bed next to him and I sat down. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair to shake off some of the sweat. "Thank you.. for that. I really was screaming wasn't I?" I nodded. "I just hope this isn't a habit I'm about to start."

"Tommy, it will go away with time. You just have to give yourself that time to mend a little. Yeah, you're still going to have flashbacks, more than likely attacks like this on occasion, but you will get better. I promise." He shrugged his shoulders.

"I should probably give Harry a ring. Would you pass me the phone please?" I sighed and nodded giving him the phone and dial pad, leaving him to his private conversation.

~Tommy's Point Of View~

I picked up the phone and waited for the operator.

"Operator Kelley speaking, how may I serve you today?"

"Could you connect me to 3904 Cherry Grove, Holmes Chapel?"

"One moment." The line went silent for a moment until I could hear the faint ring waiting for Harry to pick up the phone.

"Styles residence. this is Gemma. May I ask who is calling?" she sounded sweet. Must be his sister.

"Um, yes. Hi. I was calling to speak with Harry. This is Tommy Hensley." I heard a giggle on the other end and mumbled "hold on" before another moment of silence. soon a breathy male voice came on the phone.

Tommy, mate, I was just about to call you. How'd you sleep?" He chuckled and I sighed.

"What's sleep anymore. Between screaming with nightmares the moment I close my eyes and sweating, I barely got any." I let out a small chuckle even though it wasn't that funny. "How about you mate?"

"I slept like a little baby. Granted I fell asleep while in the tub and woke up looking like a prune." We both let out belly laughs before continuing on with mindless chitchat.

"Harry, I know you don't live too far. Would you like to meet up with me and my sister at a coffee house nearby? I kind of owe her for dealing with my emotional breakdowns."