Chapter Text
"Remember that kid, Alex, from high school?" Isobel said by way of greeting as she approached Michael.
Michael shrugged nonchalantly.
"He's back from Iraq. They're throwing him a party tomorrow. You should come."
She pulled a beer from the cooler next to his chair and sat down next to him.
"Think I'll pass."
"Oh come on! There's going to be a buffet and probably some free drinks as well. You wouldn't let me sit there all night by myself, would you?" She attempts a pout but it isn’t very convincing.
"As if Noah would ever let you go by yourself." He looks at her from under his hat, trying to figure out if there was more to her inquiry.
She meets his eyes. "At least think about it," she then asks and he acquiesces. She didn't look too upset so he figures he can just pick a random excuse when the time comes.
She doesn't need to know how his heart still trips over itself every time he hears Alex's name.
***
The bar is full to bursting when Michael rolls up. He's never seen so many people in here, but apparently for a decorated war hero they all decided to show up.
He nods hello to a few people as he makes his way through the knot of people, heading straight for the bar.
A huge banner on the side proclaims a loud "Welcome home", decorated with way to many flags. But the walls aren't the only part of the bar that has donned the stars and stripes. Many of the people inside are wearing a variety of red and blue garments or have a little flag pin fixed on their clothes.
Michael has never entirely understood how people found so much pride and belonging in the denomination of where they had been born. But then again, he doesn't even feel at home on this planet so feeling detached from love for his country is probably not much of a stretch. In any case, he needs to be a lot less sober if he is going to make it through tonight.
Whiskey in hand, he takes a look around the people, trying to catch a glimpse of their returned hero. Just the thought that he might see Alex again, has his stomach fluttering.
But Alex is nowhere to be found. For a minute, Michael considers that he might not recognize Alex after all these years. Then he spots Alex's dad.
The sergeant is sitting a little off to the side, his eyes fixed on a large group of people next to him; the look on his face sends chills down Michael's spine.
Before he knows what he's doing, Michael is pushing past the people, stumbling out of the bar and back to his truck, taking huge gulping breaths.
As he drives back to his trailer, he tells himself that Alex wouldn’t want to see him anyway.