“I think just showing up out of the blue will send plenty of tongues wagging,” Chris added.
I’d found a job the previous week as a civil engineer. As soon as they had my length of service in the Legion, and glowing references that I needed to translate, the nationwide company had been eager for my signature, immediately upping the salary offer by a further thirty-five thousand dollars, as they were aware I had other pokers in the fire and were desperate for me to start.
All it took was a signature and a shake of hands, as I was likely going to accept their offer, but an upping of the salary was certainly convincing of how much they wanted me. I made quick friends with a few of the lads who worked for me, and when I broke out into French as always, still getting used to living back in my homeland, it led to questions of my past. That meant spending more than one lunchtime regaling them with stories of my time with the Legion.
The night before the reunion, I was busy ironing my dress uniform when I received a call from Mark, wondering if I was going to attend the event the next evening. I told a white lie, suggesting I was still thinking about it and that I’d turn up tomorrow night if I was interested. Thankfully, no-one else had heard of my return so people who I did remember fondly would be surprised to see my return. Very few would have known I’d been in Europe, let alone had joined the French Foreign Legion.
My sister and her family popped around the next day as I relaxed in the pool. Wandering outside, she lowered her glasses and looked me up and down. “Work out, John?” I flexed and made her laugh. “My little brother is anything but that now, it seems.”
“I was already taller than you when I left, Emily.”
“True, but you weren’t that broad and ripped.”
“Going to make your husband jealous if you keep ogling. And it’s weird as you’re my sister.”
“I haven’t seen you in ten years, John. Just noticing the changes is all.”
Stepping out of the pool, I grabbed a towel and she would have noticed a couple of the larger scars. That naturally led to question and stories, sitting at the table, no surprise Mum walked out with a beer for me and glass of wine for her. When I told Emily I would be going to the reunion that evening, she offered to drive me in.
“I’m a little surprised you’re going,” she admitted.
“Could do with the night out and, I’ll confess, I’m looking forward to surprising a few people at the same time.”
“And what about you know who?”
“If she’s there, so be it.”
“Okay, putting it bluntly. Will you talk to her?”
“I won’t go looking for her. If she wants to talk to me, she’s welcome to try. I’ll see how I feel and what she might have to say.”
“You hate her?”
“Emily, part of me still and will always love her. But, being honest, I haven’t given her much thought since about a year or two after I left. It was only stepping onto the plane in Singapore on the way back home that she actually crossed my mind, simply because she was the catalyst for everything that happened.”
Standing up and rounding the table, I stood up as she hugged me tightly. We’d been close enough when growing up but I couldn’t remember the last time she cuddled me. “I missed my little brother,” she said softly, “I’m glad you’re home.”
“So am I, Emily. I did miss you guys while I was away. But I was also an adult, on my way to becoming a man, and going off to do my own thing has done me the world of good.”
She let me go and took a step back, looking me up and down again. “Sure did. And I suppose the Legion also helped too?”
“Certainly instilled a certain discipline inside me, at the very least. I make my bed every morning. All my clothes are neatly folded away. And I can cook. A man can’t march on an empty stomach.”
Finishing our drinks, Mum made us some lunch before we sat in the living room. I’d had next to nothing to do with kids for ten years so spending time with my niece and nephew was an eye-opener. Both were under the age of six, but old enough to walk, talk, be little humans basically, each with their own little personality. They obviously had no idea who I was so I was definitely a person of interest to my nephew, but my niece was adorably shy.
My sister finally announced it was time for me to get ready. First visit was the bathroom where I shaved and showered, dousing myself in deodorant before walking to my bedroom. My dress uniform had been ironed perfectly and I ensured I was as presentable as I would have been when on the parade ground. My leather shoes were polished until they practically sparkled. Medals I’d been awarded rested on my chest. Last was my beret, putting on a little cologne, grabbing my wallet, phone and keys, before I walked out into the living room.
Silence to start with.
“Holy shit,” my sister whispered.
My father rose to his feet. One emotion evident. Absolute pride. “Looking good, son. You’ll be fighting them off tonight.”
Chuckling while shaking my head, I managed to reply with, “Merci beaucoup, papa.” Clearing my throat, I added, “I wasn’t allowed to bring my service revolver home. Gun laws and all that.”
“You’d wear one?” Mum asked.
“No, but if I had resided in France, it’s awarded at the end of service, much like this uniform and a couple of others.” Gesturing to my head, where my green beret rested, I added, “This was hard earned, let me tell you.”
“Are you ready?”
“Sure am, Emily. Right, don’t wait up for me though I don’t plan on being out until early morning. I’ll find my own way home though.”
Mum hugged me tightly, kissing my cheek, and I held her for a few second. I’d missed my mother, and I knew she was proud of me. Upset I’d been gone for so long, but since returning home, she’d looked after her youngest child. I didn’t complain but I didn’t want to take advantage for too long.
I followed Emily to her SUV. Living in the western suburbs, it was a long enough drive into the city that she put on the air-conditioning as the car did get warm, my sister adding that she did like my cologne. When I told her that a previous girlfriend had liked it, the conversation did turn to relationships. I told her about two that had turned rather serious until they started to ask about when rather than if I retired. As I loved my time in service, and had no intention of quitting, the relationships eventually fizzled out.
“No regrets either time,” I added, “I am sorry for leaving without nary a word, Emily. But it was something I needed to do.”
She took my hand, kissing the back of it. “You’re home, John. That’s all that matters now. We all missed you though, particularly during times like Christmas. Mum always left your space empty at the dinner table, hoping that you’d return one day. She’s ever so excited her little boy is home again.”
“I’m glad I did come home. It was time.”
She let go of my hand and we finished the journey in comfortable silence. Pulling up on the other side of the street to the hotel where the reunion was being held, we sat together as I watched the entrance, noticing a few men in suits, women in fine dresses and gowns, heading inside. It was growing darker, the streetlights starting to illuminate the road and footpaths. Checking the time, it was due to start in a few minutes.