The Soldier

the holes she left

When Tessa was getting off the plane she actually was feeling well rested. Taking her backpack and bag over her shoulder, she played around with her phone, when she saw a new message from Dan.

"Hey Tessa, I know I shouldn't have come to get you, but I am waiting for you in front of your gate. So... please don't run away."

Tessa sighed, looking for Dan's well-known face. He was not that hard to find, being taller than most people but not looking intimidating at all. He smiled at her, waving with a shield written her name on it. As if she would not recognise him and his goofy smile.

„Hey!", he said, spreading his arms to greet her with one of his bear-hugs.

She started to call them that because for a second it always felt like she could not breathe anymore, but that was when Dan always let go of her. Besides, a bear-hug was exactly what she needed to finally realise that she was at home. She was in New York, only a half an hour car ride away from her apartment.

„Hey, Dan.", Tessa smiled at him, hugging him back immediately.

„I know you probably don't like to be back, but I am really glad you're here, Tessa.", Dan continued, not trying to take her bag or backpack.

He knew better than that. Tessa was not sure how to feel about being back home. She was happy to be here, somewhat safe and without visible scars, but not eager to live the way civilians did.

'You're one of them too now, don't act like you're anything else.' Well, actually she was something else. A soldier.

She did not need to fear to live a boring life, she was part of another army now. Another adventure, a different kind of danger and an unknown assignment still ahead of her.

„How was it?", Dan asked carefully, looking at her with such pity in his hazel eyes, Tessa started to feel weak.

„It was alright, I think. I could say goodbye... and that's all that matters. Now, how are you? How is Wendy?", Tessa immediately changed the topic and felt another cold shiver running down her spine.

Was she getting sick?

„Oh, you know, I am fine. And Wendy is fine too, I did everything that majestic cat needs to be happy. I even cut her food the way you told me, but you're definitely indulging that cat too much. And even after I did everything right she keeps staring at me like I am the most vacant douchebag she ever needed to share a room with. Like she is that flawless of a personality... she is picky and between us, I still don't believe that she needs all this different kind of cat food, you're probably spending more money on that than on your own, she is just too spoiled already.", Dan chuckled, still sounding like he was serious about it.

„Hey, careful. It's my favourite living thing you are speaking of here, Dan.", Tessa said without missing a beat, playfully hitting his shoulder.

„Ouch, that hurt, my shoulder and my feelings, Tessa.", his voice sounding melodramatic and Tessa laughed about it. 

Dan told her about what she missed in their group of friends over the last six months, which was not that much considering how long she was not seeing them. One big drama because Carol and Jessica ended up fighting over a guy named Steve, a few little fights because of minor accidents and that was about it. Oh, and Dianne and Jimmy married last month, which was surprising for Tessa because they only knew each other for a bit more than a year.

„I don't know, they said they found each other and saw no reason in waiting any longer. I think that is a bit crazy, but that's just my opinion. They seem very happy though, that cheesy 'we will stay together forever' happy, you know? But they may even make it, both of them are a bit special, but you know that anyways. Carol thinks Dianne is pregnant but... you know, I don't mind as long as they are happy.", Dan explained, shrugging his shoulders.