Chapter 25

Present – Thom and Inga – wrapping up the campsite

Everyone has left, the rangers were the last group, but Inga still grins at me so I ask, "What the hell is the Cheshire cat impersonation for?"

Inga points and suggests, "It looks like the newlyweds forgot their camping gear and tents, I was just thinking that..."

I nip her crazy idea in the bud, " ... Inga, there's no way that's ever going to happen."

Inga's grin turns into a pout and she suggests, "Thom, I have been more than patient with you and yet you foolishly resist all my advances. I'm beginning to wonder if you are gay!"

I get pissed at the insinuation and angrily reply, "Inga, I'm not fucking gay..."

Inga interrupts, " ... Oh really? It's the only plausible excuse that I can think of."

I spout, "Well you'd better think again!"

She begins to cry and says, "Thom, I am a woman and I do have needs. I guess if you won't fulfill those needs I will need to find someone else."

Shit! I hate crying women because I don't know what to do so I fall back on my training and command, "We need to catch the last chopper out of here and hightail it back to Leadville."

Inga snidely snaps, "Yes Sir! I will pack up the newlyweds camping gear first. Sir!"

She's still crying as she leaves and begins to tear down the tents. I feel like shit!

Present – Jack, Masha and the children – On the C-130

Being back on a C-130 brings back many fond memories of when I was still in the Corps. I loved the hell out of these birds (well other than the noise and the uncomfortable seats) and this one had been worked over very nicely. Yeah, they beat the hell out of Blackhawks: Those choppers were practically flying death traps. And don't get me going on the MV-22 Osprey - the command loved those fuckers, but they crashed too often for my liking.

I look over at Masha; she smiles at me and says...

I can tell from his quiet disposition and the faraway look in his eyes that my Jack is thinking about his experiences in the Marines. Probably reliving the 'glory' of his past and ignoring the reality of the price which we his family paid. I clear my voice, place my hand on his and ask, "Jack you seem so distant right now?"

He replies, "Sorry Masha, being back on a C-130 reminds of my times in the Marines." He takes a short pause then continues with something that makes me very happy, "Those might have been the 'good old days' but they don't hold a candle to the life we now have together."

I squeeze his hand and affirm, "Yes Jack, life is different than then; now you have a family that loves you while then you only had Ben."

Jack smiles and says, "Yeah, Banzai really took good care of both of us. Remember the time he..."

I interrupt, " ... Yes Jack, I remember all the ways that Ben has helped us through the years; we couldn't have a more loyal friend. But I wonder Jack, why do you still persist in calling him 'Banzai'?"

Jack smiles at me and explains, "Masha, I do it as an honor to him. He was the most Banzai like warrior I have ever known and still is. Look at how he kicked the greenie's asses on his property."

Then he waves his hand toward Ivan and says, "It's just a shame he will never know the joy of fatherhood."

Jack had told me of the injuries Ben suffered during his extreme capture ordeal so I didn't need to ask him. I want to leave the conversation on a happy note so I say, "But Jack, he's going to make the best Uncle our children could ever have."

Jack smiles and agrees, "Yes Masha, look at all he's already done for Ivan."

We hear a howling noise so I look at Jack and ask, "Did one of the wolves sneak on the plane with us?"

Jack answers, "I don't think so, especially since that sounded more like a dog."

I look at Ivan and see he's blowing the little silver whistle Destiny gave him. At each whistle Sharik runs up and looks at Ivan while Ivan blows the whistle again. Finally Sharik lies on the deck, howls and covers his ears with his front paws.

I tell Ivan, "I don't think that Sharik likes the whistle."

Jack provides additional information, "Ivan, it's probably hurting his ears because we're inside the airplane. Why were you blowing it anyway?"

Ivan smiles and says, "I am boreding and want Destiny wolf lady to come so I could play."

I smile at Ivan and say, "Ivan, Destiny stayed at the campsite so she couldn't come this time when you blew the whistle. But Sharik is your friend and you like to play with him."

Ivan smiles and asks, "Mommy, can I get up to play with Sharik?"

I look at Jack, he smiles and nods so I answer, "Yes, you may as long as you don't keep blowing the whistle which hurts Sharik's ears."

Ivan unfastens his seatbelt, quickly jumps up, salutes and says, "Thank you General Mommy and Captain Papa." Then he runs down the center aisle of the plane with Sharik chasing him.

I giggle and Jack complains, "Yeah, it's too bad that Banzai can't have any children since I would love to get even for that particular dirty trick."

I yawn and answer, "Well, I'm going to take a little nap, can you take care of Veronika?"

Jack takes his daughter and I partake of a well-deserved rest...

Present – Thom and Inga – wrapping up the campsite

After making Inga cry I feel like shit so I move to help her tear down Ben's campsite. She's still crying as she crawls out of one of the tents where she has changed back into her BDUs. I get close and Inga commands, "Thom, do not bother trying to help me tear down the tents. I have always done all the work in our partnership because we were friends."

I begin to open my mouth but Inga looks at me and orders, "Thom stifle it! I am tired of hearing all your bullshit lies! Now why don't you do something like a typical man of your age should do - go crawl up on a picnic table and take a nap?"

I begin to fight the accusation, open my mouth and Inga begins to loudly sing - so loudly she can't hear me, "The thrill is gone! The thrill is gone away..."

Shit! I guess I've screwed the pooch on this one.

Inga finishes, loads the camping gear into the final TSIFFTS chopper, we put on our headsets and we leave. I try to take the seat next to her but she moves away from me.