And she doesn’t even know it.
I was relieved from active duty for the remainder of my term and would be assigned an office job where I would safely finish out my twenty years of service as required by my protection order.I returned to my apartment in Florida, only to be thrust into the spotlight, besieged by reporters eager for a story before I received a Purple Heart.Concealing my identity became paramount, especially withBig Bosslurking in the shadows, so I quickly pulled my cap down and carried my head low as I walked from the car to my door.
This was absolutely insane; I had five years to go and could not risk my cover being blown right now, especially withBig Bossout on the run.I had no idea what to do to get out of this situation.The ceremony was set to take place tomorrow morning and Icould notshow up there to receive that Purple Heart.Sure, my last name had changed and there could be a million men named Lee in the country, but my face hadn’t changed that much that my parents, or Ellie, wouldn’t immediately recognize me when they saw the news.I’ve waited all these years, and this can’t be the way they find out that I’m still alive.
I’m pacing the living room, trying to figure out my next move when it comes to me: Pierce Walker.The guy that met me at the hotel on the first day of my new life.I know I have that card somewhere with his contact information.I search my entire apartment and find it at the bottom of my gun safe.I grabbed my phone and dialed the number on the card; it was still in service, thank God.After I gave him the details of my situation, he said to stay where I was, and he would be at my door in less than two hours.
The reporters were camped outside my building, cameras at the ready for the moment that I emerge.I made sure my curtains were all pulled tight, and the doors were locked, and I tried to relax but the pain in my leg had returned, and I was a nervous wreck.All the possibilities running through my head at the same time: Ellie finding out I’m alive and never reached out to her, my parents heartbroken all over again,Big Bosstaking me out in revenge for taking down his drug business.
The knock on my door startled me out of my thoughts and I jumped up to answer it.A quick look into the peep hole told me it was who I was expecting it to be, and I ushered him in.Lt Col Walker was wearing his full uniform and took his cap off then shook my hand and looked me over.He shook his head in disbelief and inhaled deeply.
“Well, I can’t say that I’m surprised with how you turned out, Lee.”He took a seat at my dining room table, and I did the same.“I knew when I met you that day that you would take this opportunity and turn it into something great.You’ve made a career for yourself, young man, and you should be damn proud.”
“Thank you, sir.”I said politely.
“Now, your situation is a bit precarious, isn’t it?”He pulled out a piece of paper from the folder he was carrying and laid it out on the table.“I’ve been given the go-ahead to accept the Purple Heart in your stead, recognizing your valor and sacrifice on the battlefield.I will convey your regret at not being able to attend the ceremony due to the ongoing recovery of your leg, and I will express your deep gratitude for the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force.”His fingers tapped the table in a mindless rhythm.“You will stay here, Lee.You will not leave this apartment until I call you and give theall clear, do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”I nodded and he was about to stand up to leave when I stopped him.“Has he been caught yet?”I asked.He looked at me for a moment, unsure if he should give me this information, but he did anyways.
“No.He’s still out there.Last I heard, he was spotted in Illinois, just outside of Chicago.I don’t think he’s looking for you, but we have to keep you out of the news just in case he’s watching.The last thing we want is to use you as bait.You’ve been through enough and we’ll get him, you can count on that.We’re on his tail and it’s only a matter of time.”With that, he stood, walked to the foyer, and placed his cap back on his head as he was escorted back to his car by a full security detail that waited outside my door.
I watched the live coverage of the ceremony the next morning and was extremely proud as the Lieutenant accepted my medal and gave a short speech.Afterwards, the cameras flipped back to the newsroom where a group of anchors were discussing the ceremony.They went back and forth questioning each other about why they thought I wasn’t there to accept the medal in person.There were a number of ideas thrown out between them: I was camera shy, on too many pain meds that I couldn’t walk, didn’t want the publicity, or maybe I wasn’t who I say I am.
Wow, I’m glad I wasn’t there, they may have actually uncovered my identity after all.I say a silent prayer, thanking the CIA for continuing to be behind me and living up to their deal.Then I shut off the TV and fired up the indoor grill, allowing myself a moment of quiet celebration.
Chapter Thirty-Two
ELLIE
Two years earlier
“Mom!”Dylan ran into the kitchen, knocking over the plant that I had sitting on the corner of the counter, and left the front door wide open, letting the late March snow from this morning drift in and settle on the hardwood floor.I could tell he was excited when he shouted, “Guess what!?”Before I could answer, he says, “I made Varsity!”and starts jumping up and down.I screamed and started jumping with him.
This was huge for him.There were so many talented kids at his school that went out for the team, that he didn’t think he had a chance at making the Varsity Baseball roster during his freshman year.“I knew it!”I told him and squeezed him in my arms.“I knew you would make it!”
This school year has been a roller coaster of emotions for me.Dylan is growing up; I’ve watched him transform this year and he’s maturing into a young man.He’s smart and he’s athletic and he’s an absolute gentleman.I realize that, as he’s getting older, these things are bound to happen, but when he celebrated his one-year anniversary with his girlfriend, Carrie, I cried.I’ve watched these two over the past year and they remind me so much of myself and Lee that I sometimes forget they are not us, and they’re living out their own unique journey.
I helped him pick out a suit and tie for homecoming and they’re already talking about their summer vacation plans.When they started to get closer and she was spending a lot of time at the farmhouse, I thought it was probably time for me to meet her parents.But when I asked her about it, she told me her dad doesn’t live with them and her mom is always busy.“She’s almost never home, she travels a lot for work and now that I’m old enough to stay home by myself, she’s sometimes gone for a week at a time.”She explained.“But I know she’s dying to meet you too!”she added happily.
It took several months of schedule mishaps, and we eventually stopped trying to meet up for lunch or dinner or a hello in passing when I dropped Carrie off at home.I was beginning to think Carrie’s mom was purposely trying to avoid meeting me and I couldn’t figure out why.
* * *
On the morning of Carrie’s birthday, I received a phone call from the hotel her mom works at, and she introduced herself as Margot Lancaster; it was the first time I was able to talk to her on the phone.She wasn’t calling to chat; she was calling to ask a favor, but she apologized for not being able to meet or talk to me up until now.She explained how busy and stressful her job had been over the last year and there was a long pause where I could hear Margot trying to compose herself.
When she started speaking again, she told me her boss was sending her on a business trip this afternoon.She tried to get out of it, but he threatened to let her go if she didn’t take the trip; she’d been there fourteen years and apparently her loyalty didn’t matter.She was asking me if I could help make Carrie’s birthday enjoyable for her because she wasn’t going to be able to be here for it.
I could tell she was crushed to be missing her daughter’s birthday and I promised I would make it special for her.It was a Friday, and her mom was going to be out of town until Monday.Under normal circumstances, I would never even consider letting a girl spend the night at my house, but I could not imagine letting her spend her birthday night alone at home.So, I prepared the guest room and laid out clean sheets and a freshly fluffed comforter.
I spent the rest of the morning planning out how we would celebrate this wonderful girl that brings my son so much happiness.First, I made reservations at the Lighthouse Point Grille, I hadn’t been there since Jake and I dated but I knew it would be the perfect ending to her birthday.
I picked up the kids from school: surprise number one accomplished when Carrie climbed into the backseat and was surrounded by pink balloons,her favorite color.We stopped by her house, and I waited in the car while they ran in and packed a weekend bag.When they got back in, we headed into the city where we were going to play a round of put-put and then Dylan was going to enjoy sitting in the lobby while Carrie and I got mani/pedis at the bougie salon I’ve always wanted to go into.
We finished off the night with dinner at the grille, followed by a completely embarrassing birthday callout in which a group of waiters pull the birthday girl into the center of the restaurant and sing happy birthday while she blows out the candle on a cupcake.
When she was thoroughly exhausted, we went home and ate popcorn while we watched a movie.I took plenty of videos and pictures all night and sent them to her mom over text.She called from Texas, and I handed Carrie the phone.She gushed to her mom over all of the birthday activities and after a brief conversation, she handed the phone back to me.
“Thank you so much, Ellie.I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”Margot exclaimed with heartfelt gratitude, her voice trembling with emotion.I told her I had fun making this day memorable for her daughter and that in a way, it felt like I was celebrating my own daughter.I wasn’t going to get the opportunity to do fun, girly things for a daughter in my lifetime and this filled my heart with a bittersweet joy as I hung up the phone.
