Chapter 1

(Mike)

"Kitchen's closed." She said hooking a thumb towards the darkened pass thru.

Her name tag said "Kelly," with a little gold star next to her name.

"Just coffee, with cream, please."

I was sitting on the first counter stool next to the cash register, in some coffee shop in the middle of nowhere, not having a clue as to how I got there.

This is not new for me. Seems to be happening a lot, this last six months. Since Danny was killed.

I found it difficult to pay attention to anything but my thoughts of my only son.

At least it wasn't a bar like usual.

"Thanks," I said, as she set the cup on the counter in front of me.

"Well the elephant had to piss some time."

This was delivered in such a normal tone that I damn near missed it.

My mind heard "Welcome" and not much else.

She paused about five seconds, and then started away.

Wait, what was that? Welco ... no...

I replayed what she had said, and got it.

"HA!"

"Welcome back," she said, with a smile over her shoulder.

"Not sure, but I think I just got here. Thanks for waking me up."

"No problem, let me know when you want a re-fill."

"Yup." Smooth talker, that's me.

Well, now that my eyes have started taking note on her, let's just see what else is going on around me.

There was a cop, about my age, sitting at the other end of the counter, where Kelly just stopped to pour. They're both were looking at me, as they talked, but at least Kelly is smiling.

Two 30 something guys drinking iced tea half way down the counter between me and the cop.

The only other folks in the place were sitting at a large table behind me. A group of people having some sort of party...

Oh. A soldier send off.

Dear sir, We regret to inform you that your son...

Danny's never coming home.

I drifted away, into thoughts of my son.

"You Okay?"

I flinched and looked up at Kelly. I hadn't noticed her coming back over to me.

I shook my head a second, then said, "Oh, um, yeah, I'm alright. Just lost in my mind."

The two counter stool jockeys were getting up to leave, and the cop was still looking at me.

After she rang out the thirty somethings and they were gone, Kelly came back over to me.

"Ready for a warm-up?" She asked.

"Sure, thanks." I leaned towards her and said quietly, "Listen, That table, with the soldier? I get their check, okay?

But please, don't tell them it was me."

"Um, are you sure? It'll be, like, seventy five bucks." She spoke just as quietly, and I silently thanked her.

I dug out my wallet and handed her two fifties. "Put my coffee on it and keep the change?"

"Okay, if that's what you want."

"Thanks," I said. I don't think she understood what I was doing, or why, but that didn't matter to me.

It's just my way of supporting our troops. I do it when I can.

She looked at me oddly as she stepped over to the cash register.

After she rang up the bill, she walked back over to the cop, and topped up his cup, again.

I sighed, sipped, then stirred in a little more cream.

A moment later, Kelly went over to the table, and asked if anyone wanted anything else, and soldier boy said, "Just the check."

"Already taken care of." she said. "One of the guys that was here got it."

"What? No, this ain't right." he said as he stood up.

I looked around and saw Kelly start looking a little scared.

"It's already a done deal," she said.

He was arguing with her as she backed towards the counter, shaking her head.

The cop stood up, paying close attention.

I could see that Kelly was about to give in and point me out.

Then I noticed his rank tabs.

"AT EASE, Corporal," I said, in Command Voice.

He stopped and looked at me.

"I saw what went down," I said. "And, more, I understand why.

That guy saw you sitting there in uniform, and knew you were going out to fight for us. To protect us.

He can't do that. For what ever reason, he can't go.

So he pulls out his wallet and picks up your tab.

Now, he don't want to embarrass you or create a scene, so he takes off, feeling good about it.

He knows damn good and well that you'd refuse to accept his offer, if he made it to you.