Peace of Mind
Copyright© 2021 by DB86
Chapter 1
“Well, well, well, look what the wind brought to Middletown, Landon Petersen.”
Derek Hayes engulfed the tall, muscular man standing outside his door in a bear hug.
“Did your bus arrive early? I was going to pick you up at the station.”
“Yes, it did. No worries,” Landon said taking a look around.
Derek was the only one who knew what his army buddy was going through.
“Welcome to our home, Landon. Come on in, and meet my beautiful wife, Bella.”
Landon stepped inside the house. A beautiful girl wearing gym shorts and a tank top smiled at the visitor.
“Hi, I’m Bella. I finally get to meet the famous Landon Petersen, the man who saved my husband’s life.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Hayes,” Landon shook Bella’s hand. “It’s really kind of you to say that. Sorry I missed your wedding.”
“It’s okay, Man” said Derek. “You were deployed. Do you know? Every time I look myself in the mirror and see the huge scar on my face I wonder how come my wife doesn’t run scared?”
Bella hugged her husband’s waist and said, “You know I love you for who you are, my gentle giant.”
Bella smiled at Derek, and he kissed her lovingly. Landon looked at them with a pang of envy.
“I hope I’m not imposing,” Landon said when they broke the kiss.
“You’re not imposing at all, Bro,” Derek said with a laugh. “After all, I’m the one who talked you into coming to Middletown.”
“Thank you,” the effort to act normal was taking a toll on Landon.
“So, Landon, how long are you staying in Middletown?” Bella asked.
Landon shrugged. “I’m not sure, a while I suppose.”
The tone of Landon’s voice was light, but his eyes were empty. The effort to make small talk was wearing him out.
Derek changed the subject. “Do you want to visit our gym? We were just heading there.”
“Sure.” Suddenly all the lightness in his face, in his voice disappeared as the darkness of recollection assailed him. He was lucky not to have bled to death the day they were attacked. The red-hot metal had cauterized the wound. He kept seeing Derek’s face destroyed by a metal splinter and the bodies of his buddies scattered around him. The scenes still haunted him.
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. His face was pale, and there was a cold sweat on his forehead.
“Do you feel okay, Landon?” Bella asked him with concern. “Did you have breakfast? You look pale.”
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