A few weeks after Erica’s father was buried, Gabriel turned sixteen. When Linc told Erica that his parents were considering canceling Gabriel’s party because they didn’t think she’d want a celebration so soon after her father’s death, she refused to let them do that.
No matter how much it hurt to lose her father, life had to go on. And knowing her father, he would kick her ass if she spent too much time wallowing in her grief.
Gabriel’s sixteenth birthday party, held on the Saturday after his actual birthday, was teeming with teenagers. Erica could see how popular her brother-in-law was. Linc might have been the same way at Gabriel’s age, except that he didn’t have any of his brother’s confidence, even still.
“I never thought I’d feel old at twenty-two.” Erica laughed.
“I know what you mean.” Mary nodded. “I’m only twenty-six, and I’m the oldest person here.”
Erica smiled as she looked around the backyard. “I notice the girls outnumber the boys.”
“That’s Gabriel,” Sarah said. “He can convince any girl to go out with him.”
“Charming like his brother,” Erica murmured.
“Is that what Linc did, charmed you?” Mary asked.
“Definitely.”
“How did he do that?”
“He told me I was beautiful before he told me his name.”
Mary’s eyes showed her doubt. “Are we talking about the same guy?”
“The very same,” Erica answered.
“Where is Linc anyway? Isn’t he usually stuck to your side?” Sarah joked.
“I’m not sure,” Erica admitted, scanning the backyard.
Though Sarah was only kidding she wasn’t far from the truth, which is what made Erica nervous. Erica tried to be casual when she excused herself to look for him.
Erica approached a large group of teenage boys that had Gabriel in its midst. “Have you seen Linc?”
“Isn’t he with you?” Gabe frowned.
“No,” Erica tried to sound calm.
One of the boys grinned at her. “Who’s this, Gabe?”
“My brother’s wife,” Gabriel answered, looking around the backyard.
Erica wanted to laugh at the way the boy looked her up and down, his gaze lingering on her chest.
“So, do you think if I got naked and screwed myself up the ass I could get a hot girl like you too?”
“What?” Erica gasped.
“What the hell did you just say?” Gabriel snapped his head around, his eyes blazing with anger.
His friend tried to laugh. “Come on, I was kidding.”
“That’s not funny, Eddie,” Gabriel said through clenched teeth. “Don’t you ever talk about my brother like that again.”
“Why not? It’s the truth. We all know all the sick things your brother did to himself, and he even said he liked it.”
“My brother is a hero.”
“How does screwing yourself up the ass and jerking off in front of a bunch of guys make you a hero?”
“Quit saying that. If you ever talk about my brother like that again, I’ll beat the shit out of you.”
The two boys stood eye to eye. Erica was amazed and touched by the fierce loyalty Gabriel had for Linc. Exactly what kind of friend Eddie was to be so callous?
“Gabe, it’s okay,” Linc said softly from behind him.
Eddie looked at Linc. “Were you really a P.O.W.?”
“That wasn’t a snuff film you saw,” Linc snapped.
“A what?”
“Nothing.”
“There’s no way I would’ve done what you did.”
“You don’t think so?”
“No way man.”
The rest of the boys in the group milled around, their gazes anywhere but on Linc and Eddie. Linc approached Eddie and stood just inches from his face. For a minute Erica was worried he was going to punch a kid.
“You don’t think getting the shit beat out of you from head to toe would change your mind? What about listening to your best friends scream and cry and knowing they’re dying? Or how about being covered in a black hood the whole time you’re held captive and never knowing if you were alone or not? What about feeling the blade of a sword against the back of your neck and being asked if you’re ready to meet your God?”
Linc’s voice was low and serious as he fired questions at Eddie. He didn’t have to yell to make his point. Tension was thick in the air and everything had gone silent, so much so that Erica would have sworn she could hear the rapid beating of Eddie’s frightened heart.
“Where did you go?” Erica spoke up.
Eddie took his opportunity and escaped to a friendlier crowd. If he decided to leave altogether, Erica didn’t think anyone would have minded.
“I’m sorry, Linc,” Gabriel said.
“It’s not your fault. Sorry you have to deal with all of this.”
“It’s not your fault,” Gabriel repeated with a grin.
“Where were you?” Erica asked again.
“I asked my dad to take me to get Gabe’s present,” Linc explained, tossing a set of keys to his brother.
“What’s this for?” Gabriel asked, though his face said he knew what Linc was giving him.
“My truck. I can’t drive a stick anymore.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yep, I’ll take you to the DMV after school on Monday to transfer the title. I’ll pay for that, but the rest is your responsibility.”
“You’re the best, Linc.”
While Gabriel and his friends rushed off to check out his birthday present, Erica and Linc found a place to sit.
“So, you busy tomorrow?” Linc asked Erica.
“Why?”
“We need to go shopping for a new car.”
“Are you okay?”
“Actually, yeah,” Linc assured her. “I think I made my point.”
“I’d say so.” Erica laughed.
Even though she hated that he’d had to do it, Erica was never more proud of Linc than she was in that moment. It wasn’t that long ago that being confronted with a situation like that would have broken him.
Now he could face it with strength and she loved him all the more.
The weekend after Gabriel’s sixteenth birthday party Erica and Linc bought a brand new car. It was their first big purchase as a married couple, and Erica felt a sense of accomplishment at how grown up they were.
“Todd Lincoln?” the salesman mused when he took their drivers’ licenses to photocopy. “Are you that Marine they showed on TV getting tortured?”
Linc shifted in his chair, but he answered the question without flinching. “Yes.”
“But you’re just a kid.”
Erica could understand his surprise. Only people who knew Linc would know he was the Marine on the video tape. It was the only time the hood had worked to his advantage.
“I’m almost twenty-three.”
“Yeah, but I always thought the guy who lived through all that was older. I need to shake your hand again.”
“Why?”
“It took a lot of guts to do what you did and live through what you did.”
Erica thought Linc might cry. His expression was a combination of relief and happiness. Though his family and friends had never wavered in their support of him, it was the first time a complete stranger had openly expressed his admiration for Linc.
“So, you wanna drive your new car home?” Linc was grinning at Erica as they stood in the parking lot after the last papers had been signed.
“The car is for you, so you should drive it.”
“It’s our car, but I want you to drive it. I’ll drive the old one.”
“Why?”
“Cause my baby deserves the best,” Linc answered, pulling her against him for a kiss.
“Todd, we’re in public,” Erica reminded him with a laugh.
“Does that mean you won’t kiss me?”
“I’ll kiss you anytime, anywhere,” Erica said before giving him another kiss and sliding her tongue over his just for extra measure.
Erica had to admit it felt good to be driving a brand new car. She was glad Linc had given it to her.
Since Linc was driving again, he was able to start going on his own to his rehab and psychotherapy appointments. It also gave him a certain amount of independence that boosted his self-esteem. Erica couldn’t have been more pleased with his progress. Every step forward brought her closer to having back the man she’d married.
Because buying the car meant they had added another bill to their monthly expenses, Erica and Linc knew they needed to cut a few corners to make up the difference. They’d decided one good way to do so would be not to buy each other any birthday presents.
Erica didn’t care as much about her birthday as she did their upcoming anniversary. She could hardly believe they’d been married for almost a year.
Although Erica and Linc had agreed not to make a big deal out of their birthdays, her friends couldn’t resist coming over on a Friday night with gifts and a small cake.
“What’s this?” Erica asked as Cory and Veronica barreled into her apartment.
“Your birthday was yesterday, wasn’t it?” Cory frowned.
“I told you we weren’t making a big deal out of it,” Erica reminded her.
“No,” Cory disagreed. “You said you and Linc weren’t making a big deal out of it. Nothing was said about us, your dear friends.”
“Is this a girl thing?” Linc asked.
“Hell no.” Cory laughed. “Why don’t you call that sexy little brother of yours and invite him over?”
“That’s gross.” Veronica wrinkled her nose. “He’s like fifteen.”
“He’s sixteen now,” Erica pointed out.
“Two more years and he’ll be legal.” Cory grinned wickedly.
“Don’t let Gabriel hear you talking like that,” Erica warned. “He’s got a huge crush on you.”
“Speaking of sexy, you’re looking pretty good yourself, Linc,” Cory said.
Linc looked up at her, blushing furiously. Cory laughed at his reaction.
“Why do you always do that?” Linc asked.
“What?”
“Try to make me look stupid.”
“Cory might be a little blunt sometimes, but I think she was serious,” Veronica spoke up.
“Yep, totally serious,” Cory agreed, looking at Linc. “Don’t act like you don’t know how hot you are.”
Linc seemed unsure as to whether they were teasing him or being serious. There was an almost desperate look on his face when he glanced over at Erica.
“If I remember right, it was Cory who said you had a great face and an even better body,” Erica reminded him.
“Are you trying to get me to leave?” Linc asked.
“I told you I’m being serious,” Cory said. “Even when I didn’t like you I thought you were some serious eye candy.”
“It’s true,” Veronica agreed. “I think I even recall Cory saying if you weren’t her best friend’s husband she’d like to get a crack at you in bed.”
“You did not?” Erica laughed.
“I confess I did,” Cory admitted, though she wasn’t embarrassed. “Too bad Gabriel isn’t your twin brother. Then I could have one too.”
“What about me?” Veronica demanded.
“What about if we talk about something else?” Linc suggested.
“On one condition,” Cory said. “Tell us how come you don’t think you’re hot. Your brother looks just like you, and he’s clearly aware of his good looks.”
“Tell me why you think I am?” Linc shot back, and Erica cringed.
Linc was going to regret asking that question. Cory never backed down from a challenge.
“Great eyes,” Veronica said.
“I was thinking great ass,” Cory said.
“Cory, are you flirting with my husband?” Erica teased.
“Maybe a little.” Cory winked at her.
“Okay,” Erica said and shrugged. “So, we have great eyes and great ass, anything else?”
“Rikki!” Linc said.
“Great body, very muscular,” Veronica answered.
“Tall and blond with these full lips you just want to suck,” Cory continued.
“Come on, this is getting embarrassing. Can we please talk about something else?” Linc pleaded.
“This is what girls do,” Veronica informed him.
“It’s true, but we could talk about the whole Todd and Rikki thing,” Cory said.
“What do you mean?” Linc frowned.
“You always call her Rikki, and sometimes she calls you Todd. Is that a sex thing?”
“That’s private,” Linc muttered.
“Guess that answers your question.” Veronica laughed.
“Linc’s right, we need to change the subject,” Erica spoke up.
“Okay, don’t make any anniversary plans,” Cory said.
“Why?” Erica asked.
“Because Ron and I have something special planned for you two,” Cory replied.
Linc narrowed his eyes. “What?”
“It’s a surprise,” Veronica said.
“It’s not illegal, is it?” Erica said, though she wasn’t entirely kidding.
“Promise,” Cory assured her. “Come on, Linc, trust me.”
“Okay,” Linc agreed, still looking hesitant.
Erica got the feeling he only agreed because he knew it would make her happy. And he was right.