His mother's ringtone interrupted his game. Living alone, he had started playing a virtual soldier on Call of Duty. Ironically, his real life warfare happened on a computer with no risk at all to his safety. Even the Regional Cyber Centers were safe. He had spent a few months in Hawaii. His stay in paradise included a fling that ended with no regrets. It felt good not to let his emotions take over. It was fun and nothing more.

"Darling. How are you?"

"Fine. How's everything at home?"

"The same. Your father has an old law school friend who lives near Augusta. He'd like to meet you. Would you mind accepting a dinner invitation?"

"I don't own a suit." None of his pre-army clothes would ever fit him again. In the seven years, he had filled out. If he ever returned home, he would need a new wardrobe, including a tuxedo.

"Wear your uniform. You'll impress them."

"Will it be a formal dinner?"

"Darling, he's a partner in one of the largest firms in Georgia. The firm his grandfather started. Do we ever have guests for an informal meal?" He was about to answer Tori. "Guests that don't live on our street?"

"When is this dinner?"

"Would Saturday work?"

"Sure."

It might be nice to step back into the world he walked away from, just to see if he could still fit in.

He ran with Paco on Saturday morning, who had stepped up the exercise after struggling in his last fitness test. Even though they had desk jobs, the army still required them to keep fit.

"What are you doing today?"

"Nothing. Katie's working. I'll take her out tonight. Are you going to sit in front of the screen all day?"

"Nah. Not all day. Do something nice for her. Do laundry, vacuum. Show her you love her."

"Thanks Dr. Phil, but I'll show her in the bedroom."

Tom laughed. "Dr. Phil!"

"Mamá loves him."

Tom shook his head. Maybe the doctor should tell Mama C to be happy for her son. With maturity, he felt his anger for his brother lessening, especially as Paco was becoming more distant with his family. It was good Ricky was sticking up for Lucy.

Tom had worn his full service uniform only a handful of times - most often for weddings. He hoped he would wear it for another wedding, but Mama C's resistance was preventing Paco from popping the question. They never wore the jacket or tie to work on base.

As he walked to his car in the parking lot, the Jeep pulled up. Paco stuck his head out. "Where are you going to a funeral?"

Katie smiled and waved.

"I have dinner at a friend of my father's."

"Your father?"

He shrugged. "My Mom asked nicely."

As he walked away, he heard. "How come you never wear your uniform like that?"

He laughed as he climbed into his own car, and they drove away.

The house looked like an old plantation home with wide pillars in front of the brick and white exterior. He thought of Ted, who would know about its style. His palms were sweaty as he parked his car. The model he drove looked like it should have been parked by the kitchen, not in front, next to a shiny black BMW. He instantly feared he forgot everything his mother had taught him. He brought a box of expensive chocolates for the hostess, so he had remembered something.

The door chime was deep, and a maid answered the door.

"Good evening, Sir."

"Good evening."

The grand hall opened to the second floor balconies, with a grand staircase and a large chandelier. He followed the maid into a formal room.

A gentleman stood and smiled. "Here he is. Thomas, I'm Bradley Watson." He shook his hand with a firm grip. "My wife Elizabeth and our daughter, Isabella."

His gaze went from mother to daughter. She was close to his age and had dark brown hair that reminded him of Sloane. Both of Tori's siblings took after their father, but she looked just like her mother.

When Isabella stood, she offered her hand. "Bella, please."

He smiled. "Tom."

In her heels, she was almost as tall as him, and he just missed the six-foot mark by an inch or two.

Bradley said, "I wondered. Your father called you Tommy."

"I haven't been called Tommy since I was a cadet." Except when Katie did.

"What are you now?"

"First Lieutenant, but I'm hoping for a promotion soon." He suspected Paco would make it before him. His friend had recently caught the eye of some top brass.

"You're not in law?"

He smiled and shook his head. "Much to my father's disappointment. I work with computers."

"Oh, I suppose even the army needs help fixing those."

He smiled, but didn't volunteer his job was a far cry from fixing hardware.

Mrs. Watson invited him to sit. "What would you like to drink?"

"I'll take care of it, dear." Bradley walked to a cart. "Name your poison."

"Just a small glass of red wine." He took the glass and sat in an uncomfortable chair.

Bella patted the sofa cushion next to where she was sitting. "That chair's awful. Sit here."

He was no longer confused about the motivation behind his invitation.

"So you attended Harvard with my father?"

"I did. We've kept minimal contact, but I recently called him about a case and he mentioned you were at Gordon and a West Point graduate. Impressive. Bella graduated from Harvard law. She's working at our firm."

"You must be proud." He imagined that news caused the judge more disappointment.

"I hear your brother and his wife are making names for themselves in Boston."

He paused, not knowing how to respond. Tom knew nothing about what Trey and the bitch were doing, so he gave a measured reply. "It isn't really surprising."

"Two boys. How nice." Elizabeth smiled, but her face didn't move.

"Three. My middle brother is a teacher in Africa."

"Oh. That's different!" He wasn't sure if she meant her response to be positive or negative.

"Have you traveled with the army?" He liked that Mr. Watson kept to less personal questions.

"I have."

"Anyplace exciting?" Bella asked.

"Hawaii." He didn't know if they would consider Kuwait or Korea exciting.

The small talk continued as they moved into the dining room. The table had more forks than he had seen since his last Christmas at home. Thankfully, it was like riding a bike and he didn't embarrass himself.

He navigated the conversation without letting on he was estranged from his family and never went home. They spoke about the city of Augusta.

"I haven't had time to get to know the city." He was unaware of the culture the city offered.

"You should let me show you around."

He looked at Bella. She was pretty. If he were to compare her, Tori and even Katie would rank higher. Not having a reason to decline, he agreed.

"Tomorrow."

"I'm not available."

He had to work.

"Friday night?"

He agreed and had a date. She smiled, and he noticed her brown eyes.

"Do you always wear your uniform?"

He shook his head. "My mother suggested it. I haven't needed a suit in years. My lifestyle is very different from my family's and I imagine yours."

"We'll make it casual then."

He liked casual - casual dress, casual dating, and perhaps some casual sex.

He received a text from Katie inviting him to dinner on Sunday after work. He probably could have met Bella, but he preferred to chill out after work. Some days could be intense.

When he arrived, he greeted Paco.

"Come see what I'm making." Her voice came from the kitchen.

"It smells like garlic."

She smiled and kissed his cheek. He used to think his best friend was Paco, but now it was both as if they were a package deal. Katie had taken over his cooking lessons. He loved to spend time with her in the kitchen.

"So how was your fancy dinner?"

"It was fine."

"What's that smile for? You're hiding something."

"I have a date on Friday night."

"A date! Spill!" She jumped up and down.

"They have a daughter, Bella. She's planning to show me around Augusta."

"I could have done that if I knew you wanted to."

"I know. She suggested it and I thought, why not?"

Pace called out. "Is she beautiful like her name implies?"

"She's pretty. Dark hair."

"My girl is more beautiful with her amazing red hair."

Both Tom and Katie corrected him. "Auburn!"

"Bella is not as beautiful."

He smiled as Katie blushed from the attention. "Come on, the food's ready."

They invited him to dinner two other times that week. Paco's phone rang while they were eating on Tuesday. He stepped away, but both Tom and Katie could hear his tone even if they didn't understand his Spanish words.

Tom looked at Katie, who stared at her plate as she moved her food around. He squeezed her hand.

"It will work out. He loves you."

"I know, but he also wants to return to Miami when he's done. I can't live there."

Tom nodded and tried to lighten her mood. "I'm not sure I can either. Maybe I can talk him into staying."

"Are you planning to stay?"

"I don't know. Sometimes I think about going home. There will be more jobs up there. It's too soon to decide. We have three years of reserves too. We're here for a while."

When Paco ended the call, it was obvious nothing had been resolved. "She wants me to come visit. I keep telling her not until she accepts the girl I love."

"Hey Paco, ultimatums are hard. I would go home, but I made a stand with my brother and I won't desert him."

"Because you didn't want to be a lawyer?"

He shook his head. "It's more complicated than that."

When he left after dinner on Thursday, Katie kissed his cheek. "Have a fun date! I want all the details."

He laughed. When Tori was his best friend, she was his date. Now Katie wanted to know about his date with a woman who wasn't his friend at all. He hardly knew her.