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

who I have dreamt about for years. I’ve always wanted Darren to come running into my bedroom to tell me that he needed me. My eyes fly open when I feel his lips on my lips. His tongue parts my lips so he slides it into my mouth. I instinctively throw my arms around his neck and his hands are now on my hips pulling me closer to him. I moan as we deepen the kiss. We break apart from each other trying to catch our breath. I’m staring into those hazel eyes of his with a smile on my face. Wow is the only thing that we have said in two minutes.

“Where did that come from?” I’m startled by the kiss. Was it pity? Was it lust?

“I’ve always thought you were beautiful and have wanted to do that to you and so much more for a really long time.” His revelation has my head spinning.

“Why now?” I’m so confused as he lets out a sigh.

“Let’s walk and talk.” I nod as he gives me back my crutches that were knocked over when we were kissing. “I’ve had this crush on you since you were a freshman and I was a senior. I kept my mouth shut because of Adam. He was having a hard time with you being in the high school with us and a lot of people were ogling you. I came back after college to tell you, but I heard you were getting ready to go off to basic training.”

“I remember you at my going away party that my parents threw me. You were also at my graduation after boot camp. Why didn’t you say something then?”

“At the party, Adam was pretty messed up about you joining the Army and going away. That you could possibly head overseas or die. He got so drunk that I had to play babysitter. Then at your graduation you were dating that douchebag,” Darren says. I open my mouth to speak but Darren has more truths to get out. “This is the first time I’m seeing you since you were in your coma.”

“You were at the hospital?” This is a lot of information being thrown at me all at once. We finally make it to the diner. He holds open the door for me and I start to panic as a couple comes out. They nod at me before rushing out. I’m standing there waiting for the hostess when I notice all eyes are on me. Darren is standing next to me. “I want to go home. Please I can’t do this.” My anxiety is rising so the pain in my chest is starting. My panic attacks often mimic a heart attack.

“You’re not alone. Come on.” Darren points to the booth in the back corner. “The waffle surprise with whip cream looks good.”

Ever since the accident, I sit with my back facing a wall so I can stare at the door so no one can get a jump on me.

“I’m not hungry.” I close my eyes trying to get my breathing under control. Darren keeps talking about the damn menu.

“You need to eat. You need your strength to walk back to your house. Besides, I thought you wanted to rest some since your leg is bothering you,” he says. I take the leg off and rub the stub of my thigh. They had to amputate most of my leg. I have about half my thigh.

“It’s sore but it’s nice to feel pain again.” I laugh because that sounds ridiculous. I finally give in when the waitress comes over to take our order. “I’ll have the waffle surprise with a chocolate milkshake. Can I get strawberries on the side?”

“Sure thing, darlin’. The usual Darren?” The waitress chuckles when he says yes. “He’s here every day but this is the first time he brought a beautiful lady.” She winks at me and walks away. I’m blushing again. Darren reaches for my hands.

“I know this is sudden but I want to take you out tonight. I can have Michelle cover me at the bar tonight. There’s something I want you to see. What do you think?”

“I’d love to but I don’t know how my leg is going to feel.” Darren tilts his head to the right, lower lip out, blinking fast. The damn puppy dog face. I laugh and agree to it.

“Since you’re saying yes to everything I’m asking . . .”

“Watch it, buddy.” I laugh.

“I think you need a good night’s sleep. Try going upstairs tonight.”

“I don’t know how to walk up the stairs with my leg yet.”

“Mia, I’ll be there with you. Your knees bend like a normal person even though your one leg is amputated. Don’t over think it. I’ll bring your meds and journal up to you.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“You gave this big speech to my dad about not coddling me,” I paraphrase his speech, ‘but you’re kissing me and taking me on dates. What happens now, big boy?”

“I’m not going to coddle you. I might cuddle you but not coddle.” He laughs at his own stupid joke. “If, no, sorry, when I get you out every day that is another day with you. So, it’s a win-win situation all around.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me. I throw my napkin at him. “If my calculations are right, I have what twelve years to make up for liking you?”

“I think so.” The waitress brings us our food and shakes. We dig in and I moan after each bite of the waffle. “This is so damn good.”

“Worth the walk, huh?”

“Definitely. I’m going to need a nap after this walk. This is the most physical therapy I’ve done in a while. What time do you work today?”

“Eleven a.m. to close so I’m going to see if Michelle will cover me a few hours tonight.”

“Where are we going?”

“You trust me don’t you?” I stare at him which causes him to laugh.

Chapter Six

Darren

Kissing Mia was a