Broken &(closed)

[Rick345]

As Jamie excused herself Ben took only a moment acknowledge her withdraw before scooping the last bites of creamy goodness from his bowl and licking the spoon.

With the spoon still hanging from his lips, he looked over at the Colonel smoke rings floating over his head as the blueish gray cloud rose from his pipe, “Colonel I’m worried about Jamie, she’s been through so much...”

Taking the pipe from his lips and tapping the bowl on table he spoke, “Yes, she has and hopefully God and time will grant her peace of mind all we can do is wait and pray and offer our support.”, he said with a heavy sigh as the sweet aroma of applewood dangled in the air.

“I have to go check of Mamma, she worries about me if I stay up too late, I’ll tell her you enjoyed her cobbler, there’s more cobbler in the fridge feel free to help yourself.”, raising from his chair he gave Ben a short salute and headed down the hall to his room.

Ben went to the kitchen and opened the fridge then though better of it and turned and rinsed his bowl in the sink and headed upstairs to bed it had been a long day.

He stripped off his clothes laid down but his mind was railing he needed someone to talk to so he turned gave a short rap on the wall separating their rooms, “J you still awake?”

 

[wideeyedone]

Jamie smiled when she heard Ben knock on the wall. She didn't answer him through the wall, she got up and let herself into his room. She was wearing one of Dan's shirts and a pair of shorts. However, she was wrapped in a quilt. She stood in his doorway.

"I thought this might be easier." She whispered. She laid down on top of his covers.

"How are you, Ben?" She laid her hand on his arm. "I haven't even asked. How's your pain? I didn't mean to be selfish. I have been thinking about you. And Dan would be so glad that you made it home." Her voice was soft and easy. She was relaxed and her breathing was deep and slow.

 

[Rick345]

“Come in. The leg is a lot better thanks to the wonders of modern meds.”, shaking two horse size tablets out of a amber colored plastic pill bottle into his hand..

“I’ve been thinking a lot about Dan and you as well and hush those thoughts about being selfish you’re no such thing.”, his voice stern, “You just have a lot on your plate.”, his tone suddenly changing to smooth reassuring manner, as he glances into Jamie’s eyes while reaching out and softly stroking her hair. He felt comfortable with Jamie lying beside him.. “I’m glad you got a little shut eye this evening.”, his voice quite and wistfully. Even through the layers of blankets he enjoyed the warmth of her soft curves fitted nicely against his firmer harder torso.

He turned his eyes from hers and stared absentmindedly at the two white lumps in his palm, “I hate to be a bother but could you get me a glass of water. I’d get it myself but I’ve already undressed for bed I wasn’t expected company but I’m delighted you’re here. I just need someone to talk to I guess.”, he said with a blush, pointing toward the bathroom.

 

[wideeyedone]

Jamie sat up.

"Of course I don't mind." She scrambled up and dashed to the bathroom. She got him a glass of water and brought it back to the bed. She helped him sit up and she smiled as he swallowed his pills. She took the glass back and placed it on the nightstand.

"I am here, Ben. You can talk to me." She sat Indian style on the bed with the quilt pulled up around her. "You need to talk, Ben." She laid her hand on his shoulder.

 

[Rick345]

“Thanks for the water, you’re the kindest person I know”, his eyes drifting toward her hand, for a moment he didn’t say a thing he merely studied her long graceful fingers tipped with nails perfectly manicured in pale pink and trimmed in white like ten flawless gemstones.

Sitting up the sheets fall and puddle in his lap, “Jamie I really don’t even know what I want to talk about I just know I hate being alone and I feel better when you’re around.”, he leans closer and rests his chin on her shoulder, the blanket itching his neck as he fights back a little sniffle.

 

[wideeyedone]

She snuggled in tightly against him. Just being quiet and with him.

"You aren't alone, Ben. I am here." She offered sweetly.

She laid one hand on her chest and put the other arm around him.

"You don't have to say anything. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. Just know I am here when you want to."

She held him close and just sighed deeply.

 

[Rick345]

“Thanks Jamie, Dan was lucky to find you. You’re so kind… I I just feel I should be strong for you to you through these next few days but it seems you’re the strong one.”

Her body felt warm and her slow easy breaths were soothing. It felt good to hold her her. He gave her a little squeeze. “Thanks for being here for me Jamie.”, give her cheek a innocent little peck. He took a deep breath soaking in the fragrance of her hair.

 

[wideeyedone]

Jamie kissed the top of his head. "Let's get some sleep. It won't hurt anything for me to stay. Neither of us wants to be alone." She whispered. She nestled in beside him. "If you need anything you just tell me."

 

[Rick345]

“You’re right we have a long day tomorrow… Night..”, he whispered back. He lifted the blanket and covered her, throwing his his arm around her shoulders as he wiggled a bit to get situated. She was Dan’s wife they were both adults not randy teenagers he could handle it. Besides it felt much more comfortable with Jamie laying beside him. Her back felt warm and smooth even through Dan's flannel shirt in the middle of the night he felt at ease with her, else enough to let his hand side down and come to rest on her hip pulling her even closer.

He started to dream, he and Jamie, were alpine meadow laying naked on a blanket enjoying the warming rays of the sun after a picnic lunch of fried chicken and a bottle of white wine they had chilled in the stream nearby. She was lying on her back her right leg held straight and the other her knee bent but laying flat, exposing the pink dewy lips of her pussy… He shifted himself bringing the engorged head of his cock in contact with her moist heat between her legs…

“Ahhh”, he moaned as his hard-on brushed against her silky shorts before realizing it was only a dream. He knew his face was blushing scarlet as he discretely backed away. Hoping Jamie was sound asleep and hadn't noticed what had happened.

 

[wideeyedone]

Jamie was barely awake when she felt Ben's erection brush against her backside. She decided to just pretend to be asleep, it was just a physical reaction to them being so close. It was no big deal. She kept her breathing soft and even, she kept her eyes closed and sighed deeply, and soon was right back to sleep.

She didn't know that in her sleep she kept seeking his warmth and his touch. She would wriggle her backside against him, and sigh happily when she pressed up tightly against him.

 

[Rick345]

He tried to ignore the sensations but it had be ages since he had been with a woman and the truth be told he always had a secret crush of Jamie. They had dated once in high-school but once she met Dan, Ben had played second fiddle.

Every time she wiggled her round firm rump against his manhood he had to bite his lip to keep from moaning in pleasure. As she shifted position even through her shorts he could feel the heat of her pussy against his balls his rigid cock fitting snuggly against her butt cheeks… Even her sighs caused his manhood to throb in anticipation of what could never be.

He needed relief, he shook her shoulder gently, “Jamie, Jamie could you get me a drink of water…?”, and rolled away from her, unknowingly his unruly manhood raising the blanket about his midsection like a tent pole. It was dark she wouldn’t notice he prayed...

 

[wideeyedone]

She got more water.

"Do you need more medicine?' She asked softly. "Are you hurting?"

She brought back the glass of water and then slipped back into bed.

"Ben, thank you for being here. I was so worried that I wouldn't have any family with me at the service."

 

[Rick345]

“I’m glad I’m here for you Jamie, I truly am, I’ll hate saying farewell to Dan but I’m here for you”, hugging her and then he chuckled before adding, “Look whose taking care of who...”, his eyes crinkled as he smiled, “Thanks for the water. Now lets get some sleep before day break...”

As he eased his hug and quietly stared into her eyes.. Pensively studying the contour of her neck, shoulders and breasts. Gently brushing wisps of hair covering her gorgeous blue eyes.

 

[wideeyedone]

"Come on, Ben. We have to get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." She whispered softly.

She kissed his cheek softly and then nestled into the bed. She closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep.

 

[Rick345]

Her lips were soft and warm even after she closed her eyes he could still feel the warm of her kiss linger on his cheek. The feeling was only in his mind but he relished it just the same. He closed his eyes but the shy almost imperceivable smile her kiss conjured up never let him even when he feel into a deep sound sleep. Even when sound asleep he’d reach out and subconsciously reassuring himself she was still there safe and warm.

 

[wideeyedone]

Amy awakened the two of them in the morning. She didn't think twice about the two brokenhearted friends sleeping side by side. She knew they both loved Dan and that they both needed friendship and comfort.

Jamie went back to her room and dressed for the funeral. She slipped into a simple black dress. She wore her wedding ring and the necklace Dan had given her their first Christmas.

She knew Ben and the Colonel would be in their uniforms.

She didn't put on any makeup. She knew it would just get ruined. She took the letter that Dan had sent her. She wrote a letter in return and folded them together. She was going to slip them into his casket.

 

[Rick345]

Ben woke with a gentle nudge on his shoulder, but he merely groaned and rolled over, when he heard, “Get up Ben we have a busy day today..”, it was Miss Amy, when the full realization it was her and he was naked sunk his hands and feet began to flail like he was a turtle on its back as he vainly searched for the covers or anything to cover himself.

“Its OK Ben I raised three boys. It ain’t nothing I haven’t seen before, but I’ll leave you to get showered and dressed. Jamie’s almost ready.”, she quietly slipped out of the room.

As soon as the door closed he was up in a flash and showered as sound as he stepped from the shower he stopped his class A’s laid out on the bed, Amy always efficient must have laid them out when he was in the shower.

Quickly pulling on has underwear and pants put on the shirt and tie, God how he hated ties, within minutes he was dressed and he took a moment to inspect himself in the mirror. He put on his tunic and checked to be sure the ribbons were in the proper order. He put on his dress shoes and quickly headed downstairs.

As his foot hit and bottom step he could smell bacon frying but he wasn’t hungry..

 

[wideeyedone]

Jamie was sitting at the breakfast table. Her hands were in her lap. Her toast and bacon was sitting untouched on her plate. She kept trying to eat something but her stomach was fluttering. Today it was real.

The colonel put a cup of sweet, hot tea in front of her. She took a few long sips. The warmth in her stomach felt good. But she still didn't want to eat. She wanted to crawl back into bed.

She downed more of her tea. The colonel put his hand on her shoulder.

"You need to eat, Babygirl. Today is gonna be the toughest yet." His southern drawl was full of warmth.

She didn't want to cry anymore, but when he called her Babygirl, she melted. He sat beside her and pulled her close.

"It's ok, Jamie. You aren't alone, Babygirl. We are gonna take care of you for Dan. He was one of my boys and that means you are part of our family. Always."

 

[Rick345]

As Dan’s foot hit the last step he heard Jamie’s gut wrenching sobs, his heart sank for a moment he couldn’t breath… His lips were quivering… He took a moment and with the back of his hand wiped the spittle from his lips. It seemed as if his tie was tighten around his neck…


Clam down, clam down he kept telling himself. Slowly edged into the breakfast nook, took a deep breath and managed to say, “Morning y’all.”

His mood lightens a bit as when seeing the Colonel comforting Jamie. His spine instantly went elect and his right hand gave the old man a crisp salute, it was protocol but he felt a need to acknowledge the respect he had for the Colonel and the compassion that filled the old man’s heart.

Dan slowly approached and took his seat at the table, trying the distract everyone from the elephant that was in the room the only thing he had to offer was, “Did you sleep well sir?”

As he picked up a slice of bacon and quickly put it down and lifted the glass of juice to his lips and took a long deep draw of the sweet chilled liquid…

He dreaded the question he had to ask but he had to ask noone the less, “Jamie when are we supposed to be, to be at”, he couldn’t bring himself to say graveside or even cemetery, “To by Ben’s side? To say your final farewells”, all but choking on the last word.

 

[wideeyedone]

Jamie was pulling herself back together. She was taking some deep breaths when Ben sat down.

The Colonel looked over at Ben. "Jamie has asked for some time before the service. So we are headed to the church at 10. The service will be at 11 and then the graveside service. There is a lunch after for the unit and their families."

Amy came in and gave Jamie a handkerchief. Jamie wiped her face and made herself eat some toast. She concentrated on eating and couldn't really look at her dining companions. She was afraid that she would cry again.

 

[Rick345]

Paying close heed to the Colonel, Ben did his best to eat a little and focus his attention on anything but Jamie, he watched and could see her eyes fill with tears that she did want to release. He wanted to reach over and hug her close and tell her everything would be alright, but he knew no matter what he said, no matter what he did it was going to be a hard day for everyone..

He padded his pocket, making sure he had the eulogy Jamie requested, he was still apprehensive about giving a speech but it was the least he could do for Dan and Jamie..

As the Colonel finished his layout of the protocol, Ben acknowledged it with a simple, “Roger that sir”, as he wondered what time it was when the grandfather clock in the parlor chimed nine times.

 

[wideeyedone]

Jamie finished her cup of tea. She knew she had to have some protein. She made herself eat the bacon on her plate. Mrs. Parker filled her teacup and Jamie spooned in a few spoonfuls of sugar.

With each sip of tea, Jamie focused on strengthening herself.

"Dan would tell us all to get ourselves together and quit wallowing." Jamie said softly. "He would tell us a joke or a story or something.... So," She took a deep breath. "So, I am going to tell you a story. One night, Dan was trying to be romantic. He left a trail of rose petals on the floor. But he didn't think that had enough fragrance so he sprayed some perfume on them, and got a little carried away and when I tried to walk up the stairs, I slipped on wet rose petals and took a tumble. I hit my head on the way down, and we spent our romantic night in the ER." By the time she got to the end of the story Jamie was smiling.

 

[Rick345]

When Jamie finished Ben was all smiles when he chimed in, “I remember the time almost a year ago we were in Fallujah the battle y’all probably read about in the papers had been over for weeks. Dan had just got off picket duty and hit the shower. About five minutes later a mortar round landed in the middle of our compound. Luckily it was a dud.

But when the CO shouted ‘Incoming’,everyone hit the dirt. Moments later they breached the compound and you heard the AK’s pop…. pop, pop. There were only two of them so we took care of them in short order..”, Ben took a sip over orange juice and pulsed for a moment.

“Seconds later Ben hearing the racket, comes running out of the shower wearing nothing but his shower shoes, his rife in hand, “Shouting where are there, where are them som’ bitches” his bare butt flapping in the breeze.

The CO could barely keep a straight face when he said, ‘You’re out of uniform aren’t you soldier’, we all just died laughing.”

 

[wideeyedone]

Jamie stood up and hugged Ben.

"Thank you. That is exactly what I needed." She rinsed her plate and her teacup. It was time to head to the church. The all got in the Colonel's truck together. Ben and Jamie sat in the back together.

When they got to the church, Jamie took a while alone with Dan's casket. She put his letter and the letter that she wrote inside of his casket. And she sat beside him for a long time. She whispered to him and said her goodbyes.

All of the guys from the unit and their wives arrived at the church. Jamie joined them in the foyer. Several of the guys from the unit were checking on Ben and his injuries.

 

[Rick345]

“I’m good and being taken care of”, Ben reassured his unit.

He took a seat in the family pew next to Amy and looked around it had been ages since he had set foot in a church. He checked the inside pocket of his uniform and yep the eulogy was still there.

When Jamie walked back and sat next to him he finally looked where Dan was at rest. The coffin was bronze and draped with the flag. It seemed like ages but finally the preacher took the podium.. Ben had his arm around Jamie’s shoulders, and motioned for an usher to been a box of Kleenex.

The preacher an elderly man dressed in black from head to toe checked his microphone and spoke, “The wife, friends and family of Daniel Robert Wade are gathered here today to pray their respects Dan and bid him farewell and speedy travels to the next life. Let us pray.

Dear God,
You are our Creator. You are the author of life.
Life is a precious gift.
We come today to commemorate and honor a life that is precious to us.
As we mourn this life that is no longer with us, we are aching from a void that has been created in our heart.
We lift up our sadness and grief to you.*
Lord, we ask that you would comfort us in our pain, and bring us an abundance of your gentle healing mercies.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen