Page 35 of Fly's Path

Oh, I remember that story. “Yeah. That was a while back. Most of us stick to cookies or brownies when they’re stationed stateside and prepackaged stuff when they’re overseas.”

“What do you send?”

“Blondies.”

“They any good?”

I shouldn’t feel insulted. This guy is a total stranger. “They are passable.”

He chuckles again.

The rough sound makes me happy. Kindness is worth the effort. Maybe the two birds with one stone might work in this circumstance too. Viola said her grandson was having problems. A good role model here in rehab might help. “I made a batch this morning.”

“Oh, did you?”

“Sure did.” This sort of bribery is evil, but brilliant. “My friend’s grandson is here. The kid was really hurt in an accident. We made them to cheer him up. They’re back in his suite. If you want to say hello and snag one.”

“Kid? There aren’t any kids here.”

Oh, I was right in thinking he was older. “A teenager…maybe in his early twenties.”

“There aren’t any kids here. I do think they treat people of all ages here, but I haven’t seen anyone under, like, twenty-five-ish.”

That’s odd.

“Have you met this kid? You haven’t, have you?”

“It’s rude to read my mind.”

He laughs again. “Noticing things is kind of important in my line of work.”

“Wait, I thought Army guys were just used for target practice?”

“Feels like it sometimes.” He glares at his leg that’s wrapped and in a fancy-looking brace.

“Can they find the pieces of the other guy?”

He frowns. “Normally, I’d be able to reply to that with a resounding no, but sadly this was a friendly-fire situation.”

Oh…oh no. “So has the kid finished doing sit-ups?”

“Probably not.” A small smile eeks out of him.

“I’d say next time try to make yourself a smaller target, but it seems like you’re just trying to grow more muscles so the bullets bounce off next time.” That has to really mess with his head if he plans to return.

“That’s the plan.”

Does that mean there’s a path to full recovery for him? I hope so. He seems like a nice guy. “They keeping you here long?”

“We don’t have a set date, but it will be a while.”

“Do you need a pen pal while you’re here?” Why did I say that? Because he looked so determined and alone when I walked in.

“I wouldn’t say no.”

“Well then, be prepared to be entertained by my witty written banter and funny stories that shouldn’t be funny.” Should I send him my funny alien stories?

“Oh really? That funny?”