Pose (Club Kitten Dancers 2)

So I park at the back and I make my way to the double doors that lead to the interior hallway.

“Good evening, Mrs. Berkeley,” I murmur as I pass an older woman at the mailboxes.

“Why, hello, James. How was your day?”

“Pretty good, Mrs. Berkeley. My best friend just got married.”

“Oh, congratulations!” The old woman smiles and claps her hands together, then rubs them back and forth. “And what about you?” She raises a mischievous eyebrow.

“You know I’m waiting for you, Mrs. Berkeley.”

“Oh, stop it,” she laughs, waving a hand toward me.

“One of these days, maybe you’ll think about going out with a younger man,” I wink. Mrs. Berkeley, who is actually widowed, just laughs as I turn to go.

“The woman you marry will be a lucky one, James. Mark my words.”

Shaking my head, I head to the elevator and press the button to call it. When I lived in the dorms, I was on the third floor and would sprint up the steps two at a time. I didn’t care about taking an elevator. I didn’t have to worry about parking far away.

Now, things are different. The elevator comes and I enter and press the button for the fourth floor. Sometimes I still take the stairs here, but not today. I already pushed myself when I parked so far away from the building. Already my legs are feeling sore and my stump is starting to ache.

I should have just used the fucking placard and parked close, but I care about my pride too much. Only a few people in my building know I’m a disabled vet. Despite the fact that it is the current year, there is still so much social stigma around veterans in general, especially the ones who have been overseas.

When I first came back, I had a few people say they couldn’t have their kids around me in case I “snapped.” Even my own sister doesn’t bring her kids around anymore. Susie is an amazing mother and before I lost my leg, we were close.

Now she’s scared.

She says she has to put the kids first.

I miss Alyx and Anna. My niece and nephew are the sweetest kids I’ve ever met, but Susie thinks I’m dangerous.

“You’re a time bomb, James,” she told me. I’d finally gotten out of the hospital and called to see if I could come for a visit.

A time bomb.

That’s what she said.

Her words.

I hate that’s what I am to her, to other people. So while some vets might be proud of the fact they served, I’m sort of in hiding. I’d rather no one know who I am, where I live, or what I’ve been.

I’d rather people just leave me alone.

Except for Kasey.

Something tells me she’s not afraid of me.

Something tells me she can save me.

Chapter 4

Kasey

“Hello?” I answer the phone tentatively. I know who it is. I know who it has to be. I just can’t believe he actually called.

“Miss me, doll?”

“James,” I whisper. “You really called.”