Wrong Time by Mitchel Grace

there was something wrong with him. He seemed
much more detached than usual. He had barely spoken to her. She feared that his
state of mind was a poor one at best after what he witnessed in Atlanta. When
Michael sat down in Campbell’s office, Campbell didn’t beat around the bush. He
just came right out and said what needed to be said.
    “I’ve heard that the stress from combat
may have been too much for you. I think that starting tomorrow we need to have
you talk to our specialist. His name is James Harper, and he’s the best
psychologist that we have at our disposal. If there’s anyone who can help you
recover from all the things that you’ve seen, it’s him,” Campbell said.
    Michael only nodded in agreement with Campbell.
He had fought therapy for so long, but for the first time in his life, he knew
that he needed it. Out there on the battlefield, his mind betrayed his body,
and until his mind was right, he would never be fit to help anyone. After a
little while, Campbell’s talk with Michael was over, and he exited the room. He
sat in Jess’s office in silence while waiting for her work to be over. Anytime
she said something to him, he only answered in the shortest way possible and
never left an opening for her to say anything back. When the day was over and
everyone was home, Michael lay down on the couch.
    “You can sleep in my room,” Jess said.
    Michael silently got up, walked to the
bedroom, and flopped down there.
      “I don’t know what you saw out there, but
you know that sooner or later we’re going to need to talk about it,” Jess said.
    “I just want to sleep right now. Please,
can all of this wait until tomorrow?” Michael asked.
    “Yeah, that’s fine. Goodnight,” Jess
said and closed the door.
    As she walked to the pantry and looked
for something to eat, she worried. She didn’t know what to do for him, but she
knew that she had to do something.  
    While Michael and Jess were talking,
Lee walked straight to his room and crashed. He hadn’t slept in so long, and
his body could take no more. He awoke at midnight. Great, now my schedule is
all screwed up, he thought as he got up. Lee walked to the living room where he
found Trish watching television.
    “Hey, you’re out of your room, but why
are you awake so late?” Lee asked.
    “I slept all day, and I just can’t get
everything off my mind.”  
    “Yeah, I went to sleep as soon as I got
home, so I’m kind of in the same boat right now.”
    “How did things go today with your lady
friend? Does she hate you for standing her up?”
    “Yeah, I think that I’m pretty much
dead to her now.”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you
so much trouble.”
    “It’s fine. I was where I needed to be
last night, and if Megan doesn’t understand that, then it’s her loss.”
    “Thank you. Can I tell you what’s going
on?” Trish asked.
    “Yes. I would love to know what’s going
on.”  
    Trish explained to Lee what had
happened and who David was to her. Afterward, Lee told her how they were having
trouble getting information out of the man who killed David back at the office.
    “I’ll see what I can do about that
tomorrow,” Trish said.
    “What? You are not going back to work tomorrow after everything that you’ve been
through, and you’re certainly not going to face that man.”
    “Oh, I’m going to do more than face
him. I’m going to squeeze every bit of information out of him, and then I’m
going to kill him.”
    “See, that’s exactly why you can’t go
back there. That just sounds crazy, and that’s not the Trish I know talking.”
    “Look, I’m going to do this. I need to
at least question the man.”
    “Fine, but I’m coming with you in case
you try to do something stupid.”
    “Do what you want to do,” Trish said as
her stomach growled very loudly.
    “Have you eaten anything?” Lee asked.
    “Not since yesterday morning. I just
haven’t felt like eating lately.”
    “I’m no expert in