Finding Home Read Online Free

It’s actually one of the things I love most about you.”  I don’t know why, but I felt my cheeks redden and I looked away, my eyes staring up at the stars again. 
    “I was afraid you were gonna die,” I said softly and then I felt his hand take mine.  I’d always imagined his hands to be rough and calloused, especially after his time in the army, but they weren’t.  As his hand held mine, it was warm and soft. 
    “Me too.”  His voice was shaky and when I glanced over to him again, his eyes were closed and I wondered what he was thinking about.  His brow was creased and I knew his thoughts were not peaceful ones.  He looked scared and when he opened his eyes, I knew he was. “Sometimes I think I should’ve died.”
    “Don’t say that,” I interrupted quickly.
    “I wonder why I’m still here and they’re not.” I watched his throat as it bobbed from a hard swallow. 
    “You’re here because you’re supposed to be here.”
    “That’s bullshit.  I’m here because I’m lucky and they weren’t.”
    By the look on his face, I knew he was serious.  He believed it was all luck when I knew it wasn’t.
    “It wasn’t luck, Brandon.  You’re here because you’re supposed to be here.” I was trying to choke back the tears.  I’d always been a sap and cried at the drop of a hat, but the tears I was fighting this time were real.  I didn’t want my friend to think it was just chance that he was still alive. 
    “You can think that, Mandy, but I don’t.”
    “Why don’t you believe it?”
    “Because the other guys were better than me.  So much better.  Harper had a wife and two kids.  Foster only had a couple of months left.  He was gonna be a doctor, but they’re gone and I’m still here.  They’re dead and a cocky asshole like me isn’t.”
    My eyes filled with tears as I listened to Brandon, but I bit them back and looked right into his eyes. 
    “I’m so sorry about your friends,” I said and then squeezed his hand tightly. “But, I’m glad my friend is still here.  Their lives were no more valuable than yours.”
    He didn’t say anything, but he looked away, turning his eyes back to the sky.  He pulled his hand from mine and I wondered if he was mad at me. 
    “I don’t know what you’re going through,” I said quietly. “But if you need anything, I’m here, okay?”
    “I know,” he answered just as quietly. “You’re always taking care of everyone.”  He stopped talking and he sat up, looking down at me. “I’m glad you’re here, Mandy.  I missed you.”
    I sat up too and I leaned in, hugging him tightly as his arms wrapped around me.
    “I missed you too.”
    When we let go of each other, we leaned back into the grass, listening to the flowing water of Slate Creek and the humming of the radio.  We didn’t say anything else.  We didn’t need to, but then I felt him take my hand again and he moved his body a little closer to mine.  He was home and he was safe.  I just hoped he realized how happy I was about that. 

Two
     
    I didn’t recognize the pick-up truck when I pulled up to Brandon’s house a few days later.  It was big and gray and looked like it cost a bundle.  I was almost ashamed to pull my little P.O.S. next to it.  Riley’s car was there though, the same silver Jetta she’d had since high school.  I trotted up the stairs, excited to spend the evening with Brandon and Riley.  We didn’t have any plans.  We’d probably just watch a movie or grab a bite to eat.  It didn’t matter to me though.  At least I wasn’t at home. 
    I knocked, but didn’t wait for an answer.  I knew his parents were both at work and Brandon wouldn’t mind if I went in.  I walked quickly towards the living room and then stopped in my tracks as my eyes tried to register what I was seeing.  A face I hadn’t seen in almost three years and never expected to see again was staring back at me.  Jesse Baylor was sitting in Brandon’s living