Worth Saving(16)

The major exhales like he’s disappointed in something I’ve said, but staying calm is what he’s best at. He turns to the side and drops the notepad onto the floor and it lands with a slap, then he turns his attention back to me.

“So, how about things not related to your deployment? You’re on R&R now, right? How’s that been going?”

I lean back in the couch and it squeaks and squeals from the movement.

“Well, I had to go through all the post-deployment stuff the first few days we were back, and I only have a little more to do before I’m officially on R&R, but I plan to have fun with it. I’m gonna take the two weeks of R&R, then another 30 days of leave. Maybe I’ll visit my parents up in Seattle or something. I don’t know.”

“Great. That’d be good for you. Getting some time to see your parents would be good. How about here in Vegas, though? Anyone special for you to spend your time with here?”

“Well, my friend Jason is coming down from Seattle this week, actually. We grew up together. He’s a lawyer, and he just won a big case at home and now he’s coming down to Vegas with his business partner to represent one of his college buddies in a new case, so he’ll be around for a while. I’ve got a few work colleagues and stuff too, but that’s about it. I met a girl, but I think she’s giving me the cold shoulder. It’s been a week since I last saw her.”

The major raises his eye brows like he’s surprised.

“A girl? What’s her name?” he asks, ignoring what I said about her leaving me hanging.

“Her name’s Layla, but like I said, it’s been a week since I last saw her, so I wouldn’t get too excited, Major. She’s gorgeous and all, but I don’t think she’s into me like that. She was insisting that there’s things about her I don’t know about that would make me not want to be around her. I told her to call me a week ago, and I haven’t heard from her since. So, I guess it’s a wrap for that.”

“Well, don’t give up hope, Austin,” the major advises as he gets up from his seat. “Maybe she’ll come around. You’re a good guy, and we all have our problems we have to work out. Maybe while she’s taking the time to work out hers, I can help you work out yours, and by the time she does call, you’ll be one hundred percent ready to go. PTSD is a difficult thing to go through, even for somebody as tough and brave as you.”

I get up from my seat and follow the major towards the door, relieved that the session was short and sweet.

“Maybe you’re right. I’ve got my own shit to work out. It’s not like me to get deep with a chick anyway, so it’s whatever.”

The major reaches down and opens up the door. The cold air from the hallway whisks into the room and hits me in the face.

“Maybe it’s for the best for now. Just keep holding on to hope, Austin. You never know what life might bring you.”

“I hear you, Major. Thanks. I’ll see you next week.”





Layla

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“Umm, just a Sprite for now is fine.”

“Okay, a Sprite, and do you still need some time to look over the menu?”

I look at the selection of food and it all looks and sounds so good. I can’t pick one particular thing yet. Maybe Marlene can help me decide.

“Yeah, can I get a minute please?” I reply, looking up at the muscular man who looks like he’s going to crush that pen and notepad any second now. “Plus, my girlfriend is coming, so I’ll wait until she gets here. Thanks.”

The extra-large waiter walks away to get my drink, and I continue to stare at the menu. As I was leaving Red Pony early this morning, Marlene was close to getting off too, so she suggested coming to Red Robin to eat lunch together. At first I thought to decline, simply because I’m tired from a night of dancing on that stupid pole in that stupid basement of that stupid club, but Marlene is my closest friend, so I couldn’t turn her down. Plus I found a bit of irony in eating at Red Robin after leaving Red Pony Gentlemen’s Club.

The waiter brings my Sprite back, and after I tell him I’m still not ordering until Marlene gets here, he leaves me alone. I sit and think about the night I just had. It was a lucky one. It’s not too often that it happens, but I was actually able to avoid being paid for last night. Every available girl is also a stripper, and we have to dance until there’s someone who’s willing to drop two grand to spend the night with us, or at least five hundred for some “personal time.” It was pretty empty most of the night, even in the upstairs lounge, and I was thrilled when my shift came to an end and I knew I wasn’t going to have to do some nasty shit with some gross boy who’s too much of an * or too ugly to meet someone the normal way. It was the highlight of my whole night, and even though Damien tried to give me shit about not dancing sexy enough or looking too standoffish when I was dancing, even he couldn’t mess it up for me. That’s my final reason for being here, a night like that is worth celebrating with some lunch at Red Robin. Yum!

After about ten minutes, the burly waiter saunters back over to me. He gives me a look that I read as saying, where is your f*cking friend already? But, that’s not what he actually says.

“Hi, ma’am, is your friend still coming?” he asks, which instantly annoys me. I look around the restaurant and it’s nearly empty. It’s not like there’s people on the waiting list.