You Are On My Mind

You're Home

Linda was glad for the quiet afternoon with no kids. She still felt a little guilty for dropping a rowdy Jack and a fussy Sean on her mother in law, but Mary had insisted it was okay.
Linda tossed her now brown hair behind her shoulder as she tidied up the nightstand. She smiled as she listened to her mix CD, thankful that Joe had showed her how to record things onto it. She still had her original mix tape that Danny had made for her, but it was old and was bound to break any minute.
Linda heard some talking outside through the opened window, but payed no head. It was a warm, breezy spring day, and people were dying of being cooped up because of the cold. She grabbed the chocolate wrapper she had left on the nightstand, glancing out the window casually. She did a double take and smiled widely.
***********
Danny sighed as he got off the bus. He picked up his suitcases, and headed for home. He took in a big breath of the New York air, and almost immediately coughed. "Yep, that's the same too." He walked to his new house— the house he and Linda had bought when he was back for R&R the last time. He walked for about twenty minutes, people walking by smiled at him. He turned the corner to his street and walked to his drive way.
"Excuse us, sir!" A lady's voice called.
Danny turned around and looked at the couple in the station wagon.
"I was wondering if you Could tell us how to get to Brooklyn?"
"Sure. Do you know where JFK is?"
"I know it well," the husband smiled.
"So you go past it, follow the East Belt Parkway, or Linden Boulevard. They'll get you there about the same time, give or take."
"Thank you!" The wife smiled, watching Danny turn around. "And thank you for your service!"
"Oh. You're welcome."
***********
Linda's feet flew out from under her as she ran outside. She was ecstatic, barely able to hold in her excitement. She tore the front door open and jumped into her husband's arms. He wasn't expecting her, and they both tumbled to the ground. She cupped his face with her hands, kissing his lips, cheeks, nose, neck, and ears. "You're home!"
Danny chuckled as Linda showered him with kisses. He put his hand on her lower back, propping himself up with his other arm. The shift in positions caused Linda to straddle his lap. "Linda. Linda."
"I'm so glad you're home!"
"Linda, baby." Danny tried to get her attention. He touched her lips with his, "Linda. The neighbors are staring."
"Let them stare, I don't really care."
"But I do, come on." He patted her butt, "you can shower me with love inside."
Linda nodded and stood up, grabbing Danny's duffel bag. "I'm so glad you're home!"
"I promised I would be." He snaked an arm around her waist, holding her close. He watched her shift his duffel bag on her shoulder.
"You wanna unpack then eat? Or eat then unpack? Or unpack while eating?"
"I'm not really hungry, thanks." Danny ogled her body as she walked up the stairs to their room. She plopped the duffel bag on the bed and started her task. "You don't have to do that."
"I know," Linda started making a pile of dirty clothes. "Why don't you hop in the shower? Enjoy your homecoming. I'll finish this."
"Uh Uh."
"Uh Uh? Whaddaya mean uh uh? I said I'll finish, so I'll finish. It's no big deal."
"No, not uh uh to that. Uh uh to I'm going in that shower alone." He lightly grasped her arm, "you're coming with me, missy."
Linda smiled as she dropped the T-shirt she was holding. She happily complied to Danny's request. She was surprised when his hand snuck between her legs. She was even more surprised to discover how much stronger he had become.
The day ended exactly how Linda had imagined: a huge meal at Frank's house, quality time with the kids, and another round of love making. She wished it would stay like that, but she knew the PTSD was just waiting to rear its ugly head around.