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The next morning, it was a little odd getting up to our old alarm clock again. I got up about half an hour before Logan and fixed breakfast. After that, I woke him up, we ate and got ready to leave. I have to admit, I liked our little routine and was surprised that I had missed it so much over the past few months. I didn't realize what a privilege everyday life was until Logan left...
Logan and I drove separately to Fort Lee. I didn't know what the General wanted, but I just figured that it wouldn't take all day and I would need to leave before Logan got off work... When we arrived, I followed Logan up to his office and met Katie.
"The General told me you'd be following along today. So, how's that nursery coming?" She asks as I take a seat in front of her desk.
"Just fine. Logan finished putting all the furniture together yesterday, so I can start decorating. I was actually planning on doing that today until the General called... Do you know what he wanted?"
"No idea." She answers as I hear a door open behind me. The General walks in smiling. "Good morning, nice to see you all made it. If you have a few minutes, I would like to speak with you and Logan alone."
I follow Logan into his office with the General close behind. Logan takes a seat behind his desk as the General and I sit in front. "So, what's the big question?" Logan asks.
"It's more for Caroline, but I wanted you to hear it as well... As you know, many of the soldiers we lost had families that live here on base. Since the incident, I've talked with each of them and informed them that they can stay here until they get on their feet... Some of them are dealing with everything on their own, but a few of them are having a rough time and need some guidance..."
"Like a grief counselor?" Logan asks.
The General nods, "Somewhat, but they need more than that. They need someone who's been there before, someone who really knows what they're going through. They're three women, in particular, that really, really need help. Two of them lost their husband, one of them lost their fiancé... I've tried to get them to go to therapy, but they refuse. They say no therapist could ever know what they're feeling..."
"So, what's your question?" I ask, really wanting to get to the point.
"Caroline, I think you would be a great friend to these ladies. You've been there, you know what it's like... I think you should meet with them a few times a week and let them get to know you. Maybe you can help them."
Okay, this definitely caught me off guard... He wants me to basically act like a therapist and ask them how they feel? "General, I don’t think that's a good idea. They won't listen to me. You're right, I know what it feels like, and I know they'll just push me away. That's exactly what I did to Logan."
"At first, you did. But as I do recall, you told me that Logan became your friend. He didn’t judge you, he let you speak your mind. Isn't that right?" He looks to Logan.
"He's got a point, Care."
"You agree with him?" I ask, curiously.
"I think it's a good idea..."
"Look, I'll give you a few minutes to discuss it, alright? I'll be right outside." The General leaves the room as I look back to Logan, "They won’t listen to me."
"How do you know until you try? You got on my last nerve when I first met you. I was ready to give up on you, but for some reason, I didn't. What if I had, Care? Where would we be now?"
"That's different."
"Is it? You just wanted someone to listen to you. To be your friend. What do you think they want? Right now, they think their life is over. No one's there for them, no one wants to sit and listen to what they have to say. Who knows? Maybe they're just like you. Maybe he was all they had. Maybe their family doesn’t have anything to do with them, maybe they don’t have any friends."
"I hate it when you play the guilt trick..." I mutter.
He smiles, "I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, Care, I'm trying to get you to think. I'm going to tell you what you told me. I'm not going to make a decision for you, you are your own person. Just think before you speak. What would make you happy? What would Nick want you to do, if he were here?"
I groan, "You just had to pull that one, didn’t you, Logan. You know what he'd say!" He smiles as I get up and walk out the door, with him close behind. The General looks up, quite alarmed. "Fine. I'll do it. But can you tell them something before I meet them?"
He smiles, "Anything."
"Tell 'em, I'm five months pregnant and I'm tired and cranky... Oh, and be sure to mention that I can't be stressed! Lord only knows what we'd all do if I were to be put in the hospital again!" They all chuckle. "This is not funny!"
Logan steps forward, smiling. "Honey, I think you may be overreacting, just a tad..."
"Really, I didn’t notice." I add sarcastically.
Logan looks back to the General, "The cafeteria wouldn’t happen to have anything sugary this early in the morning, would they?"
"They might have some ice cream left over from yesterday, why?"
He turns back to me, "I think we should go get some, what do you say?"
I perk up, "Really? I like that idea." I add, sweetly.
"The joys of hormones... Good thing is, with her, you just got to find some sugar and all is well. I'll be back shortly, General."
"Don't rush, Katie can handle it for a while." The General laughs as Logan and I head out of the office building.
"I'm turning into a hormonal monster, aren't I?" I ask as Logan chuckles.
"No, you're not a monster. Hormonal? Yeah. Monster? No. Hey, at least all you need is sugar. Some of the guys were talking about their wives needing crazy television shows, anime movies, and even blueberry snow cones. At least you're not that picky."
"That's true... Logan, do you think I can help them?"
He doesn’t answer right away... "Care, I think if anyone can, you can."
That made me feel a little better, but I still felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. What if I couldn't help them? I could have their lives in my hands. This was going to be a challenge, but the question still remained...
Would I succeed?