Operation Christmas by Barbara Weitz Read Free Book Online

beer to his lips to avoid an answer. When she let her hand rest on the prosthetic arm, he stiffened with a quick reply, “Next time. There’s a guy over there I need to catch before he leaves.” He took off in the direction he pointed the beer bottle where a bent elderly man shrugged into a jacket held by his wife.
    The night had gone well until that point. Alone for the first time since arriving, she glanced around the room. Tamara waved her over to the table where she sat in her wheel chair. “Finally,” she said as Madeleine approached. “Girl talk.”
    “Love the color of your dress.” Madeleine pulled out a folding chair and settled next to Tamara.
    “Thank you. It reminds me of the waters around the Middle East. Incredible color.”
    “What did you do in the military?”
    “Special Ops. Army.”
    “Really. How brave of you.”
    “Uh-huh.” She pushed out a laugh. “Not always, hon. Didn’t feel too brave when an attack about ended my life. Luckily, I only lost my leg thanks to a band of Marines nearby with big-time artillery. They drove off the insurgents and got me on a helicopter. Jess. He’s former Marine. Field lieutenant. Saw lots of action.”
    “We’ve not talked about his time in the military.”
    “That’s Jess. Doesn’t talk about that either. Most guys don’t. Us girls are more open, but that’s our way.”
    “You must be glad to be home.”
    “Not sure.” The honesty of the answer made Madeleine still to listen close to Tamara’s reply. “Oh, I like being safe and all. Just can’t find my groove. Biggest perk is being home with Baby. That’s my husband, Jamal,” she said with a show of white teeth and a head jerk toward the man who had been hovering near Tamara earlier. “He’s gets his jollies working high-rise construction. That man can stand on a girder sixty stories up and enjoy the sight while sneezing. I don’t need that much excitement but can’t seem to find anything that’s somewhat physical. You know, something to get my juices going. Right now, I’m working in a dental office as a receptionist to keep busy. Uh-huh, boy, you talk about excitement.” She laughed.
    “Kids?”
    “Nope. Can’t have kids. Collateral damage you might say, but all’s cool. Between Jamal and me, we’ve got more nieces and nephews than time to entertain. How come you wear a wedding band? I somehow thought you were single. I’ve got to admit I’m a little confused.”
    Madeleine fanned her fingers. “My husband was Army, too. Died in Iraq.”
    “Aw, honey. So sorry. Jess didn’t mention that part. Uh-huh. See what I mean. Where’s that crowbar so I can take it upside his head. Um, um, girl . And here I thought you were a newbie to all this injured vet stuff.”
    “Well, I am. Sorta. Never joined a support group.”
    “You should. No one understands like we do.” Tamara assessed Madeleine for a moment. “Jess is a good guy, Maddie.”
    Madeleine blinked. No one called her Maddie other than a few high school friends. “I know. I like him. As a friend.”
    “How long you widowed?”
    “Two years the week before Christmas.”
    “Um, um. That’s a bitter pill. Sorry.”
    “I’m coping.” Madeleine saw Tamara make a pointed look at her wedding ring.
    “Uh-huh. Well, trust me, all the sorrow in the world won’t change a thing. So I try to look ahead with a smile. Did you know studies show the act of smiling sends these crazy-party endorphins jumpin’ and a jivin’ into the blood stream? Jess, he’s got a great smile.”
    “I’ve noticed.”
    “Well, if you’re ready to move on, you’ll not do better than Jess. That boy’s downright nice from all angles. Inside and out. Jess, he thinks I’m worse off without a leg, but honestly? He’s worse off. All I do is walk with my leg, and I pretty much got that covered with this.” She patted her titanium leg with affection. “But an arm and hand! Um, um. That sounds like major frustration to me because I love to