Kimble nodded, then started walking again. They’d made an entire loop around the lower yard and were starting on a second pass. “I understand you were injured in Afghanistan. Let’s talk about that.”
For the next three loops around the yard, Rocco told him about the last few months of his mission, leaving out identifying details like locations and names and directives. They talked about what Kadisha did, though he didn’t say why. He didn’t know why. Was Kadisha’s hatred of him so much greater than her love of her village and the baby they were having?
“I wonder if you’ve regained all of your memories surrounding your wife and what happened? Sometimes the things we most need to remember are the very things we suppress and hide from ourselves.”
Rocco shrugged. It had been a major breakthrough when he remembered Zavi had survived the blast. He didn’t think there was more than that.
“How do you feel when you reexamine the events of those days?”
“Like I’m standing in a concrete box and the walls are closing in.”
“Like a coffin.”
“Yeah.”
“Why don’t we stop here.” They’d returned to the stairs leading to the upper lawn. “Tomorrow, we’ll work on releasing all of your memories, good, bad, indifferent. We’ll find a way to loosen the stranglehold you have over your mind so that you can let it go.”
Rocco held out his hand. “Thanks, doc.”
Kimble’s grip was tight. “We do have a deal, right? You don’t do anything until your affairs are in order. And I hold on to your bullet until you need it, agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“Where is your bullet?”
“Kit’s got it.”
“Good. I want to take it with me.” He reached into his pocket and handed Rocco his own worn bullet. “Here’s mine. Take care of it for me. I’m going to want it back.”
*
Mandy walked outside. The heat of the afternoon had cooled off considerably now that the sun was getting lower. Her stomach felt tight at the thought of returning to Ty’s for supper. She didn’t know if it would be easier on Zavi if she stayed away or better for him to see her and know she was still a part of his life.
She’d been utterly worthless after leaving earlier in the day. She’d cried for hours. Her eyes were puffy even now. The baby was hungry, which made her feel like she was starving. She hadn’t eaten at lunch, and now she was so hungry, she was nauseated.
Cord Ryker, Ty’s dad, was walking toward the used truck he’d bought recently. He waved her over. She didn’t feel like talking to anyone, lest her tears start up again, but she reluctantly met him halfway between their houses.
“Heading over to dinner?”
“Yup.”
“I’ll give you a ride.”
Mandy nodded, then walked with him back to his truck.
“Heard about the drama over there this morning.” Cord’s grin crinkled the corners of his eyes.
Mandy shot a look at him, wondering what his take on it was. “One of my worst days ever.”
“Sorry you’ve gotten sucked in to the darkness of all this mess.”
Mandy looked up at his kind face. “I just wish I understood what Rocco was going through.”
“Taking a stand is a brave thing to do.”
She winced. “But is it the right thing?”
“Guess time will tell. For now, let’s go get you fed.”
Mandy’s tension deepened as they pulled into Ty’s place and parked out front. Cord walked a little ahead and held the door open for her. Zavi saw her first. He came running over. “Mom! You came back.”
Mandy knelt down to hug him. She looked beyond him to the people in the living room. No Rocco in sight. But Wynn was there, watching them. Zavi released his tight hold of her, but didn’t let her go. “I told you I’d be back for supper,” she said. “And to put you to bed, if Papa doesn’t. Speaking of whom, where is your dad?”
Zavi lifted his shoulders. “I think working.”
“Oh.”
Rocco’s son studied her. “The problem is still in your face.”
Her breath hitched, then came too fast. She smiled, trying to redirect her emotions. If she started crying again, she might never stop. “You know why?”
Zavi shook his head.
“Because I’m starving! I’m hungry enough to eat you!” She grabbed him and made nom-nom-nom sounds against his neck. He giggled and wiggled in her hold.
When she let him go, he reached up and took her hand, leading her into the living room. “Will you sit next to me at dinner?” he asked.
“I was hoping you’d ask! Of course I will.”
Everyone in the living room was careful to keep up a facade of normalcy, which she would forever be grateful for. Wynn looked nervous, but that was understandable. She’d only recently started as Zavi’s tutor and babysitter—she probably wasn’t ready to be thrust into the middle of so much drama.