A Soldier's Heart

Chapter 11

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Hey so I haven't updated anything in a while, haven't I? Wow, I seriously have a problem with procrastinating and being too picky about my writing ugh.

Anyway, for those of you who read The Nanny: I am in the process of writing the Epilogue, but I am not sure when it will be finished. A story like that (you know, one that I love to write and don't want to ever stop) needs to have the perfect ending and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I just threw together a shitty finale just because it was a quicker update. I will never do that. Even if you have to wait a few weeks (or, sometimes, months) don't fret it because I promise that it's taking me a while only because I want it to be the perfect ending. Okay? Okay.

As for this story, enjoy it. I like writing this one, too. :)

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Chapter 11

I left campus directly after my classes got out on Thursday and arrived home around eleven in the morning. Mom was excited to see me, but I couldn't say the same about Dad. He was gone more often than he was home; there was absolutely no room for criticism.

The only thing he was interested in hearing about was my schedule. Was I taking it seriously and showing up everyday? How did I get along with my professors? Not one word was mentioned about meeting people or having "the time of my life." Thankfully Mom was interested and asked many questions Dad hadn't cared to.

"Sounds like I need to meet this girl Lizzie," she said after I told her endless stories including Lizzie. "I'm glad you got a good roommate. I was worried you would be stuck with some weirdo."

Dad snickered, completely changing the subject to Lain. "So what are your thoughts on this...wedding, Veronica? It seems kind of spur of the moment."

"The engagement was a surprise, but Lain and Sabrina have been together for almost three years." I defended them the best I could.

Mom agreed with me. "They are young, but I think it will work out just fine. After all, Henry, we were married when I was nineteen and you were twenty-three. You can't say a word to Lain about this."

"The boy needs to learn from someone," emphasized Dad. Then he focused on me. "Mom tells me that you're seeing someone, too. Lain's friend and marine buddy. Anthony...isn't it?"

I tried not to shudder. "Andrew, actually. It's been a little over three months. He's great, Dad. I think you'll like him."

"If he has the mindset of your brother I doubt I will. You're not getting married at eighteen, I don't care how much you 'love' the kid."

This happened every time Dad was home. He complained when he was gone and did it twice as much here. It was always about him—never Mom or Lain or me. Henry Boyce was the center to attention at every family gathering.

"Henry, leave you and Lain's differences out of this weekend." Mom put her arm around me. "Andrew is a very nice boy and he is great for our Ronnie."

He let it go, but I saw by his unamused expression that he didn't think so.

"When are they getting here?" I asked Mom while we prepared the lunch. I was peeling potatoes and she was cutting the turkey.

"They should be here soon." She peeked at the clock. "Sabrina left quite a while ago to pick them up so it will be soon. Are you nervous?"

"Why would I be nervous?" I made it sound unbelievable, but it inevitably true. I hadn't personally seen Andrew in over two months—how was he going to react? He probably forgot what I looked like and would decide I wasn't pretty enough for his attention anymore.