Chapter 2

He turned his attention once more to Levi. He felt bad for him. He knew from the kid attending a few meetings with the other veterans that he was hurting inside.

“I bet your Mom even has some leftovers she could heat up for you,” he offered. Now THAT got Levi’s attention despite his addled condition.

“They was havin’ smashed potatoes and gravy when I left. Man that sound good!”

“Then you sit tight here, and I bet she will warm some of them up for you when you get home.” He started to walk from Levi to the woman but decided to try once more.

“Levi? Why don’t you come to the meeting Wednesday night? It’s been a while since we saw you there.” He then covertly flashed Levi the hand signal from Afghan that indicated “You’re my brother”.

Despite his haze in thinking about his Mom’s cooking, he smiled at Rob and nodded twice.

Rob continued over toward the woman who had found her seat back at the far end of the bar.

“I apologize. Levi, he really isn’t a bad kid. He just needs to find his way.” Rob gently sat down on the stool next to her, seeing if she was going to send him any signals to back off.

“I’m not trying to make excuses for him, but he just got back from Afghanistan. That place will do a number on you. He is still trying to sort it all out. If he’d come to the veteran’s meetings, we could give him a hand.”

“Anyway, I hope he didn’t disturb you much Miss Socks?” It was half-statement, half-question.

She got an amused look on her face, laughed, and then when he looked confused she began to laugh hard and covered her eyes. She seemed ... relieved.

“I’m sorry,” she said, covering her mouth to keep her voice down. “Bobbie Soxx isn’t my name. At least it isn’t anymore, I mean, I’m not her anymore.”

Hmmm, he mused... she sounds a bit loopy. She doesn’t seem drunk. I wonder if she works at Charles River Labs and maybe sniffed too many chemicals today?

“Hi, I’m Carrie Anne.” She took his hand. “Carrie Anne Hutchins. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Coop.”

Rob laughed a bit himself. “That isn’t my name either, I guess we both have mysterious names.” His hand was twice the size of hers and he shook it lightly. “I’m Rob Cooper. Coop to most.”

He looked down and saw that her drink was empty.

“Can I get you a drink?”

He saw that she paused for a moment. Probably thinks I’m hitting on her. That’s the trouble with bars. I’ll just excuse myself--

“That’s alright, I don’t want to trouble you,” she said, but there was something slightly inviting in her voice.