No Man Left Behind: A Veteran Inspired Charity Anthology by Elizabeth Knox (black authors fiction TXT) 📕

“Darren, thank you so much for coming in for me last night.” I’m confused. “When I got that call that Todd fell and the ambulance was taking him to the ER, I freaked out a lot,” she rushes out.

“Slow down. What the fuck are you talking about? I never came in for you.”

“Sandy said she called you and I wouldn’t have left but Todd was unconscious.” My mind is racing.

“How is he?” Michelle tells me that he’s fine. It’s a mild concussion. “This bar is a disaster. Nothing is done. Money thrown all over my desk.”

“Kat’s here now. I’ll come in and help you clean up the mess.”

“No, Michelle. Todd needs you.” She tries to argue with me. “Give the little dude a high five. Oh, by the way, Sandy is so fired,” I raise my voice.

“I’ll do it. She lied to me. I hired her because I thought I could trust her knowing her parents. I’ll come in a couple of hours early.” I hang up with her to start cleaning the bar. I’ll deal with the office when Michelle gets here. I slam the door to my office and call Gordon, my chef, as I took a look at the kitchen. He is not going to be happy.

I spend the next two hours cleaning this bar. It’s almost noon when I can actually open the damn bar. Gordon came in about an hour ago since he had to take his kid to an appointment.

“That bitch comes near my kitchen again. I’ll deep fry her.” I laugh. Gordon is serious and scary right now.

“We’ll find you some help. I’ll put the sign back in the window.” He turns to go into the kitchen cursing the whole time. I couldn’t help but chuckle. The bar starts to get so busy that I didn’t even notice Adam coming in and with Mia until Deanna, my daytime waitress, mentioned it to me. She gave them water but she’s the only waitress right now and she’s running around like a chicken with her head cut off. I told her that I’d get them.

“What can I get you?” I flop down next to Mia who hugs the wall to get away from me. She’s so small in comparison to me. I’m six-five and she’s five-five but her temper makes her a seven-foot giant. Mia cowers, hiding her face. I knew about the burns, but Adam also told me that she doesn’t like to show him her face.

“I’ll have a draft and the Gordo burger,” Adam speaks up. I write down the order while I wait for Mia. She’s been back home with her parents for almost a year and a half but spent a year in the hospital due to her injuries. She’s become a recluse, but it is great seeing her out and about.

“And you Mia?” I bump her elbow, sending her jumping in her seat. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” she whispers. “Is the lemonade fresh?”

“Gordon made it fresh this morning,” I tell her.

“I’ll have that and a hamburger with ketchup and pickles.” I write it down.

“It’s good seeing you, Mia. I’ve missed you.” I get out of the booth and head to the kitchen and give the order to Gordon.

“Is that?” Gordon starts to ask as he stares out the window into the bar.

“Yes, and don’t stare please.”

I’m behind the bar serving and talking when Mr. Lloyd gets my attention from the end of the bar by waving money at me.

“What can I get you, Mr. McCloud?” He laughs every time I call him that. When he gets drunk, he has an Irish accent. He doesn’t even know how it happens.

“Smartass. I’m sober.” He sticks his tongue out. “I see Adam got Mia Edwards out of the house.” I nod. “I’m paying for her meal and if she starts coming out more and happens to stop here, put everything on my tab. I don’t care if she buys a few rounds for the bar. Got it?”

“That’s a nice gesture.” I make a note for beside the register.

“Mia’s been through hell and back. It breaks my heart.”

“She won’t talk to anyone. I’m surprised she even left the house. It’s been how long since the accident?” one of my patrons comments.

“Listen here, you weasel. You must be new to this part of the county. Mia Edwards is a hero. She almost lost her life giving us the freedoms that we have right now,” Mr. Lloyd snaps at this man.

“Gossip about Mia Edwards is forbidden in the bar, got it?” I warn those in ear shot of me. They raise their hands in surrender. Gordon lets me know that an order is ready. I take it over to Adam and Mia. “Anything else? Do you need refills?” Mia shakes her head.

“All good, thanks,” Adam answers.

What happened to the outgoing, fun-loving Mia?

Chapter Three

Mia

After my appointment all I wanted to do was go home and get away from Adam. He went into the appointment with me and told the doctor the truth about the physical therapy, not wearing my leg, being waited on hand and foot by our parents, and now she has ordered physical therapy along with occupational therapy at home.

“Why are we even here? I wanted to go home,” I snap at Adam after Darren left with our order. “Everyone is staring at me.”

“You’re a local hero who almost died. You don’t leave the house, they’re happy to see you.”

“I’m no hero. I want to go home,” I whine.

“I’m hungry. Plus, I’m your ride home so unless you have your cell phone to order an Uber, you’re stuck here with me.” Adam wasn’t backing down. I keep moving my hair over the burns on my right cheek, neck, ear lobe, and shoulder. I can feel their eyes on me. The whispers as they look. Adam is on the phone like always. I never carry mine because I don’t have anyone to talk to