Shattered Dreams, Lingering Years

On the day Brett Graham threw his big victory celebration, he held my hand and told everyone I was his destiny. Even though we were already divorced. He declared to the whole room that he didn't regret his life-or-death decision, especially since his wife had been among the captives. Too bad the truth was, on that battlefield, the person he was trying to save wasn't me. It was his mistress. Just as Brett thought his bright future was finally within reach, the name on the military commendation medal turned out to be mine. Looking down at Brett from the stage, I spoke frankly to the cameras. "I believe if a peacekeeping soldier, during a hostage exchange with the enemy, only cares about the safety of his lover, it's a true disgrace to the profession." "Dr. Jenkins, why had we never heard you and Colonel Graham were a couple before this?" "Was it because you were among the hostages that Colonel Graham acted so recklessly?" "Colonel Graham seems to be injured. As his wife, do you have anything to say to the public?" Stepping off the plane, I was immediately swarmed by reporters. A flicker of irony was all that showed in my eyes. This was my first time back in the country in a year. I glanced at my watch. It was 10 P.M. Brett had said he'd pick me up at 9 P.M. Even now, he couldn't keep a promise. I wasn't sure whether to feel heartbroken or angry. Luckily, the Special Dispatch vehicle arrived. "Dr. Jenkins, get in. We'll take you back." The one speaking was Dominic Mills, leader of the team assigned to protect us medical personnel. "Thanks, Dominic." Once I was in his car, my mind finally started to settle. "Dominic, I owe you one from the field. Not sure I'd be here without you." "Don't mention it, Dr. Jenkins. I couldn't just stand by and watch so many people sacrifice themselves." Right. No decent person could stand to watch that many people walk into death. But Brett could. He did it all for Yolanda Evans. Then, I remembered that surveillance footage was still on my laptop. What a show. Just then, my phone rang. I knew without looking that it was Brett calling to pick me up. But there was no way I would answer. Just thinking of him brought back the scene of him risking everyone, just to save Yolanda. The phone rang for a long time. I didn't pick up. Until our car was forced to a stop. "Dr. Jenkins, I'll check it out." "I'll go." I'd already seen Brett's license plate. "Is this how the Peacekeeping Corps operates now?" I deliberately taunted him. "Can't we talk about this at home?" He said, his voice suddenly low, clearly noticing Dominic in the car. "At home? We're divorced." My face was cold. "Divorced? Have you forgotten what I said to you on the battlefield yesterday?" Our eyes locked. Brett suddenly couldn't speak. He looked away, guilty. "What happened yesterday was an accident. And if we go public with our relationship now, it's a win-win for both of us." I was silent for just three seconds, but the atmosphere plummeted. "And, if I smoothly make Colonel..." His words cut off as my slap landed on his face. The sound was sharp and clear. "Brett, did you forget the bullet that whizzed past your ear?" Now it was his turn for silence. "You risking your own neck is one thing. But you risked everyone's lives! Do you even know how many nationalities were in that group?" As I spoke, my heart ached. "I just made a bad call this time. I was trying to save you all..." "No, you weren't. You were saving Yolanda!" Saying it felt like a hand was squeezing my throat, the pain intense. "I'm sorry, believe me, I didn't mean to... " "Enough!" I forced down the rage, struggling to state the facts calmly. "You heard her secret SOS message to you, and you abandoned the plan, tried to sneak her out alone!" He said nothing more. Clearly, any excuse was useless against the truth. I clenched my fist, then let it go, a sense of release washing over me. "You really are crazy about her, aren't you? So crazy you'd throw everything away?" "Eileen, you're the only one I love." Finally, he responded. "No, no. You're not getting it. What I mean is, a morally bankrupt, love-struck fool like you being a Colonel makes me sick." "I know you handled the rescue. But you have to see my side too." "What do you know? Do you know after you blew the plan, those terrorists wanted to execute everyone? Especially after Yolanda ran first? The feeling of a gun pressed to my head!" "I'm sorry... " He apologized again. "But luckily I was armed too. I just never expected, after I fired, the first thing I'd see was you holding Yolanda." Every word felt like cutting out a piece of my heart. In our five years of marriage, we'd spent more time apart than together. Yolanda was his childhood friend. I turned a blind eye when they lived together overseas. Who could have guessed how deep their connection really was?