The Four Cowboys

Changes

The house above

"So they all want to share a wife. Shit, who would do that? And why are you telling me?"

"I don't want you getting the wrong idea from them."

"Is that kind of a thing around here?"

"Yeah. I have three husbands."

"You were totally against the idea the last time I saw you."

"A lot has changed since you've been in Iraq."

I shrug my shoulders and breathe out a deep breath.

"It seems so. My parents got divorced without me knowing, so that was a surprise to come home to after a two year tour."

"Shit. Really? Your siblings?"

"Not talking to me. Anyway, this isn't about me. Thank you so much for giving me a place to stay while I get back on my feet. And giving me work."

"Of course. You gave me a place to stay once too. After what you've gone through, I'm more than happy to give you a safe place. You can stay as long as you want."

"Thanks, but I'm just moving through, I guess. The city isn't cutting it. Too many big noises I think."

"Whatever you want to talk about what happened to you in Iraq, I'm right here. Literally ready to listen to you at any moment."

I give Haven, my best friend, a small hug. I'm still uncomfortable with human contact, but I'm getting better. Hugs for specific people, especially ones that are helping me, I don't mind too much. When we pull away, Haven continues to walk up the path to this gorgeous house. It's a huge white house with a wrap around porch. She told me it has five bedrooms, the master on the second floor being gigantic for the four brothers to share one woman.

She opens the front door and places the two bags of mine that are in her hand on the floor right next to the door. I do the same with the two in my hands. Haven walks in, yelling her hellos though it seems as if no one is home (habit then) and heads into the kitchen. My jaw drops at the sheer size of the kitchen, knowing that with four men living here, it's the perfect size for them.