Chapter Text
Jimmy Campbell made it back to town a few weeks ago. He came back earlier than the other men and he was stuck between being glad he was home and wishing he was still there. He didn’t like the war, of course. Who did? But the reason he was home early made him want nothing other than to be back out there on his ship. He didn’t know how he survived. Part of him wished he didn’t. Part of him was happy he did. The other part of him wished one other person in particular did.
Charlie. Jimmy sighed and closed his eyes. Explosions. Screaming. Someone calling out for him. Crying. A body. Charlie.
Jimmy’s eyes shot back open as he threw himself against the wall behind him. His stare flickered across the room while he took many shaky breaths in an effort to calm himself down. It wasn’t until his heart steadied that a nurse came to check on him.
“Mr. Campbell, how are you feeling?” The nurse asked as she gave him a once-over.
“Fine.” Jimmy forced out. His jaw clenched when he noticed his harsh tone.
“I’m fine.” He corrected himself.
“Well, the doctor said that you should be ready to go by tonight.”
“Thank you.” Jimmy watched as she walked away, then wet his mouth and called her back. “Have...Have my parents tried to come see me?”
The nurse hesitated and shifted uncomfortably. “We called them, but…”
“They don’t want to see me.”
“They didn’t answer. There’s still hope.”
“I highly doubt it, but thank you anyway, Miss…” He narrowed his eyes at her nameplate. “...Evans.”
Miss Evans gave him a heartwarming smile and a nod then left.
Jimmy sighed and pulled himself back down into his hospital bed. He drew his knees up to his chest and didn’t close his eyes again until they stung.