Captured 3 (12 page)

“They were looking for direction,” Joe continued. “They were lost and weren’t getting the answers they needed. That’s when you get into trouble, because you go looking for your answers in a way that could hurt you or killed. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I’m not sure?” Taylor said hesitantly.

Joe glanced over at Eric again. Eric could see how those lost boys had affected him. He put down the rag he’d been holding and walked around the vehicle, closer to Joe and Taylor.

“You asked some valid questions, but maybe your timing could use some work, Taylor,” Joe said. “You didn’t deserve to be dismissed by your teacher like that. What he did was just as disrespectful, and two wrongs don’t make a right. Yes, as a teacher, he needs to have order and a certain amount of control and authority, but he also should have answered you, and if he is teaching you things he doesn’t understand the purpose of, then he should have taken you aside and explained that. You may have caught him off guard, but that doesn’t excuse his response, either.”

“So am I grounded longer?” Taylor asked, staring at his dad with apprehension.

Joe smiled, but it was forced. Eric could see it, and he hoped Taylor could see how badly the experience had messed with his dad. “No, you’re not, but you are for smoking. That’s a no-go zone, and I’m kicking your butt for that. You won’t be lying around, stuck in your room, thinking about what you did—you’re going to be busting your butt around the house, helping your mom and me. Got it?” He was stern again, but he wasn’t as explosive as he’d been when he first found out.

Taylor slumped a bit and shrugged. Then Joe pulled him in his arms and hugged him, patting his back.

“Now go help your mom with that big dinner she’s planning tonight,” he said, “and tomorrow you and I are going to pay a visit to your teacher, and I’m going to have a talk with him.”

The way Joe said it seemed to brighten Taylor’s spirits. He started out of the garage and stopped. “Are you coming, Dad?” He sounded worried, as if he shouldn’t leave Joe, or maybe he was still shaken up over not knowing what had happened to his dad. It had scared the hell out of all of them.

“In a minute. I just need to talk with Eric. Tell your mom I won’t be long.”

“Okay,” Taylor said, and then he shuffled out the open garage door, dragging his feet.

Joe just watched his son leave and waited until he was sure he was out of hearing range before turning to Eric. He had something on his mind, Eric could tell. “I’m leaving the navy,” he said.

Eric couldn’t have been more shocked if Joe had suddenly revealed he was joining JILA. He was career navy. He had come from a family that lived and breathed the military. He loved it almost as much as Eric did.

“I can see you’re shocked. You don’t believe me, or maybe you think I’m overreacting.”

“No, what I’m thinking is you’re probably still in shock over what you went through and you haven’t had time to process anything.”

Joe just shook his head. “I don’t need time to process anything. I’m done. I had a wake-up call is what happened.”

“Hey, listen, don’t go and do anything stupid. Give yourself a few weeks, a month, and if you still feel that way, then it’s time. But rushing into something that can’t be undone? You’ve worked too hard to get where you are.”

Joe was still shaking his head with a stubborn look on his face. “No. Do you know that when Ayoud had me, the only reason I was still alive was because he gave me a choice to join him?” he said. When Eric started to reply, Joe just raised his hand calmly. “You need to hear this, so let me say all of it.”

Eric leaned back against his prize, his toy, and crossed his arms. “I’m listening.”

“I said hell no, no way. I’m an American, I’m loyal to my country, all that. Then, when he showed me how he was contacting my kid and how easy it was…well, I lost it, and I would’ve agreed to anything to keep her safe. Do you see how easy it was for me to choose my child over my country? What I realized while I was there, and even after you got me out, is that the military would have expected me to choose my country over my child. I understand, but I can’t do that. That’s when you know you’re not a soldier anymore. You’re a father first. I’m a father first!” he shouted, slamming his fist to his chest. Then he stepped back and lowered his hands, taking a breath to calm down. “I’m a father first, Eric. There’s no thinking about it. I’m a liability, and if you give yourself a minute, you’ll understand that. Ask yourself if you’d want a member of your crew feeling that way, not willing to give everything for their country, for their fellow crew?”

Eric didn’t have to think about it. If Joe was serious, he was right. Eric wouldn’t be comfortable with someone like that under him. “Have you told Mary-Margaret?” he asked, unable to believe he could just walk away from this life.

“Yeah. We stayed up half the night talking, trying to make things right between us. We’ve drifted. She knew it, I knew it. She understands. We’re going back to San Diego. Her folks are there now. We’ll buy a place, get settled, and find something different, a job in the private sector. It won’t be hard with my skills, I’m sure.”

Joe was right, Eric knew. He would have no trouble finding something. He’d be picked up in no time by some private security firm who had all the government contracts. Joe would do well, but Eric couldn’t imagine him and Mary-Margaret and the kids on the other side of the country. They were like family to him, the only family he had other than Abby and the kids.

“We’ll miss you,” he said, and then he hugged his friend.

Joe stepped back, embarrassed, and wiped his face. “Hey, listen, Mary-Margaret wanted me to invite you and Abby over for dinner. She’s planning some big celebration, and she wants everyone there.”

Eric reached out and touched Joe’s shoulder, then leaned against his car, shaking his head. “No can do. Abby and I are taking the kids and going to Myrtle Beach for a few days. We booked a place this morning. We’re leaving as soon as I finish up here, getting her ready.”

Joe took in the ’67 Shelby. “You’re not seriously taking this, are you?”

Eric took in the surprise on Joe’s face. “You’d be surprised how easy the car seats will fit in back. Besides, it was my wife’s idea to take it.”

“Really, Abby’s?” Joe said with amusement and then shook his head. He started out of the garage and then turned around, stepping back as he pointed at Eric. “Have a great trip, all of you. You take care of that wife of yours.”

The way Joe said it and then paused in the doorway for just a second before walking away, Eric knew it was his way of saying goodbye.

THE END

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