Beyond the Stars by Kelly Beltz Page B

I could never tolerate someone who was overbearing. Jack gave me the impression that he would support me no matter what I did.
    At dinner, we talked about the type of wedding we should have. Should we go to Vegas and get it over with? No, my parents would never forgive that. But it had to be soon. I didn’t want to be huge, nor did I want to wait for the baby to be born before I could call Jack my husband.
    “Jack, I want to meet your dad and your brother before the wedding.” I couldn’t believe I hadn’t met his family yet, either. Our relationship was really moving fast.
    “Oh, Sami, you mean my dad. I’m sorry. I didn’t tell you that my brother passed away.” He wrinkled his forehead with a stressed-out grimace.
    “What … when did he die?” I asked, stunned.
    He bit his lip. “Six years ago,” he said, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
    “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. You always talk about him like he’s still here,” I said empathetically.
    A solemn expression took over his face. “I know—it’s complicated,” said Jack, shaking his head. He looked down at the table before closing his eyes as he recalled his painful memory. “Peter was killed in battle by an incoming missile when he was only twenty-one. His comrades said he died the best way. He didn’t feel a thing or see it coming. I know that this is going to sound weird, but I feel like he watches over me. Sometimes when I’m flying, I imagine he’s my wingman. I can hear him in my head telling me what I should do. I like to talk about him in the present tense so I don’t have to think about how much I miss him.”
    “Did you ever get therapy?” I asked sympathetically.
    “No! Great, now you think I’m crazy , like I’m hearing voices,” he said defensively while he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
    “I didn’t say that! Oh no, what I mean is, did you ever get grief counseling?” I tried to clarify my remark.
    “It wouldn’t change anything. It is what it is. When you take a vow to protect your country, you know that you may have to sacrifice yourself in the process for the greater good.”
    “I understand that, but first you lost your mother and then your brother. The pain must be unbearable.”
    “The initial sting is gone.” He leaned back in his chair, letting his arms fall limply at his sides. “I still can’t believe Pete’s been gone for six years now. Losing him really did both me and my dad in.”
    “How’s your father handling it?”
    “My dad’s never been quite the same. It’s like he shut down even more. He never got over losing my mother. He started drinking too much after we lost her. We were all a mess. My mom used to take care of everything. Women really do help hold a house together. You can only imagine three men trying to fend for themselves. We could barely function. I must say, things could get pretty ugly in the Bennett household.” He frowned while he swirled his cup in his hand, making the ice cubes rattle.
    “It would be terrible to grow up without a mom. Do you miss her?”
    “I can hardly remember her now. All I remember from my childhood is taking care of my little brother. I had to grow up fast and act strong so Pete wouldn’t cry so much,” he said with sadness. I felt his sorrow radiating from him. He seemed to hold it close, like it was part of him. It was as though it gave him the strength to survive through anything. It was what made him so brave. I suddenly felt even more grateful for my cushy upbringing.

CHAPTER 8

    DEVOTION
     
    My parents were ecstatic with the news of our engagement. They were flying in from New York this weekend to help with the rushed wedding plans and meet Jack. Our small families would make things easy. Our friends would make up most of the guest list. Jack showed up just before 10 a.m. Saturday morning even though my parents weren’t going to be at my apartment until noon. We couldn’t wait to see each other since he had been working off-site