Caught In The Widow's Web

Ch 11

Steve and I were racing- well "running" at the park. No matter how fast we were going we were right beside each other, neither of us slowing down out of spite to the other. We kept passing a certain man and Steve couldn't help but tease him every time we lapped him.

"On your left."

~

"On your left."

"Uh huh, on my left. Got it."

~

"Don't say it! Don't you say it!"

"On your left."

"Come on!"

I couldn't help but laugh at Steve's antics as we kept running. When we finish we see that same man sitting by a tree taking a rest, catching his breath. We walk over to him and he looks up at us.

"Need a medic?" Steve asks making him laugh.

"I need a new set of lungs. Dude, you guys just ran like 13 miles in 30 minutes." He pants.

"I guess we got a late start." Steve shrugs looking around.

"Oh, really? You should be ashamed of yourself, you should take another lap." He tells us and he takes a small pause.

"Did you just take it? I assume y'all just took it." He jokes and I crack a smile.

"What unit you with?" Steve then asks him.

"58. Pararescue. But now I'm working down at the VA. Sam Wilson." He introduces himself and Steve extends a hand out to shake.

"Steve Rogers, and this is Joseph Barnes." He motions to me and I nod at him.

"I kind of put that together. I would shake your hand but heard you aren't big on that." He says looking at me and I nod turning away.

"Must have freaked you guys out coming home after the whole defrosting thing." He adds looking between us.

"It takes some getting used to. It's good to meet you, Sam." Steve smiles.

We then turn to leave.

"It's your bed, right?" He speaks up making us turn back to him.

"Your bed. It's too soft. When I was over there I'd sleep on the ground and use rock for pillows, like a caveman. Now I'm home, lying in my bed and it's like-

"Lying on a marshmallow." I say softly.

"Feels like I'm gonna sink right to the floor." Steve adds making Sam smile and nod his head.

"How long?" Steve asks him.

"Two tours. You must miss the good old days, huh?" He responds.

"Well things aren't so bad. Food's a lot better, we used to boil everything. No polio is good. Internet, so helpful. We've been reading that a lot trying to catch up." Steve lists off as I nod.

"Marvin Gaye, 1972, "Trouble Man" soundtrack. Everything you've missed jammed into one album." He tells us.

"I'll put it on the list." Steve nods and he brings out his small notebook and pen where he has his list of things we're to keep up with.

His phone then pings meaning he's just got a message. He checks it then turns to me briefly before he turns his attention to Sam.

"Alright, Sam, duty calls. Thanks for the run. If that's what you wanna call running." He says as he shakes hands with Sam making me chuckle.

"Oh, that's how it is?" Sam asks.

"Oh that's how it is." Steve confirms with a chuckle making him laugh.