Now that's a laugh a minute."
"Maybe you could see a psychologist outside the military. One in private practice. I'm sure…"
He cut her off with a wild look, his eyes wide and flashing. "What in the hell do they know?"
She retreated, unsure when faced with such fiery fury. This wasn't the man she knew these past few days. "I just…"
For a moment, he eased down, appearing to relax a fraction. "Don't set those soft eyes on me, baby. I won't live long enough to give you what you deserve."
"What do you mean?" His words lanced her heart, making her gasp. Fear crept in.
"One day, I'll screw up. Sooner or later." He took a deep breath. "Don't get any illusions about me. I live by the sword and I'll die by the sword."
With those prophetic words, he stuffed his wallet into the back pocket of his jeans, grabbed his car keys, and stormed out.
Oakley released a long sigh. A few years of therapy allowed her to read between the lines. Something bad happened to Tanner, something that he could never forgive himself for. Instead of dealing with the issue, he ran, pushing his luck and life to the fullest in order to escape the memories. She understood and felt all the more saddened. Experience taught her she couldn't run from what happened and she couldn't change it. All she could do was face her demons, work each day to conquer them, and move forward.
Until Tanner realized those facts for himself and received some help, she truly worried he would push too hard one time and pay the hard consequences of his actions.
With sudden inspiration, she returned to her side of the condo after carefully locking Tanner's front door behind her. Once there, she dug through her phone number book, finally finding what she needed. One finger punched in familiar numbers. "Hello. Can I speak to Dr Miller, please?"
Chapter 10
Tanner returned after a couple hours, didn't apologize for his behavior, or say where he had been or what he'd done. When she cautiously approached him, he watched her skeptically until she started a conversation, not once mentioning his outburst and behavior that morning. Only then did he ease back, perhaps trying too hard and feigning amusement.
At least he consented to join her for lunch with her former boss. It took some pleading, but she stubbornly refused to give up, encouraging and literally dragging him to the restaurant with her.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Tanner complained as they walked into the spacious dining room of a local restaurant.
Oakley glanced across the room until she spied Dr Miller. "It's just lunch. Besides, he's my old boss. Last I knew he doesn't bite, he bathes daily, brushes his teeth, and knows better than to pass gas in mixed company."
Tanner's lips twitched. Counting that for a tiny victory, Oakley led the way.
Dr Miller climbed out of the booth, stood, then waited for Oakley to do the introductions. His silver hair shined in the bright light, the only indicator to his advancing age. Strong arms and shoulders filled out the Oxford shirt while his pants accented a strong torso and legs. He definitely stayed in shape.
"Dr Miller, this is Tanner. Tanner, Dr Miller."
Both men shook hands, intently staring at one another for a long moment before Dr Miller indicated they should sit.
Oakley slid in first, scooching over so Tanner had plenty of room.
Dr Miller sat opposite them. "Nice to meet you, Tanner. Oakley's told me very little about you, I'm afraid." He grinned, winking at Oakley.
Tanner glanced at her before refocusing his attention back on the other man, tilting his head this way and that before speaking. "Military?"
If the question surprised Dr Miller, he didn't show it. "Marine. Ages ago."
"What unit?" Tanner pressed, leaning forward in interest.
"Ninth Marine, Vietnam."
Tanner whistled low, leaning back in his seat. "Hamburger Hill. Damn."
The older man nodded. "Not my fondest memories."
"I bet. Talk about FUBAR."
Dr Miller grinned. "You can say that
"Maybe you could see a psychologist outside the military. One in private practice. I'm sure…"
He cut her off with a wild look, his eyes wide and flashing. "What in the hell do they know?"
She retreated, unsure when faced with such fiery fury. This wasn't the man she knew these past few days. "I just…"
For a moment, he eased down, appearing to relax a fraction. "Don't set those soft eyes on me, baby. I won't live long enough to give you what you deserve."
"What do you mean?" His words lanced her heart, making her gasp. Fear crept in.
"One day, I'll screw up. Sooner or later." He took a deep breath. "Don't get any illusions about me. I live by the sword and I'll die by the sword."
With those prophetic words, he stuffed his wallet into the back pocket of his jeans, grabbed his car keys, and stormed out.
Oakley released a long sigh. A few years of therapy allowed her to read between the lines. Something bad happened to Tanner, something that he could never forgive himself for. Instead of dealing with the issue, he ran, pushing his luck and life to the fullest in order to escape the memories. She understood and felt all the more saddened. Experience taught her she couldn't run from what happened and she couldn't change it. All she could do was face her demons, work each day to conquer them, and move forward.
Until Tanner realized those facts for himself and received some help, she truly worried he would push too hard one time and pay the hard consequences of his actions.
With sudden inspiration, she returned to her side of the condo after carefully locking Tanner's front door behind her. Once there, she dug through her phone number book, finally finding what she needed. One finger punched in familiar numbers. "Hello. Can I speak to Dr Miller, please?"
Chapter 10
Tanner returned after a couple hours, didn't apologize for his behavior, or say where he had been or what he'd done. When she cautiously approached him, he watched her skeptically until she started a conversation, not once mentioning his outburst and behavior that morning. Only then did he ease back, perhaps trying too hard and feigning amusement.
At least he consented to join her for lunch with her former boss. It took some pleading, but she stubbornly refused to give up, encouraging and literally dragging him to the restaurant with her.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Tanner complained as they walked into the spacious dining room of a local restaurant.
Oakley glanced across the room until she spied Dr Miller. "It's just lunch. Besides, he's my old boss. Last I knew he doesn't bite, he bathes daily, brushes his teeth, and knows better than to pass gas in mixed company."
Tanner's lips twitched. Counting that for a tiny victory, Oakley led the way.
Dr Miller climbed out of the booth, stood, then waited for Oakley to do the introductions. His silver hair shined in the bright light, the only indicator to his advancing age. Strong arms and shoulders filled out the Oxford shirt while his pants accented a strong torso and legs. He definitely stayed in shape.
"Dr Miller, this is Tanner. Tanner, Dr Miller."
Both men shook hands, intently staring at one another for a long moment before Dr Miller indicated they should sit.
Oakley slid in first, scooching over so Tanner had plenty of room.
Dr Miller sat opposite them. "Nice to meet you, Tanner. Oakley's told me very little about you, I'm afraid." He grinned, winking at Oakley.
Tanner glanced at her before refocusing his attention back on the other man, tilting his head this way and that before speaking. "Military?"
If the question surprised Dr Miller, he didn't show it. "Marine. Ages ago."
"What unit?" Tanner pressed, leaning forward in interest.
"Ninth Marine, Vietnam."
Tanner whistled low, leaning back in his seat. "Hamburger Hill. Damn."
The older man nodded. "Not my fondest memories."
"I bet. Talk about FUBAR."
Dr Miller grinned. "You can say that
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