He sat ramrod straight, one tightly fisted hand rested on the table. The misery in his voice was so acute, her heart ached for him.
“It’s not like cancer?”
Maddie’s childlike lilt drew his attention. “No, Tink,” he said softly, “It’s not like that.”
“You’re not gonna die?” Her voice broke, and she inhaled deeply.
“No.”
She jumped from the chair and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. “Oh, I’m so glad. I knew Miss Gail didn’t know what she was talking about.”
Stiff at first, Max didn’t react to Maddie’s enthusiastic response. Then, slowly, his head bowed and rested on hers.
Sky didn’t miss the tear that slid down his cheek.
Maddie pulled away and looked at Sky. “When will supper be ready?”
“Not until you tell me what brought all this on.” She waved her hand in a circle for emphasis.
Maddie ducked her head. “I overheard Miss Gail talking to Mr. Frank this morning when you went back to the store.”
“We’ll talk about your eavesdropping later. What did you hear?”
She cut her eyes toward Max, who watched intently. “Well, I didn’t actually hear much, just the part about PTSD being like cancer, and then later she said something about Max, and I thought she was saying he was sick.”
She struggled to find a way to explain something she didn’t really understand herself when Max spoke up.
He folded his hands in his lap and took a deep breath. “PTSD is…something that people…soldiers who have been in combat, sometimes have.”
“Does it hurt?”
He blew out a long breath. “Not in the way you mean, but yes, it can hurt.”
“That’s how you got that cut on your face, isn’t it?”
“Maddie!”
If they heard her rebuke, neither gave any indication as their conversation continued.
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry you got hurt, Max.”
“Thanks, Tink.”
“Are you well now?”
Sky didn’t bother to interrupt again since they acted like she wasn’t in the room. Besides, she wanted to know the answer, too.
“I’m much better than I was a year ago, but, no, I’m not totally well.”
Maddie nodded, eyes clear and bright. “But it’s not cancer, so you’ll get well, right?”
He nodded. “I hope so.”
“Can we help you get better?”
Sky heard the quick intake of breath, could see he held it for several heartbeats before he let it go and looked at her.
“I’d like that, but it’s a lot to ask.”
“Why?” Maddie’s voice was firm. “We’d like to help you, wouldn’t we, Mama?”
“I’m sure your mom needs some questions answered before she decides.” He unfolded his hands, placed one on the table. “How about you go watch some TV while we talk?”
“Oh. I see. You need grown-up time.” She turned toward the living room.
“No eavesdropping, young lady.” Sky knew her daughter too well.
“Yes, ma’am.” As was her habit when scolded, Maddie drew out the last word on a deep sigh.
The silence following her exit became uncomfortable, but Sky didn’t know what to say.
Finally, Max sat up and faced her. “I was going to have this conversation later, but now is as good a time as any.”
He clenched his fist so tightly, the knuckles turned white, yet his voice never betrayed distress. “I’ve been in the Marines since I was eighteen. I’ve lost count of the hellholes I’ve been to. And most of them don’t matter anyway.”
She listened in silence as he talked about the last mission. The one that killed his squad and nearly killed him. She had never heard anyone speak so dispassionately about something so horrific and wondered how long he could keep such a tight rein on his emotions.
