Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #241 is a reply to message #240] |
Mon, 23 July 2012 15:33   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Bozeman, Montana, Monday, late afternoon, August 13th (Tuesday August 14th, Tracy Island)
Luke let out a sigh of relief as he pulled into his parent's driveway. He usually didn't mind the ten-hour drive, but this time he couldn't wait to get there. He opened the door and Rommel went scrambling over him to reach the outside. "Oof! Rom!" Luke groaned as the dog's foot crushed a sensitive part of his anatomy. He followed Rommel out of the jeep and stretched.
"Luke!" A tall, auburn haired woman, dressed casually in jeans and a plaid shirt, waved from the porch.
Luke broke into a grin and waved back. He turned back to the jeep, pulling out his duffel bag, then strode up the steps and enveloped his mother in a bear hug. "Mom, it's great to see you."
"It's been a long time." Melisa hooked her arm through his and led him into the house. Rommel trotted along in front of them. "I made Thai chicken for you."
Luke grinned. "My favorite. Thanks, Mom." Luke dropped his bag on the stairs and followed his mother into the kitchen. "Dad still at the store?"
Melisa was at the counter, busily chopping vegetables. "Yes. The hockey shipment got delayed."
Luke winced. Hockey practices started early in Bozeman, and the delay of equipment would not make anyone in town happy. "Does he need any help?"
"I'm not there, am I?" Melisa shot back, not looking up.
Luke laughed. He walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a Guinness. "Wow, Thai chicken, good beer, I may never leave!" He leaned against the counter and snagged a carrot.
"As long as Rommel stays, you can. Sit. I have this." Melisa waved him away.
Luke sat down at the kitchen table, then looking around, sighed in contentment. Other than new curtains and a different shade of paint on the walls, the room looked no different than when he was young. Rommel flopped down at Melisa's feet and gazed up at her in adoration. "Rom, you're pathetic," Luke chuckled. The dog merely wagged his tail.
"Leave him alone." Melisa wiped her hands on her jeans and reached into a cupboard. Rommel's ears perked up and he sat up quickly. She knelt in front of him and handed him a cookie, then took his face in her hands and ruffled it. "That's my good boy. Want to come live with me? Do you?" Rommel whined, nudging her for more pats. Melisa laughed.
"Mom, you spoil him," Luke told her with a grin.
"Grandmother's prerogative." She looked over at Luke. "Honey, why are you really here? Is it because of Barry?"
The smile faded from Luke's face and he became very interested in his beer can. Finally, he sighed. "Yeah, partly anyway. I've been feeling kind of... disjointed about things lately. Between Barry leaving, work being a nightmare... I just needed to get away for a while I guess."
Melisa came and sat down next to him. "What's going on at work?"
"You know my boss, Derek?" Melisa nodded. "Well, he suggested I take a few weeks' vacation. Apparently my conduct on the last rescue was inappropriate." Luke crushed the can in his hands. Melisa sat patiently, waiting for her son to continue. "I have a job interview in L.A. on Friday."
Melisa frowned. "Luke, what kind of job?"
"It's for Tracy Industries. They're looking for an Environmental Specialist," he replied.
"And what does that mean?"
Luke shrugged. "I'll be studying the environmental impact on some of their proposed projects, probably acting as liaison between the company and the towns involved, things like that."
"An office job?" Melisa arched an eyebrow up in surprise.
He shook his head. "Not really. I'll be in the office some, but mostly field work."
"I see." Melisa looked thoughtful. "And you'll be based in Los Angeles?"
"Yeah, I think so, but I'll be traveling a lot too."
Melisa got up and walked back to the counter. After a few moments, she put the knife down and turned to her son. "Luke, are you doing this because you want to, or because you're hoping it will bring Barry back into your life?" She held up her hand. "Don't answer yet, but think about it." She paused as they heard a truck pull up outside. "Your father's home. Go say hello and tell him dinner will be ready in twenty minutes." She turned back to her cooking.
Luke watched her for a minute, then, his thoughts troubled, went outside to greet his father.
Richard Morel stepped out of the pickup and broke into a broad grin at the sight of his son. "Luke! You're earlier than I thought you'd be."
"Traffic wasn't that bad once I got going." Luke gave his father a hug. "Good to see you, Dad."
"You too, son." Richard was a tad shorter than his son, but his eyes were the same bluish-gray. "Where's Rommel?"
Luke rolled his eyes. "Where do you think?"
"I should have known." Richard looked closely at his son. "You look tired, Luke. Everything all right?"
Luke shrugged. "I'm fine. Did you get the hockey stuff all straightened out?"
"Yes, put the fear of God into that supplier, let me tell you." Richard led his way into the house. "Your mother making dinner?"
"Yeah, it'll be ready in about twenty minutes." Luke grabbed his bag off the steps and went up to his room. He flopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Was Mom right? Am I doing this to get Barry back? He frowned to himself. No, I'm not. At least, I don't think I am. He sighed. What am I even worrying about? I haven't even been on the interview yet. He lay there, listening to the murmur of his parent's voices downstairs. "OK, Morel, enough moping. Time to take charge of your life again." With that, Luke got up and went down to dinner.
Post by lillehafrue on 1/19/2007
  
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