The Tank

The Tank, Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Bugs rose from the grass and glittered red in the light of the setting sun.

Cordite sat, exhausted, cup of water dangling from his hand, watching the sunset. Lacey trotted up and starts licking his face. Cordite laughed, put down his cup of water, and took a moment to rough house with the dog. Cagney smiled before sitting down beside them. Suddenly Cordite grimaced in pain. Cagney looked concerned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just not as young as I used to be.” He rubbed his shoulder.

“All right, old man, let me take look.” She pulled of his shirt and began to message it.

“Thanks. Much better.” Cagney continued the therapeutic massage while Lacey moved over and started drinking Cordite’s water. “Hey!” Cordite snatched the cup away from the dog.

“Might as well give it to her. You’re not gonna drink it now, are you?”

“No, I guess you’re right.” He put the cup down so Lacey could slurp up the rest.

Cagney paused and put her chin on Cordite’s shoulder, staring at the sun set. “Beautiful.”

“Yes, it is.”

Cagney moved her head and gently kissed Cordite’s neck. Cordite tried to lean away but Cagney had her arms gently wrapped around his stomach. “Don’t you like it?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“You know what’s wrong.”

“You don’t find me attractive.”

“I find you too attractive.”

Cagney pulled him close. “Life is for the living.”

“They’re not dead.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes I do. I’d feel it if they were gone.”

Cagney took a deep breath. “What happens if we make it back – against all odds we make it back – and they’re not even there?”

“Then I keep looking.”

“No, we keep looking.” Cagney’s voice was rising in anger. “This isn’t just about you, it’s about all of us.”

“I’m not forcing anyone – “

“That’s bullshit and you know it.”

“I promised them I’d come home.”

“That was your mistake, not ours.”  Cagney got up and angrily marched away.

Lacey looked up from her drink, hopped to her feet, and trotted after her handler.

Cordite looked away from both of them, and back at the setting sun.

Just outside of the village, Ratchet and Telly were on sentry duty. Obviously, they had become more than just friends, because they’re taking the opportunity to giggle and kiss.

The sight made Cagney sick. “Rent a room.”

Ratchet laughed. “If there were any to rent we’d be happy to oblige.”

“Jesus Christ, am I the only one not getting laid?”

Ratchet smiled mischievously and talked to the dog. “You tell me, Lacey, you been humping the village strays?” Lacey just looked back at Ratchet, smiling and panting. “Yup, just you,” Ratchet concluded.