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“It will be interesting what types of jobs they accept,” Wilson said. “They’re all ready to pull the trigger on retirement at any time.”
Roth nodded. He was the second person tonight to mention that they were on their way out. Wilson pulled his phone out and his fingers flew over the screen. He saw a kiss emoji as the last character Wilson inserted. So, Wilson did have a woman.
His gaze shifted to Burke. He wondered exactly what his relationship was with Laura Lee’s sister. That’s when he considered, probably for the first time, that his mother had never had a relationship with another man since his father died, not that he was aware of, anyway. He’d never thought about it before. But he now wondered why not. His mom was an attractive, successful woman. Certainly, men had been interested in her over the years. He planned to ask her about it while he was home.
After the Christmas Eve gathering broke up, Roth descended the stairs. He made a quick stop in his office to grab his medical backpack. His car was gassed up and his regular backpack and winter coat were in the passenger seat. It was a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Indianapolis, to his mother’s house. He was glad there was no snow, and he could easily make the drive tonight.
He was excited that he’d spend the next week with his family. While he’d been regular active duty, he’d not been home on Christmas Day. This would be the second year in a row that he’d wake up in his mom’s house, that he did think of as home, even though he’d never lived there. She’d moved into it after his sister had left for college and he was already in the Navy. But he’d learned long ago that home was where your family was.
Roth enjoyed waking and having breakfast with his mom. His little sister, Kelly, had spent Christmas Eve with her boyfriend’s family in Franklin, Tennessee. They had a noon flight into Indianapolis. His mom had volunteered to pick them up, really offering that Roth would pick them up, but they declined. Kelly planned to rent a car as they’d be in town for several days and she would visit with several friends and didn’t want to have to borrow her mom’s car.
“So, do you think Kelly’s that serious about Brandon?” Roth asked his mom after they’d finished eating but were lingering at the table and enjoying another cup of coffee before they’d prepare the stuffing and put the turkey in the oven for dinner.
“Give him a chance, Sebastian,” his mom said.
“What? It was just a question, not a judgement of him.”
“The fact that you feel the need to point out that you’re not judging him tells me you already have passed judgement on him.”
“He’s not the kind of guy I’d hang out with, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s good enough for my sister.”
“Honestly, can anyone be good enough for her in your eyes?”
Roth smiled and then chuckled as he considered it. “Well, honestly, no. She’s going to make one hell of a doctor if she isn’t distracted. Any guy with her has to be one hundred percent behind her. I’m just not sure if he understands how committed to her career she has to be right now. She has a long road ahead of her.”
“That she does. Do you ever wish you had gone to med school?”
“Me, no,” Roth said without thinking about it. “I enjoy what I do. Emergency medicine for a front-line combat veteran like me has its perks. And in the Navy, an HC has wider latitude than a nurse or EMT in civilian life.” He wished he could tell her what he really did. He’d love to tell her about the recent mission to Africa, treating BT’s broken wrist and lifesaving work he and Doc performed onsite after the villagers were found and attacked.
“So, you don’t think that Brandon has it in him to support her as he needs to?”
Roth thought about how to phrase his reply, so he didn’t sound judgmental. “I don’t know him well enough to say, but I think like most college guys with no real-world experience, he hasn’t moved past the selfish phase of his life yet.”
“Serving in the military makes people grow up fast, especially young men. Sebastian, you are a different person than Brandon or anyone who hasn’t served is. And the chances are really good that Kelly isn’t going to end up with someone who has served.”
“I know that. And I want her to find someone who supports her, makes her happy, and realizes how incredible of a person she is.”
“I’ve always wanted the same for you, Sebastian.”
Of course, when she said this, his thoughts went to Briana Woods. “Yeah, maybe someday, Mom.” He rose from his seat and gathered up their breakfast dishes. He set them onto the counter and then wet the dishrag with hot water to wash the table.
After a few quiet moments, his mom spoke again. “Are you going to talk to me, Sebastian?”
“I’ve been talking to you all morning. What do you mean?”
“There’s something on your mind, something weighing on you.” She smiled that all-knowing mother grin. “And don’t tell me there isn’t. I’m your mom, and I always know when something’s bothering you.”
Roth smiled, even though he didn’t want to. Yes, his mom could always read him like a book. “Not necessarily bothering me, but yes, there is something that’s been on my mind.”
“What’s her name?”
Roth chuckled. “Briana. And I wish there could be something between us, but I’m not sure there can be.”
“Why not?”
“I live in Illinois, she doesn’t.”
“How’d you meet her? Did she work at the naval hospital with you?”
