Leah has had half a bottle of wine by 8 p.m. and fully intends to finish the bottle.
She’s been in a bad mood the rest of the day — all because of that idiot, Michael.
She’s pissed at him for offending her, and pissed at herself for allowing it.
As she takes another gulp of her wine, her phone dings.
Rem
Am I interrupting anything?
Leah stares at the phone, her memory of Michael’s words playing on repeat in her head.
Goddamn it, she was rejected by him today.
And here she is, entertaining fantasies about Rem at the sight of his first text.
Leah
Just a bunch of self-pity and derision.
Leah sighs and pours another glass of wine, filling the glass all the way to the top.
Leah
I accidentally sent a co-worker a picture that was intended for you.
Leah
I thought I had to reject him, and it turns out, he wasn’t into me at all.
Rem
And that bothers you?
Leah
Only because he’s so…plain and vanilla and boring.
Rem
So you were worried he’d be interested, and now that he isn’t…
Leah
Well, if you put it that way, it sounds dumb.
Rem
I think you should only focus on me right now.
Rem
Don’t worry about that dumbass.
Leah
How do you know he’s a dumbass?
Rem
If he’s not interested in you, he’s a knuckle-dragging dummy.
Rem
Can I see the picture you intended to send me?
Rem
I never would have imagined that…
Rem
You have the sexiest hip, btw.
Rem
I have a tattoo, too.
Leah
It’s your turn to send a photo anyway.
Rem
Far be it from me not to reciprocate.
The picture comes through a few seconds later.
The words “Though I walk through the valley of death, I shall fear no evil” are on his forearm.
Leah
Whoa, I really hadn’t pegged you for a tattoo guy.
Rem
It’s from my Army days.
Leah
OMG. You were Military?
Leah
I wouldn’t have thought that, either.
Leah
But I guess it makes sense.
Leah
Idk. It just seems like you’re a man of honor.
Rem
I’d like to think so.
Leah
Can you tell me about the tattoo?
Rem
Oh, that’s a long story.
Leah curls up on the couch.
Rem
All right. I was in the Army, in Afghanistan.
Rem
My HUMVEE went over an IED and I was the only survivor.
Rem
I was thrown about fifty feet in the blast, and it saved my life.
Rem
My buddies weren’t so lucky.
Rem
One of them was my best friend, Jake.
Leah
I don’t even…I don’t know what to say.
Rem
I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to feel sad.
Rem
Honestly, it was a long time ago.
Leah’s eyes well up with tears as she stares at her phone.
Leah
How long were you over there?
Rem
I was in the service for six years.
Rem
It paid for college, and I’m thankful for that.
Leah
Yeah, but it probably gave you PTSD.
Rem
It’s not an issue, if that’s what you’re worried about.
Leah
Oh, no! That’s not what I was saying.
Leah
You just sounded so grateful for the college tuition — like you owed the Army something.
Leah
I’d say you more than paid for it.
Rem
I don’t look at it that way.
Rem
Even after everything I’ve been through…
Rem
I wish more people would serve.
Rem
My dad did, and his dad did.
Leah
Well, I’m grateful for your service.
Leah
You got it after the accident?
Rem
Yeah — I was in a pretty dark mindset for a while.
Rem
I wasn’t afraid of death.
Rem
For months, I actually felt guilty for living.
Leah
Because your friends died?
Rem
And I wondered why I should be able to live.
Leah
Oh, Rem. You were given a gift.
Rem
I know. That’s how I look at it now.
Rem
Like I said, I’ve handled the issues that came from it.
Rem
Though I do have a pretty nifty scar on my back.
At the word, Leah’s head snaps up.
Rem
Yeah. Apparently, rocks don’t make good landing pads.
Rem
Especially jagged ones.
Rem
I was sliced tail to gills on those things.
Rem
That’s some fisherman talk for ya 😉
Rem
But don’t worry. My clothing hides it.
Is he saying that scars are only ok if they’re covered?
Leah
It’s a badge of honor.
Rem
I’m glad you think so.
Leah
Thanks for sharing that, Rem.
Leah
I feel like now, I know something important about you.
Rem
You do. It’s a big part of the adult I eventually became.
Leah
I feel like I should reciprocate, but I don’t have anything important to tell.
Except for the ONE THING—
But she still wasn’t ready to tell him that.
Rem
Oh, everyone has secrets.
Rem
Definitely. But no pressure—
Rem
You’ll share yours when you’re ready.
The thought of that moment made her heart pound.
She needed to end the conversation.
The longer she put it off sharing, the longer she had to enjoy Rem.
Leah
Thank you for telling me your story.
Rem
Good night, Leah. Thank you for not judging me for it.
That night, she dreams of a rippled, beautiful soldier with haunting eyes.
