Ginny just sat there and blinked. First the thought of Patrick as a ranger and then the rest of the scenario had left her stunned. “Did you ever see Sarge again?” she asked.
“Yes. He picked me up from the hospital and helped me hobble around while we did the discharge paperwork. The doctor had put a cast on my leg to help the illusion that I was more injured than I really was. After I was fully discharged, Sarge helped me move to a city far away from the base. Two whole states away in fact. Then one night while we were watching a football game, the doorbell rang. I answered it and there was the doctor,” said Patrick.
“What?” asked Ginny.
“He asked to come in. We were a bit concerned as I had not given a forwarding address when I left. The doctor handed me a huge package. It was my full medical records. Told me he’d been purging files as often as he dared. Said he’d been doing it for years. When I asked how he found me, he just smiled. Sarge didn’t know either. The doctor shook our hands and said his goodbyes,” said Patrick.
“Okay, that qualifies as just weird. I can see the military trying to use shifters as super troops, but the doctor was strange. Why would he stay in the military if he didn’t like what they were doing?” she asked.
“Not sure. However, about a week before Sarge left for parts unknown, we were watching a documentary on the Civil War on DVD. It was all about battlefield hospitals. I was getting a drink when Sarge yelled. I ran back into the living room wondering what was the matter. He was pointing to the TV. I stopped the program and backed it up. Froze it where he said and it was my turn to freak. There on the screen were a bunch of doctors standing in front of a hospital tent. In the middle was the doctor. Our doctor,” said Patrick.
“No. You’re pulling my leg,” said Ginny.
“Nope. It was him. We found more pictures because we couldn’t believe it either. From what we could tell, this guy had been a military doctor for about 150 years. Change of hair color or style and change of service. In each and every one of them though, the eyes and the little scar by his mouth were the same. We never spoke of it again, but we figured he must be some kind of ‘other’. We know there are fairies, so who’s to say there aren’t other things that go bump in the night?” finished Patrick.
Ginny nodded. Goosebumps trailed down her arms. She thought about it for the moment and just shook her head. “Wow. Shall we go visit this fort? See if we find your doctor?” she asked as they got out of the Subaru.
“Yes, see the fort that is,” teased Patrick as they headed for the entrance.
***
Angie was anxious. George had said he’d pick her up at 7pm, and it was ten minutes past the hour. “Maybe he changed his mind. Maybe the car broke down. Maybe I’m just not really his type and he was just leading me on,” she thought. “God, I am so nervous!”
Five minutes passed before headlights slew across her driveway. George stood up out of the car and headed for the house. She met him at the door.
“Angie, I am so sorry that I am late,” said George.
“What happened?” she asked.
“I was ready to leave when I heard giggling in the back of the car. Sara, Ivan and Joe had hid back there thinking that they could go on our date,” he said.
Angie broke out in giggles. She’d met the imps the day after her talk with Meg. George had thought it a good idea that she be introduced to the children. Bitty and ‘Solda had been polite. Sara and the two boys had been curious that George would want to date someone so much littler than he was. It had been an interesting afternoon. They’d howled, pack hunted her around the yard and told every family secret they could think of including the fact that Meg was pregnant.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes, I am. Where are we going to eat?” she asked. George had promised dinner and a movie. Everything after that was optional.
“I thought that Chinese place on 5th sounded good. They make a fantastic Orange Peel Beef,” he said.
“Oooh, that sounds good,” said Angie. She grabbed her coat and they headed for George’s car.
*
The Wonderful Temple was just that. George had ordered appetizers and Orange Peel Beef for the two of them. Jasmine tea steamed in the little teapot.
“This is heavenly,” said Angie.
“I agree. Ysabel brought me here a few weeks ago. I’ve been looking for a reason to come back here ever since,” he said.
They finished up their dinner and George handed Angie her fortune cookie. He cracked his own open and ate half while he read his fortune. He smiled.
“What does it say?” asked Angie.
“Great fortune comes to you in small packages,” said George as he smiled. “What does yours say?”
“Love is an unexpected surprise to enjoy,” she read. “Did you bribe them to give us these fortunes?”
“No, I didn’t. Mine would read more like ‘love is a cracker jack treat’ or something like that,” said George. He was a little flustered. “If you’re ready, the theater complex is just around the corner.”
“Yes, I’m ready to go,” she said. Angie stood up and George helped her on with her coat.
George paid the bill and they headed for the theater complex. George had bought the tickets online so that they didn’t have to wait. They had agreed on The King’s Speech, although Sara and the boys had told them they should have gone to Rango.
It didn’t take long for them to find seats. George took Angie’s hand in his as they settled into watch the movie.
*