Afflicted

"Kaitlyn Lewis, will you - officially - be my girlfriend?" He dropped to one knee in front of me and held out his hand for me to take.

My mouth fell open but no words came out. My eyes darted between all of our friends who were staring at us expectantly. Even the gang of ducks glared at us like they were waiting for something. I wasn't sure if he'd done it on purpose or not but with an audience like that there was really only one thing I could say.

"Of course I will," I breathed and he pulled me forward into a kiss while our friends clapped and laughed around us.

Chapter Eight

Lincoln

I stayed seated on the front steps as Katy headed away down the street. My chest still felt warmed by her embrace and I couldn't help but feel guilty over the time she'd spent worrying about me. While I'd been away starting a new life, she'd remained here thinking she'd caused me pain. In reality she'd set me free. Hell I probably owed her a thank you.

My cellphone buzzed and I pulled it from my pocket hopefully. There was a chance I would have to have my compassionate leave cut short. If I was called back then there was nothing I could do about it. My heart rose at the thought and I pushed it aside guiltily. I really needed to try and get Diane's life in order before I left. Especially as I wasn't planning on returning again.

I glanced at the name on the screen before answering and smiled.

“Kai,” I said brightly as I answered. “What's happening?”

“Walsh,” he said, calling me by my surname as everyone in the squad did. Something about it made me feel like a different man; Walsh was fearless, strong and dependable. Everything I strove to be. “Just thought I'd check in. I gathered you're in the area without water today?”

“So I've heard. Some kind of contamination isn't it?” I asked.

“Something like that. Are you free to meet today? We need to give you a satphone so that we can speak on a secure line. Orders from the top; we’re all being given one.”

“Sure. But it's probably best you don't come here. Shall I meet you in town in about an hour?” I asked.

“There's a pizza joint called Donny’s Pizza Palace. Meet us there and let's make it a bit later,” Kai said authoritatively. He was taking his role in charge without me more seriously than necessary and clearly enjoyed giving me an order for once.

“Sir,” I corrected him, knowing full well he wouldn't say it. My promotion over him had come as both a shock and constant source of amusement to the two of us. Whenever we were with another marine, he had to call me ‘sir’ and I couldn't help but rub it in.

“See you there at half twelve?” he asked, ignoring me.

“Sure. I'll go get some groceries before I meet you then,” I agreed.

“We’ll see you there,” he confirmed before hanging up on me.

I let out a snort of laughter at the dismissal and pushed myself up off of the porch. I headed inside and paused as I heard the sound of the TV coming from the front room.

My mom was sitting on the couch, staring at the screen with glassy eyes that made me think she wasn't watching it at all. It was still a huge improvement on yesterday, I'd been beginning to think I'd have to force her to get out of bed at all.

“Hey Diane,” I said as I entered the room. A shadow passed behind her eyes as I used her name but I ignored it. “You've got no food in so I'm gunna head to the shops.”

“I've been meaning to go…” She trailed off vaguely. I wasn't sure if she'd even left the house since his funeral. It certainly looked like she could do with a good meal and the cupboards were practically bare.

“I'm on it. I need to head into town anyway.”

“Not the city?” she confirmed warily. My old man had always hated Harbour City, even more so after they built The Wall around it. He said it was unnatural to put so many people in one place, all watching each other all the time. I guess I could see why he wouldn't want anyone paying too much attention to him. Either way I doubted Diane had ever been there to do shopping or for anything else.

“Orville’s a lot closer, they'll have everything I need. Any requests?” I asked.

“Pick up your Dada,” she mumbled, her southern accent sounding more prominent with the last word.

My jaw tightened and I made an effort to keep my voice clear o

f emotion as I responded. “He's dead. You know that.” I wondered if she'd been at the pain meds this morning.

“I ain't a fool Lincoln,” she spat suddenly, turning red-rimmed eyes on me. “I mean his ashes.”

I held her gaze, biting my tongue against shouting every reason why I'd never want to do anything for him even after his death. I was glad he'd been burnt and hoped he was still burning somewhere as we spoke.