Thwarted - 50. Chapter Fifty

Mark paced, unsure what to do. He wanted to call Gary and Diane, but didn’t want to worry them if it was nothing. On the other hand, if Trey was hurt, the military would call his parents. If Trey was able, surely he’d call. Mark raked his fingers through his hair as his agitation built. He looked around at the boxes scattered throughout the apartment.

If he called Brent to help, he could be loaded up and on the road within a couple of hours. Maybe he was worrying for nothing, but if Gary and Diane got a call with bad news, Mark needed to be there. Not just for them, but for himself as well. He picked up the phone and dialed, throwing stuff haphazardly into boxes as he moved from room to room. Finally, Brent picked up.

“Hey Mark, what’s up?”

Mark didn’t waste time with small talk.“I need your help.”

“Just tell me what you need.” Brent must have heard the desperation in his voice.

“I was video chatting with Trey, and apparently there was a mortar attack.” Mark swallowed hard. “The connection cut out in the middle of him talking. I need to get ready and head to Gary and Diane’s.” Mark closed his eyes and tried to keep his voice from trembling. “If something has happened to Trey….”

“Don’t even think like that, I’m sure he’s fine and communication was simply knocked out.” Brent sounded so calm. “What do you need me to do?”

“I know you have the thing with Jackie on Friday, so I’ll either need to take Matthew with me now, or you’ll need to bring him up to me.” Mark’s legs seemed to have turned to rubber and he slid down the wall to sit on the floor. “I still have some stuff I need to pack, but I was hoping you’d come over and help me finish packing and load the trailer so I can get on the road.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes, and we’ll figure out what to do next.”

Mark nodded, even though Brent couldn’t see him. “I’ll be here.” Ten minutes, he could pull himself together in that amount of time. He hoped.

Mark rested his forehead against his knees and focused on taking deep, calming, breaths. He couldn’t fall apart now. He was still sitting on the floor when Brent walked in the door carrying Matthew. His brother-in-law immediately set Matthew on the floor by the couch, walked over, and crouched in front of him.

“You okay?”

Mark nodded.

“Okay, stupid question, I can see for myself that you’re not.” Brent glanced around the apartment and then focused once more on Mark. “I thought about it on the way over. There’s no way you’re in the right frame of mind to be driving.”

“I have to—” Mark couldn’t not go.

“You know I’m right.”

He was, but Mark didn’t want to admit it. He couldn't just stay home and do nothing.

"So what do you suggest I do?" Mark looked at his brother-in-law and waited.

"It's not what you should do, it's what we will do." Brent put his hand on Mark's knee. "The only solution I can see is for me to take you up there. We can finish loading up the truck and trailer with what you have packed, then I can drive you."

"And how do you propose to get home?" Mark appreciated the offer but he just didn't see how it would work.

"I figured I'd drive up and leave you and Matthew there, then drive your truck back and bring it back up after my meeting with Jackie on Friday." Brent shrugged.

"I appreciate the offer but that's a lot of driving for you, and that leaves me without a vehicle. I understand you're worried, but I'll be fine." Mark pushed himself up off the floor, dislodging Brent's hand in the process. "If it would make you feel better I'll even call you during the drive."

"It's not just that, but Matthew will be with you." Brent sighed and stood up. "If you really want to drive, then I'll bring Matthew up on Thursday, or you can take my car and I'll finish loading your truck and trailer and bring them up tomorrow. That way you could get out of here and not worry about hauling the trailer when you're not in the right frame of mind."

"That's a lot of driving in one day." Mark raked his fingers through his hair. "I'll be fine I promise. Yes, I'm worried, but my main reason for going there is just in case Gary and Diane get a call. They're already expecting me so it won't look odd for me to show up a few days early."

"Well, I figure if I come up tomorrow then maybe I can stay until Thursday evening and then drive home."Brett shook his head. "Will that work for you?"

"Yes, it will. Though, while it won't look odd for me to show up early, it will look odd for me to show up without my stuff. But I'm going to need to talk to them anyway once I get there." Mark shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world were resting on them. "At least I can try to prepare them, just in case. Are you sure you're okay with that?"

"I'm sure as hell not happy about it, but I understand why you feel the need to go—and your reasonings—even if I don't agree with them." Brent dug in his pocket and pulled out his keys. "Do you have a bag packed that has all your necessities?"

Mark handed over his own keys and took Brent's. "I just have to throw a few more things in, and then I'll be ready."

It only took a few minutes for Mark to get everything together. Brent followed him out to his car so that he could get the car seat for Matthew. Within a half hour of Brent's arrival, and a promise to call Brent at least once an hour, Mark was on his way. The drive seemed to take forever, but once he pulled into Gary and Diane's driveway he wished it had been longer. He wasn't looking forward to telling Gary and Diane about the cut off video chat. Before he could even get out of the car, Gary stood on the front porch. The look on his face told Mark that he knew something was wrong. Mark's heart stuttered in his chest and he took a deep breath before climbing out of Brent's car.

"Mark! We weren't expecting you for a couple of days, is everything okay?" Gary hurried down the stairs and met Mark halfway.

"I hope so." Mark gave him a hug. He really didn't want to be the one to say anything, but knew he had no choice. They were his parents, and deserved to know that something could be wrong. He pulled back and placed a hand on Gary's shoulder. "Let's go inside so I can talk to you and Mom together."

"I'm not sure I want to." Despite his words Gary turned and led the way into the house. Diane met them at the door.

"Mark! What are you doing here?" She opened her arms and Mark stepped into them.

"Hi, Mom." Mark squeezed her lightly. "I needed to talk to you and Dad."

Diane pulled away and headed into the kitchen, followed closely by Gary and Mark. Only once they were seated around the table did Mark explain the reason for his showing up early. As he expected, Diane was in tears when he got done telling her. Gary just looked shellshocked.

"It could be as simple as communications being knocked out." Mark stood and moved over behind Diane's chair. He set both hands on her shoulders and squeezed lightly. "Until we hear otherwise, we just have to hope for the best."

Mark didn't know what else to say, and after a few minutes of silence he excused himself to bring in his bags and get settled. The rest of the evening was quiet, and Mark had noticed each of them glancing at the phone at one time or another. He said his good nights early, and headed to bed, operating on the thought that no news was good news. His hope was shattered when he was jarred from sleep by the ringing of the phone.

Mark was up and out the door before it even quit ringing. He found Diane in the kitchen—the phone to her ear—and at the sight of her tears, Mark's knees gave out and he gasped for breath as the tears flowed.