First Class Hero (First Class Novels) by AJ Harmon Read Free Book Online

and we will bring you updates as we receive them.”
    Nic stared at the television. “Please, no. Not Paul.”
    *****
    Peter Lathem sat in front of the television, his heart
beating a little faster than normal, relieved his wife, Maureen, was at their
son and daughter-in-law’s apartment spending time with the grandchildren. Peter
listened to the CNN anchor repeat the news of the Navy Seal casualties. Please
God, not Paul.
    According to the report, the operation had taken place
yesterday, Sunday, twenty-four hours ago. Peter hoped that it meant Paul was
alright. Wouldn’t they have come to tell us already? he wondered.
    As Peter continued to sit in his chair in front of the
television, the telephone rang and his heart lodged in his throat not wanting
to hear who was calling. Ignorance was occasionally better than reality. He
stood and walked the few steps to the phone and picked up the receiver. As he
put it to his ear, his eyes welled with tears and he had to pause to compose
himself.
    “Dad? Mom?”
    “Paul!” he choked.
    “I’m okay Dad…I didn’t want you to worry…I called as soon as
I could.”
    “Paul,” Peter whispered. “Son, I love you.”
    “I love you too. I’m fine Dad. I’ll be home on Wednesday.
Our assignment has been completed and I’m gonna come home for a few days. Tell
Mom I’m fine will ya please?”
    “I will Paul. I’m glad you’re well. I’ll pick you up at the
airport. Just tell me when.”
    “I’ll text you, k? I’ve gotta go. Love you.”
    Peter hung up the phone and sat on the nearest chair. He
buried his face in his hands and cried tears of relief and joy. Once he had
composed himself, he decided to call Maureen and tell her before she heard the
news somewhere and panicked.
    “Your lunch is in the fridge, Peter. I told you that before
I left this morning.”
    Peter smiled. “I’m not calling to ask about lunch. And for
your information, I am quite capable of making my own lunch.”
    “I do not consider Cheetos and a string cheese lunch!”
    “I’m calling to tell you that Paul is fine. I just talked to
him and he’ll be home on Wednesday for a few days. He sounds good but he didn’t
want us to worry.”
    “Why would we be worried?” Maureen said, her nonchalant
reply not fooling Peter for one second.
    “The mission is over and successful, but they sustained
casualties. I saw it on the news today.”
    Maureen blinked a few times, trying to keep the tears at
bay.
    “That isn’t good news. But I would know if something
happened to my son. I’ll see you this afternoon, dear. Thank you for calling
me.”
    “I didn’t want you to hear or see something on the news and
be concerned. I love you.”
    “Love you too. Bye.” Maureen put her cell phone back in her
purse. She looked up and saw Janie staring at her.
    “It’s fine, dear,” Maureen attempted a smile. “Paul is just
fine. So whatever you see on the news, know that Paul is just fine.” She picked
up her grandson, Christopher, and held him close to her heart . Keep it
together, she thought. He’s just fine.
    *****
    The next couple of days for Nic were difficult. While she
was excited and anxious for her short trip to New York and a job interview, she
thought mostly of Paul and whether or not he was alive. Everything she did was
done absent-mindedly as she wondered what had happened and if he had been
injured. She wouldn’t let herself wonder if he was dead; that was too
difficult.
    “I don’t get it,” Evelyn had asked. “You weren’t going to
see him again. You aren’t interested in any kind of relationship with him, yet
you’re totally freaked out by this news report. You don’t even know if Paul was
even in Afghanistan, let alone rescuing hostages.”
    Nic hadn’t been able to answer. She had wondered the same
thing. But any human being would be concerned right? she had told
herself. It wasn’t weird at all.
    On Tuesday night, Nic packed her suitcase ready for the
early train departure